I would say I am surprised, but then again with Thad, not much shocks me anymore...
Here are some free scouting reports on Luke:
7/22/06
Luke Babbitt, 2008 ? Reno, Nevada's finest said he is hearing the most from UCLA, Duke, Arizona (offer), Washington (offer) and Gonzaga. Babbitt said there is a possibility that he could "make a decision this summer but more than likely I'll wait until after the season." There is an unofficial visit in the works, too. Babbitt said he will be at the Texas-Ohio State football game in Austin. The Longhorns have offered as have Illinois, Michigan, Syracuse and Nevada.
7/7/06
College coaches are always on the lookout for big men who can shoot from the outside and they are beating down the door for 2008 prospect Luke Babbitt. The 6-foot-8 forward showed on Thursday afternoon that he has a sweet touch from the outside, connecting on several three pointers.
6/21/06
Luke Babbitt vs. Herb Pope
This combo forward battle came out a draw as both players did a nice job of guarding each other. Neither player was able to get to the rim on the dribble. Pope had a nice move on the baseline for a pull up jumper, and Babbitt made some nice cuts into the interior to pick up points. Both players also knocked down a three-pointer.
5/24/06
Luke Babbitt, Reno (Nev.) Galena
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-foot-8
College choice: Undecided
Cactus Classic stats (7 games): 16 pts, 6.8 reb, 1 stl
It will be difficult to find a more polished combo forward in the 2008 class than Luke Babbitt.
An efficient player, Babbitt has a great feel for the game as a combo forward. He knows how to move without the ball and is a patented scorer in a couple ways. He scores with his back to the basket with quality footwork and a tough lefty jump hook. Then he can step out well beyond the arc and stroke the three-pointer. As a good offensive rebounder, he also comes up with a lot of put backs.
A good position defender, Babbitt does need to improve his lateral quickness in guarding the perimeter. As a rebounder, Babbitt is not an explosive leaper, but he maintains great position and has extremely sure hands.
5/20/06
The Las Vegas Prospects are playing very solid ball as they went through their pool play undefeated behind the five-star caliber play of 2008 combo forward
Luke Babbitt. The versatile lefty has led the Prospect in scoring in all three pool play games with 24, 18, and 16 points.
Although his release is a little slow, Babbitt has been continuously draining outside shots with his smooth stroke and taking defenders off the dribble from the perimeter. Looking every bit like a big time small forward, Babbitt listed Texas, Duke, Washington (offer), UCLA, Arizona, Georgetown, Gonzaga, Syracuse (offer) and Nevada (offer) as schools of interest.
5/4/06
Luke Babbitt, PF, Reno (Nev.) Galena
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 215 pounds
Multifaceted left-handed forward Luke Babbitt averaged 10.5 points and six rebounds for the USA team in the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany and then came home to help the Las Vegas Prospects win the Double Pump Spring Classic.
An excellent post up player, Babbitt knows how to physically seal off his man, has exceptional footwork and can finish with touch to either shoulder. As a rebounder he hunts down the ball. He is also a threat facing the basket where he can both put it on the floor and shoot the three.
Defensively, Babbitt works hard to keep the ball out of his man's hands in the post, since he is not a huge shot blocking threat. On the perimeter, he is a capable defender, but he does have room to improve his lateral quickness.
