Bradley gets 4****

[tBU]

Word is BU picked up 4star Jordan Prosser from Eureka. Waiting for the "official" word but pretty reliable source has told Bradleyfans.com.

JP entertained varying degrees of Interest from programs like IU,Wisconsin, NorteDame, SIU,ISU, Iowa, Baylor, Providence.

JP is 6'8 and about 225. JL was the first to extend an offer and then JP blew up. Many thought BU would fade as offers came rolling in from higher profile BCS univ.

JL stayed on him hard and it appears as though it came down to Iowa and BU.

At ONE time the word was Wisconsin had the best shot but they eventually filled his spot. He seemed like the perfect prototypical Whisky guy.....


Many Illinois fans dislike JP becuase of a report JP said some negative things about BW's recrutiing so he (JP) couldn't be all that bad of a guy:clap:

Welcome to BU JP IF this is true.

[DUBulldog]

He's 3-star on Rivals, 2-star on Scout....where are you getting this 4-star from?

Don't get me wrong, he's a good catch, just not sure that the 4-star is accurate.

[tBU]

He's 3-star on Rivals, 2-star on Scout....where are you getting this 4-star from?

Don't get me wrong, he's a good catch, just not sure that the 4-star is accurate.


Thanks.....


Just what was reported on bradleyfans. Don't put much stock in the star system anyway and even if he WAS ever a 4* bu choosing BU he would drop.

[mickeyt]

Jordan Prosser was 4-stars on Rivals for the past couple years until a couple months ago when they downgraded him to 3-stars. He still has 4-star talents, but that's what usually happens when a recruit leans toward a "midmajor".

Here was a Rivals article from March 2, 2008. Not sure if everyone can read it, it may be a premium article.-
Four-star forward makes another Iowa visit
http://iowa.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=780893

[upsaluki]

He's 3-star on Rivals, 2-star on Scout....where are you getting this 4-star from?

Don't get me wrong, he's a good catch, just not sure that the 4-star is accurate.

I think he was briefly in the 4 star status after last year's AAU season, but slipped during this year's. Sweet pickup by Bradley and a nice piece of recruiting by Les and Co.

[user1]

Yeah, as long as Prosser was leaning towards Iowa or Wisconsin, he was 4-Star, but when he leans to BU things change.

[DUBulldog]

Regardless of how many stars he is, this is a good (potential) pickup for Les and the Braves.

[upsaluki]

Yeah, as long as Prosser was leaning towards Iowa or Wisconsin, he was 4-Star, but when he leans to BU things change.

Not sure if I buy that. A 4 star on Rivals is ranked in the top 100. Prosser is currently out of the top 150 while similar players like Bobby Capobianco (Indiana) have also dropped out. Chris Colvin dropped from the 50s to 119. The Wear twins (UNC) were in the 20s last year and are now ranked 62 and 63. These rankings are based primarily on play during the AAU season. Guys make or break their ranking then. I'd say Prosser has slipped because of that, not because of who he was being recruited by. Good signing, I wish the Dawgs would have gotten this guy.

[StrykerBU]

He may have slipped from 4-star status, but this kid is very talented. Chicagohoops has him ranked as the 9th top prospect in Illinois.

http://www.chicagohoops.com/articles1/2009rankings.html

I've heard elsewhere that the recruiting benefits of a sweet 16 run don't happen until two years later, which I found to be absurd. However, with the level of talent that Les has been recruiting this year I may have to start believing that.

Part of this may have to do with the amazing new basketball facilities that BU is putting up.

[tBU]

Not sure if I buy that. A 4 star on Rivals is ranked in the top 100. Prosser is currently out of the top 150 while similar players like Bobby Capobianco (Indiana) have also dropped out. Chris Colvin dropped from the 50s to 119. The Wear twins (UNC) were in the 20s last year and are now ranked 62 and 63. These rankings are based primarily on play during the AAU season. Guys make or break their ranking then. I'd say Prosser has slipped because of that, not because of who he was being recruited by. Good signing, I wish the Dawgs would have gotten this guy.


I will say though that it does seem like many higher star players do indeed drop when they go mid.....either way, again, the rating system has its flaws. Im sure guys like Korver, Hawkins Emmecker were not 3-4-5 star players.

