Syracuse '12 C/PF DaJuan Coleman (Syracuse Signee)

Quote:
DaJuan Coleman, 6-8 forward, Dewitt, N.Y. Coleman's weight is listed at 280 pounds, so that should give you a sense of how he's built. He is a below-the-rim post player with excellent footwork, putting him in the mold of Jared Sullinger or Sean May. Even though he's ranked pretty high, Coleman strikes me as the kind of player who has limited potential as a professional but could be effective in college. Kentucky and Ohio State are on him hard, but Syracuse has the homecourt advantage on this one. It also doesn't hurt that the son of Coleman's summer coach with the Albany City Rocks is a walk-on guard at Syracuse.

Sizing up Justin Anderson, Shabazz Muhammad, other prospects - Seth Davis - SI.com

 

Dajuan Coleman will participate in addidas Nations tournament

Published: Tuesday, August 02, 2011
By Donna Ditota/The Post-Standard

Jamesville-DeWitt star Dajuan Coleman will play in the fifth annual addidas Nations global experience -- a basketball tournament held in Los Angeles from Aug. 5-8.

Coleman, a 6-9 senior center coveted by college recruiters (and Syracuse University) will play on the USA 2012 team. Teams from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, plus two teams from the United States (2012 graduates and 2013 graduates) will participate in the tournament.

Wes Johnson, the former SU and current Minnesota Timberwolves forward, will act as a counselor over the course of the tournament. So will Ohio State's Jared Sullinger, the best big man in the college game.

Coleman told me earlier this summer that he likely would not decide on a college destination until midway through his senior year of high school. He wants to make all of his college visits before selecting a school. SU, Kentucky and Ohio State are on his list of favorites.

Dajuan Coleman will participate in addidas Nations tournament | syracuse.com

 

Coleman to Visit Kentucky for Madness

By Adam Zagoria on August 04, 2011

DaJuan Coleman, one of the premier centers in the Class of 2012, plans to visit Kentucky for Big Blue Madness Oct. 15.

He wants to go to Kentucky for Midnight Madness, said a source with direct knowledge.

Coleman, who left today for the adidas Nations event in Los Angeles Aug. 5-8, was not immediately available for comment.

The source said Kentucky, Syracuse and Ohio State currently lead for the 6-foot-9 big man from Jamesville DeWitt High, and that Ohio State has made a big push into what was previously a two-team race.

Ohio State, Kentucky and Syracuse are his top three, and Ohio State is moving in big, the source said. Ohio State's done very well. He bonded with [Jared] Sullinger while playing at the Amar'e Stoudemire camp.

He really likes Ohio State. They weren't really on his list; nothey'rere right into the top three, as high as anybody. He and Sullinger are similar-type players Sullinger is probably going to be leaving and he [Coleman] can fit right into that role. There's nobody at Kentucky or Syracuse that looks or plays exactly like him right now.

Coleman to Visit Kentucky for Madness | ZagsBlog.com

 

Dajuan Coleman winds down his whirlwind basketball summer

Donna Ditota\The Post-Standard, August 06, 2011

Dajuan Coleman is winding down his whirlwind summer basketball schedule, his latest stop a visit to Los Angeles to participate in the fifth annual adidas Nations global experience.

The basketball tournament and educational seminar features athletes from eight nations. Coleman, the Jamesville-DeWitt senior, will play for the US 2012 squad, a collection of top high school talents from the Class of 2012.

The 6-foot-9 big man is among the most fiercely pursued prospects in his class. Coleman includes Syracuse on a recruiting list that also involves Ohio State and Kentucky. He reiterated on Friday that he has not wavered from his intention to make every campus visit permissible and then decide on a college midway through his senior year. He also made clear that he has no intention to transfer from J-D, a rumor that has persisted every year he's been in high school.

"That never came out of my mouth," he said.

