SG Walter Offutt

crazybuckfan40 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-04-2005, 01:30 AM

rivals.com

scout.com

Warren Central High School (Indianapolis, IN)

Ht: 6-3
Wt: 175
AAU: Indiana Elite 16-Under

Had a knee injury prior to his sophmore season, but is expected to make a complete recovery. Offut has been a target of the staff for awhile now. Considered the #3 shooting guard in the 2008 class. Listed as a shooting guard but is more of a true point guard. During his sophmore year, played every other game.

Tore his ACL, but is expecting full recovery. Sounds like he was the top pg priority for 08' and Matta snagged him.

Updated Profile: 4/6/06

MARVYMARV14 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-04-2005, 01:33 AM

Damn...this came out of no where.
Never could have expected this if O'brien was still here the difference between the two are starting to become night and day.

crazybuckfan40 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-04-2005, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MARVYMARV14

Damn...this came out of no where.
Never could have expected this if O'brien was still here the difference between the two are starting to become night and day.

Yeah I know when was the last time we could say we got a top 10 national player. O wait that was just this year. Matta is just cleaning up. I wonder what the heck the other coaches are thinking.

Walter is rated as the number 3 sg in the class of 08'.

I really hope he can be a true pg tho, as that is what we need in that 08' class.

OSUBasketballJunkie · #4 (**permalink**) 10-04-2005, 06:44 AM

scout.com (free)

10/4/05

Quote:

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Report: Soph Offutt Latest To Verbal To OSU

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Walter Offutt

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Kyle Lamb
Date: Oct 4, 2005

A Columbus television station reported Monday night that Indianapolis Warren Central sophomore point guard Walter Offutt has issued a verbal commitment to Ohio State. Bucknuts.com confirmed that report with sources in Indiana. Click here for more.

</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3>
WCMH-TV (Ch. 4) in Columbus reported Monday night that Indianapolis Warren Central sophomore point guard Walter Offutt has issued a verbal commitment to Ohio State.

Bucknuts.com was able to confirm that report late Monday with sources in Indiana. We will follow up on that report on Tuesday.

The 6-3 Offutt is ranked as the nation’s No. 12 prospect in the Class of 2008 by ScoutHoops.com. He joins fellow national top-15 sophomore B.J. Mullens, a center from Canal Winchester (Ohio) Harvest Prep, in OSU’s 2008 class.

Offutt’s summer ended early due to an ACL tear in his right knee. As a freshman, Offutt averaged 10.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists as a freshman.

This is the latest major development for the OSU men’s basketball program. The Buckeyes have four high school seniors ranked in the national top 30 – Greg Oden, Daequan Cook, Mike Conley and David Lighty – as well as JUCO forward Othello Hunter lined up to join the program for next year. Of course, Oden and Conley are also schoolboy stars from Indianapolis.

Then, OSU has a verbal from Upper Sandusky, Ohio, wing Jon Diebler for the 2007 class. And Mullens and Offutt give the Buckeyes a strong base for 2008.

Here is what Bucknuts.com wrote about Offutt in its August basketball recruiting chart:

The Short -- Offutt is a quick guard with a lot of skills. He is especially a good passer with a lot of savvy. He had played well in many national camps for the youngest of stars before tearing his ACL back in the end of June.
The Scoop -- The injury, which could keep him out of action until January, is only a minor setback for this kid. With Ohio State’s need for taking a PG in the class of 2008, you can bet Offutt will be the top priority for Thad Matta and his staff.

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Indystar

10/4/05

Quote:

October 4, 2005

high school notebook
Warren's Offutt decides on Ohio St.
Sophomore guard, nursing a knee injury, says he's comfortable with Matta's program.

Ohio State's success in recruiting Indiana basketball players continued Monday when one of the state's top sophomores said he has decided to play for the Buckeyes.

Walter Offutt, a 6-3 shooting guard from Warren Central, took an unofficial visit to Ohio State over the weekend and said Monday he will play for coach Thad Matta.

