Over this past week I’ve had the privilege of watching future Kansas State player Will Spradling in action. Spradling is a very special player. He has the ability to take over the game, but is more of a pass-first type of player. Spradling sometimes shows sub-par defensive intensity, but can be coached up by head coach Frank Martin.
Spradling likes to control the tempo and put a lot of pressure on the opposing offense. He is a very dangerous shooter with enough range to knock it down from anywhere on the court. Down the stretch he does not slack off, as he is the one running around the court working to get open and put his team in a winning position.
After reading ESPN’s review of Spradling it stated that he shoots the ball in front of his face which could pose a problem. But when I saw him live I noticed that his shot is similar to Kansas State senior guard Denis Clemente. He is not as deadly but has the same high release.
He is a good passer and has good awareness. Spradling comes down the court and is screaming out sets and making sure his team is in the right place to operate on the possession. He has the ability to lead the floor and is very knowledgeable of basketball.
Along with Spradling, Martin has received commitments from forward Shane Southwell out of New York City and junior college transfer Freddy Asprilla from Miami.
Southwell will likely be used as more of a guard than as a forward. He is comparable to current K-State freshman guard Rodney McGruder. Southwell was lured to the Wildcats because of his former high school teammates Curtis Kelly and Jordan Henriquez-Roberts. Southwell is very gifted on the offensive end and possesses very good ball-handling skills. He loves to attack off the dribble and score in the post over the defender or draw the foul (Read our interview with Shane Southwell). In the post, he shows very flashy moves and finishes strong at the rim.
Southwell is very good on the defensive end of the floor. Has the ability to score in transition after a steal or block, he has quick hands, and he is quick on his feet. Southwell stays aggressive, always looking to penetrate the lane, highlighted by his pick and pop.
He can change direction in a hurry with his quick dribbling abilities, and he is capable of changing his shot in mid-air, still managing to finish off the shot. He has good vision and makes smart plays.
Asprilla has a huge frame at 6’10’’, 280 pounds, and has quickness and agility in the post for a big man. He uses his size to overpower defenders and he creates mismatches in the paint.
Kansas State has not always been great this season when throwing the ball down to the post and looking for their center to execute. Things should be quite different next year with Asprilla’s variety of post moves, highlighted by his savvy baby hook.
The Wildcats will have a revamped frontcourt next year with returning frontier players Curtis Kelly, Wally Judge and Jordan Henriquez-Roberts. The addition of Asprilla will add a legitimate post player to the more experienced lineup.
With these additions Kansas State should remain one of the best teams in the country. All three of the recruits have the ability to work themselves in the Wildcat rotation quickly. With the departure of seniors Clemente and Colon, these recruits are going to need to learn Martin’s system quickly.
