The #10 player in the ESPNU Super 60, LeBryan Nash, couldn’t have been more impressive during the summer circuit. At 6′7″, 220 pounds, Nash looks the part of a high level basketball prospect; he doesn’t disappoint once the ball is tipped either. With his great athleticism and strength, Nash is just too much for many defenders. He can get to the rim at will or back his defender down on the block and he uses his size to gobble up rebounds. These are all reasons why Nash is one of the most coveted players in the 2011 class. With a couple unofficial visits to Big 12 schools already behind him, Nash would be interested in hearing from another Big 12 school soon. TheShiver.com caught up to Nash’s Dallas Mustangs coach, Tony Johnson, to talk about Nash’s game, and his recruitment. Johnson also spoke about another Mustangs player and Kansas recruit, Keaton Miles.
“Going good,” Johnson said. “They’re just getting ready for the high school season,” Johnson said about Nash and Miles.
Both Nash and Miles have made unofficial visits on their own and went on one together with Johnson last weekend.
“Keaton has been to Wake Forest, LB (LeBryan) has been to Oklahoma State and I took them to Baylor this past Saturday. It was alright,” said Johnson about the Baylor trip.
One school that Johnson says hasn’t been to see neither Nash nor Miles lately is Kansas, something that surprises Johnson since both players like Kansas.
“No, they haven’t been in to see them,” Johnson said. “I don’t think the kids have heard from them. They haven’t heard anything from KU. It’s odd because both of them like Kansas too,” added Johnson of the Jayhawks.
Johnson listed Oklahoma, Texas,
Kansas State, Syracuse, Marquette, Wake Forest and Utah as schools that have been to check in on both Nash and Miles.
As for their games on the court, Johnson said both are working hard to improve their games every day. Johnson noted that Miles continues to grow and develop and could be a player that might not reach his ceiling for a long time.
“Both are looking good. Keaton is really looking good. I think he’s grown another inch to be about 6′7″ now,” said Johnson. “I think he’ll be more of a late bloomer because he’s still growing. He needs to get stronger because he can’t pick up any weight yet,” added Johnson.
As for Nash, it appears that he continues to be dominant force on the court.
“LB is just so freaking athletic,” said Johnson. “He’s strong, physical, plays hard playing at the wing. He is just so adept to playing that wing position,” added Johnson of Nash.
Here are late summer evaluations of both players from ESPN Scout’s. Inc:
LeBryan Nash
August, 2009: Nash passes the “look test” getting off the bus and in lay-up lines as he was the most impressive physical specimen at the event (Adidas Nations). He has tremendous potential and upside because of his explosive athleticism and strength; he made some high level plays off the dribble and finished impressively over the top of the defense at the rim. One of the best finishers in the high school ranks regardless of class. He is a streaky shooter from the perimeter going long stretches were he couldn%u2019t throw it in the ocean, but then knocking down a couple three’s from deep. He rebounds like a power forward and is a handful on the offensive glass (especially in transition). He is an unorthodox defender that gambles and takes too many risks. He seems like a nice kid with charisma, but one red flag that went up with many of the evaluators in attendance was the potential for his attitude to be a hindrance to his development. If he matures and figures things out the sky is the limit for this young man.
Keaton Miles
September, 2009: Miles is a long bouncy wing that is skilled and active inside and out. He is a transition specialist that electrifies with his acrobatic ability to finish on the break. He is rapidly developing his offensive skill set and is becoming more astute at how to play the game. He is effective off the dribble and showed he can get it to the rim and finish through contact despite his thin frame. His long arms and quick feet make him a lethal defender especially off the ball in passing lanes. He shot selection is poor at times, he has a tendency to settle for the deep 3 instead of working the ball for a better shot, but I am sure that this will improve with experience. This kid has major upside and should continue to develop into a solid high major player at the collegiate level.
