[Update] UCLA Basketball Scores a Big Early Recruit in Jordan Adams
by DCBruins on Jun 20, 2011 3:42 PM PDT
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Welcome Jordan Adams! Jordan Adams is the newest Bruin. Jordan is a 4 star small forward recruit out of Georgia via Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, also known as "Mater Dei East." First on Jordan: "Adams can hit the mid range jumper and open three after he displayed the ability to move well without the ball. Adams also made some good passes when he drew multiple defenders." See some of that here.
The thing I like about Jordan is he is offensively developed. A lot of kids today cannot hit the mid-range jumper in high school. They drive, dunk or shoot threes. Adams is one of the more offensively skilled recruits UCLA has had in a while. And something tells me that Ben Howland can teach the kid defense.
Jordan Adams' voice is here. But Jordan Adams is much more than just a very good four star recruit. He is a very good early get from outside the West recruiting region for UCLA. He is the first of what may be one of the best classes for UCLA in a longtime.
More on that after the jump.
While Bobo Morgan was highly rated, he was a last minute second chance recruit that arguably was not properly vetted by UCLA. The last true 4 star recruit from out of the Pac-10 for UCLA was Alfred Aboya. AA2 was obviously a key part of the Bruin family.
While critics will say this was tied to new UCLA assistant coach Kevin McCray, the reality is it is the beginning of what could be a great recruiting class and a sign that UCLA is back as a national force on the recruiting front. As Scout writes in a story not behind a firewall:
The UCLA Bruins are looking for a huge recruiting class in 2012, and things got started off on the right path with their first commitment. In a tough recruiting battle, UCLA was able to secure the pledge of four-star wing Jordan Adams.
"I chose UCLA because of their tradition and history," Adams told Scout.com. "I think it is a good fit for me."
Welcome Jordan Adams! As Adams said in his announcement speech: "I want Shaq Goodwin and Shabazz to come with me." With Jordan and others, UCLA could be on their way to adding to that tradition.
Go Bruins!
UPDATE (N): Cool video highlights of Jordan Adams here:
And interview of him at Adidas Nation about a year ago:
Welcome to Westwood Jordan. GO BRUINS.
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Great News!
Jordan, I for one hope to watch you write some history of your own during your time at UCLA.
The best thing you can do for your children is to love their mother. John Wooden
I scoff at the critics
If this signing was tied to our hiring of McCray, then it’s a signing that has had an immediate positive return. I hope this is just the first domino to fall in what hopes to be an epic recruiting season for CBH and UCLA hoops.
Were there people critical of the McCray hire?
I thought the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.
I think it's been positive from our camp
While critics will say this was tied to new UCLA Assistant McCray
I’m sure the critics are from other fanbases who know that they’ll have to contend with a UCLA basketball program taking advantage of its full arsenal of resources.
There were some intimations that it was just an excuse to land his players.
Also, his connections to shoe companies, etc. as a part of the AAU system has a lot of Ben’s enemies implying he may be commiting violations by hiring McCray.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
from where?
Can you provide links?
by Nestor on Jun 20, 2011 4:57 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Ask and you shall Receive :)
http://johnclay.bloginky.com/2011/06/09/newest-trend-in-recruiting-hire-the-aau-coach/ Here is an article subtly implying that we’re going for a “package deal” which is definitely not the case.
The LA Times intimated as much in this article:
It is extrapolated a bit here: http://www.ajc.com/sports/ucla-hires-atlanta-aau-971417.html
Essentially it is either implied that Ben is doing it solely to land Georgia players, specifically the Atlanta Celtics, or on the very far end, it’s implied that Ben may be courting an NCAA infraction.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
Is it just me, or does his shot mechanic look a little strange?
