Per NBE:
http://www.nbebasketball.com/w3/2011-0622/ricardo-geathers-shows-big-at-nba-top-100-plenty-of-big-east-interest-more/RICARDO GATHERS SHOWS BIG AT NBA TOP 100; PLENTY OF BIG EAST INTEREST & MORE
June 22, 2011 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
By Ron Bailey
Ricardo Gathers, 6’7”, 250 lb senior power forward, Riverside Academy (LA) – If there was a BIG EAST prototypical four man, a guy that at first blush one would say belongs in the nation’s most physical league it’s Gathers, who looks like he might be very comfortable attacking quarterbacks from the defensive end position. Despite reportedly claiming he doesn’t push iron, Gathers looks as if he lives in the weight room.
It’s evident to say he’s a physical beast on the hardwood.
“I’m a power man. I can play finesse but I mean, I’m bulling everybody” he said of his NBAPA Top 100 Camp play. It was an accurate description, as Gathers routinely muscled his way into scoring and rebounding position, while also playing stout interior defense.
But that doesn’t mean he’s wed to only playing that way.
“That’s when I’m going to start using my mind, thinking it out more” responded Ricardo to the need for diversification in college. “You know, finessing people.”
Ricardo Gathers attacks off the bounce in NBA Top 100 camp drill action
Doing so dovetails with his goal to “try and become the three (small forward) by the time I set foot on the college campus”. He understands that work needs to be done. Subsequently, Gathers indicated “I have to live in this gym; just watch the players at that position, so you can learn.”
Ricardo on whether hitting jumpers from around 15 feet and attacking the rim off a couple of dribbles is advantageous: “Of course. A 15-17 foot jumper is going to help; I’m mean that just makes the game a whole lot easier. Then being able to beat your defender off at least one or two dribbles, I mean, that’s just domination right there. 15 feet in, that’s what I’m trying to work on.”
The shooting work is starting to show; while not draining outside shots left and right, Gathers did hit open ones from about 17 feet, including fast break pull ups.
Where do schools envision him playing? “Some say four, some say three” he shared.
BIG EAST institutions “St. John’s, West Virginia, Syracuse, UConn, Seton Hall, South Florida” are recruiting him, and have offered according to him, as have “LSU, Texas, Baylor, USC, Cal, Arizona” and others. The choice will be made “Probably my decision after the summer, like mid-Fall maybe” with “atmosphere, would I love being there if I wasn’t playing basketball” as “It’s not guaranteed, I might get hurt or anything. And then just academics and stuff” driving the decision. Ricardo expects to major in “finance or something.”
Does he think favorably of the B-EAST?
“It’s tough. (Great) Preparation for the NBA” was the response. “Eighteen teams in one conference, I mean it doesn’t get any better than that.”