Howland Nabs His Point Guard of the Future - Dominic Artis Picks UCLA
by DCBruins on Jul 24, 2011 8:46 PM PDT
in Recruiting
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Sources are reporting that Dominic Artis, the fast rising best point guard in the west has committed to UCLA. According to ESPN (emphasis mine):
Artis is looking like the No. 1 point guard prospect out west for his class. He has solid speed, quickness, and he changes gears very well to separate from opponents. He doesn't have ideal height for the high-major level, but he does have very long arms and he looks very young in the face-which may suggest he isn't through growing. In terms of skill he has a tight and crafty handle and he can get into seams of the defense to set up his teammates. He advances the ball well in transition and generally exhibits a high basketball IQ while operating the half-court offense.
Bottom Line:
Although the point guard class is weak nationally, Artis projects well at the highest level. He isn't as quick as former Bruin Tyus Edney, but he does have similar characteristics in terms of playing style.Notes
Travel Team: Oakland Soldiers...Committed to UCLA in July 2012...
I assume the 2012 part is a typo. Scout is also reporting that UCLA has a verbal commitment (not behind a firewall).
On Sunday, just after the Oakland Soldiers were eliminated from the event, Artis"I really like Ben Howland’s style of play," Artis told Scout.com. "When I went down there for the visit all the guys were real cool and it just seemed like a good fit for me."
. . . "They have a great legacy of point guards up there," the four-star prospect added.
Artis, who will finish his high school career at Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep, has had a strong spring and summer and made his way into Scout.com’s recent rankings, checking in at No. 95.
More after the jump.
Artis joins Jordan Adams in the 2012 recruiting class. This class is looking good and outstanding for this early in the recruiting game.
Some video of Dominic is here and here. The second video is entitled "2012 PG with Handles and Stroke" and may sum up Artis. He is a true PG, he is quick, he can shoot, and he looks like he is 10. Artis is still growing as well but not 6'1" as one report lists him.
Part of the reason Artis may have committed so early is because L.J. Rose of Texas and him were both in the running. This is a very nice situation and shows how far Howland has come. After the problems last year with the McCallum recruitment, this year a kid commits early so he can be UCLA's point guard before another guy takes up the offer.
Personally I prefer quick point guards. While Rose was taller, there were questions about his quickness. While Artis is small, he is still growing and looks like a true PG. Don't get me wrong Rose looked good as well. But IMO Artis looks like a great choice right now.
A few more notes. He transferred high schools to be at a "PG factory" and in this weekend's games:
Findlay Prep's basketball program has churned out several stellar point guards, including two NBA first-round draft picks in Avery Bradley and Cory Joseph.
Dominic Artis wants to be next in line.
Artis, who has transferred from Salesian High School in Richmond, Calif., to Findlay Prep for his senior year, has been one of the brightest stars of the Las Vegas Fab 48 tournament at Bishop Gorman.
. . . Artis drilled seven 3-pointers on his way to 29 points to lead the Oakland (Calif.) Soldiers to an 86-69 rout of Juice All-Stars (N.Y.) in pool play Saturday.
Or how about this from another review of his tournament play:
Dominic Artis (Oakland Soldiers/2012) – Artis is a short statured point guard who has been getting reviews this spring as potentially the best point that the West coast has to offer. His play in this game made it easy to see why. He drained deep three pointer after deep three pointer both of the catch and off the dribble finishing 6-9 from behind the arc. In addition Artis is quick and crafty with the ball constantly working his way into the paint and creating scoring chances for teammates. He served as the engine that made this high powered Soldiers offense go leading his team both vocally and with his play on the floor.
Very excited to have Artis as a Bruin. Jordan and Artis are an incredible 2012 class for this early in the recruiting process. Kudos to CBH and Coach Matthews. If Shabazz Muhammad committed, it would make it a great class for any time of year. Regardless, you can really feel the recruiting momentum at UCLA building.
Edit (Ty): Felt like this would be a good time to embed this video from OswegoBruin from a week and a half ago:
Go Bruins!
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Sweet!!!!!!
Looking like a sweet class, hopefully everything pans out and everyone gels. Still early, but looking real good. I just remember the lost season a year and half ago when all wsa doom and gloom ,looking like we’ll be back in a great way again.
Woop Woop!!!!
Welcome Mr Artis you are going to love Westwood. This class is going to be a monster. Go Bruins!!!
Howland and the staff are rocking this summer!
Reports had Artis talking with Shabazz Muhamed after his game in Vegas.
Come on down Shabazz!
I'm excited
I can’t wait to see what this class does when their time in Westwood officially begins.
Welcome Dominic!
