had a chance to see one of our recruits, austin swift, in a controlled scrimmage recently, and i can tell griz fans that they are in for a real treat. the floor was dotted with all-conference players but swift was far and away the best out there, making several dazzling open court passes and displaying a variety of slick moves near the basket. the kid just glides, almost effortlessly, with great court sense, and can get a shot anytime he wants. he could play point but i see him more as a two or even a three. is 6'4" but might have another growth spurt in him.
asked about junior russell and was told the griz have "sent him a packet" but that no visit is scheduled. he has yet to take his s.a.t.'s. in the one game i saw him play during the norcal playoffs, junior was an absolute disruptive force, stealing the ball for breakaways three times in succession. his veteran coach calls him the best player he's coached in 30 years (though i still think we got the gold in swfit.)
van vliet is about six weeks away from playing again after the knee surgery that caused him to miss his senior season. and when i asked about kyle sharp, our other recruit from the area, eyes rolled, voices went up a register. one scouting service had called him the most underrated player in northern california, but one coach at the scrimmage felt he was the most underrated player in the country, that if he'd put up the numbers as a junior that he did as a senior, he would have attracted the attention of several major programs and might have been beyond the reach of the griz.
Thanks to all of the above for the positive serious posts. 
