John Wall’s coach calls 850 the Buzz(updated Sunday morning)

Basketball Recruiting General75

The reports that John Wall has made a decision to follow Dwon Clifton to Baylor may be premature. On Dave Glenn’s afternoon talk show currently being hosted by Bomani Jones, Word of God coach Levi Beckwith called in to set a few things straight. This is definitely worth listening too as he talks about the Clifton’s, his background, his role in the process and what he considers the most important factor in this decision – who is going to be John’s head coach during his time in college.

Original writeup from Friday

The John Wall recruiting saga appears close to ending. In this case, the rumors circulating that the nation’s number one prospect was likely to end up at a school willing to hire one of his AAU coaches, Dwon Clifton, appear to have a lot of truth behind them:

Wall’s travel team coach – Dwon Clifton of D-One Sports – will officially be named Director of Player Development at Baylor University on Friday, according to multiple sources close to the situation.

Wall is a 6-foot-4, 184-pound point guard out of Raleigh (N.C.) Word of God Christian Academy. He is expected to announce his college decision early next week according to Brian Clifton, the director of D-One Sports and Dwon Clifton’s older brother.

Naturally, Wall is expected to follow his travel team coach to Baylor..

…Baylor apparently was not the only school pursuing Clifton as a coach. According to a source close to the situation, Dwon Clifton was offered coaching positions by other Big 12 schools as well as schools in the Big East and SEC.

Why Baylor?

Apparently the connection to Clifton/Wall was Baylor assistant coach Matt Driscoll who was on the Clemson staff when Dwon Clifton played at the University of Clemson. Dwon grew up in High Point, NC and he was recruited by NC State’s former coach Herb Sendek. In the end, Sendek did not offer him a scholarship. After a couple of years at Clemson, Dwon transfered to UNC-G and only had a marginal impact at either program.

In other recruiting news, Scott Wood has been making a lot of noise recently with his play on the AAU scene. He has had two games of 35+ points in the past few days and has reportedly been lights out from behind the arc leading his teams to upsets. Here are some comments from Bob Gibbons:

Bracket play began Tuesday at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex for the teams still in the playoffs of the AAU Junior Boys’ National Championship Tournament, and there were some shockers. The biggest surprise was the SYF Players (Ind.) upsetting one of the tournament favorites, Houston Hoops, 94-82. N.C. State commitment 6-foot-5 second guard Scott Wood (Marion, Ind.) put on an amazing shooting performance, hitting six of eight 3-point point attempts and 15-of-16 free throws for a tournament-high 39 points, to lead SYF to the win. 6-9 C Keith Gallon (Houston, Texas) had a good game for Houston Hoops with 20 points and 14 rebounds. N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe has to be feeling great right now, getting recent commitments from top-rated players Lorenzo Brown and Richard Howell, and then seeing Wood, his earliest 2009 recruit, shoot the lights out here.

With recent 2009 commitments from top 30 combo guard Lorenzo Brown and top 75(moving higher?) combo forward Richard Howell, the play of Wood should not go unnoticed. Scott’s commitment received mixed reactions from this blog and many NC State fans across the internent. While signing top rated players is always welcome, hopefully the recent play of Wood is a very positive sign in terms of our staff’s ability to identify quality ACC players at early stages.

Basketball Recruiting General

75 Responses to John Wall’s coach calls 850 the Buzz(updated Sunday morning)

  1. Noah 08/01/2008 at 10:23 AM #

    I just do not understand why a kid would affect his college choice by requiring his AAU coach be hired. It just does not make sense to me.

    Who do you think the dominant male figure in his life is?

  2. Wolf Dog 08/01/2008 at 10:59 AM #

    Just went through the recruiting process with my 18 year old six foot daughter. Who played AAU ball and Team USA volleyball the last 4 years. Kids don’t get noticed through high school like they used to, the coaches and assistants are all over AAU. Their can be 200 plus coaches watching a game at Nationals. Combines are even held in which coaches and players pay to attend. The competetion and teams in AAU are better than high school. The coaches are better than many high school coaches. To put a different spin on hiring an AAU coach. It is a good move in some cases. You get someone that knows everyone and respected by everyone thus it helps your recruiting in being able to identify players at an early stage and you get someone that can coach.