Coleman, 18, sounded a bit nostalgic on Friday. His participation in the adidas camp this weekend, plus his final appearance of the summer at the Boost Mobile Elite 24 camp in Venice Beach later this month signals the end of his high-profile high school summers.

He said he will miss these gatherings of elite high school athletes, many of whom have become his friends. Coleman arrived in Los Angeles on Thursday night and planned to enjoy his stay.

"It's pretty fun just seeing new stuff," he said. "I like just getting out and seeing new things."

He said he has worked this summer to re-shape his body and improve his game. By his estimation, he's participated in "four or five" elite camps thus far. He has also played in the King of Kings summer league in Utica for the J-D entry.

"I've been playing real good," he said. "Every time I get out there, I just want to have fun and get better."

Coleman often talks about cementing his reputation as one of the game's best young big men. The quest to stay atop all those recruiting lists motivates him, he said.

He has grown accustomed to the recruiting glare. He routinely performs during permitted recruiting contact periods in front of dozens of college coaches.

"It is a little bit of pressure, but I try not to let it bother me," he said. "But once the school season comes, it'll lessen the pressure. During the high school season, you don't really have 10 college coaches sitting on the baseline focusing on you."

Dajuan Coleman winds down his whirlwind basketball summer - Syracuse.com

 

Jared Sullinger Recruiting DaJuan Coleman to Ohio State

By Adam Zagoria on August 10, 2011

Jared Sullinger Recruiting DaJuan Coleman to Ohio State

For a while it seemed as if Syracuse and Kentucky were in a two-team race for DaJuan Coleman, the 6-foot-10, 285-pound center from Jamesville DeWitt High School.

But now that Coleman has spent more time this summer with Ohio State big man Jared Sullinger, the Buckeyes are on level ground with the Orange and the Wildcats.

They're definitely equal now that I did a little more research and stuff like that, Coleman told SNY.tv by phone from the adidas Nations event in Los Angeles.

Coleman said Sullinger, whom he has known for several years, has pitched him the idea of coming to Ohio State, possibly to replace Sullinger after he heads to the NBA following his sophomore season.

I think Sullinger is basically [saying] his school is just pushing me harder, Coleman said. That's what I want. I like competition and stuff. They push me harder, give me the ball, put me in the right spot. You know, make me better as a player.

He added: Ohio State, I like how they use their big man and develop big men so that's one thing about them.

Still, Coleman has never visited the campus and said he's in the process of trying to plot out visits.

He's interested in visiting both Ohio State and Kentucky, which hosts Big Blue Madness Oct. 15.

Yeah, he said, I think so.

It appears as if it will come down to Syracuse, the hometown school, Kentucky or Ohio State when all is said and done.

That's my top three, he said.

Jared Sullinger Recruiting DaJuan Coleman to Ohio State | ZagsBlog.com

 

Coleman visited OSU over the weekend

Coleman is visiting OSU this weekend. From Zag's blog:

DaJuan Coleman, one of the top big men in the Class of 2012, is currently on an unofficial visit to Ohio State this weekend after visiting Syracuse Thursday, his AAU coach*Jim Hart told SNY.tv.
Coleman lists Syracuse, Ohio State and Kentucky as his top three, and will likely visit Kentucky Oct. 15 for “Big Blue Madness.â€
“That’s my top three,†Coleman told SNY.tv earlier this month.
He said he had developed a friendship with Ohio State big man Jared Sullinger, who was recruiting him to the Buckeyes.
“I think Sullinger is basically [saying] his school is just pushing me harder,†Coleman said then. “That’s what I want. I like competition and stuff. They push me harder, give me the ball, put me in the right spot. You know, make me better as a player.â€
He added: *â€Ohio State, I like how they use their big man and develop big men so that’s one thing about them.â€
Syracuse is the hometown favorite, while Kentucky is involved with many of the top players in the Class of 2012.

Coleman Visits Syracuse, Ohio State (UPDATED) | ZagsBlog.com

 

Coleman Update ~~~ Post OSU visit

Here is the new part from Zagoria's updated version of the story post-visit:
DaJuan Coleman, one of the top big men in the Class of 2012, finished up an unofficial visit to Ohio State this weekend after visiting Syracuse Thursday.

