Marcus Cousin...Rumor mill

Schools are fighting for Marcus Cousin...Rumor mill

Jerrel Green (Southern HS, point guard)
Jerrel is not receiving the recruiting interest he has earned. He is very much a D1 point guard that plays very hard. It is often debated who is the top point guard in Baltimore, the answer depends on the college program that asks. If the college program wants a tough verbal floor leader that understands how to run a complex offense, and can find the holes and mismatches for himself and other teammates then Jerrel is the answer. He is the best throwback point guard in the City!!

We will be attending the this prestigious event that will be held at Philadelphia's Palestra. While no Baltimore area players or teams will be participating, we will be attending this event to scout some of the nations best. The games include:

12:00PM St. John Newmann - Southern
Point guards battle: Tabby Cunningham vs Antoine Brown

1:45PM: Penn Charter - St. Joseph’s Prep
We get to watch top 30 player and Virginia signee Sean Singletary

3:30PM: Mt. Zion (NC) - Life Center (NJ)
We get to watch Iowa State commit Tasheed Carr, Missouri commit Glen Dandridge, and Alabama committ Albert Weber

5:15PM: Chester - Simon Gratz
Mark Tyndale, one of the two toughest players in high school, goes to battle (Baltimore's Tavon Nelson is probably the toughest player in the nation)

7:00PM: Lincoln (NY) - Cardinal Dougherty
Two of the top 5 Point Guards battle ie Sebastion Telfair versus Kyle Lowery

Our first look at Marcus Cousin was at the Charlie Weber event Held in October of 2003. Marcus was playing with Orlando "Bino" Ransome's Team Baltimore AAU program. We saw a thin but defined 6'7/6'8 kid with some raw skills. We have since seen Marcus this season and what a bright future he has. Marcus is a 6'8/6'9 post with quickly developing skills. He is very athletic, has good hand, and runs the floor. His offensive post skills will develop, however, he is already a good shot blocker that doesn't mind contact. Marcus has a very strong qualifying SAT score. Prep school was being considered at one time, however depending on college interest that can change. Marcus is at the stage where he has grown into his body and is beginning to understand how to take advantage of his physical gifts (height, strength, jumping ability and timing to block shots without drawing contact). We are giving Marcus a recruiting grade L+/M, but after a summer of hard work, he could prove to be a steal for a L+ team.

Due to the efforts of Torrin Ellis and Tarik Brown, high school basketball in Baltimore is being pushed to higher ground.

I hate being asked what happened to talented players that for one reason or another didn't make it to or through college and sometimes fail to become productive citizens in society. However, The Mind Movement Motivation Back to School Event is about life around, outside of, and including basketball. High school and middle school students attended the event as a result of there high school, middle school, and summer league coaches recommendations. These young men in attendance learned about preparation for life and giving back to the community and using their athletic talent as opposed to being used for their athletic gifts.

Current High school phenoms in attendance included: Comantae Griffin, Byron Roundtree, Kyle Johnson, and Nate Irby of Dunbar, Mike Turner of Poly, Dominic Venable, Jamal Bivens, and Avon Mackle of Randallstown, and Anatoly Smolkin of Pikesville.

We also got a chance to see the future of Baltimore High School Basketball in Leshon Edwards, the aptly named Gee Baseline, and Laronte Leftwich. Strong work by the The Mind Movement Motivation Back to School Event staff to make this quality event that will grow each year!

Baltimore produced two qualified point guards from the class of 2003 that are not playing D1 basketball this season. These two guys did not receive the recruiting attention they deserved and thus are taking different routes to get to the same place.

The low D1 plus and the mid major programs should try and sign these young men in the fall because the super mid majors will vie for their services in the spring.

Maurice Barksdale (Dunbar HS class of 2003) Maurice is currently attending Blinn Junior College in Texas. Maurice enjoyed a great senior season as Baltimore player of the year and he led Dunbar to the state championship. Maurice is a steady point guard that has battled some of the toughest point guards on the high school and AAU scene.
The bottom line is Maurice is a seasoned, steady point guard that consistently produces. Maurice is fully qualified and wants to transfer to a D1 school after this season thus giving him 3 years of eligibility.

Jack McClinton (Calvert Hall class of 2003) Jack is attending South Kent Prep as a post grad this season in hopes of beefing up the demand for his services. As a senior at Calvert Hall, Jack averaged 20 ppg in the Baltimore Catholic league as teams employed a box and 1 to stop him. Jack grew from 5'9 to 6'1 over a 1.5 year period and is still getting better as a player. Jack has used the weight room to further develop his body and is now a well built guard capable of leading a winning program.

If a school wants a Baltimore City tough point guard that will take care of their classroom responsibilities and do everything it takes to lead their team to victory then Jack and Maurice are two easy targets!

CharmCityHoops.com will be posting its End of Summer Player grades for college coaches in September. Coaches be on the lookout!!