LITTLE ROCK — Forward Hunter Mickelson of Jonesboro Westside attracted scholarship offers from some of the top basketball programs in the nation before signing with Arkansas during the early signing period in November, but that hasn’t stopped him from working hard to improve his game.
Mickelson, 6-10 1/2, 210 pounds, has worked to gain weight and become stronger, which has made him more effective inside.
“I think I’ve gotten a lot stronger,” Mickelson said. “Things have become easier down in the paint and banging around with all those guys. I’m probably finishing around the basket more.”
Mickelson, who is averaging 22 points, 12 rebounds and 7 blocked shots per game, plans to continue to add weight before reporting to Arkansas, with hopes of weighing between 215 and 220 pounds.
Westside Coach Mark Whitmire agrees that Mickelson has made gains in the weight room.
“I feel like his strength has really come on from his junior to senior year,” Whitmire said. “I feel like he’s rebounding better than he did last year. Of course, his offense has always been there but I feel those two things, his rebounding and his strength has really stepped up.”
In order to maximize his talent, the right-handed Mickelson also continues to work on incorporating his left hand in his offensive game.
“It takes a lot of practice,” Mickelson said. “You’re not going to pick it up overnight. It’s something you have to keep working at and stick to it to where you feel comfortable using it in a game and be effective with it. I probably have a ways to go but I’m pretty happy with it. I’m getting there.”
BUNDAGE OFFERED
Oklahoma City offensive lineman Cayman Bundage reports being offered a scholarship from Arkansas last week.
Bundage, 6-1 1/2, 270, 5.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Douglass High School also reports an offer from Missouri along with interest from Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. He said he plans to visit Arkansas in the near future.
“From what I’ve been able to research since I got the offer, it looks like a pretty good program and a pretty good team,” said Bundage, who attended junior days at Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. “I looked at the facilities and learned more about the team. I’m excited to get down there for the visit.”
Calling the SEC a “real fast” conference, Bundage said he likes the idea of playing his college football in the league.
“I like the SEC a lot,” Bundage said. “I grew up an SEC fan with Alabama andall of the other teams.”
Bundage said a school’s location won’t affect his decision and he’s open to going out of state.
“I’m going to take my visits and see what the schools are like,” Bundage said. “I don’t have a problem leaving.” HORTON HONORED
About a week after helping Arkansas land ESPN’s No. 19 recruiting class in the nation Feb. 2, Razorbacks running back coach and recruiting coordinator Tim Horton was recognized by ESPN as one of the top 25 recruiters for 2011.
ESPN recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg said the Hogs were able to get an early start on junior prospects, with the majority of the 2011 class already onboard and ready to sign on national signing day.
“Nowadays with the acceleration of the process the key is identifying the kids early and getting them on campus,” Newberg said. “I think they were very successful at that with them being almost done in January, allowing them to jump ahead to next year’s class. He’s the guy that spearheaded that. He’s not only a good recruiter but he helped orchestrate what Arkansas did overall. That’s what led to why we picked him as one of our top 25 guys.”
E-mail Richard Davenport at [email protected]
Sports, Pages 21 on 02/25/2011