Former Philadelphia Electrical Technology (PET) player Kyle Baldwin will do a post graduate year at New Horizon Prep in Mississippi. Baldwin is an explosive 6′ 4″ wing player who displayed a vast array of moves in our various showcases over the past year. Coach Norris of New Horizon Prep says he is already one of the most athletic players he has ever coached and looks forward to helping him improve.

Coach Brian Carrol, Head Coach of Basket Esch in Luxembourg takes time out from his schedule to respond to questions asked by our readers.

1) From Anthony Mayo, 6′ 8″ Senior High School Forward, Roman Catholic HS, Philadelphia, PA
Coach,
What type of player do coaches look for in Europe when the recruit in the USA?

Coach Carroll:
It all depends on the level of competition and the team needs. If you are playing in one of the better leagues in Europe a coach would look for a player who could get his own shot, create shot opportunities for his teammates, and defend some of the better players that they faced. In some of the lesser countries the scoring burden often falls primarily on the American import player - and the American is often judged on how many points that he scored in comparison to the American he faced. But at the end of the day Americans must continue to help (or be the primary reason why) their team win games or they will find themselves out of work — no matter how productive they are.

2) From Brad Wannamaer, 6′ 4″ Guard, University of Pittsburgh

Coach,

As a combo guard I would like to know what would be my role on a team in Europe? Would the team want a player such as myself to be a scorer or playmaker?

Coach Carroll:
Again it all depends on the team needs. If you are playing in one of the top leagues you wouldn’t be asked as a primary ball handler to lead your team in scoring. You would have wing players and post players that were talented enough to create their own scoring opportunities. If you were in one of the lesser leagues you would be asked to be more of a scorer because your teammates wouldn’t necessarily be talented enough to create scoring opportunities for themselves on their own. You would just have to gauge the level of talent on your team to see how much of the scoring burden should fall on your shoulders.

3) From Will Logan, Graduate Assistant at Missouri Baptist and former International Recruiter at Runhouse.com

How do you feel about guys leaving high school to play overseas to prepare for the NBA?

Coach Carroll:
I’m not necessarily a big fan of rising high school seniors leaving high school early to play in Europe. The reason that I feel this way is because it is not only important to receive your high school diploma before pursuing a professional career but it is also extremely difficult for any high school player to go into the top leagues in Europe and consistently out play men with years of international experience. I do feel, however, if a high school graduate is afforded the opportunity to make a considerable amount of money playing professional basketball in Europe — as opposed to going to a university where they would play against inferior competition and would be subject to all of the rules of the NCAA and the university — that I would support whatever decision that individual felt would best prepare them to play at basketball’s highest level.

If European players are able to earn a living playing basketball as teenagers I do not believe that people should look down upon Americans who choose to do the same thing. The purpose of going to a four year university for student athletes should be to get a degree - not to play a particular sport well enough to ensure that the head coach gets a contract extension or a better job opportunity. Leaving college early — regardless of when the student leaves — significantly reduces the odds of that individual ever earning a degree. If a student athlete has no desire to earn a degree from a university he/she should be able to earn a living without feeling compelled to do the bare minimum to remain eligible for competition.

4) From Jack Whitehead, Runhouse.com
Miles Davis or Dizzy Gillespie

Coach Carroll:
Captain Jack
Miles — but you really need to get a Gregg Karukas album. He may be the best in the business right now.

Jack Whitehead
Brian,
Thanks for the really insightful answers. Look forward to catching up with you when you get back to the states. I am going to legally download some Karukas tunes now. I am a more into Dizzy than Miles but we can’t agree on everything.

Coaches,
Don’t miss out on the exciting opportunity to recruit players from West Africa. Our Gold Coast Report is loaded with can’t miss players. If your looking for that athletic 6′ 6″ wing or a true 6′ 9″ post then look no further.

With over 30 top players from Ghana, Nigeria and Liberia you are bound to find your  players easily and effectively. Reduce your recruiting costs and travel times by reviewing our prospects and watching online game /workout videos.

Our next players to place are a sharpshooting 6′ 6″ guard and a 6′ 9″ mobile post.

Special price: 1 year subscriptions available with quarterly updates included at very good prices.

Newsflash!!! Players from the Mali are going to be included in fortcoming updates.

For details contact:
Jack Whitehead
jwhitehead@runhouse.com
215.432.4443

Congrats to the Huskies as the 2008 DeBose & Pembleton Fall Classic Champions.

6′ 9″ Chris Angsomwine has arrived at Harcum College. Chris has promised to have a very productive year for Harcum and wants his countrymen back in Ghana to follow along online. He stated that one of his goals is to make Coach Claude Thompson of Cape Coast Hoops proud of his achievements both on and off the court.

Chris spent the weekend with his new teammates and coach and has adjusted well to life in the USA. He is especially fond of the food at the school and said he can’t wait to try an authentic Philadelphia cheesesteak.

Runhouse-Hoops Gold Coast Project Recruit - Atsu Atakpa has arrived ready to play for Casper College. Atakpa is the third recruit in the project joining 6′ 6″ Daniel Armah and 6′ 10″ Chris Angsomewine.

“Big Tsu” is a highly skilled player on the post with a soft touch on his shot. He is also a great rebounder and outlet passer.

Video is online under http://www.runhouse.com/ghana/aa/achu_0001.wmv

For more info about the Runhouse-Hoops Gold Coast Project contact Jack Whitehead:

jwhitehead@runhouse.com

Daniel Armah, a 6′ 6″ small forward has signed a letter of intent to play next season with Casper Junior College.
Our team spent alot of time working to get Dan out of Ghana and into the United States. Armah has arrived and is currently redshirting this semester. Armah is our first Runhouse-Hoops project player but not our last.

For more information about Armah’s amazing story go to http://www.runhouse.com/rhp/armah.htm

http://www.runhouse.com/ghana/dan/