Oh, Hello: PA PG Brandon Austin Commits to Penn State
by Eric Gibson on Feb 9, 2012 10:22 PM EST
in Recruiting
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Brandon Austin, Ladies and Gentlemen!
| Hometown | Philadelphia, PA |
| High School | Imhotep Charter HS |
| Class | 2013 |
| Position | PG |
| AAU | Team Philly |
| Height | 6'6" |
| Weight | 185 LB |
Starz 'n Sheetz
ESPN: 4*, 93 grade
Scout: 4*, #71 overall
Rivals: 3*
247: NR
Offer sheet: Syracuse, Villanova, Temple, Pittsburgh, Miami, Tennessee, Rutgers, Georgetown, Wake Forest
Cinema
The Tale
BA is Chambers' biggest recruit according to the rankings thus far. He is also Penn State's most celebrated recruit since probably Pete Lisicky in the early 90s. He's a legitimate top 100 prospect from North Philadelphia. The talent-rich city of Philly has produced many elite prospects who have headed to the Big East (Syracuse, Villanova, Georgetown) or the ACC (UNC, Duke). Penn State has obviously been an after-thought for some time now but so has the rest of the Big Ten. No more.
BA is the 3rd Philadelphian Chambers has landed (DJ Newbill and Brandon Taylor were the first two). He likely won't be the last, if you saw the tease at the end of the Recruit Scoop's article. Obviously invading this hotbed of talent could really give PSU an advantage in the Big Ten. Chambers is really starting to cash in on his connections in the city.
Austin plays for Imhotep Charter, who is ranked #1 in Class AA and is the defending state champions. You might notice Sheldon Jeter's Beaver Falls squad is right behind them. Also, Austin plays for Team Philly on the AAU circuit, the same program as PSU's 2012 signee Brandon Taylor. He is also friends with 2013 commit Geno Thorpe and will undoubtedly help get the word out down there about what's being built here at PSU.
Outlook
Austin is a slender 6'6" 180 pounds, but he has the handle and passing ability of an elite point guard. Not a true scorer, but capable of attacking the rim. Also, he's not a pure shooter, but has three-point range. He also has another year on the AAU circuit and another year of high school ball before he would arrive at PSU, so obviously there's room to grow.
As PSU's biggest commit in forever, the future seems very bright for Austin and Penn State. He is the second player to join the 2013 class with Top-150 guard Geno Thorpe. As of now, PSU only has one more scholarship available which could be used for either the 2012 or 2013 class. If more become available, however, with the momentum PSU has on the recruiting trail, they could possibly land the first ranked basketball recruiting class in history.
Scholarship Matrix
Welcome, Brandon, to the Penn State family! Be sure to check out Andrew Dzurita's and David Jones' stories on the commitment.
#doworkPat
Be sure to become a fan of BSD on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter!
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It took me a little longer than it should have to realize that this is a basketball recruit
and not a football one.
Anyhoo, woo! Welcome (again) Brandon!
"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.
This is the reason you should love this team for the next several years, girl.
@JPosnanski - I saw a girl crying tonight. When I asked why she said: "Because everybody lost."
#OccupyESPN
by Adam Collyer on Feb 9, 2012 10:50 PM EST up reply actions
Everytime I think I can get away
they suck me right back in. And just in time for Valentine’s Day.
"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.
by dwf5095 on Feb 9, 2012 11:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Funny.
I thought that about Sheldon Jeter, who could be the next commit (2012 prospect).
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
Just checked it out
Jeter already looks more filled out to me. Austin looks like a flying configuration of knees and elbows, yet smooth at the same time (like KD). Austin also looks like he ain’t done growin possibly either.
But I see how we can both see the KD thing.
"my dad says Michigan used to be good"
by hbeach08 on Feb 9, 2012 10:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
"Flying configuration of knees and elbow"
is awesome. I sort of see what you’re saying, though. The dude’s torso is like 2 feet long and his arms and legs are Durantula-esque. It’s crazy to see someone that lanky that has silky-smooth handle, but somehow it never seems like he’s even trying. Excited for him to get here.
