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All of the controversy regarding his recruitment notwithstanding, 6-10 senior Anthony Davis Jr. of Chicago Perspectives by all accounts is a special basketball player. The fact that virtually nobody heard about the once obscure youngster until a few months ago only adds meat and potatoes to what could be a saga of legendary proportions.
There may have been doubts and skepticism early. But no longer, certainly not from anyone who has seen him play more than once or twice. Syracuse had barely seen Davis work up a sweat before becoming the first school to offer a scholarship. Kentucky, Ohio State, Duke and North Carolina called. His three-year-old high school, buried in the Public League's Blue-West Division, quickly attracted invitations to three major events.
So how good is he? Is he the best big man Illinois has produced since Kevin Garnett? Is he better than Hall of Famer Dan Issel? Is he better than Russell Cross?
Davis is the most compelling basement-to-the-penthouse story I've encountered in 50 years of covering high school basketball in Illinois.
Longtime recruiting analyst Van Coleman of Hoopmasters.com, who has observed Davis about a dozen times, said he rank either No. 1, 2 or 3 on his list of the top players in the class of 2011, along with 6-7 Michael Gilchrist of Elizabeth, N.J., and 6-8 Quincy Miller of Winston-Salem, N.C., who was born in North Chicago.
"I'm leaning toward the top spot because of his still immense upside and potential to improve his overall game, athletic gifts and strength," Coleman said. "He has a similar skill set to Derrick Favors (the nation's No. 1 player two years ago and an NBA lottery pick this year) except he is a better shooter and has quicker feet. He isn't as strong, however.
"He has a lot of Sam Perkins and Marcus Camby to his game. Plus he can dominate the game on the defensive end of the court. That could be the separator when I finalize my national rankings."
Gilchrist already is committed to Kentucky. Can you imagine the reaction if the top three players in the nation--Davis, Gilchrist and Miller--all end up at Kentucky?
Recruiting analysts Roy and Harv Schmidt of Illinois Prep Bulls-Eye recall how the 6-11 Cross led Manley to the state championship in 1980 and they believe Davis "is every bit as good if not better."
But they point out that Davis is a totally different breed of player in comparison to Cross, who was more of a Bill Russell type in that he dominated on defense with his intimidating, rebounding and shot-blocking ability.
"Cross played in an era where high school big men were almost solely back-to-the-basket post players," Roy Schmidt said. "Davis, on the other hand, defines the new generation of big men--aircraft carriers who also have the ability to play on the perimeter, face up and convert shots from behind the three-point line and handle the ball like a point guard."
The Schmidt brothers compare Davis' defensive game to former Farragut star Kevin Garnett and claim he is a mixture of Tracy McGrady and the late Ben Wilson offensively.
"He is the best big man that the state of Illinois and the Chicago Public League has seen since Garnett (in 1994-95) and one of the five best players we have ever seen in the Public League in our 25 years of scouting," Harv Schmidt said. "It is a list that includes Wilson, Marcus Liberty, Garnett and Derrick Rose. There is nobody in the class of 2011 in Illinois who is even close to Davis talent-wise, nobody."
Davis may have one shortcoming, however, one that almost certainly will be corrected as soon as he makes his commitment to a college. He is reported to weigh 215 or 220 pounds. According to Perspectives coach Cortez Hale, Davis is closer to 195 pounds. He needs to gain 20-25 pounds to play at the big-time college level and the NBA.
"He is a legitimate small forward in college," Hale said. "He can take people off the dribble, can shoot from NBA range and has great passing ability. He has played guard most of his life.
"My challenge to him is he has to play hard all the time in high school. In the Blue-West, he has to play against Juarez, Kelvyn Park, Clark, Austin and Best Practice (hardly Simeon, Whitney Young, Morgan Park and Marshall). He will have a huge target on his back. He will have to prove how good he is every time he goes on the floor."
Perspectives, a charter school, doesn't have a home gym. It plays its "home" games at Taylor Park, 47th and State. Hale, in his first season as head coach, is looking for a larger venue.
