Update on Cowboy recruits....

[Cowboy Junky]

Diontae Jones won state. It sounds like they play defense at Clark like we do at UW. He's going to fit nicely in Laramie.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/clark-finishes-job-strangles-elko-title" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Cowboy Junky]

Jeremy Lieberman won a section championship and is awaiting his draw for the state tourney....

http://www.vcstar.com/news/2014/mar/08/boys-basketball-playoffs-calabasas-wins-second/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Cowboy Junky]

Johnathan Barnes is up to 6'11" and if you look at this photo you will see that he's definitely not going to get pushed around much. Damn, he's big.

http://parkerchronicle.net/stories/Ponderosa-player-comes-up-big-in-post,134562" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There isn't much on Barnes to look at. Here are his senior stats. 56 percent from the free throw line needs some work. He shoots the same percentage from the field. Not bad for a kid playing his third year of basketball.

13 ppg, 11 rpg, 3.3 blocks per game

http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/ponderosa-mustangs-%28parker,co%29/basketball/stats.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[fromolwyoming]

Barnes averaging a double-double so far? Jeez! Jones won his state title by holding they other team to barely over 20 points. Lieberman, despite playing on a bad ankle, continued to help out his team with assists.

 

[Cowboy Junky]

More on Lieberman. He sounds like he has some toughness to him.

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20140304/calabasas-boys-basketball-leans-on-jeremy-lieberman-to-return-to-finals" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Cowboy Junky]

Diontae introduces himself. His best game(before this year's state title) was against Shabazz Muhammad.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/videos/2013/dec/06/8077/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And another article about the dominant defensive effort to win state.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2014/mar/01/clark-gets-defensive-wins-first-state-championship/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Cowboy Junky]

It seems like Shyatt really did some work getting guys that can play defense straight out of high school. All three of the guys have got a lot of defensive accolades in the press.

With a 6' 11", 250 pound shot blocking rebound eater, a 6'6" SF eraser, and a ball hocking point guard, Wyoming seems to have the pipeline full of guys that are going to take us to new heights defensively.

 

[Cowboy Junky]

Some Diontae Jones highlights from one of his big games this year.

http://mylvsports.com/preps/clark-charges-past-las-vegas-60-55/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[PotatoCreekPete]

Johnathan Barnes is up to 6'11" and if you look at this photo you will see that he's definitely not going to get pushed around much. Damn, he's big.

http://parkerchronicle.net/stories/Ponderosa-player-comes-up-big-in-post,134562" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There isn't much on Barnes to look at. Here are his senior stats. 56 percent from the free throw line needs some work. He shoots the same percentage from the field. Not bad for a kid playing his third year of basketball.

13 ppg, 11 rpg, 3.3 blocks per game

http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/ponderosa-mustangs-%28parker,co%29/basketball/stats.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wyoming FINALLY got their aircraft carrier.....I am a happy Cowboy fan!

Largely because of Nance's injury I feel that Wyoming still needs some insurance with the big men, and I hope that he goes to the JC route with the Vernon scholarship and gets someone that is a great rebounder.

 

[BackHarlowRoad]

Johnathan Barnes is up to 6'11" and if you look at this photo you will see that he's definitely not going to get pushed around much. Damn, he's big.

http://parkerchronicle.net/stories/Ponderosa-player-comes-up-big-in-post,134562" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There isn't much on Barnes to look at. Here are his senior stats. 56 percent from the free throw line needs some work. He shoots the same percentage from the field. Not bad for a kid playing his third year of basketball.

13 ppg, 11 rpg, 3.3 blocks per game

http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/ponderosa-mustangs-%28parker,co%29/basketball/stats.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wyoming FINALLY got their aircraft carrier.....I am a happy Cowboy fan!

Largely because of Nance's injury I feel that Wyoming still needs some insurance with the big men, and I hope that he goes to the JC route with the Vernon scholarship and gets someone that is a great rebounder.

Sub-header of the article:
"Wyoming-bound Barnes still learning the game"

He's just a project, Potato.

