KeaneyBlue - The URI Basketball Forum

ramfan85 wrote:I'd bet ace was there.

I was, and I'm not going to lie- it was pretty great finally seeing a Ram (current, future, whatever) win on that court. When Rhody did it a week later... also fun!

This year was the first time in five seasons I got to see a 2-0 sweep in Philly.

It's no accident that recruiting players who play at a championship level in high school translates well in college.

Jeff Dowtin is proof of that. Can't wait to see Fatts!

Well I mean I can wait a few more games hopefully

Anyone else find it super awkward to refer to this kid as "Fatts?" I get that's his nickname in the tradition of ironically calling fat rappers like bigge "smalls" and vice-versa. It's odd and hardly very clever to me so I think i'll stick with Daron.

Super excited about his play though. Seems like if he was a couple inches taller he would be a top 100 prospect for sure.

Imhotep beat Audenreid in the quarterfinals on Sunday. Russell had 24 points in a somewhat surprisingly easy win. The semi-finals are tomorrow night.


Russell is listed at 6' (he's not even close) and watching him dunk is seriously fun. Here's one from Sunday.

Daron is 5'10" I think. Big enough to get the job done.

I'm not picking on him, but his leaping ability does take you by surprise when you watch him play. He's a "bouncy" player, but then he takes off and his elevation is really impressive.

Here's another play. He was up there on this one-




I'll have some more thoughts on him later. Also, I understand that he hasn't played a college game yet, but down the road, I could see his and Dowtin's games really complementing each other.

That's some sick vertical leap!

Very athletic and a high BB IQ......this kid could be a game changer....and yes with him and JD in a couple of years we could have one of the best backcourts in the country.

One of the best backcourts next year...

Imhotep beat Greater Nanticoke tonight in the semi-finals, 60-23. They led 39-15 at the half. Russell had 18 points then and ended up with 22. They played the fourth quarter with a running clock, and Imhotep's starters sat out. They'll play Strong Vincent (Erie) this weekend in Hershey for the 4A State Championship. Imhotep will be favored, but the game should hopefully be more competitive. David Morris is a Tennessee State signee and an all-state player for Strong Vincent.

The way Pennsylvania classifies schools can lead to some really lopsided match-ups. The city championship was the greatest achievement this season for Daron and Imhotep.

Ace, is this Daron's last HS game? What with all the tourneys they play in, just wondering.

As far as I know, yes, Saturday's his last official game with Imhotep. I know I didn't post here all season, but it was a lot of fun to track Daron's performance this year, knowing that I'd be following him just as closely in a Rams uniform next season.

PIAA 4A: Imhotep demolishes Greater Nanticoke to advance to state championship

http://www.cityofbasketballlove.com/new ... id=1566508

I know we've got great depth at the guard position next year, but it's going to be hard to keep this kid off of the floor.

"Limitless" road2hersey.... https://t.co/426PXa5gvj

Billyboy, I agree....by the 2nd half of the season, he will be taking some minutes away from somebody.

rambone 78 wrote:Billyboy, I agree....by the 2nd half of the season, he will be taking some minutes away from somebody.

Or we'll be on some HAVOC/cocaine type pace of play and we'll be running 4 guards at times and getting Jeff, Jarvis, EC, Jared, Stan, and Daron requiring 20-25 minutes a night?

Blue Man wrote:

rambone 78 wrote:Billyboy, I agree....by the 2nd half of the season, he will be taking some minutes away from somebody.

Or we'll be on some HAVOC/cocaine type pace of play and we'll be running 4 guards at times and getting Jeff, Jarvis, EC, Jared, Stan, and Daron requiring 20-25 minutes a night?

If Fatts is really good (and I think he is), Jarvis will be the odd man out midway thru the season IMO.

I don't see Jarvis not playing....unless his illness flares up again......unfortunately with what he has, that happens even with the meds he has to take to keep it under control.

JG is still a very good player...and a senior...he's get his minutes.