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This blog subject matter that Mr. Bell has decided to engage in... really matters!
Is Anthony Davis is a very talented player?
Yes.
Is Davis as good as 'advertised'?
No.
Personally, I have fear for the progressive development of Davis.
Why?
He has generated a monumental surge of interest that has not been seen since... Well, never... at least in Chicago. And, its not because he is that great... Its more because the supposed 'experts' never saw him coming.
But, they're experts.
Sometime ago in a blog, I made the comment that a player should consider whether, or not; if he or she were regarded a highly recruitable that maybe spending time during the summer refining their academic standing and physical strength, would be a better alternative to dragging luggage all over the country playing in organized 'open gym' games otherwise known as AAU (aka Club Ball). Well, this kind of proves my point...
Did Davis truly need to play summer circuit ball in order to garner his 'due' respect?
No.
Did the local basketball writers, scouts, street agents, miss the boat due to their discrimination in ignoring the relevance of basketball played in the 'Blue Division' of the Chicago Public League Conferences - by only deeming the Red South, Red North, Red Central, Red West like programs worthy?
You bet.
Now, on tape... Anthony Davis is a talent. However, most of it is attributed to his small ball skills in his 'new' big (very slender) body frame. So, are we saying he is a better college basketball prospect than former CPS stars with similar skill sets, such as King's Marcus Liberty, or Simeon's Ben Wilson (R.I.P.)
I hope not.
Is he better than arguably the best big man to play in the CPS in former Purdue and Manley star Russell Cross?
C'mon.
Kentucky, Ohio State, Duke and
North Carolina would be happy if he'll just be the best he can be, and that's not so bad.
Taylor said:
"Longtime recruiting analyst Van Coleman of Hoopmasters.com, who has observed Davis about a dozen times, said he rank either No. 1, 2 or 3 on his list of the top players in the class of 2011, along with 6-7 Michael Gilchrist of , and 6-8 Quincy Miller of Winston-Salem, N.C., who was born in North Chicago."
Personally, I would select Michael Gilchrist of Elizabeth, N.J. ahead of Anthony Davis at "this point", only because Gilchrist is a more 'imediate game ready' for the bump-n-grind of a major college basketball season. Also, he is not as good as Derrick Favors now, but; he should be in the future, easily.
Finally, some other Chicago Area scouts seem to be a bit territorial in their talent assessment of Davis' skill set. This is not a 'knock' on what, why or how they conduct their reports. However, I believe that in assessing talent, the talent of that player should be reviewed on the criteria of that individual players goals and comparable skill set, not against others. This is sometimes the problem with reports generated with a 'ranking format', as opposed to a report generated for a player's competitive goal level, or a college basketball program suitability.
Just my opinion.
Curtis K. Jackson Sr.
Taylor,
He has dominated the summer as evidenced by his being selected MVP at the NBA camp. The interscholastic season will be a good measuring stick because it is a different brand of basketball. It's a bit more organized. Also, I'm hearing his team will be invited to the big stage at one of the CPS Holiday shootouts. His conference is not very strong but hopefully he will continue to perform at the same level he is performing at right now.
Because the game has changed so much, it is hard to say how he compares to past great players. I have seen him in two tournaments this year and he is an absolute game changer on the defensive end. His timing and quickness off his feet amazes you just about every time you see it. I've seen him block shots 20 feet from the basket, consistently. He seemingly comes out of nowhere to do it because you don't realize that he can close the distance between he and the shooter as easily as he can. He is extremely agile and you see it every time he sprints the floor.
He is a little harder to read offensively, he has good hands and scores relatively easy but his footwork could be alot better. In this new age not having good offensive footwork isn't necessarily a hinderance because overall teams and players don't guard like they did once upon a time.
So to say whether or not he is better than a Terry Cummings - who, for whatever reason is never mentioned when we talk about Chicago big men- is really hard because he is not playing the same game and held to the same standards that players of that era were held to.
