Max Hoetzel

[OliviaPope40 6,425]

Committed - 10/27/13

 

Wilbraham, MA (Wilbraham & Monson Academy)

Ht: 6-7 | Wt: 210

AAU:

 

 

247

 

Rivals

 

Scout

 

ESPN

 

Twitter

 

 

Jeff Ranger ‏@All_Hoosiers 

Indiana has reportedly called about 2014 F Max Hoetzel. Don't believe he's ranked anywhere, but apparently big schools have called recently.

[All_Hoosiers 873]

Justin Albers tweeted that "according to Inside The Hall" Kansas and Florida have called also.

Hoetzel may be a back-up plan if Devin Robinson goes elsewhere. Interesting that the two perceived favorites for Robinson both called the kid.

He's ranked three stars by ESPN and a buddy of mine says Hoetzel's play in the Northeast Prep circuit will determine if big schools continue to call. Funny that he goes to school with Goodluck Okonoboh.

[ccgeneral 38,084]

Thanks for the info here. Interesting...

 

I'm gonna move this to the mainboard and leave a trailer.

[maxwell 581]

Here yet an older video displaying a nice outside shot and good footwork without the ball:

 

 

[ccgeneral 38,084]

About three weeks ago, Wilbraham and Monson (Mass.) Academy student Max Hoetzel was at study hall when his basketball coach, Chris Sparks, and Indiana assistant Kenny Johnson walked into the room.

 

They came with a simple message: Indiana head coach Tom Crean was on campus, and he wanted to see Hoetzel work out. Crean and Johnson were originally on campus to watch Goodluck Okonoboh before he travelled to Ohio State and UNLV, but Sparks had convinced Crean to watch Hoetzel.

 

After all, Sparks knew IU had needed a shooter for the 2014 class. And he had one in the 6-foot-7 Hoetzel.

 

Sparks and Johnson had cleared Hoetzel to practice with school administrators by the time they confronted him at study hall. He then left for the gym and practiced under Crean’s watchful eye. It was the first contact Hoetzel had with IU’s coaching staff.

 

“It was such a humbling experience, I mean, coach Crean is a big deal,” Hoetzel said. “But on the other hand, you can’t really think about it. You just gotta do what you do.”

 

Three months before then, though, Hoetzel had no idea he would soon be talking to one of the top programs in the nation.

 

An under-recruited forward, Hoetzel was going into his senior year at Calabasas (Calif.) High School with offers from Utah, Utah State, Pacific, Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, Boise State and Davidson, among others.

 

But then, Hoetzel had learned his parents were planning on moving to the Santa Barbara area. Instead of starting fresh at another high school, he decided to attend a preparatory school. He originally thought of attending Oak Hill Academy, but his AAU coach, Christian Aurand, recommended Wilbraham and Monson. After all, they needed a player at the small forward position this season and Hoetzel fit that description.

 

Hoetzel announced he’d be attending WMA in early August, and since arriving in Wilbraham as a reclassified member of the 2015 class with the option of graduating in 2014 as well, his recruitment has taken off.

 

“You always have to play at a high level at all times here,” Hoetzel said. “At Calabasas, I could sometimes go through the motions at practice and stuff. But you know, I’m really being pushed out here and it’s a good thing. It’s paying dividends right now.

 

“I knew my recruitment might take off probably around when Florida started talking to me.”

 

At WMA, Hoetzel has had the opportunity to take advantage of his “live in the gym” mentality. Since tearing an ACL during his sophomore year of high school and having a subsequent meniscus surgery, Hoetzel said he feels as if he has had to work extra hard to get to where he is now.

 

He’s already improved on his biggest strengths — shooting, driving to the basket and his defense — and he’s also started to combat his weaknesses with Sparks’ help.

 

“Coach Sparks has a lot of great workouts and he’s coached at the college level, so he knows what it takes,” Hoetzel said. “He really believes in me, so that’s also a great factor. When you have someone who really believes in you, it makes the whole thing easier. If you work hard, you get what you deserve.”