"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.
by OctaShields on Feb 10, 2012 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
Quite an offer sheet.
Can’t remember ever seeing an offer sheet look like that for a basketball recruit.
LOL, before I realized this was a basketball recruit
I was only marginally impressed with the offer sheet. But yeah, beating out that group for basketball talent is pretty special.
by PSU Mudder on Feb 10, 2012 8:33 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Wow.
This guy is a heck of a recruit!
"Is that a shot at me? 'cause that makes me want to read it all the less."
Huge
This is a huge step for the basketball program. If Coach Chambers can consistently recruit Phili we just may become a consistent Big Ten Title contender.
Better
If Coach Chambers can consistently recruit Phili we just may WILL become a consistent Big Ten Title contender CHAMP.
Humanum est pati.
Nice job, Coach Chambers!
The future really is looking up for Penn State basketball. After taking our lumps this year, it’ll be an upward trend for awhile. Should be fun to watch! Hopefully the BJC starts being near-capacity regularly in future years!
Let's Go State!
Uh, you're telling me Pete Lisicky was better than this kid?
I don’t recall Pete Lisicky ever doing a 360 jam at a 16-year-old. F—- Pete Lisicky. I know they didn’t have recruiting rankings then like they do now, but I’m pretty sure this guy would have been rated ahead of him.
Woah, not sure what the hate for Lisicky is about.
Dude was a McDonald’s All-American.
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
Really?
Not hating on Pete Lisicky. My mistake. WE HAVE A BASKETBALL PROGRAM!!!
by happyvalleytom on Feb 9, 2012 11:29 PM EST up reply actions
Yes we do.
Lisicky footage from high school.
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
What year was he a McDonald's?
I’m looking at old rosters and can’t find him.
/not trolling just curious
Yeah I think I'm mistaken.
Maybe it was a Parade All-American? Or something. There’s that footage I already posted of him as a ‘Nike All-American’ against Trajan Langdon (94 McDs AA).
I was 5 at the time, so I can’t say for sure haha.
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
by Eric Gibson on Feb 10, 2012 10:52 AM EST up reply actions
After some more digging...
Pete Lisicky, Class of 1994, had a distinguished basketball career at Whitehall and Penn State. Lisicky is the all-time leading scorer at Whitehall with 1,974 points. Lisicky was two-time EPC MVP, two-time Morning Call Player of the Year, and two-time AP All-State. He helped lead Whitehall to three EPC Championships and two District XI Championships.
He was good enough to be invited to the Nike camp.
Danny Earl was a Parade All-American.
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
by Eric Gibson on Feb 10, 2012 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
Funny thing
He is pretty much an unknown now in Whitehall. Except for us who are old enough to remember him.
No real things around the high school about him or his accomplishments.
Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin
I am pretty sure we have had had a McDonalds All-American player at Penn State
we have had plenty of players who probably worked at McDonalds or eaten there.
Nope
Of the 791 boys McDonald’s All-Americans since 1977 (495 of which went on to the pros), Penn State has had exactly 0. Pennsylvania as a state has produced 25 in that time — with all but 7 coming from the Philly metro area (Go recruiting Pat!). On the girls side, of the 216 since 2002, Penn State has 1 – Maggie Lucas.
Humanum est pati.
Pete is that you? See you in Vegas.
Pretty sure he was comparing the “highly touted” recruiting rankings. Not skill set.
Put down the Haterade brah.
Oh…and 5’11" white football safety Derek Fox could dunk 360 with ease. Should we trot out five of him next year?
"my dad says Michigan used to be good"
You beat me to it.
But I was going to say just because you can do a 360 slam, it doesn’t automatically mean you’re a better basketball player.