  3. wufpup76 08/01/2008 at 11:23 AM #

    AAU is a complete and total sham … the kids’ interests are almost always NOT at the top of the priority lists … Just like college recruiting, AAU is rife w/ greedy parents, wanna-be hangers-on, shady “I’m not really cheating” coaches, and slimy corporate sponsors

    It is in general seedy and disgusting … Are there some good people involved in it? – Sure … But that is primarily b/c it’s the one and only way to really get a talented kid exposure – which is highly unfortunate … But, as some stated earlier – the NCAA is “archaic and backwards” – so this crap won’t be cleaned up for some time … What can the NCAA do about something they’re not “directly” involved in? – Plenty, b/c they ARE directly involved in it, but choose not to acknowledge as much … Bravo

    Occasionally, I will see some AAU teams around Raleigh trying to raise money for travel expenses … I want to doanate b/c of the kids, but I never do b/c it is AAU – and I immediately think about who is really going to handling the money I would give … Ughhhhh

    ***

    “The SEC and the old SWC always had lower acceptance standards than the ACC”

    Remember SMU, and that’s all you need to know 🙂 … Oh, and Ok State still hasn’t stopped their old SWC ways … I guess they are above reproach … T Boone Pickens’ money sure does go a long way I guess

  4. GAWolf 08/01/2008 at 11:32 AM #

    I can see how that would be true, Wolfdog.

    Many years ago when I was coming up our high school coaches were teachers who got some extra cash to coach. The true coaches were the assistants who “helped”, and many of those were strictly volunteers The “Coach” more just drove the bus and complied with NCHSAA rules.

    Further, our youth league coaches many times had ten fold the experience coaching kids than our fresh out of college teacher/coaches… and it showed. Great highschool programs are built at the youth level. I don’t think there’s any secret to that.

    Just look at Clinton’s football program. It’s no wonder they’re good. Kids are playing tackle football there when they’re 4 and 5 years old. When we moved as little kids my brother went from playing tackle for two years to having to sit out for two years before he could return to the field.

  5. choppack1 08/01/2008 at 12:00 PM #

    Wolfdog does bring up some good points.

    AAU has its advantags – year long talent development, players get used to playing against better competition, kids who would be unknown or not receive a scholarship are able to get them and overworked coaches have the ability to watch several prospects in one location.

    Also, I wouldn’t label all AAU sports as “slimy and greedy”. I think that men’s basketball has ended up that way because there is so much money involved.

    The NCAA could set up an accredidation program which sets limit on what these teams can receive, who is allowed to run them, and when and where they can play. It’s probably such a big pandora’s box, they don’t know where to begin.

  6. wufpup76 08/01/2008 at 12:17 PM #

    “Also, I wouldn’t label all AAU sports as “slimy and greedy”. ”

    True – and Wolf Dog does make a good point …

    My post was directed first and foremost to men’s/boy’s basketball … It has turned into something that I don’t know can be cleaned up … It just seems that men’s basketball will *always* be run this way, which I think is terrible – but, that’s for another time, I guess 🙁

  7. RAWFS 08/01/2008 at 1:36 PM #

    Michael Beasley’s coach got a job at K-State too.

    It’s almost as if these AAU coaches are acting as agents and getting their paydays in a roundabout way.

  8. GAWolf 08/01/2008 at 2:14 PM #

    ^^ Definitely. And the question becomes: do these coaches have the kids’ best interest as their motivation? For a kid like that to go to Baylor… it’s hard for me to believe that Wall’s best interests are served by that.

  9. b 08/01/2008 at 3:09 PM #

    I think the kids nowadays are little more aware of the rest of the sharks in the water, so they feel a sense of control when they at least get to choose WHICH sharks eats them whole.

  10. Noah 08/01/2008 at 3:10 PM #

    And the question becomes: do these coaches have the kids’ best interest as their motivation?

    Hahahahahahahhahahahahahahaha!

    ohhh man! That was funny.

  11. hball57 08/01/2008 at 6:50 PM #

    Most AAU coaches are in it for the kids they coach. In fact not most, the vast majority. The vast majority of AAU programs are funded by the blood and sweat of coaches, kids and parents. The biggest investment has come from Pro athletes investing in the coaches that helped them succeed.

    If you want to know how it works try it. Try giving up your weekends and weeknights for no pay. Try picking up the slack when parents stop helping as the kids get older.

    And one more thing. The ranks of college coaching is a closed fraternity. If you do not get into being a recent athlete, it is a difficult business to get in. Ask HS coaches who have thought about getting in to college coaching. So AAU coaches might be the only way people without great connections can get into the business.

