Possible transfer to NT

[NT80]

Posted by Cooley on the M&G board.....

Subject: Stephen Verwers

March 30, 2005

Schools Already Calling Verwers

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TexasHoops.com Recruiting Staff

Stephen Verwers is looking for a new college home. The 6-foot-10, 225-pound post originally from Weatherford has spent the past two seasons hoping to find a niche at Colorado State, but has come to the realization that he needs to move on. He's gotten his release and is starting to see where the right place to spend the last two years of his college eligibility will be.

There are two major things that Verwers is considering in his next destination. "I'd like to transfer somewhere a little closer to home," Verwers said. "If not, somewhere where I can play, and I can play on a good team."

Since his departure from the Rams program was announced earlier this week, Verwers has already been in contact with a number of suitors. "I've talked with North Texas, Arkansas-Little Rock, San Diego, and some Sun Belt schools," Verwers said. "I like North Texas, and Arkansas-Little Rock - it looks like they've got a good thing going there. I also like San Diego - it's nice out there."

Verwers isn't planning on wasting too much time. He wants to see what is out there, but would like to make some trips in the near future as well. "I'm going to wait until the end of the week and see who else calls," Verwers said. "Then I'll take some visits."

As a freshman in 2003-04, Verwers showed some promise, averaging 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in almost 11 minutes a contest. However, while he started nine games this past year as a sophomore, his minutes decreased (9.8 mpg) as well as his stats (2.0 ppg, 1.9 rpg). Despite this, Verwers can look back on what he was able to accomplish during his time at Colorado State.

"I feel like I've gotten stronger and developed my shot a little more," Verwers said. "I've also gotten a lot more experience. I've been guarding future NBA players every day."

[GreenBat]

Is this the kid who was home schooled and played for the Weatherford Express?

[ADLER]

News story posted on RamNation

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RamNation Home

Forwards Thomasson, Verwers to transfer

Five players from this year's squad will not be around for the 2005-06

By Joel Cantalamessa

Managing Editor

3/28/05--Juniors-to-be Phillip Thomasson and Stephen Verwers, both forwards, have asked for and received releases from their scholarships and will transfer to another school at the end of the spring semester.

Both were unhappy with playing time, head coach Dale Layer said in a press release. "Phillip and Stephen both felt that they would like to pursue an opportunity for more playing time at a different institution," the release said. "We have granted them both full releases, and wish them the best of luck in their careers in the future."

Thomasson (6-7, 210 lb), from Burleson, Tex. played in 21 games, starting eight times, and averaged 2.0 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Verwers (6-10, 225 lb), from Weatherford, Tex., and played in 28 games, nine as a starter, averaging 2.0 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. Both were part of a freshman class in 2003 that was regarded as a Top 20 recruiting class by at least one publication. The class also included point guard Dwight Boatner and Stuart Creason. Boatner transferred to McNeese St. during mid-season, leaving Creason as the only remaining member of the class still on the team.

True freshman point guard Charlie Jones III initiated the transfer bug prior to the season when he abruptly left the program. Walk-on freshman guard Ryan Brown (Texarkana, Tex.), who redshirted this year, is also strongly considering transferring. Brown's decision to transfer is for different reasons, as he's paying out-of-state tuition as a walk-on and is trying to major in pre-med and is debating whether to give up basketball to focus on his education. Regardless, his departure would make five players from the 2004-05 team who will not be at CSU next season.

"It was a matter of playing time, as well as some differences with the coaching staff," Verwers said. "I also wanted to be closer to home a little bit. I just wasn't enjoying my time here basketball-wise. I really liked the town and the people here, but basketball wasn't going well. I can't really comment on (all the other players who have left), but with me, I just had differences with the coaching staff. It was more than a playing-time factor.

"I'm disappointed because I came here hoping to help turn the program around. But, there's some things you just can't control."

When asked what he thought it would take for CSU to get the program turned around, Verwers responded: "I really don't know right now. That's a good question."

Verwers had been debating a transfer in recent weeks, and met with Layer prior to spring break to discuss his options. Verwers said Layer tried to talk him out of it, and encouraged Verwers to take the spring break week to think it over. Upon his return, Verwers was convinced it was time to transfer, and received his release last Friday. Verwers plans to attend school closer to his home, and said Arkansas-Little Rock, Texas Pan American, and the University of Texas have all contacted him. He will have to sit out a year if he transfers to a Division I school, but said he thinks sitting out a year can benefit him.

