April 25, 2008

Justin Young
Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting

Surprises? We've got your surprises.

The talent at the Real Deal on the Hill was stacked deep like a wholesale talent warehouse. College coaches had plenty of players to evaluate and there were a number of players that helped their cause in Arkansas.

Rivals.com's Justin Young breaks down the top surprises he saw over the weekend.

Real Deal Surprises
Eric Bledsoe, PG, Birmingham Ice
	We've touted him long before the Real Deal and again after seeing him dominate the Southern Shootout, but this was his chance to put himself on the national recruiting map for college coaches. Bledsoe didn't disappoint. He's a pure point guard that loves the set-up role and getting after it on defense. In a class that lacks high-major depth at the point guard, Bledsoe played his way onto the high-major radar for the rest of the spring and summer. Once his jumper becomes a more consistent weapon, Bledsoe could be one of the best of the best at his position.
Mike Bruesewitz, SF, 43 Hoops
	When the 6-foot-7 forward committed to Wisconsin during the high school season, the news didn't really cause a stir on the national scene. At the time, the big redhead was a regional name in recruiting circles. He should receive more recognition because he's a talent. Bruesewitz is a prototypical Wisconsin player and that is about as good as a compliment you can give a player like the Minnesota native. He's a skilled forward with great strength, toughness and passing skills. His frame will be able to get bigger and stronger. That will make him an even more intriguing prospect for the Badgers.
Sampson Carter, PF/SF, M33M Ballers
	What a weekend for the prep school-bound forward. You could argue that Carter was one of the top overall 2009 prospects in the entire tournament field. The 6-foot-7 forward played the role of high-major wing prospect very well from start to finish. He scored in transition, where he's at his best, on the wing, where he drilled a number of long range shots and attacked with the dribble. You can tell he watched a lot of hometown Memphis games this season. His rebounding was impressive, too.
Luke Cawthorne, PF, Southeast Elite 17U
The 6-foot-7 forward was one of the most intriguing players in the 17 and under division. The Nashville (Tenn.) Pioneer Christian Academy product always played with a high-motor and produced game after game. He was a scoring threat in the post because of his constant movement and herky-jerky style. He's more skilled than Darnell Wilks, who starred at PCA and for Southeast Elite but similar in size and athleticism. Word is Cawthorne will re-classify and go to Patterson (N.C.) next year.
Kyle Fogg, SG, Belmont Shore
	Prep school or college? That's the decision the 6-foot-3 guard is mulling over right now. Either way, he is in a good situation. Fogg is a smooth guard with a textbook jumper. He is good off the dribble and showed his experience at the Real Deal. If he goes the prep school route, he should see his recruitment take on the high-majors. If he goes to college, he could be one of the top steals late in the game. Fogg has good options either way. His play in Arkansas probably opened some more doors for himself, too.
Jeronne Maymon, PF, Wisconsin Gators Elite
	What position does he play was a question mark that followed him around last weekend in Arkansas, but what wasn't in question was his sheer production. The 6-foot-7 combo forward just got things done. Maymon was sensational against Seattle Rotary in a terrific game. He approached the 30-point range in front of a gym full of coaches. His best work was done in the paint but showed some improvement as a wing player. His bread and butter is in the post and his energy, muscle and motor will make him a difficult player to defend at the next level.
Russ Smith, PG, New York Gauchos
	On any given weekend, any one guard can stand out for the Gauchos, the grassroots powerhouse. This weekend, it was Smith's turn to show what he brings to the table. The 6-foot guard was great as a set-up man and orchestrated the offense very well. Thin of build, Smith will have to get bigger and stronger. Still young for his grade, Smith's upside is intriguing. He's a polished player with a high basketball IQ. Playing alongside the other talented guards for the Gauchos, Smith will have plenty of opportunities this summer to show what else he can do.
Jontaveous Sulton, PF, MBA Hoops
	As one of the elder statesman on his team, Sulton was a calm and steady ship in the paint for MBA Hoops, a club full of 2010 and 2011 prospects. Sulton showed great bounce, aggressiveness and shot-blocking ability. Still rather raw, Sulton is an intriguing player. Perhaps it is his rawness that makes him one of those players that a lot of high-majors stick with. The 6-foot-8 forward boosted his stock in Arkansas.

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