Lead Writer
As word came in Tuesday night to Bulldog Bites, we have found out that Butler's coaching staff -- led by head Coach Brandon Miller -- are making a power play for Adonys Henriquez.
On Monday, coach Miller flew down to Orlando and saw Henriquez at his open gym, along with one of his lead assistants. The 'Dawgs are believed to be close to offering Henriquez an offer, according to ESPN, but it depends on if the four-star recruit will bite.
Henriquez, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Orlando, FL, decommited from Miami on Aug. 28. Ever since then, the No. 46 recruit in the country, according to ESPN.com, has re-opened his recruitment -- and it includes the Butler Bulldogs.
Butler, who only has three-star power forward Tyler Wideman (St. John, IN) as their only commit in the 2014 class, has to make some power moves to make this class not one of its all-time worsts.
Butler, who only has three-star power forward Tyler Wideman (St. John, IN) as their only commit in the 2014 class, has to make some power moves to make this class not one of its all-time worsts.
As Henriquez told Jack LeGwin of Zagsblog.com on Tuesday, his two favorites were unveiled. They are UCF, his hometown team, and Butler.
You would think Butler would be the shoo-in for a commit here, but it is still a long way to go. Whenever you are facing a hometown player's college, you become the underdog. That is what I expect is the situation currently with Henriquez.
We have learned that Henriquez plans to visit Butler very soon -- sometime in September, per a source close to his recruitment. This could be the biggest visit for Butler's 2014 class ever since their worst-case scenario in recruiting happened over the summer (and still sinking now).
After swinging-and-missing on lights-out shooters in Trevon Bluiett (UCLA) and J.P. Macura (Xavier), the 'Dawgs have to connect with Henriquez and start the long-sought domino-effect.
Henriquez has a close relationship with Dmitri Thompson, his teammate at Orlando Christian Prep. Butler has also been in contact with Thompson in the past, so we could see a possible pairing at Hinkle down the road. Both have talked about a package deal in the past.
If Butler were to end up with Wideman, alongside Kelan Martin (three-star F; one of Butler's main 2014 targets) and Henriquez, that would send their 2014 recruiting class from bottom-feeder to top 5 in the Big East. Add in Henriquez's teammate, the aforementioned Dmitri Thompson, to that trio and that would just be even more icing on the cake for Miller and Butler's coaching staff.
As Henriquez told LeGwin of Zagsblog.com in the previously mentioned interview: "Its all about finding a coach that knows me, knows my game, and can build me as a player and a man."
That sounds a lot like Miller, but it depends on if he has the advantage over UCF head coach, Donnie Jones and others. Henriquez easily could be the lynch-pin for one of the worst recruiting classes in a long time at Butler, or one of the best.
For more on Henriquez, check out his scouting report provided by ESPN Insider below.
Strengths: Henriquez is a long, lean streaky athletic smooth and skilled wing with a excellent basketball IQ. He can get to the rim and finish with touch and body control on drives, slashes and floaters. He knocks down open threes and is unselfish enough to work to get teammates involved. He has a nice handle and keeps the ball moving. He can help at the point in a pinch as well.
Weaknesses: Would prefer that he settle into a position. His foot speed is not fast and by athletic standards he's average at best. Tends to be too casual with the basketball in his hands but does wind up making solid decisions. Would love to see him diversify his offense and become more of a perimeter threat instead of being an opportunistic scorer.
Bottom Line: This is a talented kid who hails from the Orlando area. Wanted to make an early decision and did so as a junior. Tennessee, Central Florida and Miami where his leading suitors. Miami plays multiple guard sets and he'll be used in a combo role as a facilitating playmaker. An excellent pick up and back end top 100 player.
