It looks about finished and Coach Mac & Co. have done an outstanding job in the 2014 recruiting. As is well known they landed both a combo forward and a wing last fall in Leon Gimore and Ronnie Harrell. Both are listed in several ratings services (Scout, ESPN, Rivals, 247, Future 150) as 3 or 4 star players.
This Spring we have seen the staff go after several kids during this recruiting window. The Jays landed 2 transfer sophomores in: Maurice “Reece” Watson, a PG from Boston U. and Combo Fwd Cole Huff, from U of Nevada. Both will sit out as required for the 2014-15 season and be eligible to play in the 2015-16 season. Unfortunately, we lost one current player to attrition, as RS Frosh Darian Harris has transferred out and has relocated to Oral Roberts University in Tulsa. (Photos are linked)
Late Entry: 20 May 14 – UC Berkeley (Cal) graduate transfer, SG/SF Ricky Kreklow has committed to Creighton, as a Senior Walk-on. Reported by ESPN and CBS Sports. He has 1 year of eligibility and will play immediately this coming season.
TexasHoops-Bert Zertuche/09-13 on –
3 Leon Gilmore 2014 6-foot-7 SF
– He is a beast, good stroke with range to 23-25, needs to gain a little more discipline offensively but he is still greatly effective, tough player who can attack the rim, pull up, dunk it on the defenders head, strong bodied who has a tendency to intimidate the guys he goes against, when he gets rolling he is hard to stop
ESPN/01-14 on –
25 Ronnie Harrell 2014 6-foot-7 SG/SF
– Harrell is a willowy wing-type with a prolific shooting stroke. His range is similar to former Creighton standout and NBA player Kyle Korver. His shot is effortless and his release is quick. He can face-up his defender and his 1st step is pretty solid. He can handle the ball well in the open court and he generally makes good decisions.
Bottom Line:
Harrell is an intriguing talent due to his length and prolific shooting touch. If he is willing to pay attention to detail and work on his weaknesses, his upside is quite good.
ESPNBoston-Jack McClusky/04-14 on-
1 Maurice Watson Tranfer/Boston U 6-foot PG
Maurice Watson Jr., the former Boston University point guard, announced on Sunday he will transfer to Creighton. Watson, a point guard, was the Terriers’ best player in 2013-14 — leading the team in points (13.3), assists (7.1) and minutes (31.2) as a sophomore.
“I think right now he’s looking to play at a higher level,” Jones said. “Growing up, as a young boy, he’d always wanted that opportunity.
Omaha World Herald/05-14-Steve Pivovar on-
13 Cole Huff Transfer/U of Nevada 6-foot-8 Combo Fwd
A 6-foot-8 forward from Altadena, Calif., Huff spent the previous two years at the University of Nevada, earning Honorable Mention All-Mountain West Conference accolades as a sophomore. Huff blossomed as a sophomore, averaging 12.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for the Wolf Pack, including a high game of 31 points in a double-overtime win at Fresno State.. He shot 45 percent from 2-pt range, 40.3 percent from 3-pt range, and 81 percent at the FT line.
“They (Creighton) feel I can be successful in their program,” Huff said. “I feel they will provide me with an opportunity to become the player I want to become, and I just didn’t feel like there was a better fit for me out there.” Huff admitted he was ready to commit after visiting Creighton last Sunday and Monday.
“My coach and my parents were all 100 percent excited and sold on Creighton,” he said, “but at the same time, we had a lot of other options out there. Originally, he had planned to visit Creighton, Dayton and Iowa, and Michigan wanted to join the list. After leaving Omaha, Huff, who grew up in Altadena, Calif., canceled his visit to Dayton and told Michigan that he wasn’t interested. He visited Iowa on Thursday and Friday. “Had a good visit to Iowa. But in the end, I felt like Creighton was the perfect fit for me, and I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity.”
CBSSports/05-20-Jon Rothstein on-
24 Ricky Kreklow Transfer/U of California 6-foot-6 SG/SF
Cal transfer Ricky Kreklow has committed to Creighton, CBSSports.com has confirmed. ESPN.com first reported the news. As a graduate transfer Ricky will be eligible to play immediately next season.
He has battled injuries throughout his career and was looking for a fresh start. Ricky chose to walk-on with the Jays over several scholarship offers from other universities.
“Having seen what has been built there and knowing what Creighton’s brand on the basketball court stands for, I just felt this was the best fit for me. What Coach McDermott and his staff are doing there is pretty special.”
Ricky’s committment makes a nice bridge in regards to experience, leadership, and team attitude for the 2014 edition of Creighton Basketball. He will be a great addition to the MBB rotation this upcoming season, helping to balance the play of vets and new collegiate players for Coach Mac’s Jays.
The coaching staff is still hard at it, as there are still a few notable high level recruits and many transfer recruits on the boards. And of course – as always – an undiscovered or overlooked diamond or 2 in-the-rough. We shall see what transpires until such time as Coach McDermott says we are done. (The Ricky Kreklow commit transpired. I think we are done for 2014.)
Bluenotes 