 

[fromolwyoming]

Johnathan Barnes is up to 6'11" and if you look at this photo you will see that he's definitely not going to get pushed around much. Damn, he's big.

http://parkerchronicle.net/stories/Ponderosa-player-comes-up-big-in-post,134562" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There isn't much on Barnes to look at. Here are his senior stats. 56 percent from the free throw line needs some work. He shoots the same percentage from the field. Not bad for a kid playing his third year of basketball.

13 ppg, 11 rpg, 3.3 blocks per game

http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/ponderosa-mustangs-%28parker,co%29/basketball/stats.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wyoming FINALLY got their aircraft carrier.....I am a happy Cowboy fan!

Largely because of Nance's injury I feel that Wyoming still needs some insurance with the big men, and I hope that he goes to the JC route with the Vernon scholarship and gets someone that is a great rebounder.

Sub-header of the article:
"Wyoming-bound Barnes still learning the game"

He's just a project, Potato.

He may be a bit of a project, but he's averaging a double-double for the 2nd year in a row with pretty decent shooting.

 

[BackHarlowRoad]

Johnathan Barnes is up to 6'11" and if you look at this photo you will see that he's definitely not going to get pushed around much. Damn, he's big.

http://parkerchronicle.net/stories/Ponderosa-player-comes-up-big-in-post,134562" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There isn't much on Barnes to look at. Here are his senior stats. 56 percent from the free throw line needs some work. He shoots the same percentage from the field. Not bad for a kid playing his third year of basketball.

13 ppg, 11 rpg, 3.3 blocks per game

http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/ponderosa-mustangs-%28parker,co%29/basketball/stats.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wyoming FINALLY got their aircraft carrier.....I am a happy Cowboy fan!

Largely because of Nance's injury I feel that Wyoming still needs some insurance with the big men, and I hope that he goes to the JC route with the Vernon scholarship and gets someone that is a great rebounder.

Sub-header of the article:
"Wyoming-bound Barnes still learning the game"

He's just a project, Potato.

He may be a bit of a project, but he's averaging a double-double for the 2nd year in a row with pretty decent shooting.

I know, I think we need projects because current stud 6'11" 250 lb players play elsewhere.

I was just referencing Potato's dislike of project players from a week ago. He's changed his mind I guess.

 

[PotatoCreekPete]

Johnathan Barnes is up to 6'11" and if you look at this photo you will see that he's definitely not going to get pushed around much. Damn, he's big.

http://parkerchronicle.net/stories/Ponderosa-player-comes-up-big-in-post,134562" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There isn't much on Barnes to look at. Here are his senior stats. 56 percent from the free throw line needs some work. He shoots the same percentage from the field. Not bad for a kid playing his third year of basketball.

13 ppg, 11 rpg, 3.3 blocks per game

http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/ponderosa-mustangs-%28parker,co%29/basketball/stats.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wyoming FINALLY got their aircraft carrier.....I am a happy Cowboy fan!

Largely because of Nance's injury I feel that Wyoming still needs some insurance with the big men, and I hope that he goes to the JC route with the Vernon scholarship and gets someone that is a great rebounder.

Sub-header of the article:
"Wyoming-bound Barnes still learning the game"

He's just a project, Potato.

He may be a bit of a project, but he's averaging a double-double for the 2nd year in a row with pretty decent shooting.

I know, I think we need projects because current stud 6'11" 250 lb players play elsewhere.

I was just referencing Potato's dislike of project players from a week ago. He's changed his mind I guess.

No I haven't changed my mind. But UNLIKE other recruits, i.e. Haldorson, Seller's, Cooke...Barnes was actually recruited by some big programs. Considering also that he is averaging a double-double and despite his being in organized ball for only three seasons I feel that he has the talent and smarts to be much closer to a Nance type of player than a Cooke type of player. I have been calling for Wyoming to get an Eric Leckner player for quite a while and it looks like we finally got one. That is what is making me happy. I don't expect a lot of production his freshmen year, but I expect to see a big improvement like Nance showed in his sophomore year. Because I do expect him to struggle his first year, along with the injury to Nance is why I would go for a JC big.

