Tristan Thompson, Cory Joseph To Compete In 2010 Jordan Brand Classic

by Peter Bean on Feb 23, 2010 10:27 AM CST in Texas Longhorns Recruiting Comment 18 comments

Findlay Prep (and Grassroots Canada) teammates Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph have been named to the West rosters of the 2010 Jordan Brand Classic. The annual showcase game will take place on Saturday, April 17th at Madison Square Garden.

Thompson, a 6-9 power forward from Canada, committed to play for Rick Barnes during his sophomore season, while Joseph, an elite 6-3 shooting guard is as yet uncommitted and remains a top target for Barnes' 2010 class, of which Thompson is currently the only member. I've spent some time watching Joseph's video and would love for Rick Barnes to land him. He's not nearly the athlete that Avery Bradley is, but he's a much, much purer shooter. He's got a nice, smooth release and shoots with a high, pretty arch. He's got good handles and and touch, and isn't shy about playing with contact. He's not super quick, but he knows how to move.

Texas is certain to lose at least three scholarship players after this season (James, Pittman, and Mason are all seniors), and could lose more should one of the three freshmen decide to test the NBA waters (looks unlikely at this point), or if someone like Hill or Chapman decides to transfer. It remains to be seen what will happen with Balbay, but as Wiggo asked in an email, have we seen the Turk's last game in a Longhorn uniform? Given the timing of the injury, it's a legitimate, if sad, question to ponder.

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I hope he stays but

I’m pretty sure Bradley will leave. He’s projected as a lottery pick and we can debate about current skill level but if he’s a lottery pick then he’s gone.

by Horns82 on Feb 23, 2010 11:27 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Where?

I’m not seeing him projected as a lottery pick anywhere. Can you point me to what you’re referring?

You ain't hurt...

by Peter Bean on Feb 23, 2010 11:41 AM CST up reply actions

I don't think AB is one and done

for a guy who supposedly dreamed about following his idol T.J. Ford and playing at Texas, I find it hard to believe he’d leave us after one year. JMO.

by goingforthecorner on Feb 23, 2010 12:19 PM CST up reply actions

I've seen his stock flirt with the lottery for the 2010 draft but he's fallen down many charts lately..

"Football's so important in Texas. On the West Coast, it's a social. On the East Coast, it's a culture. Here, it's a religion."
-- Major Applewhite

by Sunkist on Feb 23, 2010 1:17 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks for the update on recruiting

Please continue to pass along any new info that surfaces. I see the same holes you do for next year just in terms of numbers (departures vs. incoming) and have wondered what the game plan is to bring in some additional talent.

by gcinthewoods on Feb 23, 2010 11:57 AM CST reply actions

Balbay?

It remains to be seen what will happen with Balbay, but as Wiggo asked in an email, have we seen the Turk’s last game in a Longhorn uniform? Given the timing of the injury, it’s a legitimate, if sad, question to ponder.

Is this because the injury would make him sit out all of next year? Wouldn’t he get a medical redshirt?

by goingforthecorner on Feb 23, 2010 12:21 PM CST reply actions

Yeah

I mean, if his knee is badly torn up and his rehab puts him back late next spring, he may just wrap up rehab, train, and head to Europe to play pro ball. He could stay in Austin and medical redshirt, but this is knee injury number two. He may decide that he’d better not wait for a third knee injury before trying to make some money playing hoops.

You ain't hurt...

by Peter Bean on Feb 23, 2010 12:33 PM CST up reply actions

Joseph would be a huge pickup, we need a pure scorer

and hopefully, he can make free throws at a high rate.

by goingforthecorner on Feb 23, 2010 12:22 PM CST reply actions

78%

according to his profile on Maxpreps. The concern is that Thompson is at 51% and I don’t see that changing much in the next couple of years.

by GhostofBigRoy on Feb 23, 2010 6:48 PM CST up reply actions

One of the holes will be filled by Lucas' scholly

So assuming no attrition and no early entrants, Barnes has just one remaining scholarship open for Joseph.

by jc25 on Feb 23, 2010 12:26 PM CST reply actions

Correct

If no one jumps to the NBA or transfers out of UT, we’ve got two openings: Thompson and another (hopefully Joseph).

You ain't hurt...

by Peter Bean on Feb 23, 2010 12:29 PM CST up reply actions

Lucas is still getting a scholarship?…

by UT_BKC on Feb 23, 2010 12:50 PM CST up reply actions

Bradley a lottery pick?

Per Chad Ford:

Texas may be a mess on the court, but more and more GMs are touting Avery Bradley as a potential lottery pick this year. Bradley got off to a tough start at Texas and is still inconsistent, but he’s having more big games of late.

GMs believe he may be the best guard defender in the country and they feel he has the potential to be an explosive scorer. But can he be a point guard? Most feel he won’t be a lead guard, but given all the other things he does well, they’re not sure it matters.

by jc25 on Feb 23, 2010 1:10 PM CST reply actions

Thanks

He’d fallen off so many boards that I was beginning to think NBA teams were sleeping on him. If he has a strong finish — and particularly if he dazzles with a couple performances in post-season play — he could wind up a lottery lock, in which case the decision gets real interesting.

I still say, as of today, he’s slightly more likely to return than not, but we’ll see.

You ain't hurt...

by Peter Bean on Feb 23, 2010 1:17 PM CST up reply actions

Sorry, I post then I run off

but I had seen some weeks back that Bradley was projected Top 12 and now I see he may have fallen off to the Top 20 according to NBADraft.net (of course they have Pittman at 36, so….)

by Horns82 on Feb 23, 2010 1:40 PM CST up reply actions

Pittman at 36

If they have Pittman at 36 then they haven’t scouted him. He projects poorly as a pro IMO. Other than dunking a ball when he’s basically alone under the basket guarded by a 6’5" or shorter player – what does he have to offer? He has no shot, no drop step, he’s pretty soft physically, he can’t run and plays weak “D” If college programs could draft he wouldn’t go 36th – I like Dex a lot but don’t ever see him in the NBA

by LarrySabu on Feb 23, 2010 3:01 PM CST reply actions

which is why the Knicks will draft him lol

by goingforthecorner on Feb 23, 2010 7:03 PM CST up reply actions

I like Joseph quite a bit as a player

Agree with your assessment of him as a pure shooter, PB, and would also say that while a lot of people look at him as a point guard, last season at least he was more of a lead guard along with DJ Richardson and Bradley, who all shared ballhandling duties at times. Keep in mind as well that Myck Kabongo is the point guard for Grassroots Canada. I think Joseph can play some point guard, but I see him more as a combo guy who could be great off the ball. He’s also nowhere near the defender that Bradley is, but he’s very strong on the defensive side of the ball in his own right and I think he’ll be a really solid defender in college.

I also like what I’ve seen and heard from Findlay Prep head coach Mike Peck — he seems like a good guy and an excellent teacher of the game, so I have no doubt that Joseph will come into college as a polished player, aided greatly by the fact that he faces a high level of competition and is used to the travel associated with college basketball. There have been some questions about Findlay, but I think it’s fantastic preparation for playing college basketball, especially since these kids have already gone through the type of transition that Jordan Hamilton has struggled with in terms of no longer being “The Guy” — great for learning how to play with other talented guys and what constitutes a good shot.

by GhostofBigRoy on Feb 23, 2010 6:55 PM CST reply actions