He’s Crafty
Hopefully Aaron is “crafty like ice is cold”With the main cogs in the AAU machine known as All-Ohio Red already in the fold for 2010, Thad Matta’s recent score in the form of the squad’s under the radar point guard could prove to be a crucial get for the program.
Aaron Craft, the recent decommit previously headed to Tennessee, opted to stay closer to home giving the Buckeyes a 6′2″ point guard that could hopefully stabilize a position in flux since the departure of Conley Jr. (and to a lesser extent with Butler trying to play PG while being the leading scorer) while also giving Matta a recruit who will play four years of college ball. With other ‘10 recruits Jared Sullinger and DeShaun Thomas not likely to give Matta a full career, Craft could evolve into the next Lighty-type in his later years giving the program a selfless and experienced leader. One thing seems certain, he’ll be the starter as a freshman once the end of the 2009-10 season provides cornea relief in the form of Hill and Simmons running out of eligibility.
Admittedly, I don’t travel the AAU circuit so I’m relegated to reading opinions and watching tubes plus it’s never guaranteed how high school success will translate to big time hoops (see Diebler’s painfully slow evolution) but there are many reasons to be high on adding Craft.
For one, you have to love the fact Matta is bringing in guys who will have played one shitload of games together. It obviously fueled the ‘07 Final Four run with Conley, Oden, Cook and Titus creating a formidable nucleus. Purdue has also seen the benefits from that blueprint. Not only should it create a good day one chemistry but Craft is already keenly aware of the strengths and weaknesses of Sullinger and Sibert and there’s still a chance Matta adds 6′10″ fellow All-Ohio Red big man Adreian Payne to the mix. Payne is said to be considering OSU, Sparty and Kentucky, among others.
Secondly, even though Craft didn’t vault up the recruiting rankings until Bruce Pearl gave him an offer, the consistent assessment of his game speaks of an ability to hit the open jumper, intense commitment at the defensive end and overall heady play earning him “glue guy” status. Craft is currently the 18th ranked PG in the 2010 class (Rivals) and he’s also a stud quarterback who attends class to the tune of a 4.0 and 32 ACT.
In other hoops news, David Lighty met with the media yesterday and proclaimed himself 100% healthy since resuming full-go hoops activities in early April. As you’d expect, he sounds excited for the season to arrive, not only because of missing most of last season with the injury but also because the team comes back virtually intact for the first time in his OSU career:
“Ever since my freshman year, it’s been a new team every year. This is my first time with pretty much the whole team coming back. I am just looking forward to the season and seeing how things come about when we start playing and we start putting things together. Hopefully, we can make it farther than we did this past year…It’s five months to the first game, I’m just ready to get back on the court in live action. That’s what I’m getting ready for.”
So am I.
i love hearing about an incoming recruit who commits to playing some serious defense – it speaks well of their overall basketball maturity. and speaking of defense, its good to hear that lighty is ready to get after it five months ahead of time. him being on the court takes our team to a different level, and gives the other team one more weapon that they have to account for on defense.
cant wait for basketball season. not that im wishing the summer away, but the sienna game left a nasty taste in my mouth. cant wait to see buffords improvement from year one to year two. this is going to be a fun team to watch…
……basketball??
And you call yourself a Buckeye fan? Sad.
That’s getting a bit old. This site covers hoops and if I have to read you complaining about hoops posts for the next year or so, I’ll shank you.
Glad Aaron will be a part of the Buckeye program. From what I hear, he is a great kid with his head on straight. He isn’t the best shooter, but is great with the ball and can flat out play shut-down defense. His play will definitely fill a hole in Thad’s lineup.
aaron craft seems like a complete and utter badass and exactly the kind of player this team needs, both in terms of personnel, leadership, and classroom presence. 4.0 with a 32 ACT? damn dog.
I like the smart factor, PG’s always need to have the highest basketball IQ and this kid will be the “glue guy” for this team. Good point from Chris about the kid probably staying all 4 years.
BTW, the 2011 Final Four is in Houston.
Exactly what this team needs, so what if he doesn’t score alot, manage the tempo, play defense at the point to disrupt the oppositions offensive rythym.
You need guys like this who will stick around and become leaders. This way you can recruit all the one and done’s you want at the 3, 4, and 5 spots without damaging continuity. Great get.
Im really pumped for this bball year. The same team with a year under their belts. We should challenge for the b10 crown and hopefully use experience to make a run in the tourney.
This is great news indeed. He is the glue for the other studs in this class.
Just too bad he can’t come in for 2009. Who is our PG going to be this season? The predator?
Don’t be surprised to see Evan Turner at the point this year, with the Predator spelling him and Simmons as a 2 guard, backing up Diebler.
I dont know about you guys, but I have alot of faith in both Hill and Simmons. Hill created alot of havoc last year, and Simmons showed signs of figuring things out. Another year should do wonders.
LOL….’Oden, Conley, TITUS’. Dude is a legend…
I could almost see Titus getting a minor sponsorship when he graduates. Couldn’t you see that being the most awesome Nike ad ever?