Samari Curtis

[Lloyd Braun]

Samari Curtis (https://247sports.com/Player/Samari-Curtis-46035525) (Xenia) commits today.

[xu82]

Help? Anyone? I need more!

Yay!

[Juice]

https://twitter.com/FOX19Joe/status/960701426304417792

[GenerationX]

Samari Curtis (https://247sports.com/Player/Samari-Curtis-46035525) (Xenia) commits today.

Seems like a good pickup. It’s nice to get a quality player early. Highlights from Flyin to the Hoop...


https://youtu.be/ugairoQWtYQ

[bleedXblue]

Quick trigger...a bit like Tre with his release too

[Joel]

I think he's going to be a really good pickup for X. He's built big like Q and Scruggernuts and he's got a nice-looking stroke. He's getting like 30 a game as a junior and he got something on the order of 24 per as a sophomore, so there's no question of his scoring chops. We need big guards to compete in the Big East and nationally; he fits that mold. Hopefully he goes from verbal to signing ASAP and keeps developing.

[Juice]

I think he's going to be a really good pickup for X. He's built big like Q and Scruggernuts and he's got a nice-looking stroke. He's getting like 30 a game as a junior and he got something on the order of 24 per as a sophomore, so there's no question of his scoring chops. We need big guards to compete in the Big East and nationally; he fits that mold. Hopefully he goes from verbal to signing ASAP and keeps developing.

I don't think he can do that until November at best.

[Joel]

I don't think he can do that until November at best.

Yeah, I believe that's the case. He'll be eligible to sign in November 2018 or April 2019. Here's hoping nothing changes his mind between now and then.

[GIMMFD]

Always good to get in on Ohio talent, and he's a consensus top 150 recruit, obviously there's going to be variations when it's all said and done, but looks like he can score in multiple different ways. Good job on Mack and co to get started on 2019 quickly after how poorly 2018 went.

[XUMIOH12]

Always good to get in on Ohio talent, and he's a consensus top 150 recruit, obviously there's going to be variations when it's all said and done, but looks like he can score in multiple different ways. Good job on Mack and co to get started on 2019 quickly after how poorly 2018 went.

not knocking him as he seems like a nice addition (and could very well move up in the rankings), but he's not a consensus top 150 recruit, 247 is the only one i see with him there, at 139.

[Muskeagle]

https://247sports.com/Article/2019-guard-Samari-Curtis-commits-to-Xavier-114708429

good news, I hope. Good start to the next class.

[OTRMUSKIE]

It’s hard for me to get excited about someone ranked plus 100. Diamond in the rough perhaps? I feel like X is missing left and right or Mack and co know something that we don’t.

[XUGRAD80]

It’s hard for me to get excited about someone ranked plus 100. Diamond in the rough perhaps? I feel like X is missing left and right or Mack and co know something that we don’t.


Pretty sure they know ALOT that we don’t know! That’s why THEY are the coaches and we aren’t.

Anyway...I welcome ANYONE willing to go out there and represent the school and ANYONE willing to put in the work and make the efforts needed to keep this thing going.

[webxu]

Curtis is a 3/4star currently, apparently the thought is he is about to blow up the AAU circuit this summer, so its good to get this commit before that happens.

[Steve A]

I've seen this kid play and this is a really good get for Xavier. He fits the mold of what Chris likes to recruit. He's a long, tall guard that can score but can also defend. On top of that, he is a hard-working kid that will improve a great deal.

I think Chris has earned the benefit of the doubt on his recruiting as far as I'm concerned. I've also learned that the recruiting rankings really mean little.

[GetUp5]

It’s hard for me to get excited about someone ranked plus 100. Diamond in the rough perhaps? I feel like X is missing left and right or Mack and co know something that we don’t.

After the swings and misses last year, it's good to get a solid commitment early on. There's a good chance he ends up in the Top 100 when it's all said and done. Great get by the staff.

[XMuskieFTW]

I wouldn't read too much into player rankings until the AAU summer before their senior year. Where he is in the rankings in August will be a much better indication.

[Lloyd Braun]

He can ball and should climb in rankings, not that it matters. He is probably the top SG in Ohio for 2019.

Dropped 50 (http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/xenia-curtis-scores-tipp-joins-the-club/rI8jHQE2dDMrHr6MBekAIM/) in a game earlier in the year...

This is a really solid start to the 2019 class.

