Recruiting Update......Joey Shaw SG

Joey Shaw is coming to Reno to play for the Wolfpack!

Joey was the WolfPack's top recruit in 2005 but Joey went to Indiana to play for the Hoosiers. In 2005, he was considered one of the best SF coming out of the west (i.e. Mark McLaughlin in 2008).

You can go to his profile at collegebasketballnews.com:

Collegebasketballnews.com says about Shaw.....

Shaw is one of the top small forwards in the west, with a very nice stroke to three-point range and excellent slashing ability. He'll need to add weight and strength for the next level, but he's a probable high major prospect.

Why is he leaving Indiana? Is it the problems with the coach or was he not getting enough playing time? Or maybe does he just realize that unr is the team to play for? lol

Nevada is loading up for next year (and future years).  Here is the way it is shaping up:

Junior Center McGee - if he stays, he will be a legitimate big man with lots of talent and potential at the college level and beyond. 

Sophomore Point/Shooting guard Johnson - he was very impressive this year - he has great body control and ability to score - he added passing to his game this year - I expect him to pick up where Kemp left off - only with more consistency

Junior Shooting Guard Fields - he demonstrated an ability to score and explode to the hoop - though he was inconsistent at times

Freshman Power Forward Babbitt - an All American is coming to Nevada!  Nothing more needs to be said

Freshman Shooting Guard McLaughlin - another highly rated high school player - hopefully he is not rusty after skipping his senior hoop season

Junior Small Forward/Shooting Guard Joey Shaw - he was a 4 star recruit out of high school that went to traditional basketball powerhouse IU - Nevada was fortunate to land him after he has some college experience under his belt

Senior Guard Burleson - I expect him to step in as the defensive enforcer with an ability to score if necessary - he had a disappointing year after coming off of academic ineligibility - hopefully he picks it up next year

Junior Power Forward LaGrone - the enforcer - not much offensively but has demonstrated a willingness to mix it up physically - which is what Nevada needs - to get tougher

Freshman Point Guard Giles - don't know much about Cotton but Nevada really (in a bad way) needs a true point guard and hopefully Cotton can fill those shoes

The team is looking good and loaded.  If they can gel then they have the potential to be a National powerhouse.  It will, however, again be a young team.  And I see the potential same problem next year as this year - they may have problems against teams with big physical players.  Maybe McGee will put on another 10 - 15 pounds of muscle and Babbitt will establish a physical presence. 

Can't wait for 'til next year!

He was recruited by Nevada  (among other high-major schools) in 2005, but chose Indiana. He redshirted his first year then saw like 10 min a game as a rs frosh. Once Indiana signed Gordon and company he realized that his playing time would be nonexistant, so he transfered to the #1 JC CSI (College of Southern Idaho) where he averaged 18ppg. That way he did not have to sit out a yeat at a D1 school. Nevada was in his top 3 out of highschool and now he has decided to commit here. He will be a Junior. He is also the brother-in-law to Lyndale and Nate Burleson.

Shaw, Cooke and maybe McLaughlin will fight to start at the 3. He has good size @ 6'6 200. He can shoot, slash and hit free throws. He needs work on D but Fox will pound that into him. And it really helps that he has college game experience.

And yes as the broken record continues, now we just need another big man to spell Javale and replace him whenever he goes pro.

My Projected depth chart:

PG - Johnson, Burleson, Giles (possible redshirt, but I have no idea)

SG - Feilds, Mclaughlin/Kraemer

SF - Cooke, Shaw, Mclaughlin/Kraemer, Carp

PF - Babbitt, Lagrone, Phillips, Carp

C - McGee, Lagrone or Player to be named later

Still a very young starting 5 (2 JR, 2 SO, 1 FR) but lots of minutes this year, from all but Luke obviously.  If you thought this years team was long and athletic wait until next year. And it is very possible that the starting 5 can all average in or around double figures in ppg. We will have so many options, teams will have a fit guarding us.

Depending on how long it takes them to gel, and if they can figure out how to rebound,  they could be top 25 by confrence. Either way I don't see us losing to anyone in confrence besides maybe UNEP @ their place or USU in Logan. Our team should be rolling by the WAC tourney (in Reno) and have a nice run in the Big Dance.

Is it November yet?

Cheers!

 Inciteful posts as usual from freeswilli and Siver and Blue. But you didn't come around much during the season S & B. Don't forget about us homers...lol.

 Thanks for finding the info regarding Shaw. Sounds like another potential stud. We'll take IU's refuse, thank you very much.

 One kid that really started showing much improvement toward the final stetch was LaGrone, imo. He brought much needed toughness under the basket. If he find a little game on offense, say 5-10 a night that would be bonus.