Liftoff: Bluejay Shuttle Flies to Stars

Creighton begins the 2018 Campaign with Electric Start!

ef263-likfhzexoibfilf_20071031171841

The Jays recruiting list is long for 2018, with over 30 kids by accounts from BJB and BJU, including a couple of surprises in C/PF Dimon Carrigan and CG Keyshawn Embry, etc.  Carrigan is a defensive nightmare from Boston.

Old git’s list is a bit shorter:  SF Chris Bishop, PG/CG Torrence Watson, both from Mizzou, and SF/PF Brandon Johns of Michigan.  If there is a 4th billet, add C Brady Heiman (Nebraska kid).

Creighton currently has 5 open slots counting the 2 unfilled 2017 billets.  However those may be filled by 2017 UMass transfers Gresham and Jarreau (currently #4 transfer for 2017).

Yesterday, with short notice, Creighton kicked off its’ 2018 campaign with one of git’s favorite recruits for the year:  Lee Summit, MO’s SF Chris Bishop.  I will save the laudatory rants extolling Chris’ virtues and game for later – although I am tempted – and put forward an optimistic, but tempered account of what he brings to the team.

Chris Bishop – 6-8/180, SF, 2018, #140 Rivals, NR other rating services.

  Christian Bishop Small forward 3 STARS Lee’s Summit West Lee’s Summit, MO

 -POSITION
140 NATIONAL
-STATE
Commitment status:
VERBAL COMMIT Creighton

 

“I’m super excited — everybody in my family’s excited,” he said by phone Wednesday. “It’s the perfect fit for me.”

 

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/creighton-lands-rivals150-forward-christian-bishop

http://www.omaha.com/creighton/mens-basketball/recruiting-unofficial-visit-helps-ensure-wing-christian-bishop-s-pledge/article_ce16b706-56e1-11e7-b2e6-4b7585b931c0.html

Bishop has been a Jay for a long time, as his Mom posted this amongst other videos yesterday, after Chris’ commit.  https://youtu.be/NVaCbUPXqeY

Chris is a fast rising SF over the last 6-9 months, primarily based upon an excellent Junior year in HS and having a good spring with AAU Team Rush in KCMO.  A good summer will further enhance and elevate his game and ratings stature.  Eric Bossi thinks Chris’ rise is incomplete and I agree.  IMO he will settle in into the 50-75 range when all is said and done nationally during the cycle.

What he brings to the team:  E. Bossi – “A smooth athlete who can shoot with range, play above the rim and be utilized as either a big wing or a stretch four man, Bishop feels that he’s a good fit. And as a prospect on the rise, his best days are ahead of him in Omaha.”

“I think my skill set can help a lot,” said Bishop. “Being as tall as I am I can play the perimeter and I can do a lot of things. I also think I’m a good passer and I can defend multiple positions.

Chris said it best when Eric Bossi asked what he intends to improve upon:

“I think I need to get stronger. The consistency on my jump shot when it comes and my ball handling when I get that where I want to be, I think I can be deadly.”

His frame is slight, so efforts to add weight may be limited.  He will probably max out at 200-210, and as long as he is not asked to play much stretch 4 that should be sufficient.

Conversely both Watson and Johns should be able to add considerable weight if needed. Watson up to 200 and Johns up to 230 due to heavier, wider frames.

Creighton’s move to the Big East has resulted in a noticeable uptick in recruiting these last 2-3 years.  Last years’ (2017) class hauled in three 4-star recruits, with league politics preventing a 4th.  IMHO this is about right and the Jays should maintain such a trend, with an occasional 5-star along with 3 or so 4-stars as their normal recruiting haul.

It should be noted that both Rivals and Scout appear to have an eye on Creighton and the Jays have not dissappointed – being in the mix on numerous high level recruits annually. 2018 should prove to be no different.  Chris Bishop makes for an excellent start!

Go Creighton!

– gtmoBlue

#LetItFly  # RollJays  #TakeFlight  #MakeNewHistory

Class of 2017 – Update

Creighton Basketball Class of 2017

Meet your New Men’s Basketball Bluejays.

billy_closeup

The Creighton Men’s Basketball class of 2017.  The Jays signed 2 early commits, then picked up and released a 3rd.  At the semester break CU picked up a 2 yr transfer walk-on in 7-foot Ctr Sam “Slam” Dunkum.  Slam will wear #13  this season, hoorah!