"I guess we had a couple of Catholics praying for US!" - JVP, after the down to the wire win over Notre Dame in 1987
Without comparing the two
they brought different things to the table. Lisicky was an ELITE HS jumpshooter. I remember him draining shots from 8-10 feet beyond the 3 point line. This kid is clearly a more all-around swingman who brings more athleticism. There’s no reason we can’t talk about both as great players without having to compare
"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.
by OctaShields on Feb 10, 2012 12:21 PM EST up reply actions
extremely excited yet worried
any chance ackerman is next to get pulled or would chambers not risk rocking the boat that much?
thorpe may not
have been as highly ranked on these sites, but when he commited he had wisc, pitt assistants at every one of his games, and kansas state, also really impressive list that when you would see a penn state interest, you could write us off, amazing how much chambers charisma and intensity can help sway some big time prospects
Chambers is a boss
Talk about a homerun hire. Hate Tim Curley for IT (I do for sure) but you gotta admit his last two big coaching hires (Sanderson and Chambers) have been as successful as possible to date. It would have been really interesting to see who Curley would have hired to succeed JoePa if he was given the opportunity.
You're forgetting one.
These two hires were big, but bringing Jeff Tambroni from Cornell was HUGE in the lacrosse world. It sent shockwaves through that community. Before coming to Penn State, Tambroni coached in three of the previous four Final Four weekends. People were convinced (and probably still are) that had he stayed at Cornell, he would have won a national championship, probably this year or last. Bringing Tambroni to Penn State would have been like bringing the guy from Butler to Happy Valley to coach basketball. It was seriously that big in the lacrosse community.
by LionInTheWeeds on Feb 10, 2012 9:42 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
its also looking like
Guy was a solid hire for hockey, I dont think its just the arena that has kids excited, but having a really solid coach to help lead the program
Curley was on a roll
Tambroni is a very big deal. Glenn Thiel is a good guy and did well for many years, but he was getting a bit past it and the program was at a cross-roads.
I’m very excited about that program and the investment PSU is making in it. I played lacrosse here before hardly anyone else did and we didn’t have varsity team. We just played against each other. Now it’s growing like a weed and Curley recognized that potential. If PSU could get most of the top players in the Philadelphia area – especially Haverford School, Conestoga, and a few others – they’d be playing for the national championship every year. Unfortunately, PSU doesn’t have the history of success in the game nor, frankly, the snob appeal to keep most of those kids from picking Princeton, UVa or Hopkins. But I don’t see any good reason why PSU can’t already outrecruit Maryland, Stony Brook, Delaware, Ohio State, or Michigan (Michigan is D1 as of this year) to name a few. Hopefully they can shake the money tree a bit more and get this new lacrosse-specific facility up to scratch soon. That will be key.
And Guy is more than just a solid hire. He’s the perfect hire. He has a track record of success in reclamation projects and knows how to recruit the whole continent. He’s been in Fairbanks and Princeton so he knows something about recruiting good students as well as recruiting kids to play in the middle of nowhere. His own playing career shows that he’s a scrapper and a hard-worker. He even played a bit in the pro roller hockey league. And by all accounts, he’s a really nice guy.
Also, according to one of my more literate friends, he looks like a character in a English gothic novel, like Mr Rochester.
Josh Brandwene is also a great hire for the women’s side. He’s a great guy with connections throughout the New England girls hockey scene. And nobody loves Penn State more. The young women he’s recruited so far all appear to be fantastic kids. I think they’ll be able to win their conference within a few years.
In soccer, Bob Warming was coaching Creighton to tournament runs every year and yet PSU got him to come here. Erica Walsh is an assistant with the US national team.
Those are just the sports I understand. From what I have read, the recent hires in gymnastics, women’s lacrosse, and others have been homeruns too.
by reedjohnmiller on Feb 10, 2012 10:37 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I hope he stays here for a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time.
It is easy to go down into Hell; night and day, the gates of dark Death stand wide; but to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air - there's the rub, the task.
by Succss With Honor Always on Feb 10, 2012 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
Just look at that offers list
and it’ll tell you everything needed to know about this kid.
