Indiana Faithfull

LOI to Wofford

 

Indiana Faithfull – 6’4″, 190, PG, Portland, Me (Cheverus/St Thomas More School)

Faithfull is a kid whose recruitment is simply puzzling… at least to me.  When I watch his tape, I see a kid with moderate athleticism and superior basketball skills.  His handle isn’t as crazy as some kids out there, but it’s fundamentally sound.  He has the ability to make his own space, and he has the ability to finish from anywhere within that space.  But his game transcends his wont for scoring.  He is one of the best passers I’ve ever seen at his level, and that makes everyone on his team that much better.  He just has a knack for getting the ball to the hot hand for an easy look, whether it’s in transition or the half court set.

How does anyone make passing look this easy?  It’s a gift.

I should mention that his quick hands and feet translate to a much tougher defensive skill set than expected as well.

But Faithfull has been buried in Maine’s public league for three years.  That’s not exactly a hotbed for recruiting.  Maybe it should be.  Indy’s AAU running mate, Keegan Hyland, was discovered by Gonzaga late in the 2010 recruiting process, and he has abandoned his plans to attend prep school in order to become a Bulldog.  So why should Maine’s Mr. Basketball not get the same looks?

Some scouts knock his inconsistent perimeter shot.  Some knock his athleticism.  Some even knock his level of competition.  But none have a bad word to say about his leadership, his decision making, his overall basketball sense or his spectacular passing ability.  Some practice, strength training and opportunity cover the first three.  You just can’t teach the intangibles this kid possesses.

I don’t know where Faithfull ends up, but I hope some D-I coach has the sense to look him up while he preps at St. Thomas More School next year.  This Aussie transplant is a diamond in the rough.