"I just like the coaching staff very much, and I like it there. My mom likes it. My dad likes it," Offutt said. ". . . They recruit you on basketball, but coach Matta cares about you more than just basketball. It's like a father-son thing. He's there. You can call him if you need to talk about something."

In the Class of 2008, Offutt is ranked No. 12 in the nation by scout.com, No. 3 among shooting guards. He is recovering from a knee injury suffered in June and isn't expected back on the court until possibly January. Last year, Offutt averaged 10 points and shot 55 percent from the field for the Warriors.

His AAU coach, Tony Safford of Indiana Elite, said the long-standing relationship between Offutt and Matta was a major factor.

"That had a lot to do with it, Walter's trust in Matta," Safford said. "Last year, when (Offutt) went on an unofficial visit, he wanted to commit then. I said, 'No. You're only a freshman.'

"I had to grill him and his parents to make sure he really wanted to do this, and he was really sincere."

Offutt's oral commitment to Ohio State follows the June announcement by Lawrence North's Greg Oden and Mike Conley, both seniors this year, that they would play for the Buckeyes.

Oral commitments are non-binding. Players can't sign a binding national letter-of-intent until November of their senior year.

OSUBasketballJunkie · #5 (**permalink**) 10-04-2005, 07:20 AM

At the 2004 Adidas Superstar Camp, Offutt was considered one of the top players regardless of class...

Quote:

ThThe two 2008 G’s in the camp were as impressive as the big men. Walter Offutt continued to be an effective player, and should become an excellent offensive weapon in the future. e two 2008 G’s in the camp were as impressive as the big men. Walter Offutt continued to be an effective player, and should become an excellent offensive weapon in the future.

Quote:

Top 30 prospects from the camp (by potential- which means players will be higher than they’ll ever play like, and some other players lower than they deserve.):