I see that he has officially committed to Kentucky. So should we all assume that the check has cleared?
I cannot comment on Anthony Davis's game because I have not seen him play. He's probably very good but not as good as some of these "experts" say he is. I am glad he is going to Kentucky (as I am a Kentucky fan). As for the article written about a payoff, well players have been paid by many universities for ages under the table. UCLA dynasty for one(Sam Gilbert ring a bell?). Kentucky in the 80's(for sure I witnessed a lot of it growing up in Lexington). My bet is it probably did happen. The problem is for Mr O'Brien who are your sources? And will they ever come forward and admit to paying the Davis family? Also do they have "proof" a paper trail of the money? If he can't answer those questions then the article should have never been written. As far as I have seen Mr O'Brien is a very good sportswriter. It's a shame this had to happen to him and the Sun Times. But one suggestion: maybe next time have names and more proof from your "sources" and we would have something tangible to talk about.
To be honest, I think 'ranking' Anthony Davis among the proven best players in Chicago Prep history is unfair to Davis. Davis, with the help of those who truly care about "him"; should allow himself to enjoy his athletic journey wherever it leads him.
After reading the O'Brien article, it amazed me at how the prep sports reporting has changed as it relates to resposible journalism. Now, I'm not saying O'Brien isn't a good reporter, because honestly; I would not know because I don't follow him. However, his article on Davis, that included quotes by other city coaches and cries that he might want to consider transfering to another powerhouse school for basketball, just seem a little silly to even mention.
I think Anthony Davis should take the same approach that Jereme Richmond should take:
Stay humble, surround himself with people who acually care about him, seek counsel from those who have real advise to give and have no self serving agenda attached.
Davis has heard everything good or great from those who want a piece of him... Maybe he should reach out for the 'truth', and improve himself from the inside out.
I wish him well,
Curtis K. Jackson Sr.
Guys, keep this in mind... scandals, what O'Brien has been hinting on happening... Ha been happening, ever year with most of the top major basketball programs annually, in one way or another.
Why?
I know, I have been directly in touch with people who were directly involved with the:
NC State/ Chris Washburn admission scandal;
Florida/ "M & M" twins scandal;
UCLA/ Pooh Richardson "The Goodman Faculty" scandal;
Walter Berry/ St. John's/ Sam Jacinto JC car rental scandal;
Kentucky/ Dwayne Casey FED EX package scandal;
Pearl Washington/ Syracuse radio station pay for play scandal;
Georgetown/ Dunbar High recruiting scandal;
Wake Forrest/ Muggsy Bouges recruiting scandal;
Alfonso Ford/ Miss. Valley State pell grant scandal;
Anthony Miller/ Mich. State/ Agent contact scandal.
Scandals occur wherever there is big money involved. If, in fact; money was involved with Anthony Davis recruitment, one thing I can say for sure... Calipari would never be so stupid to leave evidence or put himself in harms way to be directly linked to the illegal act(s) in any way... He is to adapt to the "game" for that to happen, and I am not saying it did...
Curtis K. Jackson Sr.
To me one of the most unfortunate results of this situation is knowing that one day John Calipari is going to 'AAU' his way to a national championship. He almost did it at Memphis, although we now know it would have been taken away. Call me out of touch if you will but I simply do not like to see people cheat and be rewarded.
Secondly,and I say this with all due respect, Curtis it is apparent that you have a clear bias against the Chicago area sports establishment as others that you may have had access to. I've read many of your posts and you consistently take the position that others, in your opinion, who represent other locales are always better than we are here. Whether it is the coaches/recruiters, the players or the columnists you are very consistent in your assessment that we are somehow lacking as a sports establishment. Now, I am not here to challenge your opinions, as you are entitled, but I do find it interesting, you being a Chicagoan and all.
On some level it would be interesting to know what colors your thoughts and why you believe what you do about the Chicago sports scene.
