DeShaun Thomas

Today is 11-11, Veteran’s Day, and, as fate would have it, also a time to celebrate the future, especially at Ohio State.

That’s because the weeklong early signing period for NCAA basketball begins today and OSU men’s head coach Thad Matta is expecting to receive binding letters-of-intent from six prospects, some of them among the very best in the country.

“It will be very exciting and quite honestly I look forward to that day and the fax machine kicking in,” Matta told Bucknuts.com recently.

Matta, of course, is not allowed to talk specifically about recruits, even those who are rock-solid commitments to the program. That would be an NCAA violation. Fortunately, though, news entities and websites such as Bucknuts.com are allowed to delve into recruiting as much as they want and we have put together a comprehensive look at the incoming group.

The six high school seniors who are committed to the Buckeyes are Columbus Northland teammates Jared Sullinger and J.D. Weatherspoon, their state championship combatant and AAU teammate Jordan Sibert of Cincinnati Princeton, fellow Ohioan and AAU teammate Aaron Craft of Findlay Liberty-Benton and two highly rated out-of-state stars – DeShaun Thomas of Indiana and Lenzelle Smith Jr. of Illinois.

Sullinger and Thomas were the first two prospects to commit to the class and immediately set in motion talk of Matta putting together a package to rival his 2006 haul that is now known as the “Thad Five” – superstar center Greg Oden and point guard Michael Conley of the same Indianapolis school, JUCO power forward Othello Hunter and highly regarded Ohio wing men Daequan Cook and David Lighty.

Some have downgraded the 2010 class because Sibert suffered a broken leg on Easter Sunday and was held out of the entire offseason while services vary on the worth of Smith, Craft and Weatherspoon.

But, like the vaunted 2006 class, this group has versatility, athleticism a built-in rapport and, most importantly, has won and won and won at the prep and AAU level.

“All these guys are winners,” said Chris Johnson, the Ohio editor of Hoop Scoop and an analyst very familiar with the group. “You can’t underestimate the importance of that.”

Plus, as Matta pointed out while speaking in general terms about recruiting at the Big Ten media conference in Chicago, the trick after pulling in elite players is finding others who can fill roles and fit in to the equation.

“Sometimes you get kids who are not as well thought-of but, tribute to them, they’ve put in a lot of hard work and made themselves great players,” he said.

“I’ve always said this: Take out the top 10 guys. From 11 to 100, explain the difference to me. And that’s the thing where so much is made out of how great a recruiting class is. A great recruiting class is when you get as a coach exactly what you need, regardless of where they’re ranked. It’s great when you as a coach know you’re getting what you need.”

This appears to be a case where need meets esteem. In fact, as recruiting lists fill up today with signatures it’s possible Matta’s intake will be hailed as the consensus No. 1 class in the country.

All the services already are in agreement that Sullinger, the younger brother of ex-Buckeye J.J. Sullinger, is a top-five prospect nationally and the top youngster to play in the Big Ten next season.

“He’s the best player out of Ohio since LeBron James and I would consider him a lock to be the Big Ten Freshman of the Year,” Johnson said. “He’s not only dominated at the prep level he already has shown he can get the better of current and former players in the program who are paid to play in summer pickup games.”

OSU’s best current player, guard/forward Evan Turner, confirmed that notion.

“That Sullinger kid is going to be an animal when he gets in here,” Turner said. “He can play. I’m really excited for when they come in. They’re a good group of kids. They’re going to add on to the fun. I can’t wait. Those kids are good kids, they’re great guys, we hang out with them a lot, we play ball with them a lot. And Sullinger is going to be a beast when he gets here.”

Matta wasn’t able to bring in any 2009 recruits because of a two-scholarship restriction due to APR guidelines so he wanted to load up for 2010. The class originally included 6-2 guard Trae Golden of Powder Springs, Ga., and 6-5 swingman Cameron Wright of Cleveland Benedictine, but those players decommitted and ended up choosing Tennessee and Pittsburgh, respectively.

Sullinger, Thomas, Sibert, Smith, Craft and Weatherspoon -- they committed in that order and often are rated in the same order – bring lots of skill to the table, so much so that the 2010-11 season could become as memorable as 2006-07.

“If somehow Ohio State can convince Turner to stay for his senior year and not have any other significant losses, with this incoming class Ohio State could get as far as they did with Oden’s class and be the preseason No. 1 team in the country,” Johnson said.

Sullinger and Thomas will be surefire McDonald’s All-Americans and the game is set to be played next summer at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus. Meanwhile, the other four players all are eyeing huge senior seasons and deep postseason runs of their own.

