Top-ranked Rams show signs of bright future

Sophia Belletti
Contributing Writer

The rookie class has generated a noticeable amount a hype the last few months, but why wouldn’t they? They’ve been called the best recruiting class in VCU history and ESPN ranked this group as one of the 15 best in the country and giving all four players four stars.

“They’re extremely skilled and athletic,” head coach Shaka Smart said of the rookie class.

The Ram’s front and back court is full of opportunity and full of bodies this season. Smart recruited four freshmen who can produce on both ends of the floor with depth, quality and balance along with running his “Havoc” style of play.

“We have four freshmen who have done a really nice job since they got here in June,” Smart said. “Right now they’re going through the typical freshman fall ups and downs and transitioning to getting physically ready for real college practice and the competition that comes with that every day.”

Before even beginning his senior year of high school, Justin Tillman already had a spot playing Division I basketball. After turning down offers from hometown colleges University of Detroit Mercy, Eastern Michigan University and Oakland University, along with Bowling Green State University and Indiana State University, Tillman signed with head coach Shaka Smart’s team on Aug. 30, 2013.

Tillman’s most notable strengths are being extra long, with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, being lean and very athletic which allows him to make plays on the break  and on the glass. He finishes above the rim on the break, with tip dunks and will help alleviate the loss of Juvonte Reddic.

“Justin’s biggest strength is his motor because it allows him to run the floor and be active on the glass,” Michael Allie, Tillman’s AAU coach for R.E.A.C.H Legends, said. “He rebounds well out of his area and is showing versatility on the offensive end.”

Tillman averaged 21.3 PPG for the Pershing Doughboys his junior year who went 25-1, receiving a spot in the Michigan Class A state quarterfinals in 2013 before losing by two points to state champs Romulus.

Tillman will join Jarred Guest, Mo Alie-Cox and Antravious Simmons in Smart’s frontcourt rotations.

Guard Jonathan Williams returns home after attending prep school in New Jersey. Williams turned down offers from Big-10 powerhouse University of Wisconsin Madison and Wagner College before signing with the Rams in early 2013.

Standing at 6 feet, Williams is quick-paced and a playmaker on both ends of the floor. He’s almost impossible to keep out of the lane because he’s always a step ahead of his defenders. He is also very shifty and able to attack both sides off the dribble.

“He’s like a shooter’s dream,” junior guard Melvin Johnson said. “Once he gets in the paint, for a guy like me who is always seeking a shot, he always finds you.”

Johnson played under the same head coach Mark Taylor, as Williams in previous years at St. Benedict’s Prepartory in New Jersey. Johnson sees a lot of Taylor’s coaching in William’s game, that was similar to his, his freshman year.

“He’s a talented kid, he’s quick,” Johnson said. “He’s coming in young. Coach has high expectations of him. He really needs to produce early and I think he’s doing that really well.”

Another highly-touted prospect joing the team will be freshman forward Michael Gilmore.

The 6-foot-9  Jacksonville, Florida native is a basketball prodigy who has eminence in his blood. Gilmore is the nephew of ABA/NBA All-Star and Naismith Hall of Famer Artis Gilmore.

Similar to his uncle, he uses his height on both ends of the floor. He’s able to attack from the wing off the dribble, while still being able to challenge post players inside as well. He’s able to follow throughout to the three-point range and still has great shooting mechanics inside the paint with high release and extension. His length and athleticism prove vital on defense by protecting the rim.

Gilmore received offers from Georgia Tech University, Kansas State, University of Miami and Seton Hall before verbally committing to VCU last September.

Gilmore is seen as a top-100 prospect by multiple recruiting services and No. 76 in the country according to ESPN as well as a four-star recruit by Scout.com.

Helping Gilmore will be Terry Larrier, who signed with VCU over the University of Connecticut. Smart landed a commitment from the highest-rated recruit of his career when he got Terry Larrier to sign over University of Connecticut on Sept. 16, 2013. Smart placed the Bronx, New York native on the roster as a guard/forward, just like senior Treveon Graham.

“He’s a little taller and a lot more long than me but we have the same aspect that we can drive and we can shoot,” Graham said. “This position is great for him and I think he can look at me and see how I play and he can really thrive in that position.”

Larrier adds another athletic dimension to the roster. He provides great athleticism and the ability to finish strong above the rim. Larrier is an exciting player when the ball is in his hands and behind the three-point line, showing a strong offensive game.

With this season’s group of freshmen bringing in so many different types of players showing perimeter skills, Smart will be able to present lineups in which every position can stretch the floor from beyond the arc. In Smart’s system this makes a team that much more dangerous.

“We’re very excited about this group because all four young men possess the talent, drive and work ethic to be outstanding members of our team,” Smart said. “It’s a class that can contribute to a great deal of winning at VCU.”