Norris is big time recruit...

riley norris in albertville is a national recruit...
top 50 for 2014

       Anthony Grant has not asked me for any recruiting advice. Despite that, he's about to get some in the large dose size. If Alabama doesn't make Riley Norris their primary in state goal for 2014 he's missing the boat. After finally watching him play I'd say he is as good as any prospect to come out of our state in a long time. He looks like he is a solid 6-7 and maybe 185 lbs. He is projected by most as a small forward, but that would be an absolute waste. He is a deadly outside shooter with uncanny range. He is the best two guard prospect I've seen in a long time. He probably can put on another 20 pounds or so, and will need to do that to play big time basketball. That's just a weight room and calories/protein in large amounts. The kid is a player. The last time I was this excited about our signing someone who could swing between the small forward and shooting guard was Kennedy Winston. What makes this kid so special:

• He can shoot like no one we've had in a long time. When he gets on a roll he's like a machine.
• He can dribble and penetrate despite his size. He's a better than average dribbler with either hand.
• He is a great passer. Probably passes up too many good shots, but thats a sign of his leadership and not lack of confidence.
• He is an excellent rebounder. Despite his small frame he is quick off his feet. I have no idea of what his verticle is yet, but I'd guess 34 or so.
• He has great court sense. He understands the game. He quickly gets into the flow of a game with his great vision and feel for the game.

     He is just too quick for anyone near his size to guard him. You play off him he shoots from the outside. You chest him and he's around you. He has a long first step. Very explosive. Understands the fundmentals of good footwork, and knows how to use his hips in driving with the ball. He is strong inside for a high school kid and is a tenascious inside player. He can run like a deer. He played in a zone defense the night I watched him so it was a little hard to judge his defense. He is a smart defensive player, but he might have been a little slow on his verticle quickness. If that is true he can improve that with strength and drills. I know that Stanford, most SEC schools, UCLA, several ACC schools, are in contact with him. He grew up an Alabama fan. I don't guess that will not hurt us, but this kid is going to have his pick of schools. I have no idea how many stars he get on a recruiter's list, but if he were at Alabama right now he'd play big minutes. He will probably end up a five star and has shown well in AAU games. He plays for Southeast Elite Stars in the Summer AAU period.


I think this will come down to a Bama, Duke, Vandy, and Stanford fight. Without going into the things I have learned about his off court demeanor I'd just say he is the type of son any mother and father would love to raise. A great student in the classroom, as well as a great student of the game. Plays unlike most good players in Alabama. He is well ahead on the maturity curve of hoops knowledge. He has a hard work ethic and will to win. He would fit in well with the Tide.