Nice rticle from Andrew Force:
Devon Scott wants you to know his name.
For the second weekend in a row Scott hit the road, traveling with an unfamiliar AAU team in hopes of elevating his recruiting profile. The summer after your junior year means everything in basketball recruiting and Scott knows it.
Andrew Force
A foreboding Scott locks down the lane
Though he claims the West Virginia Wildcats as his team, Devon will play and has played for virtually any team any time.
Easter weekend Devon wasn't bulking up on ham, eggs, or bantering with estranged cousins. Instead Scott bounced up to Akron for the King James Shooting Stars Classic.
"My team took the week off," said Scott. "I need the exposure. I don't take weeks off."
Scott played for an undermanned Hidden Gems outfit, but completely changed the game when on the floor. He flew around the court like a recently caged lion, ripping down rebounds, trapping ball-handlers, and diving on the floor for loose balls.
In soccer, loose balls are called 50-50 balls meaning each player has a 50% chance of controlling the ball. Devon wins the 30-70 balls regularly. No big man on the circuit works harder. And that should be enough to catch the attention of recruiting analysts, opposing coaches, and teammates.
Even if it is, Devon wants more. He wants to play college basketball of course and in the coming months he will have to demonstrate he can do even more than outwork his opponents.
He will have to unveil his blossoming midrange game, defend four-star centers, and continue to frighten every slashing guard with his ferocious blocks.
NIKE EYBL Dallas
EYBL basketball features NIKE's 40 elite U17 teams. Last weekend saw top teams descend on Dallas and guess who showed up with yet another uniform bedecking his powerful back.
Devon Scott suited up for The Family, former AAU team of Chris Douglas-Roberts (Memphis), Draymond Green (Michigan State), Manny Harris (Michigan), Durrell Summers (Michigan State), and Paul Williams (Dayton).
Friday night the coaches hardly knew his name. He only got two minutes on the floor in their opener and surely went to bed Friday evening wondering whether the trip from Columbus to Dallas was even worth it.
Saturday morning, more of the same. Devon played zero minutes at 9:30 AM as The Family fell to Mean Streets.
"Man I struggled most of the weekend adjusting to a different style of play, a different team, and a different league altogether," said Scott.
But the tenacious power forward would not be denied. Opponent Minutes Points Rebounds (Off) Blocks
Seattle Rotary 2 0 2(1) 0
Mean Streets 0
0 0 0
Charlotte Royals 12 10 7(3) 1
BABC 18 4 5(1) 0
Mac Irvin Fire 21 8 6(3) 1
Facing the Charlotte Royals Scott finally got some substantial action (12 minutes) and completely dominated. He led the team in rebounding with seven boards despite playing 1/3 of the game.
Andrew Force
Scott and Lomomba (#44) are stunned by a foul call
His newfound coaches could not keep him off the floor in the final three games. They realized what a phenomenal workhorse they were blessed with they squeezed him into the rotation. Devon's high energy and strength force coaches to play him.
Sure his offensive game is a little rough around the edges, but he routinely snags offensive rebounds. These gain his team extra offensive possessions. How can a coach scoff at that? Though AAU basketball focuses on scoring quickly, college basketball generally does not. Defense is tougher and baskets are scarcer.
Every college team needs a player like Devon. A talented, powerful post-player eager to do the dirty work. Dirty work that consistently generates wins.
The most attractive aspect of Scott's game is his tenaciousness. He can have an extreme impact on the game without a single play run for him. By challenging for every offensive rebound and controlling the defensive glass he assuages coaches and aids shooters.
Devon is used to playing entire halves without touches. In his career he has played next to stars such as Jared Sullinger (Ohio State), J.D. Weatherspoon (Ohio State), Jalen Robinson (UC interest), Trey Burke (Michigan signee), and Junior Lomomba (UC offer).
Schools of interest
Though he has offers from numerous MAC schools, Scott routinely focuses on the power conferences. Back in January he listed UCLA, West Virginia, Cincinnati, and Ohio State as his leaders.
"I talked to Coach (George) Jackson earlier this week," said Scott. "We were talking about me coming down for a visit pretty soon."
UCLA has since dropped off and Ohio State is unlikely to offer. West Virginia is still interested.
"They are talking to my AAU coaches about me coming down for a visit and an open gym," said Scott.
The AAU coaches that he alludes to are from his West Virginia Wildcats. It is easy to get confused. No one would blame Devon for glancing down at his chest to recall which team he is currently on.
This weekend Devon will play with The Family again. The Detroit-based squad heads to Fort Wayne, Indiana for the Spiece Run N'Slam. The massive complex will host a monumental tournament with plenty of eyeballs watching. Was there ever any doubt Devon Scott would be there?
His quest for distinction continues.
http://cincinnati.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1219044