[Olsingledigit]

It’s hard for me to get excited about someone ranked plus 100. Diamond in the rough perhaps? I feel like X is missing left and right or Mack and co know something that we don’t.

Trust in Mack. I do. And some pretty good schools were after him. I like long tall guards.

[Cheesehead]

I trust Mack and staff but this is only a verbal. A lot of things can happen in a year. Sounds like X got in while his stock is still rising.

[IM4X]

Honestly, I could see him moving up to a top 150 prospect easily. He has a nice outside shot, good vision/passing ability, he's a good finisher and appears to be quite athletic. Also, I'm sure having a large X" at center court in college (like he now has in HS) will help him feel a little bit more at home too.


https://www.hudl.com/profile/6876008/Samari-Curtis

[BandAid]

Good choice Samari - hope to see you on campus torching the nets!

[OTRMUSKIE]

With missing out on the other recruits and now we are battling with the likes of Akron and Toledo? I guess I expect to be getting only 4/5 star players but X will be fine bc it’s X

[XMuskieFTW]

With missing out on the other recruits and now we are battling with the likes of Akron and Toledo? I guess I expect to be getting only 4/5 star players but X will be fine bc it’s X

It's easier to identify top 100 kids when they're local. He hasn't had a chance to show out on the AAU circuit this summer. Rankings until about August of kids' Senior years mean very little outside of the top 25 or so, because no one has really seen everyone. Also, pretty sure UC and OSU were in on him.

[webxu]

It's easier to identify top 100 kids when they're local. He hasn't had a chance to show out on the AAU circuit this summer. Rankings until about August of kids' Senior years mean very little outside of the top 25 or so, because no one has really seen everyone. Also, pretty sure UC and OSU were in on him.

As well as Arizona...

[XU_Lou]

Since no one else has said anything, I will.... Anybody see this as a positive sign that CM will be staying? Would a presumably good-to-great recruit commit this far out in advance if he thought the coach might leave?

[GIMMFD]

Since no one else has said anything, I will.... Anybody see this as a positive sign that CM will be staying? Would a presumably good-to-great recruit commit this far out in advance if he thought the coach might leave?

I think that's a stretch, considering Mack is an alumni and even if he were flirting with offers of leaving, he wouldn't just stop recruiting the leave the cupboard bare for the next coach to take over. That's a grade A dick move, and Mack attended Xavier, he has Xavier pride regardless if he takes another job or not, I just wouldn't read into him recruiting a 2019 recruit as implications that he's staying

[sirthought]

This is a positive recruit. Great handle from what I'm seeing here. Good stop and pop. He plays with some swagger. This kid isn't as highly rated, IMO, because he plays for Xenia. It's not exactly a media hub for hoops hunters. But now that he's committed and has a full year to play between college, my bet is that he'll move up.

It doesn't surprise me that all the local MAC schools are offering a kid like this early. They're smart to do so. We're lucky UC didn't pick him up.

[boozehound]

Since no one else has said anything, I will.... Anybody see this as a positive sign that CM will be staying? Would a presumably good-to-great recruit commit this far out in advance if he thought the coach might leave?

Wait, are we still doing this? Why do we think he might leave?

I'm not saying he won't ever leave, but I'm not particularly worried about it now. He has passed on some pretty good openings.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I like his size, but in this day with social media and such are there any “diamonds in the rough”? I would like to see him explode this summer against top competition.


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[xavierj]

I like his size, but in this day with social media and such are there any “diamonds in the rough”? I would like to see him explode this summer against top competition.


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Yes every year. I think most guys X missed on last year blew up during AAU prior to senior year. I also believe Naji was somewhat lightly recruited before Xavier picked it up. Maryland never offered him and his first offer was July before his senior year. He then committed to X the summer before his prep school year.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I remember Naji’s recruitment. Once the season was about to start he was listed as the guy everyone missed on.


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[XUFan09]

I like his size, but in this day with social media and such are there any “diamonds in the rough”? I would like to see him explode this summer against top competition.


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkYup. It's hard to see everyone multiple times and scouting services prioritize rising seniors, so underclsssmen get even less time when not playing in the highest age category. He'll probably blow up this summer. How high he goes remains to be seen, of course.

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[bigdiggins]

I like his size, but in this day with social media and such are there any “diamonds in the rough”? I would like to see him explode this summer against top competition.


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Kamar Baldwin at Butler would be another example.