A Garden State Nittany Lion...
"The way things are these days, 9-3 and one of the best graduation rates in the country doesn't seem like such a terrible bargain to make." - Michael Weinreb
What a talent to land!
I didn’t even notice the starz, the offer sheet does all the telling on this kid. I really think Chambers is doing something special with this program, which is impressive considering the state of the program when he was handed it. He’s exactly the sort of guy we needed and he’s bringing in the recruits we’ve needed.
I am Sandy's bitch
We Are Because You Were
@WadePSU
Not to be Johnny Raincloud
But if this kid actually had offers from Syracuse, Georgetown, Pitt, and some ACC schools, ….why us?
He probably took into account
more than just the basketball program. He probably just liked coach Chambers and the actual school here more than anywhere else.
by SCsprinter13 on Feb 10, 2012 9:17 AM EST up reply actions
Apart from his charisma/personality
I think Chambers is selling them on an opportunity to be more than just another player in an established program; it’s the opportunity to MAKE a program. One of the kids referenced that he liked the idea of being part of turning a program around. To the right kind of kid, that could be appealing. If it works, they will be (in the eyes of PSU fans) legends.
cue Derrick Williams
Reporter: Can you give us a touchdown celebration, one that you would get penalized for?
Moye: I play at Penn State. I don’t celebrate.
He's known Chambers since the 8th grade.
I’d imagine that offered a nice comfort level having that kind of relationship.
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
he is also
good friends with newbill, thorpe, and taylor*current commit for 12 class* and has mentioned in other articles as them having a big impact on helping him make his decision
Awesome get!
Excited to see Pat Chambers putting the pieces together.
Where was temporary PSU player Taran Buie ranked? I recall him being the last guy to get the “highest ever ranked recruit” label.
Also, should we be concerned that a good portion of these highlights include him playing 1-1 against an 8 year old kid?
365 beers from 365 different breweries in 365 days. Game on.
http://www.blognamedbrew.blogspot.com/
by Tailgate Shogun on Feb 10, 2012 7:20 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
He was a fringe Top100 player.
When he committed, he was similarly ranked to Austin. But he fell down the rankings through his senior year and I’d say Villanova and Syracuse offers are more impressive than ND and GT.
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
Well, this is a slightly different type of recrut than the ones we normally land
Success With honor
by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Feb 10, 2012 7:52 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Dream is finally coming true
Since I left the Philly Big 5 area many moons ago it has been my dream to see Penn State BB be significant. Looks like it is happening. Better get you name on the Season Ticket Mailing List NOW or you will end up in the BJC rafters.
Is this our second win
against Pitt in recruiting? The Shaler kid was the first, right?
Correct.
Sheldon Jeter could be a 3rd, but many think he’ll be Pitt bound if they offer.
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
Openly stolen from Eric
But hey, I’m excited about basketball. That’s not a frequent occurrence.
I saw a girl crying tonight. When I asked why she said: "Because everybody lost."
Black Shoe Diaries
@runthedive
Hah.
Pat Chambers gifs for everyone.
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
by Eric Gibson on Feb 10, 2012 9:20 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Note the other schools that offered him
Big East, ACC. If Chambers is going to be successful recruiting Philadelphia against those schools, look out. He’ll have a wrecking crew in a couple of years. Chambers got taught by a good one (Wright) so it doesn’t really surprise me.
I live just outside Philadelphia so I know there is a ridiculous amount of talent here, but it doesn’t seem to be Villanova and the other big boys anymore. My guess is that Villanova and Penn State will look remarkably similar in the years to come.
Sweet 16 in 2015!
but seriously, just hope this guy and Thorpe follow through. Signing day 2013 is a long way off.
If they're going to commit...
When we’ve lost 5 in a row and are 2-10 in last place of the conference, I’m not sure what will scare them away. As long as Chambers doesn’t die in the next year, these guys are all in. Who’s going to sway them otherwise?