The following is a full look at all six of the players expected to sign LOIs today, in alphabetical order, including vital information, comments from Johnson and more analysis:

Aaron Craft
Height, Weight: 6-2, 190
Position: Point guard
High School: Findlay Liberty-Benton
Statistics As A Junior: 19.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 4.0 steals per game, 36.0 3-pt. pct.
Committed To OSU: June 7, 2009
National ranking: ESPN.com – not in overall top 100 (No. 24 PG, grade of 92); Rivals – No. 102 overall (three stars); Scout – No. 91 overall (No. 18 PG); All Star Report – No. 78 overall; Hoop Scoop – No. 129 overall
Nickname: “Crafty”

Scouting Report: A 4.0 student, Craft was named first-team All-Ohio in Division III after last season. Still, he wasn’t a big-name recruit in basketball circles – he was better known as Liberty-Benton’s star quarterback – until he put in a couple years on the AAU circuit with All-Ohio Red. Playing alongside the likes of Juwan Staten and Sibert in the backcourt and dishing the ball off to talents like Sullinger, Weatherspoon and Adreian Payne eventually made him more confident and his talents began to shine. He can hit the long-range jumper but needs to work at getting it off a little sooner. His passing and decision-making is outstanding and he’s quicker and stronger than people first assume. Most of all, he’s a shutdown perimeter defender with outstanding lateral quickness. He was part of a Liberty-Benton team as a freshman that advanced to the state title game and has helped All-Ohio win almost every time it touches the court. L-B was 20-2 last season. Craft originally committed to play for Bruce Pearl at Tennessee but opted to decommit in the hope he could garner a scholarship from a program closer to home. Matta made that dream a reality a few days later.

College Comparison: Dane Bradshaw of Tennessee

Ohio State Comparison: Brian Brown

Johnson Says: “In watching Aaron play AAU over the last three years I often heard opposing coaches refer to him as the “glue” of the All-Ohio Red, and I think that is an appropriate term because what makes him so special is his great defensive ability, as in sticking to his opponents like glue. The All-Ohio coaches never hesitated to put Craft on the other team’s best offensive player, ranging from point guards to power forwards. Although not the quickest point guard, he relies on his skill, his knowledge and overall athletic ability to compete against his peers.”

Rapp’s Final Analysis: The coaching staff no doubt will try to lure in a topflight point guard in the 2011 class and it’s difficult to say now how much responsibility will fall on Craft to run the point next season and beyond, but make no mistake, he is a winner and will find a role for the Buckeyes. I predict this kid will be an immediate fan favorite for his smarts, toughness and hustle. He also will be a pleasant surprise to those who don’t expect much from him because of his middling recruiting rankings.

For ESPN.com’s assessment of Craft, click here. For video of Craft on the AAU circuit, click here.

Jordan Sibert
Height, Weight: 6-4, 175
Position: Shooting guard
High School: Cincinnati Princeton
Statistics As A Junior: 15.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.0 spg, 51.0 FG pct., 39.0 3-pt. pct.
Committed To OSU: Sept. 20, 2008
National ranking: ESPN.com – No. 70 overall (No. 19 SG, grade of 94); Rivals – No. 37 overall (four stars); Scout – No. 56 overall (No. 11 SG); All Star Report – No. 42 overall; Hoop Scoop – No. 50 overall
Nickname: “J-Smooth”

Scouting Report: Sibert being named only honorable mention all-state last season is criminal but also a reflection on what a good team he played on last season. The Vikings featured several Division I-caliber players including guard Orlando Williams and power forward Marquis Horne and advanced all the way to the Division I title game, losing by two points to Columbus Northland. During the season and especially during the postseason run, though, he showed why he’s a big-time talent, making clutch plays on both ends of the court and never appearing to break a sweat in the process. Sibert can throw down dunks to finish breaks but also splashes deep jumpers and knows how to mesh with his teammates.

College Comparison: Jason Terry of Arizona

Ohio State Comparison: William Buford

Johnson Says: “Jordan has probably the most upside of any of these recruits – number one, because he’s the second-youngest guy in the class and won’t be 18 until his summer classes are over and also because he missed most of the spring and summer because of a fracture in his leg right when he was ready to explode. In his previous couple tournaments he showed he was ready to burst on the national scene. Also, he’s got a long, lanky body and has a chance to make a big physical transformation under (OSU strength and conditioning coach) Dave Richardson.”