I think people forgot how good Jarvis is.

78, his illness and the emergence of JD made people forget....I think he still wasn't 100% by the NCAAT.....

I think I was guilty of that a little myself.

I mean, with him healthy next season, we will have THREE very capable PG's......

Will be playing in the Jordan regional game

Impressive to be asked to participate in the Jordan Classic Regional game. Most players chosen are going to high profile schools. Only one other player of the 22 man roster is headed to the A-10 (Hasahn French-SLU). Given this region is probably where the great majority of A-10 recruits come from, that is a good sign relative to our league recruiting competition.

Billyboy78 wrote:I think people forgot how good Jarvis is.

How good is he?
He is a weakness on defense.
The offense just ran smoother under Dowtin - you could see it.
Dowtin avg 0.8 TOs to Jarvis 1.4 avg this year and 2.4 last year.
Assist to turnover: Dowtin 2.8 to Jarvis 2.1 this year and 2.0 last year.

Rhody83 wrote:

Billyboy78 wrote:I think people forgot how good Jarvis is.

How good is he?
He is a weakness on defense.
The offense just ran smoother under Dowtin - you could see it.
Dowtin avg 0.8 TOs to Jarvis 1.4 avg this year and 2.4 last year.
Assist to turnover: Dowtin 2.8 to Jarvis 2.1 this year and 2.0 last year.

I think the numbers are somewhat skewed because Garrett was clearly hobbled this year, and last year when he compiled his stats, the team around him wasn't as good (no EC). I think it'll be a strong, open competition for the job next year between Dotwin and Garrett, which will probably be good for the team in the long run.

Russell had 18 points in the first half of the championship game PIAA 4A. His team is leading 55-33 at
the beginning of the third quarter.

Russell's team won the championship PIAA 4A 80-52. Russell led his team with 25 points 9-17 fg 4-8 3pt 3-4 ft 6 steals
in 25 minutes.

Congrats Daron!

Dan was at the game today per twitter.

This is great. Congrats Daron. How about the 5'6 guy committed to Miami. 5'6.

Last July at the Nike EYBL Championships Peach Jam the Top 24 Qualifiers Played Off. This is the Top Tournament of the Year for AAU.
I updated the All Tournament Selections to the most recent ESPN Ranking and updated the College Selected. Some are still undecided but ranked in ESPN Top 100.

Daron Russell made 2nd team
You can see the High ESPN Top 100 Rankings and the Top Universities Selected for other 1st, 2nd and Honorable Mention EYBL Recognized players. Russell is in very good company.
He went on to have an outstanding Senior year as already noted in this recruiting thread


1st Team:
DeAndre Ayton, 7-1, 2017, Cal Supreme - ESPN #2 - Arizona
Brian Bowen, 6-7, 2017, Mean Streets - ESPN #13 - Uncommitted
Quade Green, 6-0, 2017, PSA Cardinals - ESPN #22 - Kentucky
Michael Porter Jr., 6-9, 2017, MoKan Elite - ESPN #1 - Missouri
Gary Trent Jr., 6-5, 2017, Howard Pulley - ESPN #8 - Duke
Trae Young, 6-2, 2017, MoKan Elite - ESPN #15 - Oklahoma

2nd Team:
Kevin Knox, 6-8, 2017, E1T1 - ESPN #7 - Uncommitted
Brandon Randolph, 6-6, 2017, PSA Cardinals - ESPN #34 - Arizona
Mitchell Robinson, 7-0, 2017, Pro Skills - ESPN #9 Western Kentucky
Daron Russell, 5-10, 2017, Team Final - Rhode Island
P.J. Washington, 6-9, 2017, Team Penny - ESPN #14 - Kentucky

