Photo courtesy Trend Basket Big Man Alperen Kurnaz is one of five signed basketball recruits for 2018-2019
We already told you about the signing of hot shooting guard Jase Townsend and 6’8″ power forward Javonni Bickham – DU’s first two signed basketball recruits for the 2018-2019 season. With a mid-week bye this week for Pioneer basketball now is the perfect time to review Denver’s most recent three additional signees along with some comments about each recruit from head coach Rodney Billups.
Taelyr Gatlin – Brighton H.S., PG, 6’3″, 170 lbs., Atoka, TN
Taelyr Gatlin had a strong junior season racking up 5 different MVP honors, 13-AAA League MVP, 13-AAA District Tourney MVP, Hotbed Classic MVP, the Larry Ransom Classic MVP and the Brighton High MVP honor. He earned back to back honors as the Commercial Appeal’s Player of the week. He also made the 1,000 point club his junior season after only playing in 6 games his freshman year due to injury. He also led his team to the (Sweet 16) West TN State Sectional game, the farthest Brighton High School has ever been in school history. His Junior season he averaged 17.8 PPG. 5.5 APG, 4.3 RPG, and 3.6 SPG.
Billups likes the on-court toughness and determination of this pass-first point guard. Taelyr takes great pride in his defensive skills and will be a team-first player who can deliver on both ends of the floor for the Pioneers. His game is trending upward which made him a ‘can’t pass up’ early signee who was a favorite of assistant coach Ricardo Patton.
I really appreciate everyone who was there and the ones that couldn’t be here to support me on my big day. I currently signed 4 years of my life to the University of Denver. Although this is a bittersweet moment, I’m extremely eager to start my new journey as a Pioneer! pic.twitter.com/FSCWLrGksR
— Tae (@TaelyrGatlin) November 9, 2017
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Joseph Lanzi – Hillcrest Prep., SG, 6’5″, 180 lbs., Chelsea, AL
Shooting guard Joseph Lanzi can make the 3-point shot, shoot off the dribble, distribute the ball and score from all three levels. Not as athletic as some of Denver’s other recruits, Lanzi uses a high motor, vision, and a high basketball IQ to lock-down opponents on the defensive end and create on the offensive end. Joseph maintains a 4.1 GPA and holds the record of the winningest varsity basketball player in Chelsea High School history. Prior to Denver, he held preferred walk-on offers from both UAB and Alabama. Lanzi is a 6-foot-5, Lanzi averages 20 PPG, 6 RPG. and 3 SPG per game.
Billups calls Lanzi “Jake Pemberton 2.0”. Lanzi is seen as a player who can stretch teams with his defense and hit the 3-point shot on the offensive end. He is a “true 6’5″‘ guard who can play effectively on the wing. Billups loves his intelligence and team-first attitude.
Committed! #GoPios pic.twitter.com/IDZz2wMxRB
— Joe Lanzi (@jlanzi5) December 23, 2017
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Alperen Kurnaz – St. Mary’s Ryken High School, PF, 6’8″, 220 lbs. (Hillcrest Prep.)
Alperen Kurnaz came from Istanbul, Turkey to the US to compete for a position on an NCAA squad. According to Prep Hoops, Kurnaz can battle in the low post for rebounds or take a kick-out pass for a smooth three-point shot. “I think I’m an all-around player… [I] can pass, shoot, and take it to the rim,” Kurnaz said. “I think my game and height is close to Tobias Harris and Chandler Parsons, and their type of play is close to mine.” So, Kurnaz does not lack for both talent and confidence. Karnaz will be 20 years old when he enters DU and should have maturity beyond a typical freshman.
Rodney Billups sees Alperen as a stretch-four player who can play multiple positions on the court. He is seen as tough and skilled with the ability to score from all three levels – a huge plus for a player his size and typical of many skilled European players. Ideally, he can replace some of the scoring load when Daniel Amigo graduates at the end of this season.
https://twitter.com/AlperenKurnaz7/status/953763053417521153
Billups continues to build a squad focused on hard-nosed players who have a high-level court-IQ. JaVonni Bickham and Alperen Kurnaz will add size and athleticism up-front. Gatlin and Lanzi will add perimeter size and play-making at the guard position while Jase Towsend adds quickness and offensive explosion. And clearly, all the pieces fit together to support DU’s up-tempo style of play going forward.
Daniel Amigo, Jake Pemberton, and Christian Mackey graduate at the conclusion of this season.
That’s a nice mix of guards and bigs. One can never truly know, but this incoming class looks promising.
Looks like Coach Billups is getting good players for his system. He has only had two seasons so he is going to need one more strong recruiting class to become the top one or two programs consistently in the Summit. That being said, who knows how far they can go this seaso with a good combination of veterans and underclassmen.
I like what I’m reading. Good mix. I just wish coach had signed a Juco or even a 1 year player. for next season. We will be so short on experienced big men next season and they often take time to develop. I would think a lot of 6’8″ and taller successful college players would love the grad year at DU.
Interesting to me that the staff is drawing players from Tennessee, Texas, Minnesota, Alabama, and Turkey (via Maryland). I like the fact that DU is attractive to recruits from all around the country, but I am a little surprised that this coaching staff hasn’t been able to attract more than one local player in three years of recruiting…
That’s a nice mix of guards and bigs. One can never truly know, but this incoming class looks promising.
Looks like Coach Billups is getting good players for his system. He has only had two seasons so he is going to need one more strong recruiting class to become the top one or two programs consistently in the Summit. That being said, who knows how far they can go this seaso with a good combination of veterans and underclassmen.
I like what I’m reading. Good mix. I just wish coach had signed a Juco or even a 1 year player. for next season. We will be so short on experienced big men next season and they often take time to develop. I would think a lot of 6’8″ and taller successful college players would love the grad year at DU.
Interesting to me that the staff is drawing players from Tennessee, Texas, Minnesota, Alabama, and Turkey (via Maryland). I like the fact that DU is attractive to recruits from all around the country, but I am a little surprised that this coaching staff hasn’t been able to attract more than one local player in three years of recruiting…
Coaches go to national and regional tournaments looking for talent and players that fit their system, meet a need and have the academic qualifications. My guess is that focusing only on this area with all the other D1 programs may not deliver the best players. That being said, it would be nice to get some Billups Elite players on the DU roster.
Coaches go to national and regional tournaments looking for talent and players that fit their system, meet a need and have the academic qualifications. My guess is that focusing only on this area with all the other D1 programs may not deliver the best players. That being said, it would be nice to get some Billups Elite players on the DU roster.