'12 IN SF DeJuan Marrero (Official Offer)

[Buckskin86]

Small forward
Gary (IN) Bowman Academy
AAU: Spiece Indy Heat

Ht: 6-foot-5
Wt: 200 lbs
Class: 2012 (High School)

Rivals.com
Scout.com

Marrero adds OSU to list
* Buckeyes give Bowman standout scholarship offer.

June 24, 2009
By David Robb, Post-Tribune staff writer

Barnstorming across two states to play 19 games in a matter of four days, the Bowman Academy boys basketball team picked up two team camp titles last week. Along the way, sophomore forward DeJuan Marrero also picked up a scholarship offer.

On Friday, the Eagles played three games on the campus of Ohio State. That's when Buckeyes coach Thad Matta offered Marrero a scholarship.

"It was a surprise," said Marrero, who helped the Eagles win the Purdue Team Camp on Thursday and the Valparaiso University Big School Division on Saturday.

"I didn't expect it when I went down there. He said he usually doesn't offer kids without talking to their parents or getting to know them very well. He just saw something in me. He said I've got a quick first step."

Marrero, who also holds offers from Indiana, Purdue and Valparaiso, was impressed by his first visit to Ohio State.

"The gym was awesome," Marrero said. "I'm going back down later to visit with my mom. I didn't get to see (the campus) much because I was in a rush. What I saw I enjoyed."

Marrero has also heard good things about Ohio State from AAU teammate Deshaun Thomas, an OSU recruit from Fort Wayne Bishop Luers.

"They treat him like family," Marrero said. "That's one thing I like."

Counting Purdue, Ohio State is the second Big Ten school to offer Marrero in roughly the past month. Not that he's letting the attention go to his head.

"Just keep working hard, that's all I can do, staying humble," Marrero said. "I've been working on my jump shot mostly. My defense, my rebounding, just getting stronger and quicker."

Marrero adds OSU to list :: Sports :: Post-Tribune

[LitlBuck]

Nice offer to an Indiana kid but way too early IMO Thad will really have to work his Indiana magic to get this kid to be a Buckeye but it is so early.

[brodybuck21]

Kid looks like a baller and he must be for Thad to offer so quickly. I like it and good luck DeJuan

[Buckskin86]

Meeting Mr. Marrero

Just in case the many college coaches watching his game Tuesday night at Warren Central were snoozing, DeJuan Marrero followed his powerful two-handed dunk with a shout that could be heard across the fieldhouse.

With plays like that, the 6-5 Marrero, who is from Bowman Academy in Gary, has established himself as one of the top players in the state's talented 2012 class. Marrero said he has offers from IU, Ohio State, Purdue and Valparaiso and is receiving interest from Arizona, Butler, Cincinnati, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky and Wake Forest.

A college decision isn't likely to come until next year.

"First of all, I'm looking at the academics," Marrero said. "And then I'm looking for the up-and-down style that I like to play. I'm trying to find which is the offense that fits me and which facilities are the best."

Because he'll likely play shooting guard or small forward in college, Marrero has been developing his perimeter game.

"I'm working my agility, trying to play fast," he said. "I have a couple more years, but I need to work on my ballhandling and jump shot."

Pike's Teague keeps No. 2 ranking in perspective | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

[Buckskin86]

Cincinnati offers Marrero

Sophomore standout DeJuan Marrero added Cincinnati to a list of reported offers that includes Illinois, Indiana, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Purdue and Valparaiso. The 6-5 forward from Gary Bowman Academy played up two levels this summer with the Spiece Indy Heat, a team that includes Deshaun Thomas of Fort Wayne Luers and Marquis Teague of Pike.

"He just has to keep developing his guard skills," said Spiece Indy Heat coach Jared Quarles. "He has to play mostly inside for his high school team, so we worked on that this summer."

Lawrence Central's Hollowell gets recruiting tips from Oden | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

[Buckskin86]

Marrero is visiting this weekend....

Marrero already was here once this year, with his high school teammates, for Ohio State's team camp in June. He was offered a scholarship then by Matta.

Six (and 106,000 more) in the 'Shoe on Saturday (Hoops & Scoops: an OSU basketball blog)