Don't kids at least have to produce SOMETHING in high school these days? Just found the Maxpreps page for Noel's season at Tilton Prep in NH. Gotta say I'm flabbergasted.
http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/7T4_J5xWREOBs3wklmWk-Q/basketball-winter-11-12/stats-nerlens-noel.htmEvery report I've heard on Noel is that he's the best shotblocker in High School (mabye the best in a decade) and a dominant rebounder and defender who's offense is developing. So I've been looking for his numbers - I've seen some pretty good HS shot blockers in my day. My Bruins have a pretty good one sitting on their bench - in leading RennaissanceHigh to the State title 4 years ago, Anthony Stover blocked almost 10 a game.
So what are the numbers? 14 pts, 11 rebs, 4.0 rebs, and a 33-3 win loss mark. OH WAIT - THOSE Aren't Noels - Those are FREAKING BOBO MORGAN'S numbers in high school. Bobo had arguably the worst HS stats of any HS center I've ever seen who made top 30 in the RSCI. Well, Noel's are WORSE. 12.6 pts. 8.9 rebs. 3.9 blocks. 22-8 won-loss record.
THREE POINT NINE BLOCKS? 8 losses??? ARE THEY FREAKING KIDDING?
Gotta say, something looked fishy in that Jordan Brand game, where the only offense was everybody trying to slash to the rim - a PERFECT scenario for "the best shot blocker in HS basketball - and he could only get TWO of them, and almost fouled out trying to play defense.
You all know I'm a stats guy. But I do realize they don't tell the whole story. But there IS as story told by less than 13 pts, less than 9 rebs and less than 4 blocks, and a 22-8 record. And the story shouldn't end with #1 ranked prospect. Just shouldn't.
I get the potential. But this really seems to be some kind of "Anthony Davis" effect. Look what Davis did, and this kid is Davis II. But I gotta believe if this is 3 years ago, there's a good chance Noel is "Hassan Whiteside II" and somehere middle of the pack in this class. Except, of course, Whiteside blocked more than double the shots Noel did in high school (and more than Davis in their mutual frosh - and only - college seasons 4.9 to 4.7 per game).
Sorry this seems so disjointed. I am just truly flabbergasted.