JP was coached as a yungin by a bradleyfan poster. The reports I like from him are that hes a good kid, strong family (while not overbearing) and very coachable. Good skills around the basket and not afraid to bang.

Hopefully he will develop into a strong player in the Valley. Just knowing guys like Bo, Sampson:cursing:, CLo, were interested tells me more then any scouting rating system.

[Majik45]

For those that don't know, Jordan is a local kid, as Eureka is just about 10-15 minutes across the river from Peoria. It's always fun to cheer for local kids when they can play (like Crouch and Ruffin). I think his game will be similar to SIU players Shaw and Fay. I hate to even compare him to Shaw from the backlash we'll probably get, but a big man who can step out and hit the 3. Love the fact that BU should now be set on big men for many years to come as it seems like BU has had all kinds of problems getting decent big men in over the last few years after O'Bryant and Sommerville left.

BU has 6'10 redshirt Anthony Thompson, 6'7 freshman Taylor Brown, and 6'9 sophomore Will Egolf in this year. Next year BU will add 6'8 Jordan Prosser and 6'8 Milos Knezevic. In two years, BU will get 6'7 Sean Harris who will have 3 years of eligibility. Now it's time to go get some guards to play with the big men.

[upsaluki]

I will say though that it does seem like many higher star players do indeed drop when they go mid.....either way, again, the rating system has its flaws. Im sure guys like Korver, Hawkins Emmecker were not 3-4-5 star players.

JP was coached as a yungin by a bradleyfan poster. The reports I like from him are that hes a good kid, strong family (while not overbearing) and very coachable. Good skills around the basket and not afraid to bang.

Hopefully he will develop into a strong player in the Valley. Just knowing guys like Bo, Sampson:cursing:, CLo, were interested tells me more then any scouting rating system.

I would grant you there is some drop when a kid verbals to a mid-major (ugly term). I've also seen other school's fan bases, notably the Illini's, complain that their guys slide in the ranks after they commit to them. It's just human nature to want your guys to be ranked as high as possible. I had to laugh after last year's tournaments when some guy posted on the Duke message board that ESPN hates them. :lol:

He'll be a good one for you guys. The level of recruiting in the Valley continues to be very good. If you guys can get Darius Smith (Rivals 4*, #80), I'll be really impressed. That would be a pretty tough recruiting class to beat.

[StrykerBU]

Darius Smith would be a HUGE get for us, he's ranked 90th in the class of 2009 at scout.com. He does have a lot of interest from some large schools. I'd love to have the kid though. Currently he is Les' number 1 priority.
( http://www.bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6588 )

We've offered him and hopefully his recruitment will end up like Prosser's!

[tpguy1]

Word has it that Jordan was really liking BU's summer job programs

[tBU]

Word has it that Jordan was really liking BU's summer job programs


Word has it Janks told him if he liked to party that he should come to ISU where you would be allowed to drink, get a DUI and never miss a game. Guess we all he crazt shat hey.....

[brocks]

More important than these grade-school-like "star" rankings are the offers. I've posted about this here before as a positive trend for the whole Valley. My only point of contention with the original post is that it wasn't really "varying degrees of interest," as we often see.

Prosser had actual OFFERS from Wisconsin, Iowa, Notre Dame, Indiana, Baylor, Xavier, SIU, ISU red, and it appears TA&M, among others. Some of those evaporated. But here's why: he did not accept them before other recruits did. And in Indiana's case, he declined to verbal to Sampson (what a great kid!) and Crean could never tell him whether they were even allowed to offer schollies.

This obviously doesn't mean he'll be a star. But it's a much better indicator than some Internet guru's celestial rating system.

[tBU]

More important than these grade-school-like "star" rankings are the offers. I've posted about this here before as a positive trend for the whole Valley. My only point of contention with the original post is that it wasn't really "varying degrees of interest," as we often see.

Prosser had actual OFFERS from Wisconsin, Iowa, Notre Dame, Indiana, Baylor, Xavier, SIU, ISU red, and it appears TA&M, among others. Some of those evaporated. But here's why: he did not accept them before other recruits did. And in Indiana's case, he declined to verbal to Sampson (what a great kid!) and Crean could never tell him whether they were even allowed to offer schollies.