    Many are not trained as great coaches. Many get a rush being able to hob nob with college coaches. But very few programs have shoe company sponsors that provide large sums of money to a program. You’re lucky to get shoes and uniforms, and maybe transportation to an event.

    And newsflash … this business is caused by the NCAA rules. the more you limit time that coaches can scout players, the more need for large tournaments in the July period with all of the top players there.

    You folks do a disservice to the reputations of the 1,000s of AAU coaches across the country who do have the best interests of the kids they coach. They are not always right, bu they are doing a service. Ask the 100s of kids every year who were buried on a bad HS team who get noticed at an AAU event and get a scholarship because of it.

  12. Wufpacker 08/02/2008 at 2:33 AM #

    “You folks do a disservice to the reputations of the 1,000s of AAU coaches across the country who do have the best interests of the kids they coach. ”

    No, actually it is the admittedly small percentage of AAU coaches that are in it to find that “special player” that they can form a close relationship with, and then use that relationship to benefit themselves in some form or another, who are doing the disservice to the rest of the honorable AAU coaches.

    That and the shady shoe company dealings (you’ll never convince me that the majority of top players don’t commit to schools based on “sneaker loyalty”) have made this business appear slimy. We as fans are left to judge it how we see it, but it is not we who make the whole group look bad, but rather the bad apples at the bottom of the barrel, to coin a phrase.

  13. EverettBeez 08/02/2008 at 11:02 AM #

    Off topic – but can anyone tell me if Joe Giglio got canned at the N&O in this reorg? or just reassigned? So guy I’ve never heard of is writing the ACC Now blog.

  14. Wolf Dog 08/02/2008 at 12:15 PM #

    Its absurd for some of you to think that most/all AAU coaches don’t have the kids interest at heart. Most are not getting paid. Most teams will have players that will receive no Div. I scholarships. At best if they are lucky they might get a partial scholarship to a Div. 2 school or get invited to play div. 3 with no sports scholarship. Many coaches are parents of a player. Many are trying to help the kids develop because if you not playing year round these days to keep up your skills and improve you don’t play.

    Now of course their are shady figures, teams that are a business, and coaches in it for the wrong reason. They are a minority. Most tournaments for most AAU have few if any recruiters in attendence. I have met some of the nicest people at AAU tournaments and really care for these kids. The people that are the worst at AAU games are the group of parents that think their child should never sit on the bench and are expecting the coach and everyone to bow down and make sure their child is going to get the big scholarship and free ride.

    Next time some child comes to any of you wanting to raise money for a trip to nationals for their AAU team. Consider that over 80% of the kids will not play college ball anywhere, and it may be the only chance that over half these kids (that come from homes a lot less fortunate that your own) get a chance to go somewhere like Orlando to play some ball and go to Disney World. Don’t fault the child for the actions of adults.

  15. Clarksa 08/03/2008 at 6:25 AM #

    We won’t be getting Kelly…

  16. sf59 08/03/2008 at 9:41 AM #

    kelly’s final list is:
    Wake
    UNC
    Duke
    George Town
    ND

    Did not make cut:
    Davidson
    UVA
    State
    Stanford

    Focus shifts to 2 of these 3 IMO: Favors/ Dewitt/ Adams

    Good luck to RK, but here is to Howel wearing his ass out

  17. PackerInRussia 08/03/2008 at 9:48 AM #

    I hope he picks Vandy.

  18. redfred2 08/03/2008 at 10:49 AM #

    In Wall’s case, if you’re going to college for one reason, and one reason only, does it really matter where you go? I mean, if all you wanted was to really STAND OUT as a player for just one season, and end up looking like a superstar to the NBA interests, wouldn’t playing against slightly inferior competition without having other five star teammates distracting your limelight instead, why not play at Baylor?

    Not that I think that a self-serving mentality is admirable for any kid/athlete entering their first year of college, but with all the of the focus on just getting to the NBA as quickly as is humanly possible, and by the easiest and least demanding route available, without any concern for paying dues and actually LEARNING the game before arriving there, it is simply the reality of the situation these days. It’s the way these kids have been TAUGHT to view college, as well as their privilege of playing collegiate BB in the first place.

    BTW, that reminds me ONCE AGAIN, a lot the same folks who have given their blessings and pushed former Wolfpack BB players on up to the next level well BEFORE they were ready to go, are now saying that we need players to stick around longer in order to be successful in this league. Mind you, these new recruits that Lowe is now having some success with are ranked higher and expected to be a cut above the previous ones that the NC State BB program could draw in prior years. Am I right about that? The reason I ask, is that NOW the very same people/fans on this site that WERE saying that kids were complete IDIOTS if they didn’t sign a professional contract at the very first opportunity available, no matter if they sucked when they arrived on that next level or not, are now saying that the incoming, and even BETTER quality HS athletes should consider staying in the NCSU BB program for a longer period of time.

