LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas fans will be able to see several Razorbacks recruits at the Real Deal in the Rock basketball tournament being held in the Little Rock area today and Sunday.
Power forward Ricardo Gathers, 6-8, 255 pounds, of Reserve (La.) Riverside Academy will be playing for Brandon Bass Elite and is a player Arkansas coaches have their eyes on. He has approximately 20 scholarship offers, including those from LSU, California, Memphis and Kansas.
“Ricardo Gathers is basically a man-child,” Brandon Bass Elite Coach Scooter Owens said. “He’s a combo forward, a three/four type of player. He’s really tough. He rebounds the ball very well. He’s extremely athletic, probably one of the best athletes in the whole 2012 class. He has a NBA body right now.”
Gathers averaged 20.7 points, 16.2 rebounds, 3.9 block shots and 2.3 assists per gameas a junior while being named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Louisiana. He is rated the No. 28 overall prospect in the 2012 class by ESPN.
“His skill set continues to develop,” Owens said. “He’s able to put the ball on the floor now. He can get the rebound and advance it up the court and get us in the offense. That gives you a huge advantage whenever you have a kid that can advance the ball.”
Owens said Gathers is a fierce competitor.
“He brings toughness to our organization,” Owens said. “He’s going to bring that to whatever college he goes to. He’s led his high school team to three consecutive state titles. He hasn’t really peaked as far as his skill level.”
Georgia Stars power forward Alex Poythress is another prospect the Hogs are pursuing.
Poythress, 6-8, 215, of Clarksville, (Tenn.) Northeast has about nine scholarship offers, including ones from Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Memphis and Vanderbilt while drawing interest from Arkansas, Texas, Kansas, Duke and others. He said he’s been in contact with Arkansas and has interest in the Hogs.
“I’m still open to everyone right now,” Poythress said.“I’m just taking it all in. I don’t have any favorites.”
The coaching staff ’s resume will factor into Poythress’ college decision.
“I’m looking at player development and how the coaching staff is,” said Poythress, who’s rated the No. 26 prospect in the nation by ESPN. “What they’ve done in the past years.”
Poythress said Razorbacks Coach Mike Anderson’s offensive style fits his skill set.
“Their offense tries to speed the game up,” Poythress said. “It’s a pretty good offense. It’s five in and five out.”
Poythress said versatility best describes his game.
“I can post up smaller defenders and go past bigger defenders,” Poythress said. “I can go up to the three-point line. I like to drive the ball a lot.”
He said he’ll try to narrow his list of schools by the end of the summer and take his official visits in the fall before signing during the early signing period in November.
“I want to do it before my basketball season so I won’t have to worry about it,” Poythress said.
Sports, Pages 27 on 04/16/2011