Men's Basketball PG Commitment- Mike Black

[haggyland]

http://illinoishsbasketball.com/index.php?...19&Itemid=1

 

6 Committed Sleepers to Watch

 

Seth Evans 6-0 G Seneca (Wisconsin Green-Bay)

 

Troy Snyder 6-7 F Bollingbrook (Wisconsin Green-Bay)

 

Matt Sullivan 6-4 wing Loyola (Brown)

 

Colin Nickerson 6-3 G Waukegan (Fairfield)

 

Zeke Upshaw 6-5 wing (Illinois State)

 

Mike Black 6-1 PG Fenwick (Albany)

 

I changed the school for Black

 

Now we're talking. Nice link. Good to see.

[Clickclack]

Hoopmasters Van Coleman had this to say when Mike committed to North Florida......

 

Matt Kilcullen and his North Florida staff made a major inroad in the Chicago area adding 6-0 point Mike Black...

 

We caught up with Windy City Spartans head coach Orlandus Thomas and he informed us that his 6-0 point guard Mike Black from Oak Park Fenwick High had committed to North Florida.

 

"North Florida is a great fit for Mike," Coach Thomas told Hoopmasters. "They are an up and coming program."

 

"The staff did a great job recruiting Mike, especially assistant coach Evans Davis who has been on him from the day he saw him. With the Mike's commitment, they've opened up a pipeline to Chicago area talent!"

 

Mike ran the show for the Spartans this past summer and drew raves from Coach Thomas.

 

"He has the complete package, He can hit the open jumper or break you down off the dribble. He can finish in traffic or dish the rock to the open man. He's also an aggressive defender."

 

Look for him to have an immediate impact as a freshman for the Ospreys!

[Dane Pound]

So in the end I guess we got the best of North Florida (2008-2009: 8-22, 335 RPI, Divison I for 5? years) and a Division II school in Lewis.

 

Maybe I should take some time to digest this, but at face value it looks like a step down in replacement value.

 

I might be wrong but weren't we Jamar's only offer when he signed (early?) Copenrath also only had one offer. I'm certainly not saying MB will be either one of those two players but I don't think you can write him off for that. He's ranked the same as Glanton. Good student, high basketball IQ, we could certainly do worse than that.

[haggyland]

I might be wrong but weren't we Jamar's only offer when he signed (early?) Copenrath also only had one offer. I'm certainly not saying MB will be either one of those two players but I don't think you can write him off for that. He's ranked the same as Glanton. Good student, high basketball IQ, we could certainly do worse than that.

Don't worry. I'm mellowing after not seeing those sky-high recruiting numbers early.

I'll gladly take four years of him outliving his high school assessment (or even just four years where he is dedicated to the program but the numbers don't show up).

 

Also, did you see how quickly Singelais got an update up? That was nice work.

[Patch]

From Chicago.......

 

Head Coach Will Brown, Chad O'Donnell, And The University At Albany Land Class Of 2009 Fenwick Star Mike Black Of The Windy City Spartans

 

 

Chicago Hoops

March 31, 2009

 

Email Questions/Comments To brian@chicagohoops.com

 

 

Class of 2009 Fenwick star Mike Black of the Windy City Spartans has given a verbal commitment to play his college basketball for head coach Will Brown, and the University at Albany. Black had originally signed with North Florida ahead of opening up his recruitment following a coaching change.

 

Black, a 6'0" point guard, is known both for his ability to run a team, and also for his ability to score the basketball. Black is coming off of a superb senior season which saw him team with Xavier Humphrey (Winona State) on a Fenwick team that was once again very strong.

 

Black originally signed with the University of North Florida ahead of a head coaching change at the school. He ultimately decided to obtain his release, and re-opened his recruitment. He visited the Albany campus over the weekend, and decided that the school was a great fit.

 

Assistant coach Chad O'Donnell was instrumental in landing Black to Albany. O'Donnell has actively recruited Chicago for years for the Albany program, and was also the point man in Albany's landing both 6'6" Jimmie Covington (Chicago Morgan Park) and 6'10" Jake Lindfors (Driscoll) to the school.

 

Black competed on the travel team circuit with the Windy City Spartans. Orlandus Thomas of the Windy City Spartans confirmed Black's commitment to Albany.

[UAalum72]

Here is a picture of him.

 

http://yourseason.suntimes.com/boys_basket...foreman.article

Will America East refs call that a carry?

[Clickclack]

Latest from Hoopmasters.....

Will Brown and his Albany staff have received a commitment from former North Florida commit Mike Black...

 

"As of last Thursday, Mike Black was released from his LOI from the University of North Florida," Orlandus Thomas, Black's summer coach told Hoopmasters. "Due to the coaching changes."

 

"A number of schools contacted me. However, it was Chad O'Donnell, assistant coach from University of Albany, who jumped on the opportunity for Mike's services," Thomas continued. "After an official visit this past Sunday, Mike verballed this morning to Coach Will Brown and the University of Albany Great Danes."

 

“Albany is a great situation for Mike, both academically and athletically. He will be able to be an impact player immediately and lead a team that has established themselves at the top of the American East conference. A lot of credit goes to the work done by Chad O'Donnell, and the staff at Albany. They were adamant about pursuing Mike after his release, and made him feel (during the visit) that he would be an integral part of the team for not only next year, but for his collegiate career. Mike has proven throughout the season that he belongs at this level, and he will have the opportunity to lead a great team on the national stage.”

 

University of Albany will be playing nonconference games vs. both Syracuse and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill next season.