    You don’t want to recruit the ‘one and dones’…yet you say that when even marginal NBA talent is suited up in a Wolfpack uniform, that they are only “wise” to rush off to the next level. (?)

    Next, you want to see the best recruits available coming into the program, and an even better talent level than we were experiencing in the past, but then you’re saying that they should have the good sense to stick around longer. (?)

    Is it me, or are there some major contradictions there? You can’t push them out, and expect them to stay, all at the same time.

    So, who was/is considered wise today, someone like Cedric Simmons who left with your blessings, or these new players who need to stick around longer? What is the thinking TODAY?

  19. redfred2 08/03/2008 at 12:25 PM #

    I had already read the header earlier so I didn’t see/hear the ^update before I typed that last post.

    Anyway, Wall’s coach sounds like a decent man and he seems to be trying to point Wall in the right direction anyway.

  20. redfred2 08/03/2008 at 1:37 PM #

    The only thing that I didn’t particulary like about the interview, and I am possibly being too over sensitive, but to me it sounded as if there was negative connotation attached to NC State’s pursuit and interest in a player that comes right out of it’s hometown. Again, maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see where there are any negatives involved stemming from the so-called “pressure” that was mentioned in the interview. It’s just BB loving people that would love to see their own hometown product stick around and do well in his own home STATE!!!

  21. redfred2 08/03/2008 at 2:01 PM #

    With all of the different twists, turns, and conflicting info we’ve seen on just this kid’s recruitment, I’m thinking maybe it deserves a title of it’s own. Something like…’Bouncing off the Wall’, ‘Tear down this Wall, Mister’, ‘Where’s the John, again?”, “Putting Johnny on the spot”, “Johnny (please) come late…ly”, and so on…

  22. b 08/03/2008 at 2:30 PM #

    If he goes to State, its “Johnny Be Good”.

    And that pressure can manifest itself in a lot of mundane and maddening ways. When you are somewhat recognizable, you don’t know how many average folks out there know who you are and would gladly steal time from you to impress their opinions about how you should live your life. This adds to any influence Clifton has, as John has likely learned he can’t trust very many people to be objective where he is concerned.

  23. Afterglow 08/03/2008 at 2:33 PM #

    Redfred2, I agree with you-
    If I’m Doogy Houser and I can skip high school and go right to college then so be it. The comparison isn’t that far from what some of these athletes are doing today. I say if it works and your ultimate goal is to be a successful individual in life, than take the fastest road possible-work smarter not harder. No one should bash an individual for that. I think where I have the problem is in the NBA scouts and them not having the best interests of the kids. I feel like that is where the NBA should step in, having a better more rigorous talent evaluation. I guess where my comparison of Doogy Houser kind of falters is-the NBA doesn’t give a rats ars as it’s an entertainment business-not open heart surgery.

    To answer your question about talent we’ve recruited in the past in no particular order:
    • Brandon Costner, 6th ranked power forward in the nation, 5 stars
    • Courtney Fells, 9th ranked shooting guard in the nation, 4 stars
    • Ben McCauley, 24th ranked power forward in the nation, 4 stars
    • Andrew Brackman, 7th ranked power forward in the nation, 4 stars
    • Cedric Simmons, 4th ranked power forward in the nation, 5 stars
    • Julius Hodge, 5th ranked shooting guard in the nation, 5 stars
    • Damien Wilkens, 2nd ranked shooting guard in the nation, 5 starts
    • I’m pretty sure Al Harington (who transferred) was pretty highly ranked as well

    I think we’ve always had talent and good recruiting, just somehow (be it coaching, lack of a point guard, luck) we haven’t been able to maximize it.

  24. Otis 08/03/2008 at 2:34 PM #

    I think all of the pressure related comments were talking about an article that the N&O did about Sid needing to land Wall as a recruit to save his job, then media asked Wall about it. I don’t remember exactly how it went down, but it was during the season.

  25. howlie 08/03/2008 at 2:34 PM #

    Noah, wonderfully grizzly analogy.
    Among the seals, sharks, sucker fish, innocent fun-seeking lady, etc.; who/what would the university basketball teams represent in your analogy?

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