Darnell,
Your questions about my "thought process" and (maybe your getting at) my "loyalty" are fair. And, I can see why you may wonder about this.
So, let me clear it up for you...
First, I am a CPS guy through and through, and would I love to see "all" of our kids do well, with or without gifted basketball talent. However, I have a slight problem when scouts, fans, writers, administrators, etc. who are incapable of "reviewing" a particular subject matter without showing their personal bias.
Case in point, everyone is jumping on the band wagon of Anthony Davis' sensation summer, without given it an impartial review. A scout should only write about what he "knows" based on his "personal observation" of that kid... But, when you read all of the supposed reports, or website postings of the scouts in this area, they all read the same.
Look, Darnell... I do not apologize for my point-of-view when it comes to a scout job. Because, when I get an assignment, I scout the player based on the player's talent; how his talent will translate to a particular style of play, or; as it relates to how it will pass the smell test in the NBA or European level for a particular team under a particular style of play.
And as to the "rankings" scheme of writers and scouts, well... I think I've just said how I feel about that.
Ask yourself, if a player was ranked #1 in one report due to a great summer circuit showing, and; the same kid was only regarded as a Top 200 prospect due to not playing the summer circuit in another report; do yo think DePaul's Purnell Oliver would pass on the kid if he could help his team win immediately?
So, even though you may question my "ways", you'll never be able to question the fact that I will not waver due to the pressure of my peers, nor due to my love for Chicago's kids.
I just do the scout job, and; I quietly get paid very well for doing so, I might add...
Respectfully,
Curtis K. Jackson Sr.
I admit I'm biased to Chicago kids. I rank no other city's kids above them. It's a known fact that Chicago has been a hot spot for basketball talent for many years. What city usually has ten or more players in the NBA? Further, who has ten from one conference as the Chicago Public League does? D-Rose; Quentin Richardson; Juwaan Howard; Nazi Muhammed; K.G.; Bobby Simmons; J. Pargo; Sherron Collins; Tony Allen: Will Bynum, Luther Head; and even D-Wade played in CPS at Ross elem.? I could add a few more from Chicago area suburbs; Maggette; Shannon Brown; S. Marion Julian Wright, and high draft pick Turner.
My point is when an individual stands out against the competition here in the Chicago area, he has a chance to go far. Hoopers from here have fared well over the years, and scouts who consistently bring their A- game won't sleep on Chicago talent. Will some of them miss the mark? Yes, but you can't argue with the fact that a great deal of big time basketball talent has been developed around here for many years. Therefore, the talent in the area usually deserves the high national rankings when they receive them.
Curtis, your points are well taken. However, I must clarify a few things as well. You commented 'However, I have a slight problem when scouts, fans, writers, administrators, etc. who are incapable of "reviewing" a particular subject matter without showing their personal bias.' Are you suggesting that because their view of the kid is not same as yours that others somehow must be based on personal bias and not objectivity? This clearly suggests that you are the only one of being impartial. At any rate, I have some news for you; each and every last one of makes judgements based upon our personal sensitivities, or biases. We are only as objective as our sensitivities allow us to be. For example, New York guys think the best basketball is played in New York and it is reflected in their scouting reports.
You say that 'everyone is jumping on the band wagon of Anthony Davis' sensation summer, without given it an impartial review.' What qualifies you to say someone else's review was impartial? It appears that what happened with this Davis kid is outside of the norm, growing 8 inches in a little over a year. Subsequently, that changed the complexion of his rankings and recruitment. And whose to say that if he lived in Jackson, MS this wouldn't have happened? From everything that I have read it is not just local scouts that are ranking this kid in the top 5 in the nation.
I am not questioning your 'ways' as you put it but it does appear to me that you have a bias against this local area media, schools and the associated kids.
