For TCU, Rhoomes will Spell Wins

For Jim Christian and TCU, Ryan Rhoomes was the prize that they sought throughout the recruiting process. The power forward from Queens, New York will provide TCU will physicality and an inside scoring presence that it has not always had.

The 6’8, 205 pound Rhoomes is a scoring machine who has developed footwork that will be crucial in the Mountain West and the Big East. Rhoomes has the type of polished footwork which will allow him to seal his defender in the post and score with his back to the basket.

Last season, Rhoomes, one of the best big men left in the class of 2011, averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds for Cardozo high school.

Finding a freshman big man who can score with his back to the basket is tough for any division one basketball team. Furthermore, his strength and physicality are his biggest assets.

Rhoomes joins Connell Crossland and Adrick McKinney in Christian’s 2011 recruiting class. The Horned Frogs are still expecting to sign at least two other players in the class. McKinney is a junior college power forward and was the first player to commit. He provides TCU with depth in the front court. His physicality is also his biggest asset. Connell Crossland is a dynamic junior college wing man who averaged 17. 5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game in his second year of junior college.

Now Rhoomes has sealed what will be a deep and physical front court for the Frogs in 2011-2012. Nikola Cerina has proven that he can score and defend in the low post, and he will be a junior this season. Amric Fields was just a freshman last season, so he was often overmatched strength wise. Physically he was not ready to play 30 minutes per game in the Mountain West. However, his talent is unquestioned. He combines length, athleticism, and the ability to score inside and outside.

McKinney figures to come off the bench and serve as a role player next season. He replaces Nikola Gacesa who transferred to TCU last season from FIU for his senior season. McKinney is better than Gacesa. He is a better scorer, better athlete, and is more of a threat on the court than was Gacesa. At 6’8, 250 pounds, McKinney is a bruiser and will help wear down opposing teams.

The 4th member of the front court will be Rhoomes. Ryan Rhoomes is the most talented player in the front court, and has the makings of a star down the line.

For Christian, Rhoomes is exactly what he has been seeking. Rhoomes is one of if not the best player that Jim Christian has signed since coming to TCU.

Now that TCU has effectively sealed their front court, they can turn their attention to the two guards they have been recruiting heavily.

The first of those two guards is point guard from New York, Shaquille Stokes. Stokes is a natural scorer and playmaker with the basketball. He hails from Lincoln high school the same school as former NBA point guard Sebastian Telfair.

Other than his ability to score the basketball, Stokes possesses the quickness necessary to run a team in the Big East conference, and he has been praised by scouts for his basketball IQ.

The other guard on TCU’s radar is Edmond, Oklahoma’s Josh Richardson. Richardson was recruited by Georgia Tech, Providence, and Missouri State along with TCU. At one point, TCU seemed to have a clear advantage to sign Richardson as all three other schools lost their coaches.

However, Cuonzo Martin who left Missouri State to take the head coaching job at the University of Tennessee has offered Richardson a scholarship to play in Knoxville, and Richardson recently visited the Vols. Oklahoma has also shown late interest in Richardson whose profile has grown as the recruiting season wore him.

Where TCU exactly stands with Richardson is unknown. Wooing a player away from the University of Tennessee will be difficult, but Christian has proven so far in the late signing period that he can recruit with anyone.

• Christian signed Connell Crossland, and beat out other teams such as San Diego State, Gonzaga, and Memphis.
• With the Rhoomes signing, TCU beat both ACC and other Big East schools for the power forward’s services.

Other notes:
TCU is no longer recruiting Mississippi guard LeAntwan Luckett. Luckett will not be able to qualify academically and will opt for the junior college route.

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