James Blackmon Jr.

[LockdownD 2,238]

I am so glad he's a Hoosier. Can't wait to see him light up AH.

[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

I watched video of his game... While the numbers were ridiculous. There were plenty of open layups dunks in transition as the other team rarely got back. The Marion bench also didn't look too excited... Just found that interesting.


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[mdn82 25,510]

I watched video of his game... While the numbers were ridiculous. There were plenty of open layups dunks in transition as the other team rarely got back. The Marion bench also didn't look too excited... Just found that interesting.


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Yeah, it wasn't good defense at all.  I was told double teams.  That was the worst defense I had seen.  The shots were impressive.  I need to post his schedule, more than anything to be aware when he plays so I can go.  The Marion bench doesn't seem too excited, because they aren't getting off of it, and they think they are as good as him.  Wouldn't be surprised to see him jump up into top 15 by the end of the year with the better competition coming off of a great summer.  

[IUfan_Charlie 3,867]

Yeah, it wasn't good defense at all.  I was told double teams.  That was the worst defense I had seen.  The shots were impressive.  I need to post his schedule, more than anything to be aware when he plays so I can go.  The Marion bench doesn't seem too excited, because they aren't getting off of it, and they think they are as good as him.  Wouldn't be surprised to see him jump up into top 15 by the end of the year with the better competition coming off of a great summer.  

He might be the best scorer in the class, IDK if he'll get ranked higher because of his size and he isn't an elite athlete, although he does look improved in that aspect. 

[mdn82 25,510]

He might be the best scorer in the class, IDK if he'll get ranked higher because of his size and he isn't an elite athlete, although he does look improved in that aspect. 

 

He is 6'4".  He isn't small.  His size won't keep him from moving up.  That is pretty solid for a true 2 Guard coming into college.  Not too many true 2 Guards coming into college 6'5" or taller.  As for the class as a whole, there isn't many elite athletes.  In the top 20, there is maybe 5 solid to elite athletes.  2014 is not a good year for athletes.  Someone like Trey Lyles is in the top 5.  That is pretty much what is in the top 10.  Solid athletes with all around skills. James has been very explosive getting to the rim since he came back from his knee injury.  One thing many people don't talk about is his rehab exercises were outlined by Je'ney.  He has came back better.  He just shoots so good, that isn't what is talked about.  I highly recommend watching him play if you are close.  If you are around Indy, they play Arsenal Tech in Indy this year.  Beyond that most games are around Marion.  I will be shocked if anyone can put up the numbers to match him this year for Mr. Basketball.  

[mdn82 25,510]

Just looked to get a feel for how the size is in this class.  They have Oubre and Stanley Johnson listed at 6'7" and SG on 247 Composite.  I have seen them play a few games in the summer, and they played more of a 3.  They listed Jaquan Lyle as a SG as well, and anyone who has ever watched him play knows he will never play that position.  I think Oubre, Johnson, and Okafor are elitish athletes.  They are definitely ahead of JB2 in that area.  I would consider his shooting elite and have said that for a long time.  So, that isn't an IU commit thing.  I live 20 minutes from him.  I have seen without exaggeration 20 games during his time at Luers and Spiece.  So, his size is average at best for a 2.  Not bad, and shouldn't diminish him in rankings.  He isn't Tyler Ulis or anything, and he is around 30 like 5'7".  His athleticism is above average, but not elite.  His shooting is elite.  Shooting is a skill.  That should be enough to move him up if he has a great year after the summer he had.  I definitely see what you are saying though Charlie.  Don't want to make it sound like he will jump into top 5.  Won't happen.  But, I think he could get to 15ish.  

