Brian Flinn:
Future150 National Recruiting Analyst. Covering high school basketball nationally.
Dayton, OH (Future150) -- The Big Dance is finally here and while everyone would like to cut down the nets, there can only be one champion. That being said, there is always the chance that the next season could be better than the last. With that in mind, Future150 would like to introduce "The Next Step", a segment dedicated to breaking down each program's recruitng class as they bow out of the tournament; because there's always next season.
Next up are the Vanderbilt Commodores. Kevin Stallings' group was argubaly one of the surprise teams to make this field and Wichita State pulled away from them in the second half. The SEC has gotten stronger over the past year, and is continuing in an upward direction; putting pressure on Vandy to recruit at a higher level. Impending depatures have also made the class of 2016 an important one for Stallings and company.
The Commodores hold commitments from two top-150 players. Power forward Clevon Brown comes in at #133 after a huge summer, while Future150 Alum Payton Willis comes in at #137 thanks to his shooting ability.
Brown shares some traits with Damian Jones, which likely isn't an coincidence considering Jones is leaving for the NBA after this season. A talented shot-blocker, Brown runs the floor well and plays at 100% at all times. His offensive game is coming around. The main difference between he and Jones is height, as Brown stands at just 6-foot-8.
Willis is a big combo-guard ( 6-foot-4) who may have to take a bigger role than originally anticipated, as there are rumors that Wade Baldwin will test the NBA waters as well. Willis is different in the sense that he is a knock down shooter who will likely play off the ball in Stallings' system. Willis is also not the defender that Baldwin is, but can create shots for teammates when the ball is in his hands.
Neither freshman will step in and immediately plug the potential holes they'll be asked to fill entirely by themselves. That being said, both have clear skills that Vanderbilt values and will need moving forward. With a third place finish in the SEC this season, expect Vandy to take a slight dip if Baldwin does leave for the NBA as well. If he stays, the Commodores will have the talent to fight for an SEC title again next season.
Comments:
Be the first to post. Just use the form below.