[XUFan09]

Also, some team dynamics can hide a player. Look at how Kanter was under-utilized in Wisconsin-Green Bay's fast-paced style. If you were to rank college players today versus a year ago, he would have skyrocketed, and that wasn't all personal improvement. AAU teams can hide some player's abilities while making others look better than they really are. It's just a tricky business.

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[XUGRAD80]

I like his size, but in this day with social media and such are there any “diamonds in the rough”? I would like to see him explode this summer against top competition.


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Why yes, yes there are....

Sure, there are you consensus top 25-35 players, but after that it is such a crap shoot. The level of competition varies so wildly from state to state, and even sometimes just from school classification to classification. Had a chance to catch the Moeller-LaSalle game a week ago. Moeller has 3 kids that are committed to D-1 schools...Texas, WVU, and I forget the other one.....but they looked horrible for most of the game. It looked like a glorified CYO game the way kids were turning the ball over, shooting crazy shots, and generally playing sloppy all over the court. Based on that one game, I don’t see any of those kids being ready to play D1 next year. The guys that do the recruiting rankings are kind of in the same boat. They see so many kids over so many games during the season and in AAU ball that it has to be hard to say exactly where a kid should be ranked. Add to that the level of talent around them, or the level of talent they are playing against, being so uneven from player to player, team to team, and there have to be mistakes being made.

Based on the history, I’ll take Mack and the other coaches judgement over any recruiting “guru” you want to put up against them. They aren’t always right, but they sure are much more often than not.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

That is a very good point and post.


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[xudash]

Why yes, yes there are....

Sure, there are you consensus top 25-35 players, but after that it is such a crap shoot. The level of competition varies so wildly from state to state, and even sometimes just from school classification to classification. Had a chance to catch the Moeller-LaSalle game a week ago. Moeller has 3 kids that are committed to D-1 schools...Texas, WVU, and I forget the other one.....but they looked horrible for most of the game. It looked like a glorified CYO game the way kids were turning the ball over, shooting crazy shots, and generally playing sloppy all over the court. Based on that one game, I don’t see any of those kids being ready to play D1 next year. The guys that do the recruiting rankings are kind of in the same boat. They see so many kids over so many games during the season and in AAU ball that it has to be hard to say exactly where a kid should be ranked. Add to that the level of talent around them, or the level of talent they are playing against, being so uneven from player to player, team to team, and there have to be mistakes being made.

Based on the history, I’ll take Mack and the other coaches judgement over any recruiting “guru” you want to put up against them. They aren’t always right, it they sure much more often than not.

My adamant response to this:

Kerem Kanter.

Malcolm Bernard

Rashid Gaston

Matt Stainbrook

Seriously, do I have to keep going with this?

[GIMMFD]

My adamant response to this:

Kerem Kanter.

Malcolm Bernard

Rashid Gaston

Matt Stainbrook

Seriously, do I have to keep going with this?

Nobody trusts Mack, I just don't get it...

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I think the trust is there, but this class missed the top 100 guys or at least near 100. If you look on this team they are all top 100 or near it.


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[GIMMFD]

I think the trust is there, but this class missed the top 100 guys or at least near 100. If you look on this team they are all top 100 or near it.


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I agree last year was a down year recruiting wise, Walters is a project, we don't really know much about Kennedy, however Mack has proved time and time again he can develop talent, the 2018 class was a fluke, with a lot of decisions just not going our way. I do think however, Mack wouldn't take people at X if he didn't truly believe in their talents and believed they could contribute. Not a lot of guys put up the numbers Curtis is putting up in high school, yes that doesn't always translate to D1 success, however, I do think this staff knows what they are doing. They've done a great job in identifying AND developing talent, and that's the benchmark of a good program. It's a lot easier for the Duke's and UK's of the world that get bonafide 5 star success, we aren't there yet, but we have a staff that has a good eye, and get the best out of guys.

[xavierj]

I agree last year was a down year recruiting wise, Walters is a project, we don't really know much about Kennedy, however Mack has proved time and time again he can develop talent, the 2018 class was a fluke, with a lot of decisions just not going our way. I do think however, Mack wouldn't take people at X if he didn't truly believe in their talents and believed they could contribute. Not a lot of guys put up the numbers Curtis is putting up in high school, yes that doesn't always translate to D1 success, however, I do think this staff knows what they are doing. They've done a great job in identifying AND developing talent, and that's the benchmark of a good program. It's a lot easier for the Duke's and UK's of the world that get bonafide 5 star success, we aren't there yet, but we have a staff that has a good eye, and get the best out of guys.

