Adidas May Classic: Stephan Van Treese mum on future, Capobianco helping out Crean
Indiana Elite One had two dominating performances at the
Adidas May Classic today, and 6’9” 225 lb
Stephan Van Treese, a four-star recruit and IU target out of Lawrence North in Indianapolis, played well on both ends of the floor. He showed off the athleticism and length that makes him so attractive to college programs, contributing at least 8 points, 3 rebounds, and an assist in Indiana Elite One’s 66-52 victory over Full Package Athletics Saturday morning.
Van Treese remains neutral on his college decision
“I thought we played pretty well. We were pretty sluggish in the beginning, needed some time to wake up,” said Van Treese about the first game. “I think everyone woke up, and we ended up blowing up the game.”
Indiana Elite One’s success and Van Treese’s part in it is one reason why so many schools are so high on the power forward’s skills. This weekend, however, he was still completely up in the air about his future. Fortunately for IU, however, Crean has a huge advantage in
Bobby Capobianco, another Indiana Elite One big man who is great friends with Van Treese.
“I have my list of five, IU, Lousiville, Ohio State, UCLA, and Kansas,” Van Treese said when asked about his interests. “I’m really not in any hurry, and that’s not in any order. Every school is neutral, I’m just trying to meet a couple more of the coaches and everyone, and visit all the facilities.” He said that UCLA was the only campus that he hadn’t visited yet, and that he planned to head out to LA soon.
When asked about what he is looking for in a school, he listed several factors, but location wasn’t one of them.
“The coach, I want to be comfortable with the coach. I want to be comfortable with the players, and I want to recognize the system,” he said. “It’s not a real big deal about the distance, because when I’m there, I’m there, and I probably won’t be coming home or what not.”
He did say that he enjoyed the opportunity to play in Assembly Hall, saying that the big arena gave him extra freedom of movement, and said that he’s heard good things about Coach Tom Crean, and wants to meet with him soon.
“I like [Crean], I haven’t really gotten to talk to him too much. He was busy with recruits yesterday when I tried to visit, because I got here late, I didn’t get a chance to talk to him,” he said. “I like him a lot, he sounds like a real good coach, of course, what Bobby told me, and we watched a little bit of film.I’ll probably make a visit, just myself and my parents, it’ll probably have to be this week.”
If he wants to play immediately and often, Van Treese should definitely consider joining Crean and the Hoosiers. Adding another post player would do wonders for the program, which is still deficient in the frontcourt. His athleticism, defensive presence, and ability to run the court would fit in well with the team that Crean is putting together, and he showed great chemistry with IU commit Bobby Capobianco that would surely carry over if they both played for IU.
In fact, Capobianco could be one of the biggest assets for Crean in landing Van Treese.
“I’m trying to get them to come! I’m working too, you know?” Said Capobianco about his teammates offers from schools like IU. “I’m with these guys all the time, so you know, [the coaching staff] can’t talk to them all the time, so when they’re not, I’m always in their ear like, ‘hey, come on, man, come on!'"
He then added, "I think beyond that, they deserve it, they really do. They’ve been working, everyone who’s getting the looks really deserves it. I’m glad for it, and they deserve what they receive.”
If Capobianco and Crean can successfully persuade Van Treese and point guard
Jordan Hulls to come to IU, Crean could already have a trio of young, talented players who have the chemistry of veterans.
Keep at ‘em Bobby!
Discuss the AMC in the forums.
More AMC coverage:
Linear Mode
