Stokes makes team USA U18 final cut

[Spartacavolus]

Who is Donovan recruiting on the roster? Nichols didn't make it, and everyone else is either committed already or not considering Florida.

I didn't mention Donovan. I said any coach. Good thing we can count on you to be objective.

But since you did mention, Nichols got to form a relationship and be coached by BD at practice and probably have contact after practice on a personal level. That's bull****. Unless every other coach recruiting him can do the same.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I didn't mention Donovan. I said any coach. Good thing we can count on you to be objective.

But since you did mention, Nichols got to form a relationship and be coached by BD at practice and probably have contact after practice on a personal level. That's bull****. Unless every other coach recruiting him can do the same.

Exactly my point. As miniscual as it may be, there is a contact there that other coaches are not allowed to have, and that's not right. When the NCAA prides itself of an these rules and regulation to create equal opportunities for coaches, and then let this go on, that's nothing short of hypocritical.

 

[GatorsGators]

Seems more paranoia than anything else. These coaches volunteer to be a part of the USA basketball program. They take time away from their own programs and families to help build a foundation for USA international basketball. I seriously doubt they do all that on the off chance they get an unnamed recruit alone in a hallway. If Martin was an assistant on this team nobody on here would blink an eye about it.

Do I need to say anymore than this?

Whoever the coach is may get a small advantage in building a relationship with a recruit or two. But they're giving up their time, which they could be using to actually recruit, to try to better USA basketball. It's a non-issue because no coach in their right mind would take the position in hopes that it would benefit them from a recruiting standpoint. The only reason it's an issue here is because that one player happens to be UT's top target.

 

[vol66]

looks like he's playing well.

The USA Men's U18... | Facebook

 

[mtt2d]

looks like he's playing well.

The USA Men's U18... | Facebook

A double-double is not bad.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

11pts and 10 rebounds in a 3 quarter scrimmage, verse a very good Canadian team is impressive to say the lease. Bet showing for team USA on the day.

 

[phowell23]

Nice article on Stokes yesterday about honoring kid with cancer, U18 team and Billy D. As his coach: UT’s Stokes Honoring Cancer Victim With Team USA | ZagsBlog.com

Stokes has practiced against some strong teammates, including 2013 power forward Julius Randle, who has impressed Stokes with his work ethic.

“He’s a good player,” Stokes said. “He’s very bouncy. He’s athletic and the most important thing, he’s not selfish so he’s a good teammate. There’s no cockiness to him so he’s just like all the other guys. That’s what I like about him. He’s willing to learn and there’s no selfishness in his game.”

While some U18 players said they are hoping to recruit Randle to their college teams, Stokes is staying away from that.

“I’m not down here to recruit,” he said. “I’m just down here to win the gold medal. I’ll just leave that to my coaches.”

His head coach right now is SEC rival Billy Donovan, who unsuccessfully tried to recruit Stokes to Florida. But Stokes feels comfortable with Donovan and likes his style of ball.

“I pretty much know his style,” he said. “He likes pick and roll, get up a lot of shots, get up and down the floor. I wouldn’t mind being Patric Young or [Erik] Murphy because I like the way those guys play. I pretty much know the style. I scouted them and I still have [Donovan's] number from when he recruited me.”

Stokes ultimately chose Tennessee in part because of a desire to help his state university restore its image in the post-Bruce Pearl Era and to get them back to the NCAA Tournament.

He said the transition from high school to college ball last year was not as hard as he had expected.

“Coming in I thought i would just redshirt but then when I started practicing with the guys I realized i’m just as big, I’m just as fast, I’m just as skilled. so I just decided to play,” he said.