Hilltop Newspaper
April 4th, 2014
After several months in a grueling season, Coach Francis gives his opinion on this upcoming game v. California in the final four each of his player’s progress. Coach Francis has become one of the best coaches in the nation in the last seven years even leading Howard to their 1st and only title.
R. Rohde (PG, SR) (77) - Renato has been struggling with injuries in the first half of the season but the four year starter has picked it up and a big reason we are undefeated and awaiting a making it back to the Final Four. At 6’4 177 with lighting speed, quickness and great defense, Pro Basketball looks to be in Renato future.
C. Brewer (SG, SR) (82) - Channing like Renato is a four year starter. He has great ability at the basket and reminds me UConn’s Ryan Boatright. He has developed into an excellent Basketball player and is a star for us with his senior leadership. As a 6’3, 3 star recruit who was ranked 117 by 24/7 sports, he is what you call a program changer who starred for Dunbar High School (Baltimore, MD) as a prep athlete.
H. Villegas (SF, RS JR) (84) - Hatila has vastly improved during his time here from Mexico. Cousin of NBA star Gustavo Ayon, Hatila stood out as an under recruited prep out of Mexico with unusual size and physical ability as a recruit at 6’10, 227. He has since grown to 7ft, 253 and has unusual speed (91) and athletic ability (A+) for his height makes him a huge mismatch and he has been a star now in his 4th season at Howard and is currently an NBA prospect.
P. Mbaha Moute (PF, SR) (81) - Pat is a 6’9 224 Senior who is an excellent stretch 4 with great size. He is skilled and has been a three year starter for us.
V. Pocius (C, RS SR) (79) - Big V is 7’2, 242 who has turned himself into an impact player at Howard. He has great feel for the game and his size, has been a star on this squad and big reason why we only lost one game in two years.
Y. Randle (SF, RS JR) (83) - Yah is an excellent player. He reminds me a lot of Lamar Odom at Rhode Island. He was our #1 target as a prep due to his excellent size 6’9 217 and has since grew to 6’10, 234. He is one of our stars off the bench and Yah has a bright future playing Basketball.
L. Harper (PF, RS FR) (77) - Yah Lamont was our only signing in last year’s class. At 6’9, 218 is a versatile 3/D wing with exceptional will to lead his team to victory. He will be a key player for many years to come for us says Coach Francis of the Bronx(NY) native.
Obi C. (SG, RS SOPH) (75) - Obi is one of most talented kids I’ve had at Howard. In the mold of other Howard greats like Kenneth G who lead Howard for their first and only National Championship. He came in very raw at a (63) overall and a three-star rated just outside of the top 100 at 138 by 24/7 sports. The 6’8, 168 reminds a lot of scouts of Gerald Green and might become an NBA prospect by his senior year.
H. Deane (SF, RS JR) (74) – Howie is a 6’4, 220 defensive monster with ability to be an elite MEAC PG. The junior PG is a key member of the squad and will handle the reigns of the position next season.
Geoffrey C. (C, RS SOPH) (66) - Geoffrey is a 7’3, 244 kid who came to Howard as a two star athlete who are raw out of Bowie HS, Maryland (53) and has since developed into a key member off the bench. Like his biological twin brother Obi, he redshirted a year. He is an exceptional athlete and with time, has a chance to make it to the NBA.
We have some kids who are walk-ons like Kendric Bates out of San Francisco, CA, Garrett Ewing out of Mesa, AZ, Tommy Ratter out of Lithuania who all play key roles for us each day.
We have two red-shirts in Phil Beye and Kyle McCalebb, both three stars preps who will be excellent players for us at Howard.