Perhaps I just have not seen a good shooter play for us in awhile…
Jamaal (Keith) Wilkes
I don’t mean to negate your comment, but Wooden didn’t change Wilkes’ shot, and things went ok there.
greg in denver, UCLA guy for life - BruinsNation.com
It's been mentioned
he’s got more of a set shot than a true jump shot, but that can be fixed. His biggest issue he’ll have to face is conditioning. If he loses a bit of his bad weight he will get more elevation on his jumper. He is extremely lanky and that gives him an advantage, but combine it with good height and his jumper will be unstoppable. Important as well: he has excellent confidence in his shot.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
Reggie Miller had wierd shot mechanics and he was only one of best distance shooters the NBA has ever seen.
The best thing you can do for your children is to love their mother. John Wooden
Set shot or what I like to call a push shot
It can be changed, although Magic Johnson had a push shot his entire career and it didn’t really hurt him. He was however, 6’ 9" and played point guard. If Jordan is to be playing small forward and trying to hit mid range shots, he’s better off using a Don MacLean type shooting mechanic, but that is perhaps too big a change to make by this point.
Oh UCLA you sweet bitch, you've BRUINed me for anything else.
Remember, if we get Shabazz
Jordan could easily play sg and Shabazz could play 3. They are interchangeable in their skill sets.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
He definitely looks like he could play the 2
When he shoots the ball while in the lane, his push shot almost resembles a Pooh Richardson tear drop runner in the lane.
Oh UCLA you sweet bitch, you've BRUINed me for anything else.
Kind of reminds me of Kevin Durant's shot
by Alanamaslama on Jun 20, 2011 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Me too a little
though Kevin has that extra 5 inches to get his shot off.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
Welcome, Jordan!
This is awesome. Love him lobbying for Shabazz and Shaq to join him, and god help the rest of the basketball world if they do.
This is a great get from out of our backyard, and McCray likely had a lot to do with this. More signs that Howland is learning his lessons and has us on the right track.
greg in denver, UCLA guy for life - BruinsNation.com
Agree, g, but this was the easy one.
Not that Adams is chopped liver, he’s an excellent player.
But Ben and Korey will have their work cut out for them getting Shabazz, LJ, and Shaq to come here. We’re up against some of the top teams in the country for their services, and none will be an easy sell. But it’s extremely encouraging to see us land a kid from Georgia.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
True, and I def should have included LJ Rose as you did
Esp as much as we need a PG. Adding those young men would be incredible. Getting one to come across the country may especially help with LJ (Houston) and Shaq (Georgia).
greg in denver, UCLA guy for life - BruinsNation.com
Your last sentence G is key
Getting one to come across the country may especially help with LJ (Houston) and Shaq (Georgia).
Also of note:
Ben has offered Dominic Artis out of Richmond, CA. Kid is a little fireball at 5-11, and gives me flashbacks of Aaron Brooks out of Oregon. Please take a look at his video, as this kid may be our next PG.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bYp3PFV3NE
I think it’s a “whoever commits first” situation between him and LJ, though for my part I’d prefer LJ.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
Love this kid's game!
Wow. He kinda reminds me of Baron with those passes. Great sense for the ball. This kid has got me pumped!
It's definitely an entertaining style
and the thought of him and Shabazz playing together is hard to ignore, but I’m not certain he’s the best PG for our team. I wonder if his size is going to be an issue at the next level, and I wonder if his handles will get him into trouble against stronger, quicker defenders. We shall see.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
by OswegoBruin on Jun 21, 2011 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Adams is from GA
played high school ball in VA
By Virginia I meant both Georgia and Virginia. Stop twisting my words :).
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
I think it's Georgetta
but he may not be through, so Georgina sounds like a good option for him.
greg in denver, UCLA guy for life - BruinsNation.com
One qualm with this post
referring to Oak Hill as “Mater Dei East” sells Oak Hill’s basketball program way, way short. As good as the Mater Dei’s all-time team would be (Jamal Sampson, Schea Cotton, Taylor King, Miles Simon, Reggie Geary, DJ Strawberry, Kevin Augustine, LeRon Ellis, Mike Mitchell, Tyler Lamb the Wears etc.) it pales in comparison to the Oak Hill all-time team (Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Rajon Rondo, Josh Smith, Brandon Jennings, Stephen Jackson, Ty Lawson, Jerry Stackhouse, Michael Beasley etc.).
