Ever wonder what happened to all those names you heard the Dayton Flyers recruiting over the last 2-3 years? Us too, which is why we went on a fact-finding mission to dig up the scoop for ourselves. Many of these names were big-time players who ended up making a names for themselves at other schools, or, in the very least, are in the process of making a name. On the other hand, it was to our surprise how many aren’t setting the world on fire either. Perhaps it has something to do with the competition they are up against with their team and their conference, but perhaps it’s also a sign of UD’s relative strength in identifying players who will make their mark at the college level. Still, there’s a few guys on this list we’d like to have a second crack at. Without further ado, here’s who we dug up. All stats are figures compiled for the 2001-02 season. We’ve kept the list to those players whom had at least a mild interest in Dayton at one time or players the UD coaching staff were believed to be recruiting with more than a passive interest.
Jesse Young, George MasonGEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
Established: 1949
Location: Fairfax, VA
Enrollment: 39,032
Type: Public Research
Affiliation: None
Nickname: Patriots
Colors: Green and Gold, Jr
14.3ppg, 8.3rpg, .481%FG
Notes: Part of the infamous “fight” on his recruiting trip. Considered top Canadian in his class. At 6-10, plays like Waleskowski.
Jerome Coleman, Rutgers, Jr – JUCO transfer
16.9ppg, .377%FG, .344%3FG (95-276 ouch!)
Ryan Gomes, Providence, Fr
13.8ppg, 7.8rpg, .559%FG
Notes: Early interest in Dayton last year but chose the Big East instead. Perhaps the single biggest recruiting loss of this past season.
Tony Bethel, Georgetown, Fr
10.1ppg, 4.2rpg, .401%FG, .376%3FG
Andre Horton, Vincennes CC, ??
10.5ppg, 3.3apg, .425%FG, .451%3FG (88-195)
Notes: Greg Simpson-esque numbers in HS at Lima Senior, projected to be a huge sleeper with quick on quick speed. Third in Mr. Basketball voting as a senior, the Vincennes stats were taken from last year. May have graduated and transferred to D-I. Current status unknown.
Marquis Estill, Kentucky, Jr
8.8ppg, 4.3rpg, .618%FG, .683%FT
Notes: One time high interest frontcourt player for UD. May have scheduled an official visit but canceled.
Brandon Hunter, Ohio U., Jr
17.3ppg, 9.1rpg, .489%FG, .373%3FG
Notes: Cincy player committed to Larry Hunter early. Won MVP of Wendy’s HS Classic against likes of Brian Cook, Jason Gardner, Brooks Hall, others.
Jon Higgins, Tennessee, Jr
7.6ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.9apg, .391%FG, .360%3FG
Notes: NE Ohio product perhaps top combo guard in his class. Top-100 by several pubs.
Emmanuel Smith, Akron, Jr
7.3ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.4apg, .291%FG, .304%3FG
Notes: Ohio Mr. Basketball from Euclid was a jet quick guard out of HS with great shooting ability. Believe he was a Prop-48. Hasn’t found the range.
Harold Swanagan, Notre Dame, Sr
7.9ppg, 6.7rpg, .593%FG, .652%FT
Notes: UD was looking for PF and it came down to him and Nate Green. Built like Green, Nate was rated slightly higher and it turned into a wash, though Swanagan probably had the more consistent career. Did not redshirt.
Josh Almanson, BGSU, So
4.8ppg, 2.6rpg, .536%FG, .400%3FG
Notes: Went to BG High School. Many recruiters thought this 6-8 kid was a steal and one of the best rising forwards in the Midwest.
Chevy Troutman, Pittsburgh, Fr
4.9ppg, 3.2rpg, .574%FG, .471%FT, two starts
Notes: Redshirted in 00-01, was considered a big-time player from PA and at 6-7, 236lb had stud written on him.
James Thues, Syrcause, So
5.8ppg, 2.7rpg, 5.2apg, .447%FG, .327%3FG, .526%FT
Notes: Believed to have had strong interest in UD at one time, heralded all state kid from Michigan. David Morris-like but a tad lighter on the feet.
Ardo Armpalu, Marshall, So
2.6ppg, 2.1rpg, .579%FG, Seen action in 10 games
Notes: Estonian product at 6-10, 240lb visited UD once according to John Huston’s Rumor Central.
Jon Pawlak, DuquesneDUQUESNE UNIVERSITY
Established: 1878
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Enrollment: 9,344
Type: Private Research
Affiliation: Catholic Spiritan Fathers
Nickname: Rams
Colors: Red and Blue, So
4.8ppg, 2.6rpg, .383%FG, .839%FT
Notes: Thin 6-9 forward once a prime Flyer target. Visited unofficially once. Hailed from PA.