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
Kids change their mind... a lot.
I don’t to be a downer and I have a lot of faith in Chambers as a recruiter. But we all know kids change their mind, and it doesn’t necessarily take very much to make that happen.
by NittanyBlueHen on Feb 10, 2012 9:31 AM EST up reply actions
Was this just a verbal commitment?
I really have no idea how basketball scholarships work (although I would assume they’re similar to football ones). How long do we have to wait until they officially sign?
It is easy to go down into Hell; night and day, the gates of dark Death stand wide; but to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air - there's the rub, the task.
by Succss With Honor Always on Feb 10, 2012 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
Another 8 months.
They are 2013 recruits. Equivalent to a football recruit verballing in June/July. The fall signing period for basketball is mid-November.
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
by Eric Gibson on Feb 10, 2012 10:28 AM EST up reply actions
Thanks!
It is easy to go down into Hell; night and day, the gates of dark Death stand wide; but to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air - there's the rub, the task.
by Succss With Honor Always on Feb 10, 2012 10:37 AM EST up reply actions
Terrelle Pryor committed his soph. year to Pitt for basketball.
I know that’s an extreme example (year earlier and ended up being better $worth more$ in a different sport).
Yes, I’m stoked by these EARLY commits, but 6 months ago the current football recruiting class was what….top 5? And we all know how that ended up. So I’m gonna just try not to think about this and avoid getting my hopes up.
One other slight worry I have…
The most recent recruiting class in football was ranked around 50 and below Pitt’s class. Pitt got more top ranked kids than PSU and more top PA kids. One PSU recruit switched to Pitt. PSU just got two hoops recruits that Pitt wanted. I sure hope PSU isn’t switching places with Pitt (sucky football, but good basketball)!!
Pitt often gets good recruits.
Pitt sucks at football because that is the way of the world.
Larry Appleton
Is the Perfect reason not
To talk to Strangers
You could apply that same logic...
…to PSU basketball.
In all seriousness I think Pitt has sucked recently more due to bad coaches than lack of talent. Now I honestly don’t believe they’ve ever had a more talented roster than PSU in 30 years (yes, that includes the dark years), but I think they’ve had talented enough rosters to do better than they’ve done and to win the lousy Big East at least a couple of times. People focus too much on the head coach….I think Pitt’s problem has been its assistant coaches have just not been very good. Pitt got talent, but then didn’t know what to do with it/how to handle it.
That's a half truth, as PSU basketball doesn't consistently get the equivalent caliber of recruit that Pitt football does.
Pitt sucks at football because that is the way of the world.
Pitt sucks at football because that is the way of the world.
Pitt sucks at football because that is the way of the world.
Pitt sucks at football because that is the way of the world.
Pitt sucks at football because that is the way of the world.
Excuse me, I have to play with my get back to work.
Larry Appleton
Is the Perfect reason not
To talk to Strangers
way different
the scandel and urban through everything off for a couple months, the ship has been righted, not even concerned about becoming just a basketball school
So we're recruiting Egypt now?
First a QB from Cairo, and now a basketball player from Imhotep?
"I guess we had a couple of Catholics praying for US!" - JVP, after the down to the wire win over Notre Dame in 1987
by icavalera on Feb 10, 2012 9:17 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
Next fall all the freshman seminars are the same
CAMS 100A: Building a Monument Tomb for Pharaoh Pat Chambers
So....
With this commitment, huge as it may be, where do we stand with Sheldon Jeter? Are we still in the picture for him? Do we have a scholarship for him?
Love this!
Keep em’ coming Chambers!
by lexi1031 on Feb 10, 2012 10:11 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Nice
This is great. I went to almost every (I think I missed 2 or 3) home basketball game when I was in college and the best season we had ended in a beatdown to Rutgers in the NIT. Glad to be excited about the basketball team. Welcome Brandon (do we have a rule about trying to have multiple players with the same first name). Looking forward to watching you play.
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