[IUfan_Charlie 3,867]

Just looked to get a feel for how the size is in this class.  They have Oubre and Stanley Johnson listed at 6'7" and SG on 247 Composite.  I have seen them play a few games in the summer, and they played more of a 3.  They listed Jaquan Lyle as a SG as well, and anyone who has ever watched him play knows he will never play that position.  I think Oubre, Johnson, and Okafor are elitish athletes.  They are definitely ahead of JB2 in that area.  I would consider his shooting elite and have said that for a long time.  So, that isn't an IU commit thing.  I live 20 minutes from him.  I have seen without exaggeration 20 games during his time at Luers and Spiece.  So, his size is average at best for a 2.  Not bad, and shouldn't diminish him in rankings.  He isn't Tyler Ulis or anything, and he is around 30 like 5'7".  His athleticism is above average, but not elite.  His shooting is elite.  Shooting is a skill.  That should be enough to move him up if he has a great year after the summer he had.  I definitely see what you are saying though Charlie.  Don't want to make it sound like he will jump into top 5.  Won't happen.  But, I think he could get to 15ish.  

I agree that he should move up a little

[hoosierpap 14,300]

Yeah, it wasn't good defense at all.  I was told double teams.  That was the worst defense I had seen.  The shots were impressive.  I need to post his schedule, more than anything to be aware when he plays so I can go.  The Marion bench doesn't seem too excited, because they aren't getting off of it, and they think they are as good as him.  Wouldn't be surprised to see him jump up into top 15 by the end of the year with the better competition coming off of a great summer.  

 

 

Here is a link to his schedule, if he is nearby, like mdn said, try to make a game!

 

http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/marion-giants-(marion,in)/basketball/schedule.htm

[ccgeneral 38,084]

Here is a link to his schedule, if he is nearby, like mdn said, try to make a game!

 

http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/marion-giants-(marion,in)/basketball/schedule.htm

Thanks. I stored this link in the first post.

[WayneFleekHoosier 48,393]

Oak Hill? Really? Arsenal Tech and Homestead will be big games .

[mdn82 25,510]

Oak Hill? Really? Arsenal Tech and Homestead will be big games .

 

Yeah, the NCC isn't much competition to Marion.  Unless Kokomo is any good, none of the Ft. Wayne teams are strong this year.  Tech will be a game.  Lawrence North will be a game.  Beyond that, none of the Fort Wayne teams, IMO, can compete.  If Marion has any bigs that can not let Swanigan (Homestead) and Lyles go off for like 30 and 20, then they will win those games.  Don't think they go undefeated, but they should go into tournament with at most 1 or 2 losses.  

[ccgeneral 38,084]

Northern IN HS Hoops ‏@NorthernINHoops 2m

At half, LN leads Marion 41-32. Daeshon Francis with 14 pts to lead LN. James and Vijay Blackmon combine for 19 to lead Marion.

[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

That's a little more balanced


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[mdn82 25,510]

That's a little more balanced


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Yeah.  He will average around 30-35 this year.  He will probably be in the 40s a lot, but tough games like this will be in the low 20s.  

[ccgeneral 38,084]

Final. LN 85, Marion 84. JB2 with 39 and Vijay had 12. Pretty good comeback attempt by Marion at the end. JB2 hit a 3 to tie it up @ 84 with 20 seconds left, then they fouled with 4 seconds left and LN only made 1 FT and JB2 missed a shot @ the buzzer.

 

FYI: Radio for Marion games.

[IUfan_Charlie 3,867]

He shot 6-15 from 3, that surprised me a bit. 12-25 overall 6 boards

[mdn82 25,510]

If this dude is scoring 39 against LN, he is going to average close to 40.  They really only have a couple of tough games on their schedule.  That is nuts.  

[coachmayhew 1,414]

Yeah. He will average around 30-35 this year. He will probably be in the 40s a lot, but tough games like this will be in the low 20s.

The the number that matters most is 2014, that will be when he wears he wears the candystripes!

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[coachmayhew 1,414]

The the number that matters most is 2014, that will be when he wears the candystripes!

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[coachmayhew 1,414]

Somehow I responded to myself.