Peter Casey-US PRESSWIRE
The season is almost here for the Old Dominion Monarchs and the focus of today’s discussion is next season. The class of 2013 is still being determined as head coach Blaine Taylor and company have two more scholarships to give. Recruits Rodney Bullock, Jordan Baker, Ramone Snowden and Nerville Fincher are among the names in the mix.
Last weekend, Bullock, Baker and Snowden made their way onto the ODU campus for a visit. Meanwhile, Fincher reportely had his visit this weekend. Baker and Snowden have already committed to ODU, while Bullock and Fincher are entertaining other schools.
Baker, a 6-2 guard from Hampton High, was the first commit of the new C-USA era for ODU. A combo guard that fits the Blaine Taylor mold, Baker chose ODU over Radford, VMI and the Naval Academy mainly because he had the opportunity to play point guard.
Snowden, a 6-5 210 pounds guard, followed his AAU teammate and chose ODU. He has good size and a good jumpshot. Scouts are really impressed with his ability to pass the rock.
At 6-6, 210, Bullock is listed as a power forward. He most likely will play a stretch forward–small forward, power forward combination–for Taylor. His best asset is his motor. He is described as relentless on the boards, something that ODU has prided itself on under Taylor’s direction. Bullock still has work to do with his shooting and ball handling, but that hasn’t stopped the likes of Providence from recruiting him. He plays for the same AUU team as Baker and Snowden who hope to do some extra recruiting for coach Taylor.
Fincher hails from Teanneck, New Jersey. The 6-8, 220-pound forward is a long athlete. ESPN’s scout team refers to him as “agile and mobile” with a “live body”. But, he is considered extremely raw at this point, with no real shooting range or go-to offensive skills. That shouldn’t be a problem for Taylor who is known for developing scragily 18-year-olds and transforming them into Frank Hassell’s or Gerald Lee’s. The only problem would be Missouri who Fincher is hoping to receive an offer from.
Whether or not this group is the new face of the future Monarchs, it’s clear Taylor wants athletes. And with the move to a new conference next season, that isn’t a bad gameplan.
