Tuesday, March 22, 2016
By CHARLES GROVE
A quick Google search for Warren Harding basketball player Derek Culver reveals page after page of recruiting websites showing information about where the junior might be headed after graduation.
It quickly becomes obvious that a big decision looms on the horizon.
The Raiders’ power forward is listed on ESPN.com as the class of 2017’s 53rd best player in the country and the number-one recruit in Ohio.
Another click shows a list of schools as long as Culver’s wingspan, all with check marks indicating a scholarship offer. That list claims Arizona, Cincinnati, Clemson, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kent State, Marquette, North Carolina State, Purdue, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Xavier have offered Culver a spot on their team.
Rivals.com says Illinois and Tulsa have thrown their hats into the ring as well while Scout.com claims Dayton has offered.
The offers have been flowing ever since Bob Huggins and West Virginia offered right before Culver’s sophomore season. Illinois and Purdue weren’t far behind, according to Harding head coach Andy Vlajkovich, and it’s been year-round ever since.
“Between social media and the business of college basketball, if you’re a Division I player they’re going to find you,” Vlajkovich said. “Between technology and the resources that college coaches have, it’s really difficult to fly under the radar.
“There’s 350 Division I schools and they all have four guys recruiting, so with that many coaches it’s hard to not get noticed.”
Culver certainly has been noticed and has garnered plenty of looks from recruiting analysts across the country. ESPN’s John Stovall said while Culver passes the “look test” and is very athletic, he has a lot to improve this summer and next season to prepare for the collegiate level.
“He needs to improve his motor, his intensity and his productivity,” Stovall said. “He doesn’t play hard enough and he’s not productive enough.
“He should be dominating at the high school level but he’s more of a good high school player than a dominant high school player. He takes plays off, he doesn’t always guard or rebound. He’s got to improve in all those areas.”
Vlajkovich said he’s assisting the Culver family by helping them “navigate through the waters” of recruiting. Culver said he’s feeling a little more comfortable with the process.
“At first it was mind boggling,” Culver said. “This coach wants to see you, this coach wants to talk to you and this coach is calling you but you’ve got to learn to settle into it.”
Culver said he’s looking for a program that plays similarly to Harding with room for him to move around in the offense and a large emphasis on transition.
“I want an offense that gives the power forward plenty of room to go to work and maneuver,” Culver said. “I don’t want to be boxed in just running set after set after set on the block.”
But Vlajkovich said with Culver’s set of skills and physical attributes, he’s not going to have much trouble fitting into any offensive scheme.
“I told him, ‘Derek, you’re 6 foot 10. You have a good low post game, you’re a good passer and you’re going to end up being a good shooter. What style of play doesn’t suit a 6 foot 10 kid who can pass, shoot and dribble?’”
Stovall said while he’s had multiple schools looking at him, West Virginia is the clear front runner in the race for Culver.
“West Virginia is out front,” Stovall said. “I would be surprised if it’s not West Virginia, but this summer is going to have a lot to say about what happens.
“He’s a talented big kid and there’s not that many of them in the country. He’s probably the most talented big kid close to West Virginia talented enough to help win them games.”
Vlajkovich said Culver began to stick out as a real talent his eighth-grade year. Vlajkovich began challenging Culver, who has responded every step of the way.
“Personally, when he was in eighth grade I thought he had a chance to be a really good player and it’s been a progression from there,” Vlajkovich said. “I told him, ‘You could start varsity, you could be a Division I player and then you could be a top 100 recruit.’”
Visiting campuses is an important part of the process Culver is going though. He has visited West Virginia twice. Other schools Culver has visited according to Vlajkovich are Indiana, Illinois, Purdue, Xavier and North Carolina State.
Culver said he doesn’t try to visit any school with preconceived notions and has especially enjoyed the game day atmospheres for some of his visits.
“I just wanted to see how the environments were and what the campus is like,” Culver said. “On my visits, I just try to keep an open mind about everything.
“But with the crowds, there’s nothing like it. The crowds are crazy at whatever school you go to because it’s not like high school anymore where you’re only playing in front of hundreds. Every place seems like a coliseum where there’s thousands of fans.”
Culver says he has no time table for making his announcement and has a long way to go as he narrows down schools.
“This is a process and I’m not going to rush it,” Culver said. “My family and I are going to think about it because there’s no rush.
“I know I’m just blessed to have so many opportunities to go to so many different schools. It’s going to be hard because I have so many choices but I’m sure I’ll find the right one.”