Topic: GAZETTE: SC’s Knapper gets hoops offer from MU

[biggreenarms]

SC’s Knapper gets hoops offer from MU

South Charleston High basketball player Brandon Knapper, who just finished his sophomore year, has received a scholarship offer from Marshall, according to his family.

WVU, Maryland and Virginia have all expressed interest. Cleveland State and the Naval Academy have extended invitations for Knapper to visit their campuses.

Knapper was a first-team Class AAA all-state selection after last season and finished second in voting for the Evans Award, symbolic of the state’s best player.

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[Collis P]

Not familiar with Knapper...  Size - Stats -

[Buffalo Bop]

I like that DD is going after WV and area talent. He would probably go after Jon Elmore too, if he wasn't signed with VMI.

[Buffalo Bop]

Per Vingle. . .

n Word has leaked out that South Charleston standout Brandon Knapper is getting serious looks from Big 12 and Atlantic Coast Conference basketball coaches.

According to a family member, Knapper’s play in the Pittsburgh Hoop Group Jam Fest 17-under tournament prompted calls from Maryland and Virginia to Black Eagles coach Vic Herbert. WVU, including head coach Bob Huggins, has called Herbert as well. Marshall loves the kid.

When reached on Thursday, Herbert wouldn’t specifically name schools, but did confirm the increase in interest.“I’ve had a lot of contact from Division I schools,” said the coach. “I expect that to continue.”

That’s a safe bet. Knapper was a Class AAA first-team all-state selection after last basketball season. He finished second to George Washington’s Jon Elmore in the most recent voting for the Evans Award, symbolic of the state’s player of the year. And he’s just now finishing up his sophomore year.

“There’s definitely interest already,” Herbert said. “He’s skilled, and to me he’s as skilled defensively as he is offensively. He just needs to get in the weight room.”

Knapper has been playing infield for the Black Eagles baseball team, which is nice to see. He’s also playing AAU hoops for Charleston attorney Scott Long’s West Virginia Wildcats. But when Knapper gets back to Herbert’s team, he’ll notice a change in philosophy.

“We’re going to try and get him off screens more this season, rather than have him handling the ball all the time,” Herbert said. “He has a really good jump shot, but he was tired late last season because we always had him handling the ball. We kind of wore him out. That was evident in the last five games. But it was a sophomore body. Strength and maturity will help him this year.”

Overall?

“The sky’s the limit,” Herbert said. “I think he could really be good.” - See more at: http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20140522/GZ02/140529631/1115#sthash.ER9hzdUW.dpuf

[MUonium]

stats/info   https://new.berecruited.com/athletes/1218851   

[Collis P]

stats/info   https://new.berecruited.com/athletes/1218851   

Great stats - hope he likes Marshall............

[QuickStrike]

I don't know WV HS b-ball talent, but DD needs to be very careful with how many WV recruits he goes after. Unless he is getting the elite in-state D1 recruits, having a roster half filled with in-state players could bite him.  Knapper was 1st team AAA all-state as a soph so he will probably be a player if he continues developing.

[FlyHawk98]

I don't know WV HS b-ball talent, but DD needs to be very careful with how many WV recruits he goes after. Unless he is getting the elite in-state D1 recruits, having a roster half filled with in-state players could bite him.  Knapper was 1st team AAA all-state as a soph so he will probably be a player if he continues developing.

No you obviously don't. We have plenty of D1 basketball talent in this state and I hope we get them all.

[Buffalo Bop]

DD continuing to offer WV players: latest scholarship offer to soph, combo guard Chase Harler of Wheeling Central.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3431424/highlights/140097378

[The Right Stuff]

I hope we can keep this guy away from the 'hole.  By the time he is a senior I believe a lot of programs will be in on this guy.

TRS
MU 71

[backontrack]

Question--why would somebody commit to Marshall (or WVU) as a sophomore when they might eventually get recruited by someone like Duke or any number of teams higher on the food chain than us???...

[The Right Stuff]

Good point.  Maybe they want to be closer to home, I don't know.

TRS
MU 71

[HerdHead]

One, they may commit because the scholarship will be 'guaranteed' even if major injury occurs over the next two seasons. (Or if their athletic abilities have "peaked" at an early age and they don't improve much with age and time)

Two, they may not commit as sophomores, but they may appreciate MU being their first offer and then maintaining their level of interest over the course of time.  How many times have you heard a recruit say something like that... "Marshall has always been there"?  

Three, with these offers, Coach D'Antoni is letting everyone know where he stands with "local" talent -- he wants them, and he'll go get them.  Who knows, maybe the next Brett Nelson stays home.  

By the way, the photo in the original post is NOT Brandon Knapper.