 

“He’s a lot like a Chandler Parsons type,” Sparks said. “I’d compare him to Kyle Korver too, but that’d be selling him short on his athletic ability. He’s a great kid.”

 

Though Hoetzel has yet to play in a single game this season, he has already received additional offers from St. John’s, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania. Florida, Iowa State and Harvard have expressed significant interest, and even Kansas has called Sparks recently to ask about him.

 

But Hoetzel’s contact with Indiana has stood out. Though IU has yet to extend an offer, since the day Crean and Johnson observed his workout, Hoetzel and Johnson have exchanged texts each other “about every day.” Johnson has spoken to both Hoetzel’s parents. And Crean plans on returning to WMA to watch Hoetzel, possibly as early as this week.

 

The Hoosiers are recruiting him for 2014, and Hoetzel said he would be ready for the challenge.

 

“I would really, really consider it, especially since it’s Indiana,” Hoetzel said. “The past, the program, the coaching, I’d definitely really consider it. But it’s all about the fit. I want to come in somewhere where I can really play and exploit my strengths. If that does happen with IU, it will be wonderful.”

 

Link

[Hwy 1 2,053]

Great find sir!

[JaybobHoosier 11,839]

Thanks for that ccg, great stuff.

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[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

Very interesting. Great find ccg

Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

[Stuhoo 79,586]

Major league shooting stroke.

 

Not just because they always go in on highlight vids...because that is a major league shooting stroke.

[EvilleAngler 636]

Kinda reminded me of a taller Rotne(sp), guard who played at Butler.

[Stuhoo 79,586]

Kinda reminded me of a taller Rotne(sp), guard who played at Butler.

 

Stauskas, but two inches taller.

[OliviaPope40 6,425]

Kinda reminded me of a taller Rotne(sp), guard who played at Butler.

You mean Rotnei Clark.

[Hwy 1 2,053]

Jordan Littman ‏@JordanLittman 1m

Indiana coach Tom Crean was at Wilbraham and Monson Academy yesterday evening to watch 2015 F Max Hoetzel. No offer yet. #iubb

 

 

 

(Bolded by me)

[ccgeneral 38,084]

He's also 2014. Not 2015 Littman.

[Hwy 1 2,053]

lol, I didn't notice the 2015 error!

 

edit: not an error, see the next post. I didn't know it either, ccg.

[Hwy 1 2,053]

The staff also saw Max Hoetzel on Tuesday, who is originally from Calabasas (Calif.), transferred to Wilbraham and Monson this fall and his recruitment has taken off as a result.

The 6-foot-7 shooter has offers from St. John’s, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania and interest from Florida, Kansas, Indiana, Iowa State and Harvard.

Crean and assistant coach Kenny Johnson stopped in to see Hoetzel, who has reclassified to 2015, but could also opt to return to the 2014 class if the fit is right.

Hoetzel told Inside the Hall’s Jordan Littman that he could potentially visit Bloomington the weekend of Nov. 3.

http://www.insidethehall.com/2013/10/23/recruiting-notebook-iu-staff-visits-lyle-hoetzel/

 

 

 

Hoetzel reclassified to 2015. Might visit Nov3

[ccgeneral 38,084]

fwiw...

 

Justin Albers ‏@Justin_Albers2m

2014 forward Max Hoetzel was offered by Indiana last night. He said he'll visit IU either this weekend or next. #iubb

[Hwy 1 2,053]

fwiw...

 

 

fwiw, once again I trust Bozich over Albers. (Albers "2014 forward Max Hoetzel")

[All_Hoosiers 873]

Possible class of Johnson, Robinson, Hoetzel, and Lyle?

[JSHoosier 19,811]

Possible class of Johnson, Robinson, Hoetzel, and Lyle?

Doubtful, since he reclassified to the 2015 class.