“It was good just to finally get out and see the [Ohio State] campus and staff,†he said by text. “The coaching staff was cool. I’m just looking at all my options and planning to see Kentucky, Syracuse and Florida.â€

Coleman Visits Syracuse, Ohio State (UPDATED) | ZagsBlog.com

 

Coleman to Visit Ohio State

By Adam Zagoria on September 06, 2011

DaJuan Coleman has tentatively set his official visit to Ohio State for the weekend of Sept. 23 and will likely take all three officials before making a decision.

OSU is penciled in for the fourth weekend of September right now, Jim Hart, Coleman's AAU coach, said by text. The Buckeyes host Colorado in football Sept 24.

The 6-foot-9 Coleman out of Jamesville DeWitt is also considering hometown favorite Syracuse and Kentucky, but no Syracuse visit has been set.

He will trip to Kentucky the weekend of Oct. 15 for Big Blue Madness.

He wants to take all the visits, Hart said. He wants to give everybody a shot.

Sullinger took an unofficial to Ohio State the last weekend in August. The school has been working hard on Coleman, using Jared Sullinger to help recruit the big man.

I think Sullinger is basically [saying] his school is just pushing me harder, Coleman told SNY.tv last month. That's what I want. I like competition and stuff. They push me harder, give me the ball, put me in the right spot. You know, make me better as a player.

He added: Ohio State, I like how they use their big man and develop big men so that's one thing about them.

Coleman to Visit Ohio State | ZagsBlog.com

 

Dajuan Coleman schedules official visits to Ohio State, Kentucky

Published: Wednesday, September 07, 2011
By Katie Kramer, syracuse.com
__________

Jamesville-DeWitt's Dajuan Coleman schedules official visits to Ohio State, Kentucky

It was a busy summer for Jamesville-DeWitt basketball player Dajuan Coleman, who took part in a number of different big-name camps. Now Coleman is narrowing his college choices down and is set to make some official visits.

Coleman was already scheduled to head to Kentucky on October 15 for Big Blue Madness and the high school senior has just added another college trip to his list.

Coleman's AAU coach told Adam Zagoria that the 6-foot-10, 285-pound center has tentatively scheduled a visit to Ohio State for the weekend of September 23.

Ohio State big man Jared Sullinger is making a case for Coleman to end up with the Buckeyes.

"I think Sullinger is basically [saying] his school is just pushing me harder," Coleman said earlier this summer to SNY.tv. "That's what I want. I like competition and stuff. They push me harder, give me the ball, put me in the right spot. You know, make me better as a player."

Cont...
_______________
Jamesville-DeWitt's Dajuan Coleman schedules official visits to Ohio State, Kentucky | syracuse.com

 

Coleman has 'Cuse in final three

By: Mark Larson
__________

Coleman has 'Cuse in final three

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Highly-touted hoops recruit Dajuan Coleman has Syracuse in his list of three finalists as he narrows his college choices entering his senior season.

The J-D high school star has planned his first official visit to Ohio State September 23rd and may visit the Orange the following weekend according to his head coach, Bob McKenney. McKenney says the fact Coleman is visiting the Buckeyes first has nothing to do with the order in which he's ranking his final three choices.

Coleman will visit Kentucky in mid-October for the Wildcats' midnight madness event. He's ranked among the top five centers in the country in the class of 2012.
_________________
Coleman has 'Cuse in final three - YNN, Your News Now

 

Coleman wants to "see what it's like" at Kentucky
Posted on September 9, 2011 by Jody Demling
_________

Jamesville-DeWitt, N.Y., big man DaJuan Coleman is one of the top prospects in the Class of 2012 and has the University of Kentucky in his final three.

The 6-foot-10, 280-pound Coleman is one of the players that will visit Lexington on Oct. 14 for Big Blue Madness and noted that he wanted to "see what it's like like," at UK.