I know its just 2 videos, but looking at the ones linked above, he looks like about as good of a ball handler as we have had since DC left (except for maybe Zeek)! And hopefully, he’ll continue to improve this year. Love the pass between the legs (although I feel guilty about loving it). Yeah, also hope he grows a couple inches before he gets to Westwood, but it doesn’t seem to matter too much since he seems to have shined so much in the recent LV Tourney.
Another data point
To remind folks that when it comes to hoops, Cal is just another pretender. Even with Monty at the helm, Ben went head-to-head with him for a recruit that Cal felt they needed to get (local Bay Area product with a very high ceiling) and nabbed the guy, bringing him down to Westwood.
Artis plays for Oakland Soldiers
I think Drew Gordon played for the Oakland Soldiers. His brother, top recruit Aaron Gordon does now. Looks like Ben beat the “Drew Gordon/UCLA history” negativity, if it ever existed.
Artis's uncle is also
the coach
"A legend is an old man with a cane known for what he used to do. I'm still doing it." Miles Davis
by milesdavis93 on Jul 25, 2011 8:35 AM PDT up reply actions
From everything I've heard
Phil Matthews has done an outstanding job repairing our image with the Oakland Soldiers, who, if you’ll recall, also have players like Aaron Gordon, one of the best prospects in the country even though he’s only a Junior, and Brandon Ashley, long thought an AZ lean, but apparently we are now very much in play. Here’s hoping we can come from behind… both of these PFs are superior talents.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
+1 on Matthews
He seems to be doing a real good job
and this was after only about 2 months
of recruiting him. Super excited to see Artis in blue and gold.
"A legend is an old man with a cane known for what he used to do. I'm still doing it." Miles Davis
by milesdavis93 on Jul 25, 2011 8:35 AM PDT up reply actions
Hoping Artis helps recruit Brandon Ashley too
Just saw from the Bruin Bites that they are both going to be at Findlay Prep together next year. That means, if they both came, ooooh baby! They could develop some great chemistry there before even getting to Westwood… I know I’m getting ahead of myself, but just dreaming for the future…
They've already been playing together
for a while. Ashley plays on the same Oakland Soldiers AAU squad.
Even better.
Hopefully they’ll wanna continue the friendship as Bruins together…
Pretty good, I remember another slightly short but speedy PG we had years ago
If he’s anything like Darren Collison, I think we can be VERY happy.
That being said, I still feel Rose might have been a better fit, especially with regards to his family background (his dad wanted him to get a strong education). Can’t complain now though, Artis, Adams, and possibly Shabazz Muhammad would be insane!
If Howland can close out on our top remaining targets...
…we’d be looking at the following recruiting class:
Dominic Artis (PG), Kyle Anderson (SG), Shabazz Muhammad (SF), Jordan Adams (SF), and Brandon Ashley (PF)
Easily the top overall class, if Howland can make it happen.
by Bellerophon on Jul 24, 2011 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions
What's even crazier...
…is we’re also in the mix for other top-50 type guys in William Goodwin (PF), Moto (SF), and Upshaw ©.
This might be the year Howland doesn’t have enough rides for the talented, elite guys who want to come to UCLA. What a difference from a few years ago, when we were signing after-thought, weak-willed “players” like Carlino.
by Bellerophon on Jul 24, 2011 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions
we don't have enough scholarships to make that happen!
unless Josh or Reeves head out for the NBA. Or if Norman Powell and/or Tyler Lamb have huge breakout seasons and get drafted also.
there will be enough scholarships by next year.
seems like a lot on BRO expect a class of 5 guys, which means two non-seniors would have to go. Reeves is a likely bet
Correct
I expect Reeves or Josh to not return for next season. My hope is that it’s Reeves because he’s solid, but not spectacular. More importantly, he’s easier to replace in this upcoming class (plus we’ll still have Brendan Lane and the Wear twins at PF). Josh, on the other hand, would be a huge void to replace if he lives up to his potential this season. Stover is solid, but won’t wow anyone on the offensive end.
But regardless, one of the two will leave for the NBA next season, that I’m extremely confident of.
I've also heard
discussions of Lane graduating early. Perhaps that’s at play as well. And it’s interesting to note our lack of center recruiting… it could be a sign that Howland is not worried about having a center for next year.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
Complete speculation on my part, mind.
I’m worried Josh is headed out too, but I love the guy, so I can’t fault him. He’s a fantastic talent, and deserves to play at the highest level. I just hope he opens Pauley before he does :)
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
by OswegoBruin on Jul 25, 2011 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions
looks like you
were right about your earlier guess Oswego :)
Meh :)
I don’t care about being right, I care about us getting a very talented point guard who could stick around for awhile. I would love to be wrong every single time, and end up with fantastic basketball recruits!
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
by OswegoBruin on Jul 25, 2011 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Yup
I added some props for Oswego there, but it was an older thread.