Rapp’s Final Analysis: A natural scoring guard, Sibert should have a very nice college career as long as he doesn’t get too high-minded watching Sullinger and Thomas earn plaudits and draw NBA scouts. He could use some more meat on his bones but is still pretty explosive and also is very comfortable handling the ball and creating plays. Nothing seems to faze Sibert and he has the built-in confidence to excel on the next level.

For ESPN.com’s assessment of Sibert, click here.

Lenzelle Smith Jr.
Height, Weight: 6-3, 200
Position: Guard
High School: Zion (Ill.) Zion-Benton
Statistics As A Junior: 17.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg and 6.0 apg
Committed To OSU: Sept. 22, 2008
National ranking: ESPN.com – No. 74 overall (No. 22 SG, grade of 94); Rivals – No. 124 overall (three stars); Scout – not in overall top 100 (No. 22 PG); All Star Report – No. 87 overall; Hoop Scoop – No. 91 overall
Nickname: “Rev Jr.”

Scouting Report: Smith is a left-handed combo guard with excellent strength and superb court awareness. Matta grabbed him just before he was about to become a hot commodity nationally and he still continued to elevate his game as a junior. He is comfortable handling the ball and running the point but he sometimes struggles with defending smaller and quicker lead guards. On the wing he is an absolute headache with his fastball passes, post feeds, drives and long-range bombs. He’s the kind of offensive player who often leaves foes tripping over their own feet trying to slow him down. He also makes winning plays and helped the Zee-Bees to a 25-7 mark last season.

College Comparisons: Sergio McClain and Demetri McCamey of Illinois, Quinn Buckner of Indiana

Ohio State Comparison: Carter Scott (although more bulky)

Johnson Says: “Lenzelle is a highly skilled combo guard who possesses enough ball handling to play the point and is a very efficient and effective three-point shooter, and he uses his body to overpower people as he slashes to the rim. He’s like a coach on the floor and like Craft is a great student who has a wonderful basketball IQ and directs his teammates on the floor. Because of his knowledge, skills and his strength he should be able to play right away.”

Rapp’s Final Analysis: Smith is a fill-in-the-cracks guard at worst and a takeover perimeter performer at best. He knows how to play the game and execute what the coaches want, which is half the battle. If he can shoot a decent percentage from the floor, free-throw line and behind the arc then there is no reason to think he won’t play often and contribute mightily throughout his career.

For ESPN.com’s assessment of Smith, click here.

Jared Sullinger
Height, Weight: 6-9, 255
Position: Power forward
High School: Columbus Northland
Statistics As A Junior: 19.9 ppg, 14.8 rpg, 3.5 apg, 67.8 FG pct.
Committed To OSU: May 10, 2007
National ranking: ESPN.com – No. 2 overall (No. 1 PF, grade of 98); Rivals – No. 3 overall (five stars); Scout – No. 3 overall (No. 1 C); All Star Report – No. 1 overall; Hoop Scoop – No. 1 overall
Nicknames: “Big Sully,” “The Mayor”

Scouting Report: Sullinger won “Mr. Basketball” honors in March of last season and completed his week by leading the Vikings to their first-ever state title. He drew a foul with the score tied and game on the line and hit a pair of free throws for the winning points, handing the championship trophy to his father, Satch. Life has been as ideal since as he was dominant at every event, including a couple international tournaments throughout the spring and summer and led All-Ohio Red to yet another national title, this time at the 17-and-under level. Sullinger simply is an unstoppable force down low and owns the paint and backboards when he’s on the court. He’s also an excellent outlet passer and shows outstanding touch out to 15 feet and while turning into the post. He’s not a great leaper but finishes a high percentage of contested shots and has large hands and wonderful timing to snag offensive boards for lay-ins.

College Comparisons: Karl Malone of Louisiana Tech, Corliss Williamson of Arkansas and DeJuan Blair of Pittsburgh

Ohio State Comparison: Terence Dials (only better)

Johnson Says: “I think Jared will have as much impact as a first-year player as anyone that Thad has had in his tenure at Ohio State, and that includes Michael Conley and Greg Oden. The reason for that is basketball IQ, his skill level and his physique, which is already at a Big Ten-type form. Plus, he has an insatiable desire to win.”

Rapp’s Final Analysis: It may sound wishful to compare Sullinger to Malone, but like “The Mailman” Sullinger always manages to deliver. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a more consistent prep performer. You can put 20 and 10 in the book every time. Will his skills translate to the major college level? Yes, they will. The Big Ten had better look out.

