I have found that it generally takes me at least five views of a prospect to get a good feel and accurately describe their game.  I mean there are so many intangibles, like have they been playing or traveling a lot of late or have they been under the weather.  The list also consists of,  have they had off the court or personal issues, a look at the match up situations, whether they have familiarity or lack of in the environment they are playing in.  I watch to see if they play consistently or if they turn it on when certain coaches are in attendance.  I could go on for another 1000 words describing intangibles alone.  That is but scratching the surface of the many things I look for when scouting a player.

Every so often a players comes along that you get an immediate feel for and James McAdoo is one of those guys.   McAdoo has the ability to slash through defenders and always gets his shot off, traffic or not.  At his young age, he already understands angles and spacing.  He moves well in all aspects of the game including defense where his long body allows him to recover quickly to play help defense.   In short, McAdoo is a big time talent.

BDN was able to speak with McAdoo this past weekend and here is that conversation. 

How old are you now?

I just turned sixteen on January the 3rd.

What is your actual height?

6-8

What schools are really looking at you at this point?

UCLA, Texas, North Carolina, Clemson, Georgetown and Syracuse.  Did I say Florida?  Florida is up there.  Virginia Tech, Virginia and Wake Forest - that's it as far as I can remember.

Any offers?

Florida, Wake Forest, Clemson, UCLA, Georgetown, Virginia Tech and Virginia.

Sounds like everybody but ...

UNC, Texas and Duke.

I noticed a Duke coach in the house (Slamfest) ...

Yes sir.  They are [private] recruiting me.

Duke is in there?  Whens the last time they contacted you?

Um, about a month.

Have they been calling or do they send letters?

I was up there for an exhibition game when they played Virginia Union.

You've been over at UNC a lot lately, right?

Yes.  About three times ... Florida once.  I am just trying to build a relationship with the coaches.

With a background, a lot of people consider UNC the team to beat.  Is that pretty much true?

Um, It's not true.  I mean I'm not going to go there just because my Uncle or Dad grew up loving them.  It'll basically come down to being my decision.

What is the key factor that'll play in your decision?

I just want to go there and be able to have freedom. (No Braveheart jokes, please) And most importantly be able to start as a freshman and be an impact player.

Which assistant coaches talk to you the most from local schools, like Duke, Wake or UNC?

Local, I'd say Coach Robinson talks to me the most.  Coach Kelsey at Wake.

And Florida? 

They are one of the first schools that contacted me and I've built a real good relationship with Coach

What size shoes do you currently wear?

Basketball shoes?  I wear 15's, but kick around shoes I wear 14.

Back to freedom.  What are you looking for?

As far as game style I want to get up and down the floor.  I want to have freedom to be able to dribble the ball, play the perimeter.  Inside, outside.

When will you get down to making a decision?

As far as eliminating some schools?

Yes ...

I will start to do that after my sophomore year before AAU starts.  After AAU.

And you'll play for Boo Williams this year?

Yes sir.

Which head coaches have you seen the most of?

Billy Donovan has come up.  Roy Williams has come up.  Seth Greeberg, Leitao, Oliver Purnell ...

When you are looking at a school, what are your prerequisites?

As far as a school or a basketball program?

Both.

I just want to be able to get along with the players that are there.  I want to make sure I'm going to fit in with the style of play and the coaching staff.  And if I'm going to like the school if I get hurt and basketball is taken away from me.

Do you have a preference on the size of a school, public or pri ...

I will probably pick a bigger school

You want to start is that what you are looking for when talking with coaches?

You kind of know if you go out there and play pick up with the guys, what position you are going to be and if you'll play.

So you'll take a look at depth and current players on rosters.

Yeah (nodding)

Congrats on winning the games MVP ...

Thanks

(the vast majority (19 of 25)  of these question were asked by BDN, but Rivals and Scout reps came in) - [/private]