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Newcomer Spotlights - Orion Outerbridge & Rashad Coleman
By Julian Gompertz | September 24, 2008
Making the leap from high school to Division One college basketball is a monumental change. One night its preparation for the SAT, the next its road trips and cameras rolling. “Newcomer Spotlights” - appearing over the next few weeks - will take a look at some incoming A-10 players looking to make an impact in 2008-09 and beyond. While not every player highlighted is necessarily a heralded recruit, each may play a significant role for his respective school this coming season.
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Orion Outerbridge (URI): 6′9″, 210 lbs., Forward
The New Hampton School
Outerbridge is a lanky forward who has the potential to soften the blow the Rams will undoubtedly feel with the frontcourt loss of Will Daniels. The Boston native most recently played his high school ball in New Hampshire, at New Hampton, which has seen former UNC products Rashad McCants and Wes Miller succeed under the tutelage of Coach Pete Hutchins. Outerbridge played on the Huskies with four other players heading to Division One schools, including Mississippi State signee Antiquawn Beckham.
The 6′9″ forward was recruited by Pittsburgh, Virginia, Miami, Fordham and Saint Joseph’s, but ultimately chose Jim Baron’s Rhode Island program for the style of offense the Rams play. One of the complaints he cited in his recruiting process was that many coaches recruited him as a back-to-the-basket forward, but former Ram assistant Pat Skerry, now at Providence College, saw Outerbridge’s ability to play facing the basket and would allow him to use, what is by all accounts, a solid mid-range jumper.
The loss of Daniels, and also Joe Mbang, will allow Outerbridge to compete for minutes alongside returning frontline veteran Kahiem Seawright. Expect him to reward Coach Baron with a productive freshman season donning the Keaney Blue.
Rashad Coleman (Charlotte): 6′5″, 190 lbs., Guard
Heat Academy
A year ago, Rashad Coleman was barely mentioned within recruiting circles, as most scouts and coaches claimed he was too small to succeed a the Division One level. But after growing into his frame, the 6′5″ guard was nabbed by Bobby Lutz’s club late in the recruiting season. Coleman’s former head coach at the Heat Academy, Jason Niblett, is extremely high on Coleman and feels he’s someone who will contribute early on in his collegiate career.
Last season, Coleman averaged over 26 points per game. He received late interest from Georgia Tech, UConn, Oklahoma State and South Florida. The Georgia native is a scoring guard with impressive long range shooting ability. Choosing the 49ers over more storied programs, Coleman knows there will be opportunity to help replace the productivity of Leemire Goldwire, who graduated last year.
With Goldwire gone, expect Coleman to share playing time with Ian Andersen and Shamarr Bowden. While he may not have one specific position, Coleman has the ability and versatility to play multiple guard positions on the floor, giving Coach Lutz plenty of opportunity to insert Coleman - and his offensive punch - into the game.
(’Newcomer Spotlights’ will continue with two additional installments. Conference Team Previews will follow, beginning in early October.)
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Topics: Guest Columns |
September 28th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Uhmmmmm, Pete Hutchins was ABSOLUTELY NOT the coach at New Hampton Prep when Rashad McCants and Wes Miller attended. Hutchins first year at New Hampton was last year. I believe Jamie Arsenault was the coach when McCants was there.
[Thanks for the comment and for pointing out the inaccuracy. Hutchins played with McCants and Miller (who also played at JMU prior to UNC), but did not coach either.] - CCT Staff
November 5th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I think people will be shocked with Rashad Coleman’s ablities meaning he was such a late bloomer to the point where no one knows his game. I stay in his hometown of Lagrange, GA. Its a small town that lives for football and not much basketball is pushed around here but with him playing Division 1 basketball this will put Lagrange on the map because Coleman has a chance to open doors for many kids down this way and I think with his leaping ability and shooting range, this lanky long player will be exciting