This obviously doesn't mean he'll be a star. But it's a much better indicator than some Internet guru's celestial rating system.


Actually my bad on the 4star title as I usually don't get to wrapped up in that. But with the offers he was getting it seemed plausible to a degree. I used the "varying degrees of interest" though becuase I was unsure of who he actually had offers from.

[tBU]

Word has it Janks told him if he liked to party that he should come to ISU where you would be allowed to drink, get a DUI and never miss a game. Guess we all hear crazy shat hey...........

[upsaluki]

More important than these grade-school-like "star" rankings are the offers. I've posted about this here before as a positive trend for the whole Valley. My only point of contention with the original post is that it wasn't really "varying degrees of interest," as we often see.

Prosser had actual OFFERS from Wisconsin, Iowa, Notre Dame, Indiana, Baylor, Xavier, SIU, ISU red, and it appears TA&M, among others. Some of those evaporated. But here's why: he did not accept them before other recruits did. And in Indiana's case, he declined to verbal to Sampson (what a great kid!) and Crean could never tell him whether they were even allowed to offer schollies.

This obviously doesn't mean he'll be a star. But it's a much better indicator than some Internet guru's celestial rating system.
The thing about these rankings is that they are highly volatile. You can have a great game in front of the right scout and explode up the rankings. The team structure is really loose so team oriented players don't often get a chance to shine (an exception would be the Chicago Wolves). They are also a lot more indicative of what the potential is for players beyond college. A 3 star could be an excellent college player, but have no shot at the pros. Five star players all have the potential to play at the next level. Four stars are probably somewhere in between.
The good thing is that they are based on AAU play where kids are matched up against the top talent. All of that talent is concentrated at the same events also so its not like these guys only see nearby prospects. It's hard to rate someone like Brett Thompson (6'10"-7') who played against a lot of teams who had centers that were 6'4" or shorter in high school unless you see them against AAu competition. I guess they are better than nothing, because most fans haven't seen their kids play until they reach college.

[WSUfan]

Jordan Prosser was 4-stars on Rivals for the past couple years until a couple months ago when they downgraded him to 3-stars. He still has 4-star talents, but that's what usually happens when a recruit leans toward a "midmajor".

Here was a Rivals article from March 2, 2008. Not sure if everyone can read it, it may be a premium article.-
Four-star forward makes another Iowa visit
http://iowa.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=780893

I understand the idea of a "three tool" or "four tool" or "five tool" player in baseball.
For the record, the five tools are 1) hitting for average, 2) hitting for power, 3) running speed, 4) arm strength and 5) fielding ability.
http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/sports2000/players/151063.html

I don't know the meaning of "4-star talents" in basketball. Could you explain?

[upsaluki]

I understand the idea of a "three tool" or "four tool" or "five tool" player in baseball.
For the record, the five tools are 1) hitting for average, 2) hitting for power, 3) running speed, 4) arm strength and 5) fielding ability.
http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/sports2000/players/151063.html

I don't know the meaning of "4-star talents" in basketball. Could you explain?
See my edited post. In general 1-25 =5*, 26-100=4 *, 100 -200 or so= 3*

They are also a lot more indicative of what the potential is for players beyond college. A 3 star could be an excellent college player, but have no shot at the pros. An example here might be Kevin Dillard who doesn't have a pro body, but should be a good college player (you could have also said Ruffin here). Five star players all have the potential to play at the next level. Four stars are probably somewhere in between. Booker is a four star because he has a front face up game to go with a post game. He has the potential to develop into an NBA prospect.

[bcg]

I don't know where the kids ranks. I had hear that Prosser was the coaching staff's number 1 priority for this class. That works for me. The kid certainly has seen a lot of college basketball the past few years. It seemed like every other week there was a mention of Jordan Prosser at a game.

Bradley finally has some size again in the upcoming future. They still have some scholarships to fill up the other holes. Hopefully, Jordan is also a good recruiter.