 

GULP...did they intend to let that one out of the bag?

 

NICE!

[MRSGDG]

Latest from Hoopmasters.....

 

 

University of Albany will be playing nonconference games vs. both Syracuse and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill next season.

 

GULP...did they intend to let that one out of the bag?

 

NICE!

 

 

Thank god, I (& anyone else who already knew) don't have to hold that info in anymore!!! Glad it is public

Edited April 1, 2009 by MsGDG

[purplehaze]

Latest from Hoopmasters.....

Will Brown and his Albany staff have received a commitment from former North Florida commit Mike Black...

 

"As of last Thursday, Mike Black was released from his LOI from the University of North Florida," Orlandus Thomas, Black's summer coach told Hoopmasters. "Due to the coaching changes."

 

"A number of schools contacted me. However, it was Chad O'Donnell, assistant coach from University of Albany, who jumped on the opportunity for Mike's services," Thomas continued. "After an official visit this past Sunday, Mike verballed this morning to Coach Will Brown and the University of Albany Great Danes."

 

“Albany is a great situation for Mike, both academically and athletically. He will be able to be an impact player immediately and lead a team that has established themselves at the top of the American East conference. A lot of credit goes to the work done by Chad O'Donnell, and the staff at Albany. They were adamant about pursuing Mike after his release, and made him feel (during the visit) that he would be an integral part of the team for not only next year, but for his collegiate career. Mike has proven throughout the season that he belongs at this level, and he will have the opportunity to lead a great team on the national stage.”

 

University of Albany will be playing nonconference games vs. both Syracuse and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill next season.

 

GULP...did they intend to let that one out of the bag?

 

NICE!

Great to hear the Orange and tarheels are coming to SEFCU Arena next season!

Edited April 1, 2009 by purplehaze

[UA'08]

I know that unc and su are in the coaches vs cancer tourney next season. So could one of those games be that?

[Eli]

Great to hear the Orange and tarheels are coming to SEFCU Arena next season!

 

I highly doubt they will be playing those teams at the SEFCU lol. UNC hasn't been to an Arena this small in probably 50 years. Those are probably roadies like the Kansas game this past year.

 

This guy seems like a good pickup. The one thing about Raffa that I hated was his propensity to turn the ball over around the basket. He'd go for a layup and wimp out on contact and end up losing the ball. That ticked me off. From what you all have posted, looks like this kid is as good around the basket as he is outside. Also, he can pass. I think we got something good here. Judging from the info on him, doesn't he sound a little like Jamar? I hope so.

[Clickclack]

Great to hear the Orange and tarheels are coming to SEFCU Arena next season!

 

I highly doubt they will be playing those teams at the SEFCU lol. UNC hasn't been to an Arena this small in probably 50 years. Those are probably roadies like the Kansas game this past year.

 

This guy seems like a good pickup. The one thing about Raffa that I hated was his propensity to turn the ball over around the basket. He'd go for a layup and wimp out on contact and end up losing the ball. That ticked me off. From what you all have posted, looks like this kid is as good around the basket as he is outside. Also, he can pass. I think we got something good here. Judging from the info on him, doesn't he sound a little like Jamar? I hope so.

 

I thought it was pretty clear that he was being facetious!

[Eli]

Great to hear the Orange and tarheels are coming to SEFCU Arena next season!

 

I highly doubt they will be playing those teams at the SEFCU lol. UNC hasn't been to an Arena this small in probably 50 years. Those are probably roadies like the Kansas game this past year.

 

This guy seems like a good pickup. The one thing about Raffa that I hated was his propensity to turn the ball over around the basket. He'd go for a layup and wimp out on contact and end up losing the ball. That ticked me off. From what you all have posted, looks like this kid is as good around the basket as he is outside. Also, he can pass. I think we got something good here. Judging from the info on him, doesn't he sound a little like Jamar? I hope so.

 

I thought it was pretty clear that he was being facetious!

 

Guess not. I'm a young chap on this forum. Haven't learned the ropes of who's who regarding personalities, etc.

[Clickclack]

Great to hear the Orange and tarheels are coming to SEFCU Arena next season!

 

I highly doubt they will be playing those teams at the SEFCU lol. UNC hasn't been to an Arena this small in probably 50 years. Those are probably roadies like the Kansas game this past year.

 

This guy seems like a good pickup. The one thing about Raffa that I hated was his propensity to turn the ball over around the basket. He'd go for a layup and wimp out on contact and end up losing the ball. That ticked me off. From what you all have posted, looks like this kid is as good around the basket as he is outside. Also, he can pass. I think we got something good here. Judging from the info on him, doesn't he sound a little like Jamar? I hope so.

 

I thought it was pretty clear that he was being facetious!

 

Guess not. I'm a young chap on this forum. Haven't learned the ropes of who's who regarding personalities, etc.

 

No worries!

[UA_MA_2000]

BTW - hillarious comment posting on the TU blog

 

Hey Mark:

 

You might want to check Rivals for a UA basketball update…

 

Comment by Mike Black — March 31st, 2009 @ 6:07 pm

Thanks, “Mike.” Much obliged.

 

Comment by Mark Singelais, Staff writer — March 31st, 2009 @ 6:20 pm

No problem.

Now please call me for an interview and tell the Capital Region about my game…

 

Comment by Mike Black — March 31st, 2009 @ 6:34 pm

 

That's one way of getting Singleas' attention.

 

 

I love it!! LOL, I like him already!