I think Kennedy will be good. He is athletic, long and can shoot the ball. I think he is a sleeper. He plays on one of the best teams in Texas, with a 4 star going to Baylor and another 4 star going to Texas. He is 2nd on the team in scoring this year.

[Steve A]

Go back and look at former recruiting rankings some time. They're hilarious. For perspective, here were the 24/7 rankings for X in the Class of 2014.

Trevon Blueitt - 39 (they got that one)
Makinde London - 88
JP Macura - 102
Edmond Sumner - 106
Larry Austin, Jr. - 132
Sean O'Mara - 156

Mikal Bridges was 81, Tra Holder was 109, Kelan Martin was 140, Ethan Happ 152

Trust the staff.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Wow Happ was that low? I remember O’Mara being just outside of the top 100.


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[Juice]

Wow Happ was that low? I remember O’Mara being just outside of the top 100.


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He is about 3 inches taller now than when he was being recruited.

[XUFan09]

He is about 3 inches taller now than when he was being recruited.A la Edmond Sumner.

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[Juice]

A la Edmond Sumner.

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Huge difference between a 6-7 forward and a skilled 6-10 center who also redshirted his first year because maybe the rankings were somewhat correct.

That being said, the rankings often overrate or underrate guys every year, but it's also important to remember that it's a team of a few guys trying to rank thousands of players across the country.

[XUFan09]

Huge difference between a 6-7 forward and a skilled 6-10 center who also redshirted his first year because maybe the rankings were somewhat correct.

That being said, the rankings often overrate or underrate guys every year, but it's also important to remember that it's a team of a few guys trying to rank thousands of players across the country.Oh yeah, it changes what position he can play. Happ really would not be as good as he is if he were still that short, because it's not like he shoots threes or something like that. That said, Sumner's big growth spurt really helped him as a player too, though I guess he didn't change positions over it.

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[Michigan Muskie]

From the board of a former rival:

Folks: I always watch for players out of this area that I think are solid D-I prospects. The one player who has caught my eye is a 6'4" shooting guard, junior Samari Curtis, out of Xenia High School. He is a 3-star, for whatever that is worth. More interesting, Xavier just offered him along with Akron and a few other Ohio schools. I always find it difficult to predict how good a player will be at the next level, but today he is a man among boys in his league. In the last two games he has scored 86 points. He handles the ball well; shoots well off the dribble; and appears to be very athletic. Has anyone else seen this young man play? I have not seen anyone in the Dayton area with more talent than this young man.

------------------------------------

Samari? Sign him up NOW!

I know this kid personally...my son played on his AAU team for 3 years. He was typically the most athletic kid on the court at every tournament we played although his stats didn't always show it. But each year he became more and more of a team player and this trend continued in HS.

His 2 older brothers always brought him to practice and the 3 of them were nothing short of awesome. From all appearances they are a tight and responsible family...my only fear is his education at Xenia HS.

I love this kid. His athleticism is off the charts and with some more guidance and growth, I don't see how he couldn't get the attention of every coach in the country, not just the region.

3-Stars? I'd take him over L'Christian Smith (Wayne, going to OSU for football) and put him up there with the Trotwood studs in terms of awesomeness.

He gets a Golden vote from me.

[Masterofreality]

Go back and look at former recruiting rankings some time. They're hilarious. For perspective, here were the 24/7 rankings for X in the Class of 2014.

Trevon Blueitt - 39 (they got that one)
Makinde London - 88
JP Macura - 102
Edmond Sumner - 106
Larry Austin, Jr. - 132
Sean O'Mara - 156

Mikal Bridges was 81, Tra Holder was 109, Kelan Martin was 140, Ethan Happ 152

Trust the staff.

This. Just this.

Stars are what are in the sky.

[UCGRAD4X]

I don't know a lick about recruiting and rankings and all, so my default is to trust in Mack. His history and success has certainly earned him such.

But I do understand some of the concern. Yes, one year of sub-standard year on the recruiting trail (perhaps,putting it mildly) is one thing. Sandwiched between two outstanding classes isn't much of a concern at all. That would require an outstanding class this time around.

We all hope and expect the last recruiting cycle to be a 'one-off' - but it raises the need for the next class to be a very good one. This kid may turn out to be a great player for X, but on the surface (and, yes, rankings and such being what they are) this does not seem to be the 'BIG GET' that will assuage all those recruiting fears.