Oak Hill is basically a trade school for basketball players.
Good Point
I just though Mater Dei was the closest west coast equivalent and a quick way to explain that Oak Hill is not your average High School
Sorry for getting all pedantic
but as a kid who went to a small public high school where all of my varsity teammates were kids that I actually grew up with, I tend to categorize the cheaters, er, private/magnet schools based on the reach and strength of their recruiting. I remember a few years ago, looking at the Oak Hill roster and finding that none of the players was even from Virginia originally.
Sadly enough, Oak Hill has been one-upped by an AAU team masquerading as a school called Findlay Prep. It’s essentially a collection of D1 prospects that lives together in a big house and attends classes at a nearby private school.
Absolutely agree
When I was in hs in San Diego 91-95, there was a holiday tournament called above the rim where they used to fly in different east coast teams every year. Oak Hill was the best hs team I’ve ever seen, all 5 of their starters went to high d1 colleges including Jeff McInnis. They were so good I remember some guy in the stands yelled out "Do the alley-oop play, next time down the court-perfectly executed alley oop. A side note-Lamar Odom’s Christ the King team and Stephon Marbury’s Lincoln hs were also very good
Funny coincidence
I was talking to a buddy of mine from San Diego just a few weeks ago and he mentioned seeing Marbury in that tournament when he was younger.
On a similiar note
I woke up to read this great news about UCLA recruiting on Bruinsnation and sign on to Yahoo sports to see any NBA trade news and see this article saying that UCLA is only second to Duke in producing current NBA talent.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;ylt=As9g7bE11ImAJ0HcYoOAtUI5nYcB?slug=ys-rcs-schoolswith_top_nba_players_062011
Granted, it’s just Yahoo sports, but it’s a large media outlet and it’s good to hear us mentioned with other great schools where we belong.
Good job finding that, kev.
And thanks for fanshotting it – with the right title ;-).
I agree it’s great to see that on a major sports media outlet. I also think that our AD should always be making it blindingly clear that this is the case, and that U.C.L.A. should always be mentioned next to Duke, UNC, KS, KY, etc.
greg in denver, UCLA guy for life - BruinsNation.com
I Like This...
“I chose UCLA because coach Ben Howland stresses defense and I believe that is what wins championships,” said the ESPNU 100 SF from Lawrenceville, Ga. “He told me I would have to earn my starting position.”
Love My Bruins
Jordan Adams on why he went to UCLA
Guys I saw this video and he mentions returning the favor to new assistant coach Kevin McCray. I dont know if you all have seen it already. Im a little uncomfortable with that comment. Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx5TjrPL4TU
How is that anywhere close to a violation?
He obviously has a close bond with coach McCray, and has said multiple times “I wouldn’t be recruited by these schools if it weren’t for him”. Perhaps he wants to continue that relationship? Why do you have to insinuate that McCray somehow illegally convinced him to come here?
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
all I said was..
I was uncomfortable with the comment. I didn’t insinuate that anything illegally could have been going on. I still dont feel comfortable with the comment.
I Think
I know what you mean…the “returning of a favor…” That can mean a lot of different things, or it can just be a turn of phrase and mean nothing at all really. “Favors” can become troublesome things in college athletics, and it’s a term best avoided—in deed as well as word.
Something tells me that Jordan will be questioned specifically about that statement, if not immediately, eventually.
Love My Bruins
a super commit
welcome Mr. Adams-we appreciate your decision and look forward to your arrival. There is another Jordan Adams a Senior season at Mater Dei ahead of HER on the girls team. I have seen her play over 20 times over 5 years and she also would be a great addition to the Lady Bruins. She is about 6-1 and can play almost anywhere including the point and has had to take a back-seat to Masqueda-Lewis who will be a frosh at UConn. Both of the Adams’ would look great in Bruin Blue.
Mater Dei East
you mean Westchester East
by KobeBryantSlamDunkGiant on Jun 26, 2011 9:10 PM PDT reply actions
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