11-1 Slim Shady Update

[50's PONY]

IU Waiting On, Hoping For Arthur


Darrell Arthur By John Decker

Date: Nov 1, 2005

When it comes to Indiana basketball recruiting these days, the subject starts and stops with one player – Darrell Arthur.

When it comes to Indiana basketball recruiting these days, the subject starts and stops with one player – Darrell Arthur.

The 6-9, 215-pound Dallas, Tex., product took his fifth and final official visit this past weekend to Baylor. Scout.com’s 12th-ranked player in the Class of 2006, Arthur also took officials to North Carolina, Indiana, SMU and Kansas. With the start of the fall signing period just days away, a decision from Arthur could be coming any day.

Or then, again, maybe not.

Arthur’s AAU coach, Jazzy Hartwell, told Scout.com’s Dave Telep that he was supposed to meet with Arthur and his mother Monday night. One of the subjects on the agenda was to try to decide whether the South Oak Cliff H.S. standout would sign in the fall or wait until the spring.

Whenever the decision comes, Indiana Coach Mike Davis is hoping that Arthur will wind up in an IU uniform and serve as the crown jewel of a recruiting class that also features guards Armon Bassett and Deonta Vaughn along with wing Xavier Keeling.

There’s little question that Indiana needs to bring in some talent on the frontline, with the graduation of Marco Killingsworth and Sean Kline at seasons end, along with the uncertainty of whether sophomore D.J. White and James Hardy will be back next season as well. White may have the opportunity to depart for the NBA, while Hardy could wind up deciding to concentrate on football.

If that worst-case scenario unfolds and the Hoosiers lose all four, IU could have only two scholarship players on the roster who stand taller than 6’6” – 6’10” sophomores-to-be Ben Allen and Cem Dinc.

The addition of Arthur, though, would be more than just another big body on the bench. He has a chance to be a big contributor on both ends of the floor from day one.

“He’s really super athletic,” said Hartwell. “His strengths on the court are rebounding and blocking shots. He defends well, he can jump out of the gym, and he runs like a deer.”

Arthur is also extremely quick off the floor, which makes it extremely difficult for opposing big men to get shots up and over him. He’s also athletic enough to defend just about every position on the floor. It’s that defensive prowess that has helped him garner recruiting attention from coast to coast.

“When you have a guy that can guard 2s, 3s, 4s and 5s, that says a lot,” said Hartwell.

But he also has plenty of weapons on the offensive end. He’s done most of his damage with his back to the basket during his prep career, but he’s adding a face up game as well. He’s also becoming much more adept at shooting for the perimeter, according to Hartwell.

“He always had good form and good touch, but it was confidence,” said Hartwell. “Once he knocked down a couple, he developed the confidence that he can shoot the ball well.”

Hartwell said that Indiana and Kansas are Arthur’s leaders, although the trio of Texas schools are far from out of the running.

The AAU coach said that it’s important that Arthur’s mother and Hartwell are able to stay in contact with the prized recruit once he’s in college. While Indiana and Kansas are certainly the two schools that are farthest from Dallas, Hartwell said he said that he didn’t think that would be an issue at either school.

“I know his mom, they are close, and I know I want to be there with him,” said Hartwell. “We want to be able to come to the games, and I think we’d be able to do that at both (Indiana and Kansas).

“He went to ABCD camp, and neither one of us was there, and that was a major problem. We have to be able to put a hand on him, because he is in his comfort zone with his family.”

Arthur is coming off a junior season when he averaged 22 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks, leading South Oak Hill to the Class 4A state championship. His team heads into the 2005-06 campaign ranked No. 1 in the state’s preseason poll.

[SMU Football Blog]

This AAu coach sure sounds like an agent.

[friarwolf]

Jesus.........Now you know why he was down the list at UNC. Williams was not going to put up with Jazzy being an "assistant coach".

That article certainly shows that Jazzy isn't going to let his "meal ticket" get too far away from him. Good luck with all that to whatever coach is "lucky" enough to land Shady.

[friarwolf]

Wonder who is going to be footing the bill for the airline tickets for Jazzy and Shady's mom to attend games???? It certainly won't be coming from his pockets.....This is the guy who the last two years ran his AAU team out of money by the end of May.........................even with a shoe sponsorship.

[RGV Pony]

Anyone know/remember what Bracey Wright's experience was like under Mike Davis? Did Wright's draft stock drop well below Deron's because of poor development, or other factors? If it was a coaching problem, or if there were personality conflicts, maybe Carl Wright can help his alma mater out.

[friarwolf]

Bracey had a lot of physical problems that hurt him. It would be interesting to see if he would go there if he had to do it all over again. Under the circumstances that Carl left SMU, I wonder if he would want to do any favors for his alma mater. Didn't seem to help with his son........

[jtstang]

Arthur is coming off a junior season when he averaged 22 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks, leading South Oak Hill to the Class 4A state championship.

Nice that the the local hoops writer in Bloomington doesn't follow Arthur closely enough to get his school right.

[Pony_Fan]

.....why would "Jazzy" have so much interest in this and fly around...who is footing his bill?

[friarwolf]

Simple. Jazzy sees Darrell as his meal ticket.

[Pony_Fan]

Based on all the discussions, it seems like Jazzy is more interested in Arthur being in the spotlight, exposure, etc.

Seems as if SMU has zero chance if that is the case.

[giacfsp]

Based on all the discussions, it seems like Jazzy is more interested in Arthur being in the spotlight, exposure, etc.

Without question.

Seems as if SMU has zero chance if that is the case.

Not sure it's zero chance .... but the chance has to be considered nothing more than very slim.

[Dr Jeske friend]

Calling SMU Carl Wright's Alma Mater is a bit generous. Didn't know we had an electrician's major. And I don't mean engineer