[BradleyBrave]

The Peoria Journal Star has made it official - Jordan Prosser to BU.

http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x380002353/Eureka-all-stater-commits-to-Bradley

[WSUfan]

See my edited post. In general 1-25 =5*, 26-100=4 *, 100 -200 or so= 3*

They are also a lot more indicative of what the potential is for players beyond college. A 3 star could be an excellent college player, but have no shot at the pros. An example here might be Kevin Dillard who doesn't have a pro body, but should be a good college player (you could have also said Ruffin here). Five star players all have the potential to play at the next level. Four stars are probably somewhere in between. Booker is a four star because he has a front face up game to go with a post game. He has the potential to develop into an NBA prospect.

So do you believe "4*" and "5*" are objective standards like "4 tool" and "5 tool" are in baseball? It sounds like being "3*" or "4*" or "5*" depends on the quality of the field. In a really bad year, maybe I could be a "5*" player. Right? :lol:

[upsaluki]

So do you believe "4*" and "5*" are objective standards like "4 tool" and "5 tool" are in baseball? It sounds like being "3*" or "4*" or "5*" depends on the quality of the field. In a really bad year, maybe I could be a "5*" player. Right? :lol:

That's actually a good point. I haven't seen your jump shot, but let's not go overboard here! :grin: Here's the 2007 rankings. 28 5* players, many were one and dones (http://illinois.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?ra_key=1611) They are just guesses as to how good a high school player will do in college. They don't account for late bloomers or development on a team where playing time might be available. You fill a roster with solid 3*s and develop them for four to five years and you're going to do pretty good. Look no further than the Valley.

As far as baseball goes Pujols isn't a 5 tool player but I sure like having him better than JD Drew who is one.

[DUBulldog]

So do you believe "4*" and "5*" are objective standards like "4 tool" and "5 tool" are in baseball?

I'm not sure that the baseball standards are as objective as you think. I've seen plenty of guys refered to as 5-star players over the years who ended up being average players at best, and certainly never demonstrated having all 5 tools.

[brocks]

FWIW, Van Coleman at Hoopmasters, who I think is as well regarded as any recruiting "guru," has Prosser at #71 in the nation on his current top 150. That's ahead of some UCLA and UNC recruits.

Coleman called Prosser's comitment to BU "huge."

Also noticed SIU in the mix for a top-100 kid from TN.

[tBU]

IF I had a wish it would be that VT had an edit button and I would have changed the title of this thread soon after I posted it. I read somewhere that JP was a 4star and it just got me overly excited even though I don't really care that much...or maybe I do....at least intially.

Like I said....knowing guys like Bo, Janks, Lickliter, Sampson etc., were on him makes me feel better then any star system.

Sounds like Kentucky made a late push also and JP happened to be on vacation there if I heard correctly....I don't know if it was a visit or not thouigh.

The thing is is that JP did his homework. He looked at MANY places and made an informed decison. He's an honor student and that doesn't hurt either IMO.

The Valley...all teams...need to win more of these recruting wars over the BCS types.:valley::braves:

[BTbird]

Why does it matter how many stars he is rated.

[tBU]

Why does it matter how many stars he is rated.

It doesn't....it just throws the discussion of the recruit off a bit.

[CaliRdBrd]

I understand the idea of a "three tool" or "four tool" or "five tool" player in baseball.
For the record, the five tools are 1) hitting for average, 2) hitting for power, 3) running speed, 4) arm strength and 5) fielding ability.
http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/sports2000/players/151063.html

I don't know the meaning of "4-star talents" in basketball. Could you explain?

If he has committed to Bradley then you can simply refer to him as a "tool".

[DoubleJayAlum]

Why does it matter how many stars he is rated.

It doesn't unless one just wants to brag about how many stars someone has.

Congrats Bradley. Seems to be a good one and from the local area as well.

[bugregshu]

I don't understand how this thread has turned into an argument about stars. Jordan Prosser was at one time listed as a 4 star when Wisky and Notre Dame and Indiana were all in pursuit, but when Prosser decided to wait to make his decision, those school filled the scholarships with other players. When it seemed more likely that Prosser would go to Iowa or a mid-major, he was demoted to 3 stars, and even 2 stars in some places. If he would have committed to a high major school with a high profile, like he could have earlier, no doubt he would have stayed a 4 star.

