Brian Bernardi - SG - Xaverian HS - Brooklyn, NY - SMU

http://www.nbebasketball.com/w3/2011-0408/brian-bernardi-shooting-for-a-big-spring-summer-on-aau-trail/

“Boston College, St. John’s, Xavier, Virginia, Georgetown have all been to Xaverian to watch him work-out,” said Chris Alesi, who is the son of coach Jack Alesi. “[He] has solid offers from Hofstra, Fordham, Iona, and previously Fairfield under Ed Cooley. A wide range of schools have been in contact.”
 
Also mentioned by Alesi as schools showing strong interest include Boston University, East Carolina, Siena and Marist.

He visited Georgetown recently unofficially.

Seems like a nice player but we have bigger fish to fry.

Talk about logjam. We are in excellent position at the SG and some of our SFs can play that position . Unless a top 5 recruit is available the staff should not be looking at this position for 2012 IMO.

Benardi is a lethal shooter who does a lot of things well. He could be very useful to this team and he's really having a great spring. Seen him play twice this spring and he can play. Spoke to his coach in great length yesterday.

I sat down with Brian a few weeks ago in Providence

Brian Bernardi at Hoop Group Providence Jam Fest

If by some chance Stith finds his way elsewhere, I would LOVE to add a shooter like Bernardi on the roster.  Would be a phenomenal 2012 class with Jevon, Bernardi, either Gathers or Anderson and a post player.  I can dream right?

If by some chance Stith finds his way elsewhere, I would LOVE to add a shooter like Bernardi on the roster.  Would be a phenomenal 2012 class with Jevon, Bernardi, either Gathers or Anderson and a post player.  I can dream right?

Marcus, you'd take Bernardi over Anderson?

Quote from: MCNPA on May 23, 2011, 11:14:10 AM

If by some chance Stith finds his way elsewhere, I would LOVE to add a shooter like Bernardi on the roster.  Would be a phenomenal 2012 class with Jevon, Bernardi, either Gathers or Anderson and a post player.  I can dream right?

Marcus, you'd take Bernardi over Anderson?

Not to stray too far OT.  No, I didn't say that, but I'm not as in love with Anderson as many others.  Not even as in love with Gathers.  Anderson is a tweener.  He's not real tall, quite slow and yes he has some really nice skills, but athletically doesn't fit our mold.  With his limited speed and vertical, he will have a much harder time finding separation from defenders in college than he does in high school.  I think it might be a rude awakening in college for him.  He can't guard backcourt players in college so he is not a PG.  He can't drive by guys on the wing.  Anderson's best bet is to bulk up, work on his shooting and become a PF to tell the truth.  He has the speed of a PF, and can be really effective there with his passing.  He isn't real tough though and not a rebounder.

I think Bernardi would fit in a "shooter" role for us.  Most of the best teams have a guy like that.  A Jason Kapono, Rashad Anderson, Brandon Triche etc...  If I had my druthers, I'd prefer the long and athletic team that Lavin has been building.  If we had an extra spot, I'd love a guy like Bernardi.  I'm still skeptical about how much Anderson provides considering the type of game Lavin is trying to play.  Gathers fits the mold, but he's shorter than I prefer at the PF spot. I think he fits our game though.  Not sure that is an answer, but there are guys out there that I'd like better for the 2012 class than most of these guys.  I love Jevon though, he's a keeper.

I'm with you on that one.

I am not in love with KA myself. I have seen him play on numerous occasions. He is a great player no doubt about it but just don't see where his skill set fits in going forward. He would best be utilized in a true half court set like Georgetown IMO.

Like you said every good team has that legitimate 3 point threat. I think he would fit in great, kid can play.

Would love a 4 man class in 2012 of Jevon, Gathers, Bernardi, and McGary.

Wishful thinking 

I'm with you on that one.

