Texas basketball recruits dominate summer camp scene

A brilliant 17-0 start last season en route to a number one national ranking culminated in disbelief for the Texas Longhorns hoops team as they finished 7-10. This included a three-game season sweep by Baylor and an all-too-fitting last second buzzer-beater by Wake Forest in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

After such a yo-yo of a year, Texas fans’ spirits can only be lifted when they hear about the early-summer success of 2011 recruits Myck Kabongo and DeAndre Daniels.

The summer Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and camp scene is the most important time for the stars of tomorrow to prove themselves to recruiting services, colleges, and, yes, even the NBA.

Kabongo, a 6’2” point guard from Canada who is close friends with 2010 UT commits Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph, recently took home Most Outstanding Player honors from the prestigious Pangos All-American Camp in Long Beach, CA. Rivals.com rates Kabongo as the second best point guard in the class of 2011 and the 14th best player overall.

Kabongo handles the ball like a puppeteer and his flashy passing ability evokes memories of former Longhorn great T.J. Ford. Also like Ford, Kabongo needs to improve the consistency on his jumper as Rick Barnes’ ball-screen offense relies heavily on a point guard that can shoot over the top of the pick and roll to keep defenses honest.

As Rivals puts it, “He's so quick with the ball that defenders play way off him making it hard for him and teammates to execute a proper pick and roll.”

Nevertheless, many expect Kabongo to be the best point guard at UT since D.J. Augustin in 2008.

Daniels, a 6’8” small forward who hails from California, is an ideal combination of height, athleticism, and a high skill set, though he does need to add weight and strength to a lanky frame.

Currently rated as the number 35 overall player in 2011, Daniels is “on the quick track to five-star status” according to Rivals, who describes him as a skilled ball handler and passer, active rebounder, and versatile defender.

Texas fans are bound to think of the legendary Kevin Durant when they look at Daniels’ body type and skill set. But while KD was more of a combo forward at UT, Daniels is a perimeter player through and through.

With 2010 Findlay Prep stars Joseph and Thompson coming in for next season, as well as the arrival of Kabongo, Daniels, and fellow 2011 commits Sheldon McClellan and Julien Lewis the following year, don’t expect a dropoff in talent for UT hoops any time soon.