There's a LONG way to go, but we can be forgiven for being just a tad anxious.

We all want this X train, not just to keep-on-rolling along like the little engine that could (I like to think we're past that already), but punch a long line of tickets to Big East titles, Final Fours and National Championships.

TRUST IN MACK!!!

What else is there?

[xavierj]

I don't know a lick about recruiting and rankings and all, so my default is to trust in Mack. His history and success has certainly earned him such.

But I do understand some of the concern. Yes, one year of sub-standard year on the recruiting trail (perhaps,putting it mildly) is one thing. Sandwiched between two outstanding classes isn't much of a concern at all. That would require an outstanding class this time around.

We all hope and expect the last recruiting cycle to be a 'one-off' - but it raises the need for the next class to be a very good one. This kid may turn out to be a great player for X, but on the surface (and, yes, rankings and such being what they are) this does not seem to be the 'BIG GET' that will assuage all those recruiting fears.

There's a LONG way to go, but we can be forgiven for being just a tad anxious.

We all want this X train, not just to keep-on-rolling along like the little engine that could (I like to think we're past that already), but punch a long line of tickets to Big East titles, Final Fours and National Championships.

TRUST IN MACK!!!

What else is there?

How do you know how good the class will be? I think you will be surprised. Some good talent will be at the game today from all over.

[GIMMFD]

How do you know how good the class will be? I think you will be surprised. Some good talent will be at the game today from all over.

I don't think he was saying the class will be bad, I think he was saying he's hoping for another major class, and to trust Mack's eye for talent. The 2018 class was slightly underwhelming in terms of how we had been recruiting the past couple years, so it's a reasonable concern to make sure that doesn't continue to allow us to grow as a program for the future. At least that's what I got out of it. By all means, reading up on Curtis, I've heard nothing but good things, not to mention a whole extra year to develop before he even gets to campus. I 100% trust Mack and company to evaluate and develop talent, as I've said before, they've proved their track record time and time again, hell look at what they've done with Kanter this season.

Side note, Samari Curtis will be in attendance for the game today, and let's hope we leave a lasting impression.

[Lloyd Braun]

Who else is attending today? I would imagine several recruits.

[GIMMFD]

Who else is attending today? I would imagine several recruits.

Commits: Jake Walter, Samari Curtis, Dontarius James

Prospects: Harlond Beverly (4*; ranked 65th nationally, PG), Jaylin Williams (4*; ranked 80th nationally, PF), Kyle Sturdivant (4*; ranked 129th nationally, PG), Justin Powell (No rankings, class of 2020, PG), Luke Anderson (3*; ranked 157th nationally, PF)

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Hopefully they like us, we will need help next year. ‘Nova is getting a whole bunch of talent. Well Quinnerly won’t play.


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[UCGRAD4X]

How do you know how good the class will be? I think you will be surprised. Some good talent will be at the game today from all over.

I don't know and I certainly hope you are right - and I suspect it will be when all is said and done. Like I said, as others have, all we can do is trust the coaching staff, and I do. But until it is, it isn't.


I don't think he was saying the class will be bad, I think he was saying he's hoping for another major class, and to trust Mack's eye for talent. The 2018 class was slightly underwhelming in terms of how we had been recruiting the past couple years, so it's a reasonable concern to make sure that doesn't continue to allow us to grow as a program for the future. At least that's what I got out of it. By all means, reading up on Curtis, I've heard nothing but good things, not to mention a whole extra year to develop before he even gets to campus. I 100% trust Mack and company to evaluate and develop talent, as I've said before, they've proved their track record time and time again, hell look at what they've done with Kanter this season.

Thank you. You pretty well summed it up.

[xu82]

I hope the atmosphere was enough to influence recruits more than the outcome. UGH!

[sirthought]

Curtis is getting some positive press. It would be interesting to see him become a McDonald's All-American.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/university-of-cincinnati/2019/01/23/uc-bearcats-basketball-recruit-samari-curtis-could-all-american/2616389002/

[Juice]

Curtis is getting some positive press. It would be interesting to see him become a McDonald's All-American.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/university-of-cincinnati/2019/01/23/uc-bearcats-basketball-recruit-samari-curtis-could-all-american/2616389002/

He’s not even a top 100 player

[outsideobserver11]

This will be interesting to watch develop over the next few years because from the looks of it, UC rated Samari a little bit higher than Kyky, and X rated Kyky a little higher than Samari.