Darnell and Curtis each one of you has some good points. But for Mr Jackson I have seen scouting reports from other services outside of the Chicago area that rank Davis very high. ESPN 100 ranks him 12th. Paul Biancardi is not from the Chicago area. Like I said before I can't evaluate the kid because I have not seen him play live and in person. Only thing I can say is on tape he looks a lot like KG did in high school. But those are just little blurbs and not all the action so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I have lived a lot of places San Francisco-Oakland area, Tidewater Virginia area and so on. Chicago Area Basketball is the best in the country and I am not originally from Chicago. Oh and Rivals.com has Davis ranked highly also.
Darnell & Tim,
I thank you for your comments, and I respect them as well. Here is my response respectively:
Darnell:
You wrote: "Are you suggesting that because their view of the kid is not same as yours that others somehow must be based on personal bias and not objectivity?
ckjsr: Not at all, my point is scouting requires a truthful review & report of what was witnessed without prejudice to onside or the other, is my only point.
Darnell: "You say that 'everyone is jumping on the band wagon of Anthony Davis' sensation summer, without given it an impartial review.' What qualifies you to say someone else's review was impartial?
ckjsr: Qualifications in deciding if someone is being objective in a scouting report is not an necessity, the only qualification in making an scouting report is the ability to review and critic the basketball skills of a player and their ability to execute those in a game situation, at a particular level you are looking to compare it against as a medium.
Darnell: "It appears that what happened with this Davis kid is outside of the norm, growing 8 inches in a little over a year. Subsequently, that changed the complexion of his rankings and recruitment. And whose to say that if he lived in Jackson, MS this wouldn't have happened? From everything that I have read it is not just local scouts that are ranking this kid in the top 5 in the nation."
ckjsr: This is most true, in part; however consider this: If the scouts in this area are truly "tree shakers", why was he not considered a "supposed" Top 50 player by the end of the 2009-10 hoops season?
Darnell: "I am not questioning your 'ways' as you put it but it does appear to me that you have a bias against this local area media, schools and the associated kids."
ckjsr: "I fell you on this, however; I think you'll find that I am the last person to hate on the Chicago kids, especially the CPS kids, hell they deserve all the love they can get... truthfully though.
Tim:
Tim: "Darnell and Curtis each one of you has some good points. But for Mr Jackson I have seen scouting reports from other services outside of the Chicago area that rank Davis very high. ESPN 100 ranks him 12th. Paul Biancardi is not from the Chicago area. Like I said before I can't evaluate the kid because I have not seen him play live and in person. Only thing I can say is on tape he looks a lot like KG did in high school. But those are just little blurbs and not all the action so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I have lived a lot of places San Francisco-Oakland area, Tidewater Virginia area and so on. Chicago Area Basketball is the best in the country and I am not originally from Chicago. Oh and Rivals.com has Davis ranked highly also."
ckjsr: Tim, thanks for your comments, and I have a lot of respect for Darnell as well. Here the thing, my job in scouting involves a simple criteria:
1.) Review for consideration the proposal of scouting a player for an organization, coach, team exec or director, etc.?
2.) Establish an agreed criteria of what they want, and; how they want it presented (written report, audio or video tape clips with commentary).
3.) Give an estimate of what it will cost for me to post-product the material requested, and; establish an expense stipend for the work schedule.
4.) Give a date and time of when I'll have the scout material ready to review, and decide, whether or not; it will require for me to be present it to show it to the client.
5.) Do the scout assignment.
I don't 'rank' players against others, because it is not required of me to do so. And, when asked to do so, I turn down the assignment.
Why?
Each team, no matter what level of basketball, already has a very good idea of whom their going to focus their recruiting efforts on, and why their doing so. Most, only subscribe to scouting services out of loyalty, or to win and edge as to getting some "priv'd" info on a particular kid. This happens a lot with scouts who reside within the same city or state of a particular school. If you think I'm kiddin', carefully read and listen to the tone of some of these reports... Sometimes it seems the scout is an assistant coach to certain schools, the way they sell the recruiting efforts of certain coach.
Finally, Darnell & Tim... look, I will only provide information about a player that relates to "that" player, not rank them against any other player. The rankings are mostly about hyping the game and generating interest and stirring up talking points amongst fans of rivals with their respective team loyalties. Besides, at the end of the day, the name of the team on the championship trophy is all that truly matters.