Thats not the point though. The point is that the recruits that the Valley is starting to pick up are of higher calibur than we've ever seen before. I think instead of debating how many stars a player should be, we should celebrate and recognize that the Valley is stepping up recruitment and we should all be excited for the future of the MVC.

:braves:
:valley:
:clap:

[brocks]

I don't understand how this thread has turned into an argument about stars. Jordan Prosser was at one time listed as a 4 star when Wisky and Notre Dame and Indiana were all in pursuit, but when Prosser decided to wait to make his decision, those school filled the scholarships with other players. When it seemed more likely that Prosser would go to Iowa or a mid-major, he was demoted to 3 stars, and even 2 stars in some places. If he would have committed to a high major school with a high profile, like he could have earlier, no doubt he would have stayed a 4 star.

Thats not the point though. The point is that the recruits that the Valley is starting to pick up are of higher calibur than we've ever seen before. I think instead of debating how many stars a player should be, we should celebrate and recognize that the Valley is stepping up recruitment and we should all be excited for the future of the MVC.

:braves:
:valley:
:clap:

BINGO!

If you read the message boards from Iowa, ND, etc, they were all high on Prosser UNTIL . . . GASP!! . . . he verballed to a mere MVC school! Let the revisionist history begin. "We didn't really want him." "I think we passed on him." Etc etc etc.

Iowa "PASSED" on a top-100 recruit with the situation they're in? Yeah ...

This is not to toot Bradley's horn because a lot of MVC squads are doing this, including BU ISU SIU CU even WSU with devastating losses.

Welcome Jordan as a top-100 recruit to the Valley. :braves::valley:

[upsaluki]

FWIW, Van Coleman at Hoopmasters, who I think is as well regarded as any recruiting "guru," has Prosser at #71 in the nation on his current top 150. That's ahead of some UCLA and UNC recruits.

Coleman called Prosser's comitment to BU "huge."

Also noticed SIU in the mix for a top-100 kid from TN.

Coleman is always way out of whack with everyone else. Not sure if that is good or bad.

[rjl]

I don't understand how this thread has turned into an argument about stars. Jordan Prosser was at one time listed as a 4 star when Wisky and Notre Dame and Indiana were all in pursuit, but when Prosser decided to wait to make his decision, those school filled the scholarships with other players. When it seemed more likely that Prosser would go to Iowa or a mid-major, he was demoted to 3 stars, and even 2 stars in some places. If he would have committed to a high major school with a high profile, like he could have earlier, no doubt he would have stayed a 4 star.

Thats not the point though. The point is that the recruits that the Valley is starting to pick up are of higher calibur than we've ever seen before. I think instead of debating how many stars a player should be, we should celebrate and recognize that the Valley is stepping up recruitment and we should all be excited for the future of the MVC.

:braves:
:valley:
:clap:

The opposite happened last year with one-time WSU recruit Denzel Bowles.

When he was signed with Wichita State, he was a 2*. When Turgeon left and shadily took Denzel with him as a Texas A&M signee, he suddenly became a 4*.

[tropicalshox]

I've seen one of his Indiana Elite games. Without a doubt this is a very good get for Bradley. He has a nice spin move, can block shots, rebound and run the floor. I couldn't tell from that game if he has a perimeter game.

You shouldn't make a judgement on one game but I did see why Mason Plumlee is a 5 star. Indiana Elite has other good bigs also, Bobby Capobianco and Stephan VanTreese. They are both Rivals three stars and headed to BCS schools. I would be hard pressed to pick one player for my team between Capobianco, VanTreese and Prosser. But I guess that's why prospects are scouted multiple times.

[tBU]

If he has committed to Bradley then you can simply refer to him as a "tool".


Good one....now go back to washing your moms delicates.

[SubGod22]

Bowles was actually a 3 star I believe and even after he committed to the Shox was projected by Rivals to break into the Top 150 when the next rankings came out. Now I will grant you that I think he went up higher than he should have because it was aTm he ended up at.

I don't think the committment thing matters as much as some of you make it out to be. Kids rise and fall all the time and even the elite schools complain about recruits going up and down the rankings. It happens. Where they sign may have a small effect but it's not as great as some of you would like to think.