Some names familiar, others just arrived.
Point Guards
Frazier, Tim - 6-2/160, PG, Houston, TX.
Cooper, D.J. - 5-9/165, PG, Chicago, IL. When you read or watch Cooper the best player to compare him to on this year's team is Randy Culpepper. He is explosive and can run the floor with the best. His small size is one of the reasons bigger schools have not looked at the highly-sought after recruit. Cooper plays bigger than what is written, and he could be another scoring weapon in UTEP's offense, and still provide a viable ball handler, which is always a good thing.
Jackson, Jeff - 5-10/168, PG, Little Rock, AR.
Hines, Gentry - 6-2/180, PG, Memphis, TN. Teammate of current UTEP freshman Arnette Moultrie. The two played at Raleigh-Egypt High School, and could be teamed up again as Miners. The Memphis area has been a highly-recruited area since coach Barbee has come to UTEP, and nabbing Hines wouldn't be out of the question. The Miners need scoring options with the dribble-drive offense Barbee runs, and Hines would be a welcomed addition with his 12.5 points per game average last season. A slasher, another good quality for the offense, but needs to learn to shoot a better percentage once he steps out of his under 15-foot comfort zone. If he can improve that over the upcoming season, the Memphis product will improve his scoring total, and his overall effectiveness on the court.
Shooting Guards
Small Forwards
Parker, Deend - 6-6, SF, San Francisco, CA.
Power Fowards
Holmen, Jacob - 6-8/205 PF, Whitehouse, TX.
Richardson, J.J. - 6-7/235, PF, Missouri City, TX.
Crisswell, Tony - 6-8/190, PF, Midwest City, OK. Not known for his being a large power forward, but the Westmore High School product has vowed to hit the gym and gain some muscle on his small frame over the summer. He's also said he would like to average a double-double this season, which isn't far away from last season's averages of 11.4 points and 7.4 rebounds a game. Schools he has shown an interest in are UTEP, Oral Roberts, Wichita State and Missouri State (all have given him offers.) Look for him to garner more offers as he bulks up and plays well over the summer league and next basketball season.
Carter, Javier - 6-8/205, PF, Dallas, TX.
Fonteneaux, Jeremy - 6-6/195, PF, Waco, TX
Centers
Needs after 2009
The Miners graduate a proven scorer in Stefon Jackson and an emerging low-post scorer in Tavaris Watts. Jackson may be the tougher to replace, although; the team has shown signs it can score when Jackson wasn't having the best of shooting nights. The offense is made to have four to five scorers average around 15 points per game, which may happen with the blossoming of Claude Britton in the front court.
Watts was a servicible forward, who may not have played in the right position in his first year. Barbee recruited a few low-post threats and Watts may be able to play at the 3 and 4 position rather than the 5, and be able to contribute this season. But the center position's foundation has been set with Britton, Portalatin and Cooper.
This post was edited on 8/8 12:08 PM by C. Silva
Point Guards
Frazier, Tim - 6-2/160, PG, Houston, TX.
Cooper, D.J. - 5-9/165, PG, Chicago, IL. When you read or watch Cooper the best player to compare him to on this year's team is Randy Culpepper. He is explosive and can run the floor with the best. His small size is one of the reasons bigger schools have not looked at the highly-sought after recruit. Cooper plays bigger than what is written, and he could be another scoring weapon in UTEP's offense, and still provide a viable ball handler, which is always a good thing.
Jackson, Jeff - 5-10/168, PG, Little Rock, AR.
Hines, Gentry - 6-2/180, PG, Memphis, TN. Teammate of current UTEP freshman Arnette Moultrie. The two played at Raleigh-Egypt High School, and could be teamed up again as Miners. The Memphis area has been a highly-recruited area since coach Barbee has come to UTEP, and nabbing Hines wouldn't be out of the question. The Miners need scoring options with the dribble-drive offense Barbee runs, and Hines would be a welcomed addition with his 12.5 points per game average last season. A slasher, another good quality for the offense, but needs to learn to shoot a better percentage once he steps out of his under 15-foot comfort zone. If he can improve that over the upcoming season, the Memphis product will improve his scoring total, and his overall effectiveness on the court.
Shooting Guards
Small Forwards
Parker, Deend - 6-6, SF, San Francisco, CA.
Power Fowards
Holmen, Jacob - 6-8/205 PF, Whitehouse, TX.
Richardson, J.J. - 6-7/235, PF, Missouri City, TX.
Crisswell, Tony - 6-8/190, PF, Midwest City, OK. Not known for his being a large power forward, but the Westmore High School product has vowed to hit the gym and gain some muscle on his small frame over the summer. He's also said he would like to average a double-double this season, which isn't far away from last season's averages of 11.4 points and 7.4 rebounds a game. Schools he has shown an interest in are UTEP, Oral Roberts, Wichita State and Missouri State (all have given him offers.) Look for him to garner more offers as he bulks up and plays well over the summer league and next basketball season.
Carter, Javier - 6-8/205, PF, Dallas, TX.
Fonteneaux, Jeremy - 6-6/195, PF, Waco, TX
Centers
Needs after 2009
The Miners graduate a proven scorer in Stefon Jackson and an emerging low-post scorer in Tavaris Watts. Jackson may be the tougher to replace, although; the team has shown signs it can score when Jackson wasn't having the best of shooting nights. The offense is made to have four to five scorers average around 15 points per game, which may happen with the blossoming of Claude Britton in the front court.
Watts was a servicible forward, who may not have played in the right position in his first year. Barbee recruited a few low-post threats and Watts may be able to play at the 3 and 4 position rather than the 5, and be able to contribute this season. But the center position's foundation has been set with Britton, Portalatin and Cooper.
This post was edited on 8/8 12:08 PM by C. Silva