Michael Beasley (6’8 F, class of 2008)—has all the tools one would want, and he’s yet to enter high school. The sky’s the limit for him, especially if he can hone his mental side of the game.
Javaris Crittendon (6’4 PG, class of 2006)—a prototype for an NBA PG. He has the size GMs desire, a great handle and vision, and is solid on D. His scoring around the lane, and in mid range is strong, but he really needs to work on his J.
Terrance Williams (6’5 G, class of 2005)—despite a performance Williams was very unhappy with, he showed plenty of skills during the week. A lot of work needs to be done to his overall game, but he has the tools to be a solid NBA G for years.
Robin Lopez (6’11 C, class of 2006)—He’s got the height, and the game, to be a very good big man. Agile, quick, and good skills on both ends of the floor. As he gets older, bigger and stronger, should just get better.
Yi Li (6’8 G/F, class of 2005)—showed PG type skills to go with his large frame. He’s young and very immature looking, but he should get vastly improved as he adds weight, and learns how to play the game. His game is raw, and knowledge of the game low, but he heads home to China having left a big impression in Georgia.
Ricky Sanchez (6’10 SF, class of 2005)—the lanky Puerto Rican had a lot of skills, but played very timidly. He has a desire to learn, but his laid-back attitude does not help him out there. Plenty of ability, Sanchez needs someone who will bring it out of him. Also, if he continues to play outside as he wants, must vastly improve his jumper.
Nolan Smith (6’3 SG, class of 2007)—an explosive scorer, Smith showed good passing, and attacked the glass hard, in addition to his excellent handle and jumper.
Korie Lucious (5’10 PG, Class of 2008)—the little stick of dynamite from Milwaukee made a big impression on everyone at the All-Star game, but those that saw him all week long went home with even greater respect for the small, young PG with big time game.
Mario Chalmers (6’2 PG, class of 2005)—a good athlete with long arms, a strong all around player who does everything well.
Paul Harris (6’4 SG, class of 2006)—built like a running back, Harris attacks the lane like a running back as well. With his width, able to get up a shot in traffic with ease, he has a strong handle, and decent jumper. Height may become a problem down the road, but easily among the more impressive performers on the week.
Rashad Woods (6’6 SG, class of 2005)—the camp’s top scorer until a wrist injury slowed him down, Woods is a very good player on both ends of the floor, with plenty of room for improvement too.
Pierre Niles (6’7 PF, class of 2006)—a physical marvel. Big frame with suprising agility. Can take big men on the outside with his quickness, strong handle and jumper, and overpower smaller players.
Walter Offutt (6’3 SG, class of 2008)—young and has plenty of skills.
Lamar Roberson (6’8 SF, class of 2005)—skilled inside and out, should flourish under Rick Pitino and playing alongside Terrance Williams.
Tyler Smith (6’6 SF, class of 2005)—probably the most explosive player in the senior class, he’s got plenty of tools, but can he use them? A thicker James ‘Flight’ White?
Wayne Ellington (6’4 SG, class of 2006)—a solid SG with good skills on both ends of the floor, good size and athleticism as well
Zhi Luo (6’2 PG, class of 2006)—A very good player, with more than enough skills to get the job done, and good court sense. That class of 2006 designation would be the biggest question mark about him? Is he 16/17years old or more like 20/21?
Brandon Costner (6’8 F, class of 2005)—a big F with good skills inside and outside.
Gael Benzeval (6’9 PF/C, class of 2005)—A bull with tremendous physical skills, but his basketball ability and basketball knowledge are on the opposite ends of the spectrum from his physical tools.
Kendric Price (6’8 SF, class of 2005)—an immature, lanky SF with a good J, and lots of athleticism. A decent player now, with the tools to be great.
Arinze Onuaku (6’9 PF/C, class of 2005)—one of the better big man in a little man dominated camp. Good skills, good size.
Gary Flowers (6’8 F, class of 2005)—slender PF, has good skills, but either needs to get a good bit thicker (and not lose his athleticism in the process), or really improve his perimeter game.
DJ Augustine (6’ PG, class of 2006)—explosive quickness and handle, with a solid jumper. Size may come into play, but a very skilled PG with everything but height.
Brook Lopez (6’11 PF, class of 2006)—Not quite the player his twin brother is right now, but he has similar tools and ability
Rashad Chase (6’7 F, class of 2005)—having to make the adjustment from being an inside player, to more of a perimeter game. He has good skills, excellent court awareness, and strong work ethic.
Greg Paulus (6’2 PG, class of 2005)—while there’s no doubt he’ll be a great college PG, will he be able to translate that to the NBA? Doesn’t appear to have much room for improvement in his skill level. He’ll be perfect for Mike Krzyzewski, but does he have the quickness, or the skills, to be successful in the NBA?
Anthony Mason, Jr. (6’8 F, class of 2005)—May not become the player his father was, but a good one none the less. Solid physical tools, and does well around the paint.
K’Len Morris (6’4 G, class of 2006)—solid player who can handle, shoot, and hits the glass hard. Could greatly improve his game, and draft stock, with some strong years in college.
Antonio Anderson (6’5 PG, class of 2005)—big PG with good skills.
Sam Warren (6’9 F/C, class of 2005)—an intriguing prospect because of his solid post skills, and a solid frame that has plenty of room for growth.

gbearbuck · #6 (**permalink**) 10-04-2005, 10:11 AM

looks like a good pick-up... Scout says his strengths are "passing and versatility" and his weakness is "ballhandling"... not sure we want a PG that cannot handle the ball...

Anybody know anything about this kid? He is listed as a five star... seems like a great pickup...

HabaneroBuck · #7 (**permalink**) 10-04-2005, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbearbuck

Anybody know anything about this kid? He is listed as a five star... seems like a great pickup...

Well, we know he has only played one year of HS basketball....and that Matta is almost done recruiting for the next 3 years!