Unheralded No More, Up and Coming Hoops Talent

The Good Mongrel awakens from a too long slumber in time to report on some kids who have games bigger than their reps... for now. Thanks for the many emails on these guys and the others I haven't gotten to yet.

AJ Schmidt: This one was an easy place to start. Last summer he was a one man wrecking crew for Team Southern Indiana. AJ doesn't blow you away with his athleticism or size but he's the guy who has the ball in his hands when its time for a bucket. I haven't had the pleasure of watching him this summer but he's playing for Spiece Select 2012 if you're interested. He averaged about 17 ppg and 2 assists per game for Providence (IN) last year. AJ is hardly a secret as he's being recruited by Wright State, Indiana State, IPFW, and others. He is an outstanding student and will be lacing them up for the Indiana University Elite Camp as well as the Top 100 camp in Indiana. I've not seen AJ for several months, but the thing I'd like to see from him going forward is developing of some more point guard skills because at 6'1 he'll have more opportunity at the next level as a combo guard or point instead of a shooting guard. Photo above is AJ from the outstanding Wright State recruiting site http://www.wrightstate.proboards.com/.

Akeem Springs: Chicago area players get a lot of attention from the outstanding media outlets which have been keeping an eye on area talent since long before most of the national analysts were in college let alone covering college recruiting. But for some reason the national guys are a little slow to peek under the sheets sometimes. One kid the national guys will eventually love is 2012 star in the making Akeem Springs. Springs is a shooting guard with a nice handle for Waukegan. Springs has an offer from Indiana State and is being given some high major attention from Northwestern, Purdue, and Wisconsin. He has a very well rounded game, plays both sides of the ball, and can shoot. His biggest challenge will be living up to the name. When your name is Springs, people are going to expect a high wire act! His cousin Mike Springs was one of the top point guards in Illinois the last couple of years for Waukegan, and now that Jerome Richmond has moved on expect big things from Akeem.

Teiron Patterson: North Central star in the making Ronnie Johnson might be leading the little brother brigade for now, but watch out for 2013's Teiron Patterson. Teiron is about 6'1 with outstanding athleticism, a handle, and some burst. He averaged 20 ppg in eighth grade but split his freshman year for Broad Ripple on the freshman team, some JV, and some varsity on a loaded squad dominated by his superstar brother Ron and the multi-positional wonder Steven Jamison.

Remy Abell: Here's one of those kids we want to sneak in a last minute complaint about him being underrated because the hubub is really building on him. He's a 6'4 wing for Louisville Eastern. Abell plays alongside some really good players in Lionell Gaines and Armon Marks so he doesn't always put up big numbers. However, he does put up big numbers often enough and this AAU season has seen his stock skyrocket. The Mongrel has written about his talent and athleticism before. He's a high major athlete with good skills. And at times he plays like a high major prospect. That's why he has the likes of Xavier and Indiana recruiting him, but he probably needs to play the game a bit more confidently to attract more high major attention. Remy already has offers from Akron, Wright State, and IUPUI. Abel has the game and the athleticism to look good leading a school like Xavier to yet another Sweet 16 in a few years, it'll be fun to see if he waits for those offers or steps in and stars for one of the outstanding schools who has already offered this rising 2011 prospect. Remy looks the part, well as much as anyone who sports pink shoelaces can look the part.

Matt Heber: File this one under one to watch. He's a home-schooled kid who hasn't had a lot of exposure but the Mongrel has his ear to the ground and Heber is one to watch. He's in the Laffayette area and playing for Laffayette Hoops. Heber is a 6'4 forward who we hope to be hearing more from soon.