I am not in love with KA myself. I have seen him play on numerous occasions. He is a great player no doubt about it but just don't see where his skill set fits in going forward. He would best be utilized in a true half court set like Georgetown IMO.

Like you said every good team has that legitimate 3 point threat. I think he would fit in great, kid can play.

Would love a 4 man class in 2012 of Jevon, Gathers, Bernardi, and McGary.

Wishful thinking 

That's what I'd like too.  Either way, I'd love Jevon, a true center, Gathers or another PF and some type of real shooter like Bernardi.  I'd take McGary over Kyle Anderson any day of the week.

I'm not sure how Kyle Anderson is "not that tall" He is 6'7. Also it's not like he's a snail, he's just not going to be in the Olympics as a sprinter.

I think you have to think defensively as well as offensively. Having Anderson starting at the PG in St. John's zone will make him the smallest player on the court at 6'7. Yikes!

Offensively he is more than capable running uptempo or being very good in the half court. I've seen him go against very good and quick PGs and he's been on the dominant end.

Back to Bernardi....yea he's good. If there is room he could be useful.

I'm not sure how Kyle Anderson is "not that tall" He is 6'7. Also it's not like he's a snail, he's just not going to be in the Olympics as a sprinter.

I think you have to think defensively as well as offensively. Having Anderson starting at the PG in St. John's zone will make him the smallest player on the court at 6'7. Yikes!

Offensively he is more than capable running uptempo or being very good in the half court. I've seen him go against very good and quick PGs and he's been on the dominant end.

Back to Bernardi....yea he's good. If there is room he could be useful.

He's not that tall in terms of being a post player.  He's going to have a problem because he will have trouble getting by players at the next level IMO.  I think he's an excellent player overall and I take him in a heartbeat.  I'm not sure he's a top 5 guy like his ranking is right now, but we'll see.  I don't think he's a PG at the next level, but who knows.  Marcus Williams was a taller PG at Uconn and was excellent.  Not real fast either.

Quote from: Dave on May 23, 2011, 12:38:09 PM

I'm not sure how Kyle Anderson is "not that tall" He is 6'7. Also it's not like he's a snail, he's just not going to be in the Olympics as a sprinter.

I think you have to think defensively as well as offensively. Having Anderson starting at the PG in St. John's zone will make him the smallest player on the court at 6'7. Yikes!

Offensively he is more than capable running uptempo or being very good in the half court. I've seen him go against very good and quick PGs and he's been on the dominant end.

Back to Bernardi....yea he's good. If there is room he could be useful.

He's not that tall in terms of being a post player.  He's going to have a problem because he will have trouble getting by players at the next level IMO.  I think he's an excellent player overall and I take him in a heartbeat.  I'm not sure he's a top 5 guy like his ranking is right now, but we'll see.  I don't think he's a PG at the next level, but who knows.  Marcus Williams was a taller PG at Uconn and was excellent.  Not real fast either.

He was 6'3.  Pretty normal for a PG.

Quote from: MCNPA on May 23, 2011, 12:46:09 PM

Quote from: Dave on May 23, 2011, 12:38:09 PM

I'm not sure how Kyle Anderson is "not that tall" He is 6'7. Also it's not like he's a snail, he's just not going to be in the Olympics as a sprinter.

I think you have to think defensively as well as offensively. Having Anderson starting at the PG in St. John's zone will make him the smallest player on the court at 6'7. Yikes!

Offensively he is more than capable running uptempo or being very good in the half court. I've seen him go against very good and quick PGs and he's been on the dominant end.

Back to Bernardi....yea he's good. If there is room he could be useful.

He's not that tall in terms of being a post player.  He's going to have a problem because he will have trouble getting by players at the next level IMO.  I think he's an excellent player overall and I take him in a heartbeat.  I'm not sure he's a top 5 guy like his ranking is right now, but we'll see.  I don't think he's a PG at the next level, but who knows.  Marcus Williams was a taller PG at Uconn and was excellent.  Not real fast either.