I’m hoping Oswego posts another premature announcement about us landing Shabazz. Of course, we want facts behind all our posts and comments here, but if Oswego is wielding a crystal ball…
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
Rose will probably end up at UT; Artis probably would've gone to another P12 school.
I like the way it worked out.
DC was sprinter fast
this kid looks more like an MJD type – quick yes, but more importantly agile. My abiding memories of DC were of the end-of-first-half clearout plays, where he would just blow past a guy who knew exactly what was going to happen but couldn’t stop it. Artis looks on tape like he has a great ability to change directions on a dime to exploit even small holes in coverage.
by VeniceBruin on Jul 24, 2011 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Welcome to Westwood, Dominic!
I like what Howland is building.
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
Great attitude it seems.
When asked about possibly competing with Drew for the starting position, he said Howland said they probably would be on the floor a lot together. Then he added, according to the times:
“Of course I would want to start,” Artis said, “but if I had to come off the bench and sacrifice for the team, it would be OK.”
A little different than another pg who made a stopover at UCLA.
Go Bruins!
Glad to see
that the Howland-stifles-PG-play meme is withering.
On another note, I just wish that the NCAA and NBA would craft a better arrangement than one and done for talented freshmen. I’d love for there to be a three-year minimum. As it is, recruiting has become the equivalent of trading in your entire poker hand every year.
But, I digress. All Bruin fans have to like the sound of draining “deep three pointer after deep three pointer both of the catch and off the dribble” and “constantly working his way into the paint and creating scoring chances for teammates.”
Congratulations, Coach Howland and staff. Welcome to Westwood, Mr. Artis.
He's not there yet.
Telep was commenting on his hoisting of shots. He reminds me, as I’ve mentioned a couple times, of Aaron Brooks or Tajuan Porter… undersized and never afraid to take a shot. I hope he stays accurate and doesn’t just become a gunner.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
by OswegoBruin on Jul 25, 2011 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions
2 Things
One, I heard that we dont have too much of a chance with Will “Shaq” Goodwin, I have faith that CBH will try hard, if he gets Goodwin to commit, there might be a chance that i cry, ahah
and I know this will sound stupid and im having a little memory loss here will this recruiting class play for us on the “Road Show”?
I am almost positive they are but just want to make sure
this is the recruiting class of 2012, which means they should play in the season AFTER pauley has reopened
I say should because I don’t know how well these construction projects will follow their specified timelines.
whoops, what I mean to say is
they will start playing the SAME season that Pauley reopens, which will be Fall 2012
I wish there was an edit button.
My guess for the next 2 years.
2011-2012: 1. Zeek, Jerime 2. Lamb, Powell 3. Parker, Wear 4. Reeves, Wear, Wear 5. Josh, stover
(the 2 and 3 is certainly the interesting spot. I have heavy expectations for Powell to step up by the time we play the pac-12 schools, and I wonder if we’d play with 3 guards, (Zeek, Lamb, Powell) and 2 bigs)
2012-2013: 1. Drew, Artis 2. Powell, Lamb 3. Shabazz, Parker, Adams 4. Reeves, Wear, Goodwin 5. Stover/Wear/Reeves
(in a perfect world, Josh owns the 5 for the latter year.)
I think people may be selling Powell a bit short
I think he is going to play a bigger role than people think.
Part of that
Might be his primary descriptor as a recruit was “athlete” which is usually recruit-code for “raw”, which, in CBH’s system, usually means a steep learning curve at the beginning. Of course, these are all generalizations so it could easily turn out that he’s ready right now, but I can see why people might not count on him right away.
Good Point
I just think we are weak at the wing right now and that may create an opportunity earlier for him. Also, I do not think he is raw as some think, he is not like say Stover his Freshman Year. He does have a good offensive game. However, he must adjust to the higher speed of the high-major game and, of course, play solid D. We will see, it should be interesting.
His shot needs a good amount of work
and he tends to settle for far too many threes. His athleticism will get him on the court, but it’s up to him to improve his shooting and defense. He has the right attitude, by Lamb has the experience and is aware of the competition.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
Lamb v. Powell
I am not betting against Lamb to start, especially at the beginning of the year and in light he could start at 2 OR 3. But Lamb has not shown the ability to score inside or out on offense. Being a starter may combat that problem if it is jitters and nerves are the issue.
But Howland was comparing him to Westbrook as in the best athlete since Westbrok. That is a different level. Time will tell and Howland does not like to start Freshman but come PAC-12, I think we will see him start.
Agreed.
I think Powell needs to tighten his entire shot and quicken his release, but he already has that first step and no-fear finish that is exciting. The guy is a winner, and has a tenacious attitude.
Lamb has all the tools, and DC I think you are right that his nerves may fade as a starter. I love his potential, and am waiting for him to blow up, I just don’t see that winning attitude just yet.
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