For ESPN.com’s assessment of Sullinger and video of him in action, click here. For video of Sullinger from last year's regional final, click here.

DeShaun Thomas
Height, Weight: 6-7, 210
Position: Forward
High School: Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Luers
Statistics As A Junior: 30.3 ppg, 15.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.5 bpg
Committed To OSU: June 1, 2007
National ranking: ESPN.com – No. 12 overall (No. 2 SF, grade of 96); Rivals – No. 18 overall (five stars); Scout – No. 14 overall (No. 4 PF); All Star Report – No. 10 overall; Hoop Scoop – No. 8 overall
Nicknames: “D.T.,” “The Franchise”

Scouting Report: The definition of a scoring machine, Thomas is long, left-handed and has an explosive first step that nearly makes him impossible to shut off from the basket. He slashes at will and also can shoot over the defense when it packs in on him. He could use a little more work on his off hand as well as some refinement with his intermediate pull-up game but he’s still a 30-point explosion waiting to happen. With 2,254 points, Thomas already ranks 11^th all-time in Indiana prep scoring history and has passed some of the most prominent names in the state including Steve Alford, Rick Mount, Eric Gordon, Shawn Kemp, George McGinnis and Oden. He needs 881 points to break Damon Bailey’s all-time mark of 3,134 points, which equates to roughly 34 ppg. Still, he shouldn’t be counted out. Plus, his teams play to the end as Luers has won two straight Class 2A titles. And with all that production comes rebounds in bushels.

College Comparison: Ed O’Bannon of UCLA

Ohio State Comparison: Tony Campbell

Johnson Says: “DeShaun is a scoring machine who is a great spot three-point shooter and yet has the athleticism and length to get to the rim in a slashing mode. He’s kind of a veteran member of this incoming class because he’s been a statewide and national name since early in his freshman year, when he started posting huge numbers. There is no doubt DeShaun can be an instant-offense factor as soon as he arrives at Ohio State but how much playing time he gets will be directly related to how much effort he puts into rebounding and defense.”

Rapp’s Final Analysis: Thomas is the kind of player who can shoot you in and out of games and his percentage may not be wonderful but he is simply too talented not to play and play often. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if he led the Buckeyes in scoring his freshman season – and then bolted to the NBA.

For ESPN.com’s assessment of Thomas and video of him in action, click here. For video of Thomas at the Hoops City Classic, click here. For Bucknuts' definitive Thomas video collection, click here.

J.D. Weatherspoon
Height: 6-6, 200
Position: Shooting forward
High School: Columbus Northland
Statistics As A Junior: 16.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg
Committed To OSU: August 11, 2009
National ranking: ESPN.com – not in overall top 100 (No. 30 SF, grade of 91); Rivals – No. 137 overall (three stars); Scout – not in overall top 100 (No. 32 PF); All Star Report – No. 83 overall; Hoop Scoop – No. 146 overall
Nickname: “Air Spoon”

Scouting Report: Weatherspoon originally committed to Xavier but pulled out when XU coach Sean Miller left the school to accept the job at Arizona. Soon after becoming a free agent he played his best basketball during Northland’s state final four appearance. In fact, he dominated in the team’s semifinal victory by making 11 of 12 shots, many of them thunderous, crowd-pleasing dunks. Ohio State came calling with a scholarship offer and Weatherspoon accepted in August at the tender age of 16 – he turned 17 on Sept. 1. A left-hander who is beginning to show the desired shooting range, Weatherspoon needs to continue to improve on his touch and show more intensity on the defensive end, but his raw ability and springs are highly impressive and intriguing.

College Comparisons: Harold Miner of USC and Isma’il Muhammad of Georgia Tech

Ohio State Comparison: Jason Singleton

Johnson Says: “J.D will be the youngest member of this class and because of that and his still-developing skill level he will probably have the least immediate impact of any of the incoming freshmen. However, as they say in the scouting department, upside is everything, and J.D. screams upside with the high-wire dunk-a-thons he puts on. Right now he’s stuck somewhere between being an undersized power forward or a wing forward who needs work on his shooting and ball handling, but as long he gears his athleticism toward defense that would be his early meal ticket to playing time.”

Rapp’s Final Analysis: Get ready for an air show. Weatherspoon has some work to do to make the Ohio State rotation but he will be one of the most exciting substitutes in the country. In time, he could fit well into Matta’s system as an athletic four-man who can nail the corner jumper.

For ESPN.com’s assessment of Weatherspoon, click here. For video of Weatherspoon (including Sullinger and Craft), click here.