Also, from what I have seen and read, this young man is extremely bright and hard working so while you might put the "project" label on him, every indication he is light years beyond Seller's and Haldorson. So I would put an asteric beside the term "project" with him.

 

[Cowboy Junky]

It seems like a couple of these guys might be able to get minutes right away. If you want to play for Shyatt the things you have to do:

1. Don't be a liability defensively.
2. Take care of the ball.

Those are the keys to getting on the floor. It doesn't matter how good of a shooter you are or how advanced your offensive skill set is. If you want to play for Shyatt, play good defense and take care of the ball. Trey Washington should take note. Play good defense and take care of the ball and you wont have to bitch about your minutes on twitter.

Barnes seems like a guy that can be a defensive force at center. Just based on his size and his high school averages, he's going to be very good at rebounding and blocking shots. His game against the #1 high school center in the country proved that he has the ability to shut a guy down that is an offensive force. Remember this is a guy that was recruited by Wichita State, Utah, Lasalle, Washington State and many others. He might be a project, but he's a highly demanded project.

Jones has received a ton of press for his willingness to do everything on the floor. His defense, rebounding, hustle, and energy are what made him the number 2 recruit in the state of Nevada. I've seen terms like "glue guy" and "captain" and "leader" to describe his game. If he truly values those things in high school, you have to think Shyatt and staff are just going to bring more of that out of him. I think he's got the skills to be a guy that can shut down a SF/PF.

Lieberman has also received great press for his defensive skills and his ball security. He's been called a "true point" a "ball hawk" and many other superlatives that make you think he might be able to contribute right away. If you watch his highlight tapes he's great in the open court. He gets a lot of steals and likes to run, although he prefers to pull up and hit a three on you then take it to the rim and dunk like Adams. He's got great handles and should excel in a system designed around ball security and defense.

I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of these guys end up in the rotation next year, depending on how early they get here and how hard they are willing to work.

 

[PotatoCreekPete]

It seems like a couple of these guys might be able to get minutes right away. If you want to play for Shyatt the things you have to do:

1. Don't be a liability defensively.
2. Take care of the ball.

Those are the keys to getting on the floor. It doesn't matter how good of a shooter you are or how advanced your offensive skill set is. If you want to play for Shyatt, play good defense and take care of the ball. Trey Washington should take note. Play good defense and take care of the ball and you wont have to bitch about your minutes on twitter.

Barnes seems like a guy that can be a defensive force at center. Just based on his size and his high school averages, he's going to be very good at rebounding and blocking shots. His game against the #1 high school center in the country proved that he has the ability to shut a guy down that is an offensive force. Remember this is a guy that was recruited by Wichita State, Utah, Lasalle, Washington State and many others. He might be a project, but he's a highly demanded project.

Jones has received a ton of press for his willingness to do everything on the floor. His defense, rebounding, hustle, and energy are what made him the number 2 recruit in the state of Nevada. I've seen terms like "glue guy" and "captain" and "leader" to describe his game. If he truly values those things in high school, you have to think Shyatt and staff are just going to bring more of that out of him. I think he's got the skills to be a guy that can shut down a SF/PF.

Lieberman has also received great press for his defensive skills and his ball security. He's been called a "true point" a "ball hawk" and many other superlatives that make you think he might be able to contribute right away. If you watch his highlight tapes he's great in the open court. He gets a lot of steals and likes to run, although he prefers to pull up and hit a three on you then take it to the rim and dunk like Adams. He's got great handles and should excel in a system designed around ball security and defense.

I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of these guys end up in the rotation next year, depending on how early they get here and how hard they are willing to work.

I agree. I like this recruiting class a lot. All three of these guys are excelling at higher levels of high school ball against very good competition. I feel that Washington will come around and I think that we will see a much more mature player next year. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see both Lieberman and Barnes see a fair amount of floor time next season...they both appear to play very mature ball and Jones isn't far behind.