2012 Kentucky Basketball Recruiting: DaJuan Coleman

The July evaluation period is now in full swing and names are popping up everywhere that either UK has been targeting for a while or that UK is now targeting. It seems as though UK is in on most every top prospect but there still without a commitment from any 2012 prospects except for Ryan Harrow who transferred from NC State.

This class seems to be taking the opposite path of the 2011 class that saw most of the top prospects committing early on in the recruiting process. The 2012 class seems to be taking the wait and see approach with regards to the new NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement and also who will be left on rosters for the next season. Very few of the top prospects have already committed and now with the July period upon us lets get a look at one of the top prospects UK is recruiting this summer.

DaJuan Coleman

6’8 280 C

Jamesville-Dewitt High-Dewitt N.Y.

Rivals Ranking: ***** #5 C, #18 Overall

ESPN Ranking: ***** (97) #3 C, #5 Overall

Coleman is listed anywhere from 6-8 to 6-10 and is a massive force in the post. UK has been in on Coleman for a while and it was reported last week that Kentucky and hometown school Syracuse were 1 and 1A in his recruitment right now. It is always difficult to get a kid out of his home state when a prestigious program such as Syracuse is the hometown school, however the Cats have obviously made a great impression on him and his recruitment seems to be shaping up to be a 2 team race. Coleman is a player who uses his size to bully opponents down low and despite his size he has quick leaping ability and a very soft touch around the rim.

Imagine: Coleman next year in the post along with Wiltjer (assuming Davis leaves after next season), this would free up Wiltjer to roam more around the perimeter and middle of the lane to show off his shooting skills while Coleman was the bull inside. And if the NBA forces a 2 year rule forcing Davis to stay another year then the post would just be scary for the Cats.

Coleman reportedly wants to wait until the middle of his school year to decide, which would put him past the Fall signing period. There are other schools involved with the recruitment but it seems Syracuse and UK are the top two and it doesn’t appear at this point that any other school will jump in to seriously threaten SU and UK. He is also considering Ohio State, Villanova, North Carolina, Arizona, Florida, Texas, UCONN and Kansas. He is currently playing at the LeBron James Skills Academy and with all of the interviews the players are doing expect some more news to come out soon regarding his recruitment.

Here is what ESPN has to say about Coleman, along with some videos after:

Strengths:
Coleman has visibly improved his physical conditioning and percentage of body fat which has help him get up and down the floor and enhanced his overall performances. He standouts when he gets close to the rim as he carves out big time space on his post up and gives an excellent target to the passer. His displays massive size and strength for his age along with possessing excellent hands that can score in the lane with power drop steps, baseline spins while finishing drop off passes created by dribble penetration through contact with ease. Coleman has also recently displayed the ability to drive to the rim along the baseline or from the high post with either hand and gets fouled or scores .He starting to make short jumpers off the catch with time and space. He is an outstanding area rebounder on both ends as well. Defensively just his mere presence is a deterrent to the opposition as he can control the lane when motivated.

Weaknesses:
Although he has changed his conditioning in order to control his weight which could get out of control if he does not work to stay in shape year around. On his drives to the basket he must learn how to not fade away or avoid contact but go strong and control his body. He must also work to improve his defensive positioning especially in the low post in order to prevent foul trouble and stay on the floor. Coleman has the talent, size and improving skill to dominate games but at times still cruises. The next phase of his development is in his ability to learn how to play from low to high in the post.The great ones have this concept mastered.

Bottom Line:
Coleman has the size and talent to score and rebound at a high level against any post player on the high school level and at the next level. As he continues to take great care of his body and work to dominate on a consistent basis he really should average a double-double every game in which he is very capable. We are talking about a player who has the physical tools and size to dominate now and in the future in his domain the paint.

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