The departures of Thomasson and Verwers could leave glaring holes. Though neither blossomed in their two seasons at CSU, both were considered to have sky-high potential. Thomasson was recruited hard by North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, among others. Verwers, who came to CSU as a home-schooled prep prospect, averaged 27 points per game in a home-schooled league, and drew interest from Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, TCU, and Kansas. In 2003, TheInsidersHoops.com rated CSU among the best "mid-major" recruiting class largely on the strength of signing Thomasson and Verwers. In Mike Kunstadt's 2002 Texas Hoops Review preseason player rankings, Thomasson rated No. 4 and Verwers No. 9 for the state of Texas.

Layer and staff, who already are looking to fill Boatner's scholarship with a junior college point guard, will now have two more scholarships to fill. The Rams had visits from two players this weekend, including one from 6-11 post player Ronnie Aguilar from John W. Marshall high school in Los Angeles. Aguilar reportedly gave a verbal commitment today. They already have four incoming players slated to be on campus this fall: junior college point guard Cory Lewis (Dodge City CC), junior college forward Michael Harrison (Northeastern JC), guard Stephan Gilling (Chino, Calif.), and power forward C.J. Clark (Cypress, Tex.).

Calls to Thomasson were not immediately returned Monday, but according to Layer, Thomasson will have several offers. He believes Thomasson could end up in the Missouri Valley Conference or the West Coast Conference.

[gksmith]

Be nice to get Verwers and have someone resembling a center.

[Lovesto Pumpfake]

Nice to see your basketball expertise is as keen as usual, GK. Verwers would be a very thin power forward at best.

With fans like you, UNT needs no future difficulties.

[ADLER]

I don't think of 6'10" as extremely thin, even at that height. And with a transfer year to sit out, could possibly bulk up a bit more.

It seems like we could use this kid. Justin Barnett will only be available through the '05-'06 season, and incoming freshman Justin Howerton is currently our only center that will be here for the '06-'07 season.

We need size in the middle. The team played well while Justin was playing in the pre-conference games, but once Justin was sidelined, the opposition was able to exploit our lack of size in the middle. Nicholson at Denver had a field day in a game which quickly turned into a rout.

[Lovesto Pumpfake]

Thin means lack of weight, not height. 6'10" is plenty tall enough, but 225lbs will get you pushed around anywhere in D-1. Sean May of UNC is only 6' 7.5-9", but he weighs 265-280, depending on who you talk to. As you saw last night & over the entire tourney he uses his butt/weight as a weapon, and has had great success. He's not a leaper, not much of a shot blocker, but eats space with his bulk. Bumping and holding your ground against a legit 6'11"+ center is the key, not swatting his shot. Shawnson Johnson was a shot blocker, but will always be a forward because of his build. Barnett is fair as a shot blocker but has success against most big guys because he can keep them from getting the inside position they wan and are used to and knows how to get position inside. He forces big guys out 2-3 feet from where they are used to shooting, thus making them take a shot that is out of their comfort zone and less accurate.

Don't get me wrong, I think Verwers would be a great pick up for the Mean Green, but Verwers has a thin frame, and adding weight will be difficult for him. UNT has a better chance adding weight to Howerton, who, while thin right now, has a frame to support 250-ish. Let's get some bulk in here to go with our speed & quickness. I hear we have 2 unexpected 'ships available, so maybe the coaches are already on that.

[Zeke]

I hear we have 2 unexpected 'ships available, so maybe the coaches are already on that.

Can you say any more on this? Are we losing somebody that we thought might be around next year?

[Harry]

Amen Lovesto - solid post. The word I get is that they are looking for a point guard. I agree that we need one, but why can't we sign a big wide body to grabs some boards. They tried to get one last year and he didn't make his grades. I just think that has been a major issue for the program, landing a big bodied kid that can grab some boards.

Perhaps Quincy will become that guy? It seems like Quincy's minutes really dropped off last year when Simpson began playing well.

Where is Semo Washington when you need him!

[ADLER]

From his senior year in high school:

Big Man

Steve Verwers

6'11

Weatherford, TX

Steve has been home schooled throughout his school years and plays in a home school league, coached by his dad. He had an outstanding summer and exploded on the recruiting scene playing for Team TExas.

Played for BWBA Orange in the Full Court Press Fall Classic. A multi-talented athletic youngster with enormous upside. Steve shows the potential to become another Chris Mims the former 7'0 Center from the University of Texas who was the 1st round draft pick of the Cleveland Cavilers.

Committed to Colorado State