Late Night Recruiting: Does The Name Nemanja Calasan Ring a Bell?

by Truzenzuzex on May 22, 2007 11:48 PM EDT in Basketball Comment 11 comments

Well, if it does, you are way better connected than me.

Rivals has a story that Nemanja Calasan, a JUCO power forward, may be scheduled to visit Lexington this weekend. Calasan has recently been released from his LOI to Utah.

I would link his Scout and Rivals page, but there is really nothing there. But I dusted of my cobwebbed memory and recalled that Van Coleman had taken a look at the 2007 JUCO class some time back.

You will note that Calasan is ranked #8 on Coleman's list, a 6'9", 235# power forward out of Midland, Texas. ESPN's scouting service gives him a ranking of 40 out of 100, which isn't that impressive. Compare that to Willie Warren who grades out at 82, or Brandon Jennings at 92 - in other words, not a program-changer. Were he a high school recruit, he would be a two-star player.

...

[editor's note, by Truzenzuzex] Thanks to commenter TXUKFAn , who points out that the 40 score indicates something a little different than what I implied above. ESPN's Scouts Inc. page says this about the 40 rating:

40: Pending Prospect

Player has redeeming qualities and is projected to contribute at the Division I level, however an evaluation is pending receipt of requested film from coach and player.

...

Not sure what Gillispie has in mind, but you can bet he has seen this kid play a lot more than any of us have, so if he brings him, we are going to have to trust his judgment.

Commenter piketaylor has much more in this comment.

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Judgement

Calasan is currently ranked as the number 2 Juco,so I would say that rates a lot higher than a two star.Lets let Coach Gillispie and his staff do the recruiting,and sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labor.I'm sure they know a hell of a lot more than we fans about the talent level of the yougmen they seek to bring to UK.

by kyjohn on May 23, 2007 12:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That's what tru said...

in the original post. Those were his exact sentiments to my understanding of his last sentence...

by blueblood on May 23, 2007 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

who are some

juco players who have done well in college and/or the NBA? not just at Kentucky, but any university?

i couldn't think of one off the top of my head...only a little bit of that has to do with my lack of sleep.

GO BIG BLUE!! GO BIG BLUE!!

by UKWildCatFanatic on May 23, 2007 1:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

shawn marion

he went to vincennes in indiana for two years before going to unlv.

by boobs on May 23, 2007 1:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks

that is definitely news to me...always learning something here at ASoB.

GO BIG BLUE!! GO BIG BLUE!!

by UKWildCatFanatic on May 23, 2007 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Score of 40

If you read the recruiting page on ESPN you would realize that a score of 40 only means that they are waiting on video tape of the player to make a judgement. I coach a player in TX that is being recruited by USC and ND as a WR and his score is 45 which means they have the tape but have not viewed it. Here is the Link.
http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/news/story?id=2105482

by TXUKFAn on May 23, 2007 8:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for paying attention ...

where I apparently did not.

I appreciate the correction.

by Truzenzuzex on May 23, 2007 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

More on Calasan

Averaged 13.5 ppg, 7 rebounds for Midland College (NJCAA Champions)

Quote from his JuCo coach at Midland:

"He's just a workhourse that plays really hard," said Midland coach Grant McCasland. "He's got a good skill level and he can shoot it. He can face up or go down on the block and get easy baskets. We've had him on the block here, but he can do damage from the perimeter. His better days are still ahead of him too."

TexasHoops.com (also part of the Rivals network) has this to say about his game overrall:

"Nemanja is a skilled offensive player who can face up and hit the 15-17 footer. He has a soft touch inside, a nice jump hook, battles for loose balls, will dive on the floor and will fight for rebounds."

JucoJunction also has Calasan as the #2 ranked Juco prospect of the 2007 class.

a perpetual state of bliss

by piketaylor on May 23, 2007 8:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs