A division 1 coach who had a pretty successful year this year told me something very interesting when it comes to recruiting players out of high school.
He said he tells them that 85% of the NBA are role players then asks them what, besides scoring, can you excel at at the professional level. What can you do to dominate a game that doesn’t include putting the ball in the basket that will make you a pro. And can you work hard enough to ultimately do it at the game’s highest level?
Brian Voelkel of Vermont is a player who can win a game with his ability to be the strongest and smartest rebounder on the floor like he did in leading the Catamounts to their 5th NCAA appearance in the last 10 years.
If you like watching help defense and an effort player who is most always the strongest player on the floor, be sure to watch Vermont in the tournament.
Only a sophomore, Voelkel has a long way to go offensively (only averages 34% from the field), but he could find himself a professional niche if he continues to play the angles and outwork opposing big men on the boards, despite being only 6’6.
There have been a handful of players who find roster spots, and minutes, if the ball continues to find them off the glass like it does for Voelkel who led the America East in rebounding last year as a freshman and collected over 8 per game this year. But it was the 15 he snagged on the road against Stony Brook on the road that was most impressive in a very, very physical game. He also tallied 7 assists. He was the best player on the floor and took just 1 shot from the field.
An underrated passer as well, Voelkel moves the ball and makes the right decisions. He’s strong with the ball and is really only a liability when he decides to shoot, a quality most scorers love to play with. Get me the ball on defense AND offense.
Again, if you appreciate more than just scoring, you’ll appreciate what Vermont’s forward will bring to, at the very least, the first round of the tournament.
Strengths:
– Physical strength. ALWAYS strongest player at his position, usually the floor
– Hands. Ball finds him and it is strangled. No one is taking it away from him
– Rebounding angles and positioning
– Passing and court awareness. Scorer’s dream teammate.
Weaknesses
– offensive game from the field
– Size and defined position. Is he a 3 or 4 at the next level
– focus/drive. Curious why numbers have dropped from a year ago.
– FT shooting
Tommy Dee is the founder of TheKnicksBlog, editor of CHARGED Magazine and is a regional scout for Marty Blake and Associates. Follow him on Twitter.