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My summer hiatus is over. I return to Chicago to learn that, in the wake of the July evaluation period, 6-10 Anthony Davis of Chicago Perspectives could emerge as the No. 1 player in the nation going into the 2010-11 season.
It would be the first time a Chicago product has earned that distinguished honor since NBA star Kevin Garnett, who transferred from South Carolina to Farragut for his senior year, in 1994.
But Garnett was a known commodity. Everybody from Bob Gibbons to Van Coleman to Ron Eskridge to every NBA scout knew he was the most talented high school prospect in the nation. But Davis was as unknown as his high school only a few months ago. Now he is as popular as pizza.
"He will be one of the top three or four seniors in the nation, maybe even No. 1," said Coleman, who is wrapping up his 30th summer of evaluating high school players from coast to coast. "I've seen Davis 10 to 12 times this spring and summer."
Davis, who according to Roy and Harv Schmidt of Illinois Prep Bulls-Eye has narrowed his college decision to Ohio State or Kentucky, bolstered his stock with a slam dunk performance in Kansas City.
At his rapid rate of development and his size, you have to wonder if he'll ever get to college or if he'll take the same path as Garnett did after his senior year at Farragut and opt for a professional career.
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Prediction?
Several NBA & College scouts claim he will be the next talent-turn-tragic 'version' of former prep star Lloyd Daniels
Why?
Too many hanger-ons, too much investment banking on his talent, and tooooooo much to soon.
Curtis K. Jackson Sr.
Too much what too soon? Too much talent? What NBA and college scouts think negative of him? The kid is awesome. It's unfortunate this controversy has surrounded his phenomenal summer. I feel all he needs is an opportunity. The rest will take care of itself. If the evaluators are correct, ADJR wil be a big time blue chipper. I hope he succeeds because I always want to see inner city kids succeed. If (big if) adults have handled things inappropriately, that's not the kids fault, and hopefully it doesn't hurt him. I'm pulling for Anthony to succeed. His emergence as a top ten player nationwide is a phenomenal story, and Perspectives is still under the CPS umbrella. Good Luck ADJR.
the bottom line is this anthony davis needs to be protected from all the hype & hanger ons this is the reason I personally think he should go to depaul. If he's good he'll still play one season in college basketball there why he get use to what go on with phenomenal athletes remember this is really new to him & his family. I asure you they've learned alot in a short time that is a gutter business this recruitment issue.
For the record, no one is questioning his "talent"... The questions I've heard are posed with concerns towards his ability to be able to digest the "ambush of attention" he is now getting from the media, scouts, summer circuit types, recruiters, NBA talent evaluators, etc.
I would love to see this young succeed, however... sometimes when one is showered with gratuity sooner than one has a chance to catch one's breath... it can lead to unfortunate mistakes being made, that are hard to shake.
Only time will tell if this young man- deemed an "over night sensation", will prove to be not be not only ready to be whatever he is forcast to be on the court... But will he be able to do so without the scrapes and bruises that come from those who will tug at his heels, talent and pockets to realize their "own" dreams- through him.
Curtis K. Jackson Sr.
I don't put much stock into summer basketball reports- due to the heavy influence that most authors are under from subscription sales, collegiate alumni internet prowlers and collegiate conference bloggers.
However, after talking with several NBA & College reps attending the World Basketball Festival events, I am comfortable in saying that I believe Davis will attend a college east of the Great Lakes, and pass on the NBA for a season- if he's supporters are "smart".
Finally, I am absolutely certain that De Paul will "not" land a top tier player on the national level nor from the City of Chicago, even though Coach Oliver has done as much as he can do -for him- to reach out to those who hold 'black hand' influence over the top tier talent in the Chicago area.
Curtis K. Jackson Sr.
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