Don't believe me...
Ask the top college coaches to show you their paid incentive clauses of their contracts, none of those clauses will be based on landing the top high school recruit in the nation.
Good conversation you two,
Curtis K. Jackson Sr.
Curtis, Point Made. RESPECT!!
Curtis,
I heard a rumor form some coaches down by the old John D. Shields Project Courts, that you were rummored to be signing on to do some basketball projects with a shoe company for your Chicago area Roundball, is this true?
If so, are you gonna get ESL involved since you got strong roots here?
Greg
Wow, how'd the heck did you hear about this? Which coach(s) did you hear talking about this? And, yes its true... however, I am not sure how I want to 'work' it because of all of the angles these guys (shoe company reps, execs) come from.
But, Greg (Mr. Info., smile) if I did do something I can assure you it would be done so in a way that will help those who 'truly' need help. I can promiss you that!
Curtis K. Jackson Sr.
My cousin, Pappi, lives in Harlem, and said he met a guy knicknamed Pearl at Russell Smith's (Gauchos AAU assistant coach) barber shop in Harlem. But, the guy my cousin met said his real name was Curtis Jackson. Is this the same person in the "Who is Curtis K. Jackson?" blog Bell wrote some time ago?
Anyway, my cousin said he was pretty cool dude, despite the fact he was wearing a Chicago White Sox hat and team jersey.
Cubs Fan,
David Wilson
Hey Taylor,
I would like to hear more from Curtis Jackson on this subject matter and the following story I came across "attached" below seems to give his thoughts more credibility:
3/22/10 at 12:00 PM
The Daily News, having been burned on the scoop that St. John's was firing Norm Roberts and having whiffed on half-baked "rumors" that the Red Storm would have a chance at Florida coach Billy Donovan, gives it another try this morning: Today, the wheel stops on Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt, whose team just fell to Ohio State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Hewitt is known as an excellent recruiter but a middling coach, which, apparently, would be enough for St. John's. (The story sheepishly, almost apologetically, points out that Georgia Tech just extended Hewitt last Tuesday.) Hewitt has the approval of the city's AAU coaches, and as a Friday Times story made frighteningly clear, they're the ones who run this.
AAU Coaches No Longer Pretending College Hoops Isn’t Corrupt
You've got to see some of these quotes. Basically, the AAU coaches make no qualms about it: St. John's, a Roman Catholic university, needs to start cheating. Seriously, they say that.
Russell Smith, a coach with the New York Gauchos, an Amateur Athletic Union program, said Roberts and his staff had been "too laid-back" in their local recruiting efforts. "You got to hustle here, bend some rules or do something," Smith said. "They settled for the transfers and second-tier kids."
Kenny Wilcox, the head coach at ASA, a junior college in Brooklyn, said St. John's had been foolish to think it could win without bending the rules. "It's naïve because if you know the business, there are certain schools that are getting certain types of players and certain schools that aren't," Wilcox said. "At St. John's, they're not getting certain types of players because they're doing things the right way."
So, to extrapolate here, Hewitt and Hofstra's Tom Pecora — another coach who gets the AAU coaches' seal of approval — are willing to "bend some rules or something," and Norm Roberts wasn't. This is what college hoops has come to. It has probably been like this for quite some time. Whoever takes the St. John's job, really, has already lost.
What is the deal with Curtis, he knows something, and/or he is on to something?
David Wilson
To David:
Yes, I was in Russ' Harlem barbershop with, my son. Also, interesting article you pointed to. Russell Smith is entrenched in the AAU basketball scene, I have known him for more than twenty years, from my days in AAU as a coach. He is also a personality I wanted to partially use to further develop a chatacter in my literary works.
Also, I am a life-long St.Louis Cardinal & Chicago White Sox fan, by the way (hehehe).
Curtis K. Jackson Sr.