Jon Loyd commits to Oregon

[UOducksTK1]

http://hsnevada.scout.com/a.z?s=161&p=8&c=1&nid=3777265
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/r ... Loyd-91695

Deserves it's own thread. Big get for Altman. Should be a four star with those offers.

[woundedknees]

UNLV, Northwestern, Michigan State, Florida, and Oklahoma must see something...

[duckgrad99]

I could have sworn he was a 3 star on rivals when I looked yesterday. From what I have read, it seems like Loyd was gaining momentum and a lot of top programs were taking note. Good first recruit for Altman.

[UOducksTK1]

I could have sworn he was a 3 star on rivals when I looked yesterday. From what I have read, it seems like Loyd was gaining momentum and a lot of top programs were taking note. Good first recruit for Altman.

Definitely an up and coming recruit. He's scary quick, which is always a good sign for any incoming PG recruit.

[uostudent]

Excellent pickup. This kid can play. I see he coming in and competing for immediate playing time. Don't be fooled by the three star rating, Loyd is going to be a productive college player. He also played CB/KR in high school and runs a 4.5 40. While he's a good shooter and lightening quick, he's a playmaker first. As I've stated in the past, he reminds a little bit of Jerome Randle.

Here's an article on his commitment
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/ma ... yd-050310/
Scroll down to the bottom to see comments from bitter UNLV fans...

[briarduck]

Good find I always enjoy the comments section...he does sound like a good player and a speed factor is great as well!

And he sounds like a plays at both ends of the court! I look forward to seeing the kid play!

GO DUCKS!!

[woundedknees]

Lest there be any doubt about why Altman wanted this kid...

I would assume receiving the Gatorade POY award is pretty good endorsement, regardless of star rating...

http://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/ass ... _JLoyd.pdf

"In its 25th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPN RISE, today announced Johnathan Loyd of Bishop Gorman High School as its 2009-10 Gatorade Nevada Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Loyd is the fifth Gatorade Nevada Boys Basketball Player of the Year to be chosen from Bishop Gorman High School."

"The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court, distinguishes Loyd as Nevada’s best high school boys basketball player."

"He is a two-time First Team All-State selection and he scored nine points to go with five assists in the Class 4A state final win over Canyon Springs High.
Loyd has maintained a 3.30 GPA in the classroom. An active member of his church community, he has volunteered locally as a youth basketball camp counselor.
“Johnathan Loyd is a true winner in every way,” said Bishop Gorman High Head Coach Grant Rice."

I think we got our sleeper.

[uostudent]

I could have sworn he was a 3 star on rivals when I looked yesterday. From what I have read, it seems like Loyd was gaining momentum and a lot of top programs were taking note. Good first recruit for Altman.

He is
http://rivals.yahoo.com/oregon/basketba ... Loyd-91695

You probably clicked on his football profile (where he's considered a 2 star recruit)

[Boom]

I'm not overly excited about a 5-8 PG......

But I guess we needed a backup PG and he was the best one out there who wasn't already committed.

[duckgrad99]

I'm not overly excited about a 5-8 PG......

But I guess we needed a backup PG and he was the best one out there who wasn't already committed.

Isaih Thomas from Washington is also 5"8, and I'm sure I could find other successful short point guards.

[uostudent]

I'm not overly excited about a 5-8 PG......

But I guess we needed a backup PG and he was the best one out there who wasn't already committed.

Isaih Thomas from Washington is also 5"8, and I'm sure I could find other successful short point guards.

Aaron Brooks is 5'10 (listed at 6')
Jerome Randle is listed at 5'10, but is closer to 5'9.
Nate Robinson is listed at 5'9, but is actually 5'8.
Jonny Flynn is 5'10 (listed at 6')
Chris Paul is 5'11 (listed at 6')
D.J. Augustin is 5'10 (listed at 6')
Jose Barea is closer to 5'9, then his listed height of 6'

The players listed above are great because of their quickness, shooting ability, and ball handling skills. It is definitely possible for a point guard to overcome being shorter than average, particularly in college.

Tajuan Porter is 5'5 1/2 and is NOT a point guard. Loyd has nothing in common with Porter other than the fact that he is below average in the height department. Loyd is a far superior playmaker.

Not every point guard is going to be built like Derrick Rose, Jason Kidd or Baron Davis.

Kamyron Brown is 6'2, but is not a good basketball player.

[woundedknees]

Call me old (I am!), but I remember the day when the best point guard the Ducks had available (With a strong reputation for defense, and a nice jump shot, as well...) was a hulking brute named Mike "Bulldog" Drummond... Another was diminutive guard, Kenya Wilkins, generously listed at 5'10" on the Oregon roster.

UW did quite nicely with a guy named Nate Robinson, a few seasons ago. He was listed at 5'9', but the 43.5" vertical may have helped.

BTW... Michigan State apparently offered in mid April. Think Izzo was fooling around?

If I can track it down again, I'll post a picture I spotted of Loyd stuffing a basketball in a game... He appears to have decent elevation.

[Boom]

I'm not overly excited about a 5-8 PG......

But I guess we needed a backup PG and he was the best one out there who wasn't already committed.

Isaih Thomas from Washington is also 5"8, and I'm sure I could find other successful short point guards.

Aaron Brooks is 5'10 (listed at 6')
Jerome Randle is listed at 5'10, but is closer to 5'9.
Nate Robinson is listed at 5'9, but is actually 5'8.
Jonny Flynn is 5'10 (listed at 6')
Chris Paul is 5'11 (listed at 6')
D.J. Augustin is 5'10 (listed at 6')
Jose Barea is closer to 5'9, then his listed height of 6'

The players listed above are great because of their quickness, shooting ability, and ball handling skills. It is definitely possible for a point guard to overcome being shorter than average, particularly in college.

Tajuan Porter is 5'5 1/2 and is NOT a point guard. Loyd has nothing in common with Porter other than the fact that he is below average in the height department. Loyd is a far superior playmaker.

Not every point guard is going to be built like Derrick Rose, Jason Kidd or Baron Davis.

Kamyron Brown is 6'2, but is not a good basketball player.

And this kid is listed at 5-8, but could be closer to 5-6, 5-7

All of those guys above are 2-3 inches taller and a couple of them are elite level athletes.

and yes 2-3 inches can make a huge difference in basketball.

[duck55]

Boom, why the negative Nancy attitude? you don't like a Coach that you haven't seen coach yet and now you don't like his first recruit, who you haven't seen play. Why not just welcome Jon Loyd to the Ducks and hold the "told ya so's" till later if you are correct? I think it's a little petty to debate how tall someone is, rant over.

[woundedknees]

Yes, height can be huge... My brother was 6' 8 1/2", and I was 5'10"... I didn't make a lot of lay-ins against him, but learned to be a dang good free throw shooter because of it.

You always try so hard to look for the potential down-side?