Honorable Mention:
Mohamed Bamba, 6-11, 2017, PSA Cardinals - ESPN #5 - Uncommitted
Lavar Batts, Jr., 6-2, 2017, Team CP3 - ESPN #96 - VCU
Troy Brown, 6-6, 2017, Las Vegas Prospects - ESPN #18 - Oregon
Chaundee Brown, 6-5, 2017, Nike South Beach - ESPN #31 Wake Forest
Jay Jay Chandler, 6-4, 2017, Houston Hoops - Texas A & M
Hamidou Diallo, 6-6, 2017, NY Rens - ESPN #11 - Kentucky
Jordan Goodwin, 6-4, 2017, St. Louis Eagles - ESPN #55 Saint Louis
Alex Lomax, 6-0, 2018, Team Penny - Uncommitted
Jordan Nwora, 6-8, 2017, NY Rens - ESPN #87 - Louisville
Charles O'Bannon, Jr., 6-6, 2017, Las Vegas Prospects - ESPN #30 USC
Tremont Waters, 5-11, 2017, Expressions Elite - ESPN #33 - Georgetown

Daron should be a top 100 easy......maybe even top 50....

rambone 78 wrote:Daron should be a top 100 easy......maybe even top 50....

I'm not sure about that and doesn't really matter but you can certainly say that his accomplishments are being achieved against strong competition last summer and throughout his Senior Year. Best player on his team that finished Ranked #6 in USA Today National Poll

giovanni wrote:

Love it

State Championship Win Articles:

http://highschoolsports.pennlive.com/ne ... iver_index

http://highschoolsports.pennlive.com/ne ... g-vincent/

There is a 6'10" kid named Moore in the Philly area who committed to Crean at Indiana....and now has asked for his release.....before they hired Miller....but maybe Fatts should put in a call to his neighbor and point out our need for a big kid....

Ramulous wrote:There is a 6'10" kid named Moore in the Philly area who committed to Crean at Indiana....and now has asked for his release.....before they hired Miller....but maybe Fatts should put in a call to his neighbor and point out our need for a big kid....

We don't need a big, we need a 6'8" do it all like Iverson, I'd rather have a wing

The texts and calls that fly when coaching rumors get started, program-affiliated people out there looking up their Team Final and Philly hoops hook-ups... it's no joke. Anyway, here are a couple of articles that I don't think have been posted.

Daron Russell caps legendary Imhotep Charter career with star showing in Class 4A championship game
http://highschoolsports.pennlive.com/ne ... ship-game/


PIAA Class 4A: Russell caps Imhotep career with state championship
http://www.cityofbasketballlove.com/new ... id=1566508

“He’s been just great,” Noble said. “All-time leading scorer, assists, steals, and he’s just a great kid, a great person. Honor roll student and great in our building, he’s just a good kid."

I like his teammate's quote: "“I watched that man do amazing things all year,” Beatty said. “I guard that man in practice, fastest guy in the world. I'm used to seeing it. I expect nothing less than for him to go off every game, so he’s going to be great in Rhode Island, he’s going to be great in college and he's going to be a great player.”"

I hope Daron stays with us if Dan leaves......

Who was the lead recruiter for Fatts?

Billyboy78 wrote:Who was the lead recruiter for Fatts?

Dave Cox

Sounds like this kid is the real deal

Hell, I'll call him whatever he wants so long as he's as good as advertised!

One thing's for sure - our backcourt is gonna be SICK!

Would it be accurate to say Daron is the best (most hyped might be a better word) recruit Dan has landed since Terrel?

Sure seems that way to me.

Boy, is this kid going to be fun to watch. Just the passes alone.

I think he is the best player that Dan has recruited. He can finish and shoot from the outside. Great competitor and winner.
Watch the highlight video in the post above. How can you not get excited to see this kid play for Rhody!

Rhody83 wrote:I think he is the best player that Dan has recruited. He can finish and shoot from the outside. Great competitor and winner.
Watch the highlight video in the post above. How can you not get excited to see this kid play for Rhody!

Agreed, who cares about 3 or 4 star. His size is the only reason he's not a 4 star. He's looks Iike a very special player... The future of our team.