ESPN Top 100 Recruit Mike Gilmore Commits

• 6'9/205lbs
• Power Forward
• ESPN Top 100 Recruit(#76)
• Class of 2014
•  James S. Rickards High School
• Offers from VCU, Kansas State, and Georgia Tech.(Final 3) Miami, Oklahoma, Providence, and St. Joes
• Mike Gilmore is a skilled big man.  Gilmore is the nephew of ABA/NBA All-Star and Naismith Hall of Famer Artis Gilmore. He can knock down threes and get up and down the court. His athleticism shows with his ferocious dunks and block shots. His length will also allow him to protect the rim on defense. Gilmore will have to gain much more weight to be able to play against collegiate big men. Gilmore is a high upside prospect that can turn into a special player in Shaka's system. Stretch 4's in this system have really put up numbers like Jamie Skeen did in the NCAA Tournament. Gilmore joins fellow ESPN100 VCU SF commit Terry Larrier, ESPN 4 star PG Jonathan Williams, and Rivals150 PF Justin Tillman in VCU’s 2014 Class. This class is already ranked 15th in the nation and now should go up even more. Welcome to Ramnation Mike and we are excited to have you join the squad. 

Here is a highlight tape of Mike Gilmore:

Follow Mike on twitter and instagram @league_bound22 and @_hoopdreams22.

New Uniforms for the Rams 2013-2014 Season

Home & Away Uniforms

The VCU basketball team will be getting new uniforms this up and coming season. The team had a photo shoot today with the home(white) uniforms on. The away uniform is black and gold and others have said there is a gold alternate uniform that has not been seen. At first there was a lot of negativity coming from the fans about the uniforms because of a picture with just the uniforms by themselves was released first. Then fans started to like the uniform after they saw the players in the uniforms. My take on the uniforms is that they are sweet. The colors really pop on the white uniform and the text is very bold and crisp which I like. The stripes down the sides also give it a sweet touch. They will look great on TV when the rams are getting up and down the court. Mat Shelton,Vcuramantion.com author, said that the rams will only have these uniforms for one season because VCU will be getting a new logo in the fall. Here is the tweet:

Mat Shelton ‏@MatShelton6h

Also, fwiw, they'll have new ones next year when the new logo and word marks roll out, so a one year kit.

Here are the pictures from todays photo shoot:

The Team Photo 

Melvin Johnson(Left) & JeQuan Lewis(Right)

Rob Brandenberg

Doug Brooks

JeQuan Lewis

Mo Allie-Cox & Treveon Graham

Antravious Simmons

Briante Weber

Juvonte Reddic & Rob Brandenberg

Briante Weber & Jared Guest

Antravious Simmons and Torey Burston

Jordan Burgess, Mo-Allie Cox, & Melvin Johnson

Jairus Lyles and Melvin Johnson

Meet VCU's Newest Top 100 Recruit Terry Larrier

 Terry Larrier                                              

• 6'7/200lbs                                            
• Small Forward   
• Class of 2014   
• ESPN Top 100 Recruit (84 grade) #59      
• Rivals: 4 stars, #39 in 2014 Rivals150        
• Scout: 4 stars, #61 in 2014 Scout Top 100, #15 SF
• The Phelps School-Bronx, New York
• Offers from VCU, UCONN, Florida, Miami, Marquette, Minnesota, Penn State, and St. John's.( 42 D1 scholarship offers per verbalcommits.com.)

• Terry Larrier might be VCU's most prized recruit that they have landed ever. He is the best recruit since McDonald's All American Kendrick Warren. Larrier posses great athleticism to finish above the rim. He is a very long player which makes him a match up nightmare. He has the potential, especially in VCU's system, to become an excellent defensive player. His game is very smooth and calm, but he can be an aggressive scorer when needed to be. He has a good outside shot to make defenses play tight on him. Only thing he needs to improve in his ball handling and get his weight up. He is a certified stud and will make an impact right when he steps on campus.   

With Larrier's commitment this 2014 VCU recruiting class maybe the best in VCU history. All three commits are 4 star recruits. Rumor has it that Shaka and the staff are looking to somehow bring in one more player. That player will either be Mike Gilmore or Makinde London. This recruiting class is defiantly one of the best in the nation.

Tweets about Terry Larrier Committing:

Jeff Borzello ‏@jeffborzello1h

Terry Larrier is a terrific fit for HAVOC. Great length and size for the wing, only going to get better: http://cbsprt.co/187EXOB 

Alex Kline ‏@TheRecruitScoop1h

2014 Phelps (PA) SF Terry Larrier has verbally committed to VCU. Major 4-star pickup for Shaka Smart.

Adam Zagoria ‏@AdamZagoria46m

Terry Larrier to VCU http://zagsblog.com/articles/terry-larrier-to-vcu/ …

Alex Kline ‏@TheRecruitScoop3m

2014 SF Terry Larrier gives VCU an instant impact player on both ends of the floor with a bright future ahead - http://recruitscoop.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1550287 …

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein56m

As expected, Terry Larrier commits to VCU. Significant recruit for Shaka Smart + Co. Skilled face up 4-man. High level for A10.

Here are some highlights of Terry Larrier:

Welcome to Ramnation Terry Larrier and get ready to wreak Havoc next year!
Follow Terry on Twitter and Instagram at @TLTrey5

2014 ESPN 4-star recruit Justin Tillman commits to VCU

So on August 30, 2013, Justin Tillman verbally committed to VCU. Tillman is a 6'7 forward out of Detroit, Michigan. He is an ESPN 4-star recruit who is excels in going up and down the court and making hustle plays around the glass. Tillman also has great touch around the basket and has a smooth jumper that can extend to the three point line. He was on campus this past weekend and just after one visit he chose the rams. Tillman's high school team went 25-1 and he averaged 21.3 ppg. Tillman had a great summer where Shaka really got interested in him at the Las Vegas Classic AAU Tournament. Justin Tillman will join Jonathan Williams in the rams 2014 class. Shaka and the staff have one more available spot left on the team.


Here are some highlights of Justin Tillman:

 

Ramnation follow Justin Tillman on twitter @JTillman23

Jarred Guest Suffers an Ankle Injury

Junior power forward Jarred Guest suffered a dislocated ankle on August 28, 2013. Guest's recovery time is predicted to be 6-8 weeks. He will be returning by the beginning of the season, but the break will certainly hinder the momentum he was building from playing in Europe and early summer practices.

By most accounts, Guest was having a great off-season before the injury. From what I observed during an open scrimmage, Guest appeared to be heading for a breakout season. I still believe he will be fine for this year and able to put up good numbers. He should be the first big off the bench, and he will still have another year to learn under veterans Juvonte Reddic and Terrance Shannon. Last season Coach Smart felt that Jared was the best rebounder during practice and one of the better practice players overall.

I wish Jarred a speedy recovery and am anxious to see him make major strides on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball during the upcoming season.