Wednesday May 02, 2007

Clemson Basketball

Clemson Basketball
In March and April I spent a lot of time here on the AARC, Clemson baseball and spring practice for Clemson football. I wanted to update you on the status of Clemson basketball a couple of times in May. There has been recent news worthy items concerning the basketball team.

*Julius Powell had knee surgery and is already walking around. The staff thought about the surgery early last season but decided against it. As it turned out, Powell's knees were shot and he was not able to go on many days.

*Former Clemson point guard Ed Scott is planning on coming back to Clemson this summer. The Columbia native needed only one class to graduate and will get his degree this summer. This is great news for Scott and good news for Clemson basketball. Besides the news of another Clemson basketball player getting his degree, the basketball program also gets a bonus point in their Academic Progress Report (APR). In yesterday's blog I wrote that new APR rules say that if a student-athlete was on scholarship at any time and comes back to graduate later then the sport can receive a bonus APR point.

*There is a chance Matt Morris may go on scholarship next season. The 6-5 swing man helped the Tigers several times last season.

*Sam Perry is healthy for the first time in a long time. The upstate native spent a lot of time in the training room last season.

*Clemson should improve its out of conference schedule for 2007-08.

*I expect Clemson to be a greatly improved team from the free throw line next season. I know, I know, I just lost even more credibility with some of you. And others will add, "They could not be much worse..." But consider:

1. Damontez Stitt will take over at point guard and he should be a tremendous improvement from the line from last years' point guard, Vernon Hamilton
2. Cliff Hammonds is currently working on a new free-throw shooting motion and he will work hard enough to improve.
3. K.C. Rivers is excellent from the line.
4. Terrence Oglesby is an outstanding free-throw shooter and he could be in the game late with a chance to shoot more free throws.
5. Trevor Booker got off to a very good start from the line last year and looks like he has good free throw shooting fundamentals.

Here is a look at the position battles on the hardwood for next season:
Point Guard
Damontez Stitt (6-2, 180, Fr)
Cliff Hammonds (6-3, 197, Sr)

Outlook: Clemson will be better at point guard despite losing the experience of Hamilton. Stitt is a fundamentally sound player that will make fewer mistakes. He will not have to create as much offense but in my opinion will make better decisions. He is also taller and should not give up as many inches to opposing point guards.

Hammonds played a few minutes at point guard each game last year and should see at least that many minutes there next season. He is solid but not spectacular at the point. Hammonds is bright enough to play as many minutes as possible but this team will need him to play more two guard than point. He should be able to help Stitt with his transition from high school to college ball.

Oglesby and Rivers could provide and few emergency minutes at point if needed.

Wing
Shooting Guard-Small Forward
Cliff Hammonds (6-3, 197, Sr)
David Potter (6-6, 180, So)
K.C. Rivers (6-5, 210, Jr)
Terrence Oglesby (6-2, 185, Fr)
Matt Morris (6-5, 207, Sr)
Sam Perry (6-5, 208, Sr)
Julius Powell (6-7, 208, Jr)

Outlook: The Tigers are deep at these two spots. Hammonds will be one of the most experienced guards in the ACC next season. I think he is a special student-athlete and the definition of a role model for young players. If he continues to improve his shooting Hammonds will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in Tigertown.

Rivers started his sophomore season with a bang and ended it with an even bigger bang. His shot was a big part of the offense and he should continue to be a focal point next season. Rivers is also an excellent rebounder on both ends of the floor. He is solid defensively and can create his shot a little bit at the end of the shot clock on offense.

Potter struggled with his shot throughout most of his freshman season but his confidence grew late in the year and he become more of a threat on the offensive end. Potter is a good athlete and he should continue to improve and his minutes will increase next season.

Perry should continue to provide defense, rebounding on both ends of the floor and energy at critical times. He is limited offensively but his presence on the offensive boards should help. I think Perry's role on this team should be a key to the success next season.

Powell played more as a true freshman than last year but his knees limited his progress. If he is healthy then Powell can be counted on for a few quality minutes and an occasional three-pointer.

Oglesby is perhaps the best pure shooter to come to Clemson in recent years. He will struggle a little defensively but his shot will more than make up for that. He has great range with his shot and is not afraid of success. I think he will provide some toughness as well.

Post
Power Forward-Center
James Mays (6-9. 225, Sr)
Trevor Booker (6-7, 215, So)
Karolis Petrukonis (6-11, 260, So)
Raymond Sykes (6-9, 215, Jr)
Jerai Grant (6-9, 215, Fr)

Outlook: Mays is effective at the point of the press defensively but he must improve his half court defense if and when he comes back for his senior campaign. He is a very quick with his first step and his offensive skill set continues to provide some match up problems with many opponents.

Booker is the type of player you can build a program around. He is a terrific shot blocker and rebounder. Like Mays he needs to improve his footwork on defense but the tools are there. Offensively he came into his own late in the year. Booker has a nice shot and better range than many think. I think he can develop into a great post threat on both ends.

Sykes is a quick leaper and good shot blocker. He needs to improve his strength and offense but Sykes runs the floor well and gives you quality minutes.

Petrukonis is just very inexperienced. I think it is too early to give up on him. Give him more time to develop.

Grant is a raw prospect and could red-shirt to give him time to improve his total package.

Tomorrow I will look at some basketball recruiting news and look at things to expect in the 2007-08 season on the hardwood.

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