Nathan Popp, UNC-Greensboro, So
0.7ppg, 1.8rpg, .323%FG
Notes: 7-2 258lb. Originally signed with UGA/Jirsa and nearly committed to Dayton. Considered project in HS with huge upside, he had UD fans to the point of penciling him on the roster. Rated three or four stars by Rivals.com for mere size and potential alone but he was a smart pass.
Elgrace Wilborn, Tennessee, Fr
3.1ppg, 2.9rpg, .521%FG, .471%FT
Notes: Springfield South product now entertaining ideas of transferring back home. Rated Top-150 by many pubs.
Latece Williams, JUCO/Marshall, Sr
10.3ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.7bpg, .504%FG
Adam Wolfe, Mich. State, So
9.4ppg, 5.0rpg, .467%FG, .462%3FG, .829%FT
Notes: Westerville South grad. One of top frontcourt guys in Ohio in his class. Top-100 by a couple sources. Redshirted at MSU.
Ronny Dawn, Marshall, Fr
6.2ppg, 2.3apg, .460%FG, .430%3FG
Notes: Attended Flyer Madness in 99-00
Adam Waleskowski, Florida State, Fr
2.9ppg, 2.4rpg, .309%FG, .806%FT
Notes: Won D-II title at Alter sophomore/senior years.
Matt Sylvester, Ohio State, Fr
1.3ppg, 0.7rpg, .400%FG
Notes: Appeared in 3 games, injured, redshirted. Son of Mike Sylvester. Top-100.
Lincoln Glass, Lincoln Trail CC/Auburn, Sr
3.8ppg, .300%FG, .317%3FG
Notes: Kicked off Auburn team. Rated very high among JUCOs in his class. Was a potential JUCO All-American.
Rolan Roberts, Va Tech/Creighton, Sr
13.7ppg, 7.1rpg, .602%FG, .420%FT
Notes: Perryman mold with more quickness. Monster finisher.
Romain Sato, Xavier, So,
15.6ppg, 6.5rpg, .459%FG, .412%3FG
Notes: Story on his recruitment still a mystery to some. Will haunt the Flyers for two more years.
Greg Brittian, South Florida, Jr
6.2ppg, 2.7rpg, .379%FG, .406%3FG (13-32)
Notes: 6-6 wing forward with inside/out game. Nearly committed.
Brian Swift, South Florida, Fr
2.7ppg, 1.0rpg, .349%FG, .351%3FG
Danny Horace, Miami (OH), Fr
6.5ppg, 5.8rpg, 35 blocks
Keith Jackson, Xavier, Fr
3.8ppg, 1.8rpg, .505%FG
Notes: 0-0 from behind the arc in 507 minutes. May be as good of athlete as Sato. Still raw but could be big time. Top-75 in HS out of Purcell Marian.
Tony Stockman, Clemson, Fr
12.4ppg, 2.4rpg, .361%FG, .370%3FG, 1.4spg
Notes: Medina product rated a steal by many pubs.
Larry O’Bannon, Louisville, Fr
5.5ppg, 1.9rpg, .340%FG, .316%3FG
Notes: Nearly committed to UD and took a visit. Top-100 in HS.
Nucleus Smith, TCU, So
5.1ppg, 2.1rpg, .400%FG, 1-1 3PT FG
Notes: Played in 14 games. Outscored Jason Richardson in Michigan HS playoffs. Originally committed to UD.
Doug Davis, Mich. State/Miami (OH), Sr
12.1ppg, 3.0apg, 1.2:1 A/TO, .396%FG, .387%3FG, .842%FT
Notes: Two-time All Ohio PG, left MSU due to Mateen Cleaves.
Erik Daniels, Kentucky, Fr
3.9ppg, 2.9rpg, .413%FG, .158%3FG
Notes: Lanky wing player rated high but perhaps too high and chose to take his chances in the SEC behind All Americans at UK.
Brian Carter, TCU, Fr
Notes: no longer with team
Matt Marinchick, Ohio State, Fr
1.4ppg, 0.8rpg, .444FG%
Notes: Seen action in just 9 games. One of top big men in tri-state.
Romuald Augustin, Providence, Jr
4.4ppg, 2.2rpg, .346%FG, .071%3FG
Notes: Played in five games, starting four, and did not play in-conference so he’s apparently injured or no longer with the team. Athletic 6-6 forward from Youngstown some people were high on.
Ermal Kuqo, Fort Scott CC/Seminole JC/Texas Tech
Notes: Status unknown, signed with Texas Tech. May be overseas. Top five JUCO player. Think Kiki Vandeweh.
Keith Jenifer, Virginia, Fr
4.0ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.5apg, .378%FG, .111%3FG (2-18)
Julius Johnson, Miami (OH), So
10.5ppg, 3.2rpg, .432%FG, .415%3FG
Notes: Top-100 in HS. Gets better every game.
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