"I want to take all my visits and look at the schools," Coleman said in a recent phone interview. "(Kentucky's) coaching staff does a nice job of getting players and then helping them get to the next level and that's what I want to do.

"I've heard about it and want to see what it's like there."

Coleman will also visit Ohio State on Sept. 23 and then is also likely to make an official visit to his third finalist - Syracuse.

At the time, Coleman said he didn't have a timetable for a decision.

Coleman is ranked as the No. 11 player in the class nationally by Scout.com, No. 14 by ESPN.com and No. 27 by Rivals.com.

He said he feels like he's "really improved" his game since last fall.

"I am just focused on basketball and I have been," Coleman said. "I am in a lot better shape than I was this time last year. I have been working hard on that."
___________________
Coleman wants to ‘see what it’s like’ at Kentucky | Jody Demling - Recruiting

 

Coleman Hosts Calipari for Home Visit
By Adam Zagoria on September 21, 2011
_______

On the same night he locked up shooting guard Archie Goodwin with a verbal commitment, Kentucky coach John Calipari visited with 6-foot-9 big man DaJuan Coleman.

“It was good,†Coleman told SNY.tv by text. “He was telling me about the past players he developed. And he said he liked the way I play and he can bring the best out of me because he knows I can do multiple things on the court.

“It was a really good meeting.â€

Calipari has tracked Coleman for some time, even watching him the New York State Federation title game last spring.

Coleman may postpone his official visit this weekend to Ohio State and will then visit Kentucky the weekend of Oct. 14 for Big Blue Madness. He is also considering Syracuse, but no visit date is set.

“All three are pushing hard and the race looks fairly equal right now,†Albany City Rocks coach Jim Hart told SNY.tv.
_________
Coleman Hosts Calipari for Home Visit | ZagsBlog.com

_________

Reports in recent weeks had 2012 recruits Dajuan Coleman and Amile Jefferson scheduled to make official visits to Ohio State this weekend.

I'm hearing today that won't happen. Not this weekend, anyway.

Jefferson, a wing forward from Philadelphia, may be in town the following weekend for the football game against Michigan State. Jahlil Okafor, a 2014 center and high school teammate at Sam Thompson at Chicago Whitney Young, also is scheduled in that weekend for an unofficial visit.

As far as Coleman, nothing is definite, which could mean his race is narrowing to a tug of war between hometown Syracuse and Kentucky.
_________
Changes in plans for recruits | Buckeye Xtra Sports

 

I assume this is a Syracuse and Kentucky race now?

 

I would be really surprised if he committed to OSU but just being in his top3 with the other 2 being his home school and Calipari just shows how good Matta is.

 

Coleman Heading on Ohio State Visit
By Adam Zagoria on October 18, 2011



Having visited Kentucky last weekend for Big Blue Madness, 6-foot-10 center DaJuan Coleman is off to Ohio State this coming weekend, according to Albany City Rocks coach Jim Hart.

Sometime after the Ohio State visit, Coleman will visit Syracuse, which is considered the hometown favorite.

"[He's] planning to do all three visits before deciding," Hart told SNY.tv by text.

Coleman told OrangeFizz.net that he plans on picking from among the three schools "by early November."

Coleman visited Kentucky along with 2012 pledge Archie Goodwin and uncommitted players Shabazz Muhammad, Alex Poythress and Willie Cauley.

Coleman took an unofficial to Ohio State the last weekend in August. The school has been working hard on Coleman, using Jared Sullinger to help recruit the big man.

"I think Sullinger is basically [saying] his school is just pushing me harder," Coleman told SNY.tv in August. "That's what I want. I like competition and stuff. They push me harder, give me the ball, put me in the right spot. You know, make me better as a player."

He added: "Ohio State, I like how they use their big man and develop big men so that's one thing about them."

 

Dajuan Coleman will officially visit Syracuse | syracuse.com