Only the best high school players go on to compete at the collegiate level. In Hawaii, who do you think has the biggest upside in eventually playing in college?
Of course, Kamehameha's Micah Christenson, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, is a top prospect. But due to his tremendous volleyball talent, it's pretty certain he'll go to a top NCAA D-I school in that sport, like Stanford.
So, aside from Micah, who do you think is the best collegiate basketball prospect?
nobody. lol
a few names to ponder malik johnson good size good upside will play 2 or 3 at the next level, deforest buckner although will probally chase football, patrick matthews mpi still a little raw but a possibility.
Not to talk up my own player, but I am gettting interest from colleges about Kaipo. Just throwing that out there since you guys are talking about it.
@ RC: Has Kaipo made any kind of highlight video?
I know Malik and Matthews have posted theirs on You Tube.
malik johnson will play D1 if he gets a take over game mindset.....pat matthews has a great chance but needs a faster release.
RC -- Kaipo has a nice-sized frame to build on and is athletic enough to play at the D-II level. As you know, he needs to improve his ballhandling and perimeter shooting, but he's got a lot of potential.
This will be an important year for Kaipo with you moving him outside to play more on the perimeter. At the next level, he'll have to play 3 or maybe 4 depending on the school level and team.
Good luck to both of you. Have a great year.
Gabe vega has a chance playing at the next level.he has size and skill.
Kaipo definitely needs to improve his perimeter game to have a chance to play at a larger school but seems to have the physical tools and a good work ethic. I think Malik johnsons mentality will grow as he natures into a more dominant player that goes and gets into the game, rather then waiting for the game to come to him.
@caliboy. I have seen Matthews play in summer league and his shot looks much better, quicker and he seems more athletic and efficient.
Kaipo got some good advice this weekend working with Lute Olsen. He was helping him with his shot and other things. I have a lot of D2 schools that are interested in him. He is working on a video and should have it soon. I dont know if it will be on youtube or anything like that. I keep in touch with quite a few schools about him. He is working on his outside game as well as trying to put on 15-20 lbs of muscle. He works as hard as any player I have ever coached. This summer he has played mostly on the outside but had an injury that forced him to miss a lof of the summer. Take care all and good luck to all the prospects this coming season.
MPI's Patrick Matthews has a good upside, with the potential to successfully play at the D-II, III or NAIA level. He is athletic enough and skilled enough with the ball to be able to play 2 or 3 in the right program.
But with a lot of these type of players, getting a coach who can help you improve your game and contribute in their system is a key. Except for Derrick Low, few Hawaii kids are ready to step in and play at almost all college levels, even JC. That's why hooking up with the right coach can make or break a player.
Good luck to Patrick on a super senior year and hopefully getting a chance to play in college.
Can Malik Johnson play D1? Noticed he's playing on the perimeter during Shark's games but doesn't seem to have adequate lateral quickness or overall explosiveness. Gets his outside shot off pretty easily as the guards defending him are usually around 5'8" - 5'10"...not a situation he'll face in college.
I've never seen Malik break someone off the dribble and in turn have witnessed him getting burned on "D" off the dribble and fouling to prevent opponent from blowing by him.
Must admit I've probably seen him in only 3-4 complete games and I'm not an expert or college scout but it takes someone really special to make it in D1. If I'm not mistaken D. Low was the last Hawaii bruddah to get a D1 scholie. I heard Marcus Holyfield (MPI) made it as a walk-on at SMU but quit to concentrate on football, the sport where he did get a full ride.
I believe Malik Johnson can definitely compete at the D1 level. You have to remember he is only a sophmore, now going to be a junior. His game seems to have taken some strides this offseason and he will be a player that other teams have to gameplan for this next year. He has all the physical tools in place for him to succeed at a high level, it is only a matter of him polishing his game, on both sides of the court. Also believe Matthews and Buckner can compete at the D1 level as well, maybe not at a huge prominent university, but a solid D1 school.
A lot of the time, the difference between an NCAA D-I and II player is size. Most D-I guards usually range from 6-foot-2 to 6-5, with an exceptional smaller player often making it on talent and heart.
At D-II, you usually have smaller guards, but some have the talent to make a D-I team and not play much. Some of those players opt to go the D-II route to play.
Most D-I teams have centers in the 6-9 to 7-foot range; the D-II teams 6-7 to 6-9, with an occasional 7-footer. But it's almost guaranteed that if you're 7-foot and can play at D-I, you're going to be at D-I.
Same goes for forwards. In D-I, range often goes 6-6 to 6-9 while in D-II it runs 6-4 to 6-7.
Malik Johnson, Deforrest Buckner and Patrick Matthews have solid size that will give them a chance at the next level. What level they'll play will depend on how much they improve their all-around games and strength in the coming years.
Right now, because of their age, Johnson and Buckner have a good upside with two years to get better. Both should have some type of college offers when they finish, but they've got to really improve their perimeter games to have a chance to play D-I. At 6-6, neither could play in the post at D-I. That means, playing a 3 and maybe a 4. Same thing at the D-II level; or maybe playing inside at D-III.
Matthews is better on the perimeter with solid ballhandling skills. Like I said above, he needs to get into the right program under a good coach where he can continue to develop. He's got a good shot at D-II, but D-I is a long shot.
I like what former Iolani star Kyle Pape did, attending D-II School of Mines in Colorado. He had some D-I interest, but chose the Colorado school because it was a good engineering school. It also allowed him to play a lot rather than go to a D-I program where he might have sat the bench most of his career.
Kyle had an outstanding career at the small Colorado school, being an all-conference player, and got a great education. A win-win situation.
Good luck to Malik, Deforrest and Patrick this year. Keep working hard on your all-around games. Being able to play inside or out, handle the ball and shoot it pretty well from at least mid-range will improve your stock for college.
@ Hi-Low
You summed it up very well...totally agree with all you wrote
Good assesment, Hi-Low.
Kyle Pape did choose well. Not just for his athletics, but for his academics too. With his degree, he was able to land an engineering job here in Honolulu.
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