'13 IL SF Nate Taphorn (Verbal to Northwestern)

[Goose]

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Pekin H.S. (Pekin, IL)

AAU Team: Illinois Wolves

Ht: 6-foot-7
Wt: 180 lbs.

Rivals rating: 3*; unranked SF
Scout rating: 3*; unranked SF
ESPN rating: 3*-72 grade; #36 SF
247sports rating: N/A

Reported Offers: Colorado, Boston College, Bradley, Colorado State, Creighton, Drake, Green Bay, Miami (Ohio), North Dakota, Northwestern, Southern Illinois, UIC

 

[Goose]

Recruit Scoop:

Colorado has offered Nate Taphorn, a 2013 SF from Illinois Wolves (IL), per his coach.

For those of you looking for CU to go get a long distance sharpshooter, you have your man. From Illinois Prep Bulls-eye:

There is no question that Taphorn has ideal size and shooting range when it comes to projecting as a D1 2-guard. He is a terrific spotup shooter, utilizes screens well and has a sweet looking stroke as well as a quick release. While we would like to see Taphorn continue to work on his ball skills, he does possess considerable toughness. In addition to his shooting prowess beyond the arc, Taphorn has shown the ability to battle around the basket and score in the paint area.

Other links:

* Northwestern Targeting Taphorn to Replace John Shurna
* Bradley Fan Board on Taphorn

 

[RumblinBuff]

Lol, Pekin.

But seriously folks, a sharp shooter with that height? Should be able to get his shot in any situation. I am intrigued.

 

[Goose]

Looking over the Bradley board, it sounds like his numbers are down a bit because he plays for a defensive, grind it out coach. So the kid obviously can play D, which is a huge thing to Tad as we all know. Miles was going after him while he was at CSU, so I would imagine that Nebraska will be listed as an offer shortly. Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois are sniffing around him too. Sounds like the kind of recruit who doesn't necessarily get headlines, but is a solid player. (EDIT - he also was talking to Weber at Illinois, so while Illinois may no longer be in the running, KSU might pop up). In a Northwestern article, he mentioned he'd like to commit before the start of next season. Curious to see if he still does now that bigger schools are popping up.

Curious to see what our plan is though with the 2013 scholarship situation in the air. I like this kid, but you have to think he's not necessarily our "top tier" recruit.

Love the idea of having another Levi-type out there though...

 

[Johnny Juzang]

Nate's uncle Matt Taphorn was a career 50% shooter from 3 pointland at Illinois St in the '80's. Looks like Nate got the shooter genes.

http://www.redbirdfan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1640

 

[BehindEnemyLines]

I'm surprised he's not showing an offer from Illinois State. Interesting ......

 

[Goose]

Adam with an update on Taphorn:

The Buffaloes extended their offer to Taphorn "about a month-and-a-half ago" and he has been in contact with assistant coach Tom Abatemarco ever since then.

"The fact that they won the Pac-12 this year is really impressive," Taphorn said of Colorado. "It is a program that proved on the national stage that they are an up-and-coming program because they made it to the dance. I would like to get out there. I have heard it is a beautiful place out in Boulder. I have never been out to Colorado at all and my parents have always wanted to go there just to see the place. I want to get a feel for things and what it would be like if I ended up going there."

 

[YngC]

Talked to him yesterday. Says CU is right there and that they will likely make his cut. Sounds like he recognizes that they aren't treating him like a Plan A recruit but he understands how the process works with kids ahead of him etc. Also said distance will be a factor in his decision.

 

[Darth Snow]

Distance eh? Midwest kids LOVE colorado. just get him here and that is solved.

 

[Goose]

Northwestern.

 

[RumblinBuff]

Northwestern.

That makes sense.

 

[Goose]

That makes sense.

Yup. Was hoping he'd hold out a little while. I liked him, but with our scholarship uncertainty, we had to slow play him. Don't blame him for jumping & hope he does well there.