He was 6'3.  Pretty normal for a PG.

no matter how tall he was marcus williams was a fantastic college point guard. He always found a way to make plays. If anyof our guards turn out to be as good as marcus than well be in great shape.

Benardi is a lethal shooter who does a lot of things well. He could be very useful to this team and he's really having a great spring. Seen him play twice this spring and he can play. Spoke to his coach in great length yesterday.

I sat down with Brian a few weeks ago in Providence

Brian Bernardi at Hoop Group Providence Jam Fest

Dave:
Forgive me if I sound like a wise guy when I'm only a proud part of the school's community who likes Brian. The name of the school, Xaverian, is pronounced zuh-vair (like the word fair) eee an. This is important because if you interview him as I hope you will at some time in November it'd be nice to hear the name pronounced correctly.
   It's not unusual for kids to come from Staten Island to come to Brooklyn to challenge themselves by playing in the CHSAA "AA" league and for the Clippers' great coach Jack Alesi. And Brian has made the most of that opportunity. He is not only the team's best player but its hardest worker. He can certainly play and be more than serviceable at the Big East level. While I'll agree with the nay-sayers that his ability to drive to the basket still needs to improve I think that with players such as Sampson, Harrison, and his friend Jevon Thomas joining him on a 2012 Red Storm roster they will penetrate from enough spots on the floor to get him good looks. He's gotten much better getting through screens and contesting shots himself and if he can continue to get stronger and improve defensively it will make him more than just the "specialist" folks here seem to envision. Finally there's one aspect to this that I think is worth noting.  According to sources close to the situation the St. John's coach who has pushed hardest for them to get involved with Brian is Rico Hines. For all of his supposed short comings as an athlete the guy who came to St. John's from the NBA likes him best.  According to my source Rico says simply "he shoots it like a pro".

Amazingly quick release he has.

The one time I saw him thought he had a bad game but I could tell he can get shots off and get them off very quickly.

Agree with JPM and Rico on this one.  All athletic teams like ours have a place for pure shooters that can come off screens and take the heat off the slashers/drivers.  He's not totally unathletic, but much like JJ Redick, in the right system, he doesn't need to be a gazelle like the rest of the guys.  He needs to sneak into a corner and shoot the ball or come off a screen and either shoot or draw defenders out.  I like him and I think he'd be a great fit for this team.

Quote from: Dave on May 23, 2011, 12:38:09 PM

I'm not sure how Kyle Anderson is "not that tall" He is 6'7. Also it's not like he's a snail, he's just not going to be in the Olympics as a sprinter.

I think you have to think defensively as well as offensively. Having Anderson starting at the PG in St. John's zone will make him the smallest player on the court at 6'7. Yikes!

Offensively he is more than capable running uptempo or being very good in the half court. I've seen him go against very good and quick PGs and he's been on the dominant end.

Back to Bernardi....yea he's good. If there is room he could be useful.

He's not that tall in terms of being a post player.  He's going to have a problem because he will have trouble getting by players at the next level IMO.  I think he's an excellent player overall and I take him in a heartbeat.  I'm not sure he's a top 5 guy like his ranking is right now, but we'll see.  I don't think he's a PG at the next level, but who knows.  Marcus Williams was a taller PG at Uconn and was excellent.  Not real fast either.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I just disagree with you. I've seen him go against high major talent and dominate.

Ahh JPM on the money with his scouting report. I'm impressed you know that tidbit about Rico. Stealing my thunder for our feature coming up on Bernardi this week

As for Xaverian, I totally botched it! My roommate from St. John's even went there. As they say...the show must go on. I'll get it right the next time.

I don't know anything about Bernardi but it amazes me the criticism leveled at Kyle Anderson, a player ranked as high as overall #5 in his class.  He has proven himself against every level of competition he has played.  He is going to be a fantastic college player.  God, I hope we get him!