The Jays then snagged La Lumiere C/PF Jacob Epperson (Aussie) in mid-March as our 3rd 2017 commit.  In early May the Jays got a commit from Grad Transfer Ctr Manny Suarez.  This class is rated at #20 – 247 Sports, #34 -ESPN, #22 – Rivals.

At this juncture Creighton has 2 spots open with several potential recruits to fill those billets.

This class is loaded with talent, athleticism, …and shooters.  Ty-Shon, Mitch, and Tugs are all great shooters, have versatility and athleticism, and each is capable of “taking over games” and dominating.  All three can mix it up with scoring at all 3 levels, are good rebounders, and can lead the break.  Both Jake and Tugs will need to eat…put on weight, but that is a minor issue.

Epperson has extensive international experience on the Aussie national team.  He has a good faceup game and shoots well in the midrange.  Jake rebounds well and can play with his back to the hoop.

Grad Transfers:  On 8 May 17 the Jays got a visit from Grad Transfer Ctr, 6-10/240lb former Adelphi player, Manny Suarez.  Suarez liked what he saw and committed to Creighton.  Though a Div2 find, Manny’s fluid play, assertive rebounding, and shot blocking should transition well to Div1 play.  He has the promise to be a very good 1 yr. bridge pickup for Creighton.

Three late-entrys – Jays in the hunt for these fellas:  HS recruit, PG Tremont Waters a Top 30-40 recruit, de-committs/re-opens recruitment.  Supposedly down to UConn, Creighton, and very late entry-Duke (as a fallback to Top PG Duval).

Still in the hunt for Top 20 HS recruit SF Brian Tugs Bowen. Bowen recently visited both DePaul and Oregon in May.  Missed his end of April announcement date.  We shall see.

The UMass Duo…Dejon “LaDeeky” Jarreau and Brison Gresham from New Orleans. This tandem is transferring out of UMass after their Frosh season (sit 1, play 3).

***New Assistant Coach.  Big Alan Huss has returned home to the Hilltop as an assistant to Coach Greg McDermott.  Coach Huss takes the vacated billet left by outgoing Steve Lutz (to Purdue).

 

CHAMPIONS...Again!

Your 2017 Bluejay commits:

SG Ty-Shon Alexander, 4* @5Tyshon  -signed

ty-shon
Courtesy – Creighton Athletics

SG Mitchell Ballock, 4* @Mitchbballin24  -signed

cw2npm7uoaamah5
Courtesy – Creighton Athletics

C/PF Jacob Epperson, 4*  @jacobe241  -committed

Jacobe241_4
Courtesy – Creighton Athletics

Ctr Manny Suarez   -Committed, Grad Transfer

Manny_Suarez44
Courtesy – whiteandblue77

Ctr  “Slammin'” Sam Dunkum @Samdunkum13  -Enrolled, Transfer Walk-On                 (Holding the Ark 7A State Championship Trophy over Bentonville & Malik Monk.)

NLR-Dunkum
All I need to see…Courtesy: @Arkansasonline

 

Potential additions for the Jays…

SF Brian Bowen, 5*  @20tugs

tugs2
Courtesy – Creighton Athletics

PG Tremont Waters, 4*  @Tremonth2o  

h2os2
Courtesy – Whiteandblue77

Jarreau & Gresham  -UMass transfers, 4* & 3* (Respectively)

Gresham-Jarreau
Courtesy – UMass Athletics

 

 

 

On the coaching front:  Bluejays hire Alum Alan Huss, 4* as new Assistant Coach. http://gocreighton.com/news/2017/4/20/-m-basketball-alan-huss-returns-to-creighton-as-mens-basketball-assistant-coach.aspx

Huss_Coach
Courtesy: Creighton Athletics

 

Jays potentially sign a class of seven (7) for 2017 – Wow!

This class as it now stands is one of the Jays top classes.  With the addition of either Tugs or Waters (or both) this class could be the best all-time (including the vaunted 1982, Coach Willis Reed – Benoit Benjamin class).  This is easily the best Creighton class in the 64 team NCAA Tourney Era.

 

image
Courtesy – CBS Sports

#RollJays   #ShooterU   #LetItFly   #AcceptTheChallenge   #MakeNewHistory