Big men stand out at UA's elite prospect camp

Arkansas coach Mike Anderson directs his players from the bench during the second half of play against Southern Methodist Monday, Nov. 18, 2013, in Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

Arkansas coach Mike Anderson directs his players from the bench during the second half of play against Southern Methodist Monday, Nov. 18, 2013, in Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson and his staff got to see some impressive young talent during the Hogs' Elite Prospect Camp on Saturday.

The better prospects were in-state freshman and sophomore big men with promising potential.

Sophomore forward S.K. Shittu, 6-9, 186 pounds, of Rogers Providence Christian Academy, moved to Arkansas from Nigeria in October of last year. He played the spring and summer with the 15-under Northwest Arkansas Wings coached by former Razorback Brad Freiss.

Though raw, his athleticism was the most impressive of the approximately 60 athletes in attendance. His length and tremendous effort along with an ability to run the floor gives him a chance to receive his fair share of Division I scholarship offers over the next three years.

"It's very fun for me to come from Lagos," Shittu said of the Arkansas camp. "I'm thankful for the opportunity to be right here, but it's a lot of fun because I'm right here to play basketball and go to school at the same time. It's a true blessing to me."

Providence, coached by Austin Bivens, is not affiliated with the Arkansas Activities Association, instead playing as an independent against teams from Oklahoma and Missouri as well as competing in the Oklahoma Christian Schools Athletic Association state tournament.

Bivens tells a story about Shitt's first intrasquad game that exemplifies Shittu's appreciation for life in America.

"He gets into the car with me to go home and he said "Sir, that was really neat. That's the first time I've ever done that," Bivens said. "I said 'Oh really, played an intrasquad game?' And he said, "No, play indoors under lights."

Shittu, who turned 16 years old in July, averaged 7.8 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks a game in high school this past season. He had a team-first attitude during the camp's five-on-five competition.

"I think I did well boxing out. playing defense," said Shittu, who possesses an 84-inch wing span. "My offense was not that good, but I think I did my best to help my teammates by moving the ball. Not letting the ball sit long on my hand. I did a couple jump shots. I think I did well for my team."

Shittu, who's drawing interest from Arkansas, Central Arkansas, Memphis and Southern Illinois, said he was surprised by how serious Americans take the game of basketball.

"In Nigeria, soccer was the first sport," Shittu said. "Right here, it's a big deal and I can see I can have a lot of opportunity if I work hard. So I do every day."

'NEXT GREAT PLAYER'

Forward Ethan Henderson will be a freshman at Little Rock Parkview this fall and has a chance to be one of the best in-state prospects in the 2018 class.

Henderson, 6-6, 160 pounds, played for the 14-under Arkansas Hawks during the spring and summer and is receiving interest from Arkansas, Oklahoma and LSU.

"I feel honored, because I'm only 14 going into the ninth grade and I'm being recruited and it feels amazing," Henderson said at the camp.

Arkansas Hawks founder and Real Deal in the Rock tournament director Bill Ingram said Henderson, who has a 79-inch wing span, isn't done growing and has a chance to be an elite prospect.

"The doctor said his (growth) plates are wide-open so I'm thinking he'll probably max out around at 6-8 or 6-9," Ingram said. "His ceiling is extremely high. I'm expecting him to be the next great player to come out of this state."

BACK FROM DALLAS

Maumelle junior guard DeShawn Williams, 6-1, 165 pounds, handled the ball well while showing a nice shooting touch and ability to drive to the basket.

He played at Prime Prep in Dallas as a sophomore but has returned home after the school was recently shut down. He played for the Arkansas Hawks during the spring and most of the summer before joining Mo Williams of Mississippi for the FAB 48 in Las Vegas in July.

"I picked up some new looks in Vegas," Williams said. "Oklahoma State, Monmouth University, Arizona State and Florida State."

He's also drawing interest from Arkansas, Connecticut and TCU. He was glad to be back at the Razorbacks camp.

"It's good, this might be my future school," he said.

IN FROM TALLAHASSEE

Freshman forward Reginald Perry, 6-8, 195, of Tallahassee, (Fla.) Maclay, is another athletic and gifted prospect who shined during the camp.

Perry, who lived in Little Rock until moving two years ago, is receiving interest from Arkansas, Oklahoma and Houston. He played with the 14-under Arkansas Hawks during the spring and summer.

Perry said he enjoyed working with Coach Anderson and the staff.

"They help you learn," Perry said. "They'll pull you over to the side and tell you a few things that you need to work on and during the game they'll tell you."

Perry said he plans to continue to play for the Hawks and work on his game.

"I really love playing for the Arkansas Hawks," he said. "I really like to work where I can play all five positions where there's no way I can't be on the court at any position."

E-mail Richard Davenport at [email protected]

Sports on 08/05/2014