With yesterday's “shocking” news about L.J. Peak going somewhere other than South Carolina to play basketball, what is in the works for USC hoops recruiting-wise?
Well, it’s somewhat of a long shot at this point, but if I were putting money on things, I’d say that Frank Martin is going to push REALLY hard for the next rising star in South Carolina’s HS Basketball system. And his name, like L.J. Peak, ALSO contains a couple initials.
I say that we should look for a strong push at “P.J.” Dozier. He’s a very high profile 2015 recruit. Given the current conundrum of scholarships and incoming Freshmen, I think it makes sense to look a couple years down the road and REALLY building the program with one of the tip-top national recruits.
Wishful thinking on my part? Perhaps so. P.J. has teams like UNC, Kansas, Indiana and Ohio State chasing for his services. So yes, we’re in difficult company. HOWEVER… with a successful season for the new-look Gamecocks AND P.J.‘s family ties to the University of South Carolina, I see Garnet as a color he could adopt. Plus, he’d have the advantage of a national spotlight with a turnaround specialist in Frank Martin. Let’s remember, Frank Martin is pretty much the ULTIMATE in “player’s coach”. Guys know if they come to play for Coach Martin, he’s going to squeeze every last drop of talent out of them that they have to give. Roy Williams, probably not so much.
So I’m not holding my breath, but I think he’s got some great potential as THE guy for pushing for. Only time will tell.
[post-script gloat: I don’t usually do this, but I never was sold on the L.J. Peak thing. I’ve commented about him several times in recent months, indicating that he was the “favorite”, but I didn’t necessarily see him getting the spot. The way he conducted himself today showed me exactly why I felt that way. I certainly wish him the best at Georgetown, but I’m not overly disappointed in his decision.]
Well, it’s somewhat of a long shot at this point, but if I were putting money on things, I’d say that Frank Martin is going to push REALLY hard for the next rising star in South Carolina’s HS Basketball system. And his name, like L.J. Peak, ALSO contains a couple initials.
I say that we should look for a strong push at “P.J.” Dozier. He’s a very high profile 2015 recruit. Given the current conundrum of scholarships and incoming Freshmen, I think it makes sense to look a couple years down the road and REALLY building the program with one of the tip-top national recruits.
Wishful thinking on my part? Perhaps so. P.J. has teams like UNC, Kansas, Indiana and Ohio State chasing for his services. So yes, we’re in difficult company. HOWEVER… with a successful season for the new-look Gamecocks AND P.J.‘s family ties to the University of South Carolina, I see Garnet as a color he could adopt. Plus, he’d have the advantage of a national spotlight with a turnaround specialist in Frank Martin. Let’s remember, Frank Martin is pretty much the ULTIMATE in “player’s coach”. Guys know if they come to play for Coach Martin, he’s going to squeeze every last drop of talent out of them that they have to give. Roy Williams, probably not so much.
So I’m not holding my breath, but I think he’s got some great potential as THE guy for pushing for. Only time will tell.
[post-script gloat: I don’t usually do this, but I never was sold on the L.J. Peak thing. I’ve commented about him several times in recent months, indicating that he was the “favorite”, but I didn’t necessarily see him getting the spot. The way he conducted himself today showed me exactly why I felt that way. I certainly wish him the best at Georgetown, but I’m not overly disappointed in his decision.]