Who’s Got Next? UNLV Lands Underrated Guard & Tennessee Nabs Chris Clarke
Posted by Sean Moran on November 6th, 2014
Who’s Got Next? is a weekly column by Sean Moran, the RTC recruiting guru. Once a week he will bring you an overview of what’s going on in the complex world of recruiting, from who is signing where among the seniors to discussing the recruitment of the top uncommitted players in the country. We also encourage you to check out his contributions at The Intentional Foul dedicated to recruiting coverage and analysis. You can also follow Sean at his Twitter account @Seanmohoops for up-to-date news from the high school and college hoops scene. If you have any suggestions as to areas we are missing or different things you would like to see, please let us know at rushthecourt@yahoo.com.
Note: Scout.com used for all player rankings.
UNLV Lands Underrated Shooting Guard
Over the weekend, UNLV landed one of the most underrated guards in the Class of 2015 in 6’4” guard Jalen Poyser. The four-star guard out of Orangeville Prep in Canada is the first recruit for the Runnin’ Rebels after signing the sixth-best recruiting class last year with five-star shooting guard Rashad Vaughn and Dwayne Morgan to go along with four-star shot-blocker in Goodluck Okonoboh.
Jalen Poyser gives UNLV yet another outstanding athlete. (scout.com)
While Poyser is not currently ranked, there is no doubt that he is a high-level talent. During the Nike Global Challenge in August, Poyser was the top player for the Canadian team, averaging a shade over 20 points per game while drawing attention from numerous NBA scouts. He is the rare type of shooting guard who is athletic enough to get a shot almost any time he wants while also looking comfortable in catch-and-shoot situations from the perimeter. Poyser has a long and quick first step that allows him to get by a defender where he can utilize his athleticism to finish in the paint. While not yet at the level of a Malik Newman, Poyser is just a slight notch below.
Despite his Canadian roots, Poyser is no stranger to Las Vegas. He previously played at local basketball powerhouse Findlay Prep before transferring back to Canada for his senior season, and he is very familiar with UNLV assistant coach Todd Simon (the former head coach of Findlay Prep). Playing time could come early for Poyser at UNLV as well, as former teammate Vaughn is the Mountain West preseason Freshman of the Year and his chances of being a one-and-done type player are relatively high.
Tennessee Gets Its Motor
Anytime Chris Clarke is described, the word “motor” is always attached. In news that broke late last week, the 6’5” Clarke will bring that motor to Tennessee in 2015. His decision gives new head coach Donnie Tyndall his first name-brand recruit and one that he landed over local favorite Virginia Tech in addition to defending national champion UConn. Clarke is currently rated the No. 71 player in the country and No. 14 small forward, and over the summer he averaged 12.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game playing for Boo Williams on the Nike EYBL AAU circuit. His body is already college-ready, and along with his hustle, Clarke is also a ferocious menace in the full-court press. He boasts electric legs that allows him to beat much taller players to the boards for putback layups and dunks. His shooting is still a work in progress, but Clarke is aware of that weakness and doesn’t try to do things he isn’t capable of… yet. Just like Poyser, Clarke also received recognition from the NBA scouts for his play at the Global Challenge. He shot almost 72 percent from the floor and nailed 1-of-2 shots from behind the three-point line. Clarke will see the floor from Day 1 for Tennessee and he provides a solid boost to Tyndall in his first recruiting class.
