Recruiters ready to raid Okaloosa-Walton

There have not been that many Division One recruiters through Okaloosa-Walton Community College so far this year. Expect that to change soon.

"It seems like bunch of recruiters have been going to different high school functions and AAU tournaments because they can see so much at one time," said head coach Bruce Stewart. "I get the word that we'll get a lot of people through in September."

That is because OWCC should have at least three Division One players on its team this season.

"Our best player is Odarien Bassett," Stewart said. "He's as good as the kid we had last year, Clarence Sanders. He's a two guard, a combo guard, but more of a two. He's big time, low-SEC, high-Conference USA, Big 12, he's gonna get that kind of attention. He is a terrific, absolutely off the charts athletically. He is impressive in his ball handling, a very experienced scorer with three-point range. He can jump over people in the paint, he's very explosive off the dribble, just a big-time player. He's so athletic and strong he can guard as well. He could be a very good defender."

Stewart said "a couple of Conference USA schools" are keeping tabs on Bassett and he's getting letters from the SEC as well.

Two players ranked in the top 35 in the class by JucoJunction are also on the OWCC roster this season. Allen Jenkins and Ralph Jennings will both have a shot to play on the low- to mid-major level according to Stewart.

"Jenkins has had a pretty good summer, has really improved his stock," Stewart said of the 6-foot-4 forward. "He can post, he is an undersized four man. He could play some four-three. He can post up, he has good skills with his back to the basket, scoring and passing if he's trapped. He can also step out and make a three-point shot. He's gonna be a low D1 player, that's just what he is."

Jennings, meanwhile, has a chance to be a mid-major type player, but he will need a strong sophomore season.

"The first three or four weeks of summer, he was outstanding, then he's kind of tailed off back to the way he was during the season," Stewart said. "He's teasing because he's 6-8, long, and he has some skills."

In addition to that trio, Stewart said 6-foot-4 slasher Walter Fitzgerald could get some attention. Fitzgerald, who spent six years in the Air Force following high school, averaged just under ten points a game as a freshman.

Over the next few months, JucoJunction.com will be doing team previews from coast to coast to get junior college basketball fans set for an exciting 2005-06 season. To talk about this story with other juco hoops fans, check out the JucoJunction Board or our premium forum.