Caden Sanchez (2017) Recruiting Report
Junior post player Caden Sanchez is 6-foot-8, 235 pounds. Basketball is a game of size. The mere location of the rim necessitates gigantic frontline recruits for every serious basketball program. In Ohio, there is a massive young man that (disregarding…
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Continue ReadingJunior post player Caden Sanchez is 6-foot-8, 235 pounds.
Basketball is a game of size. The mere location of the rim necessitates gigantic frontline recruits for every serious basketball program.
In Ohio, there is a massive young man that (disregarding his impressive mobility) is worthy of D1 looks for his power and size alone.
Sanchez has just begun capitalizing on the deserved attention.
Conventional wisdom, which can be wrong, typically puts Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State atop young Ohio hoopers’ wish lists. Recent success by Xavier and Butler helps their cause in Midwestern homes and Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Notre Dame, and Purdue offer nearby power programs too.
Louisville has dipped into Ohio a couple of times recently for Terry Rozier, Trey Lewis (transfer) and signee Frankie Hughes.
Entering his final AAU season Sanchez does not have high major offers, but April-August is a wild, turbulent time for esteemed big men. His stock could soar.
Where is that stock today?
Lipscomb, Wright State, and High Point have offered. Toledo and Ohio University have hosted Sanchez for unofficial visits.
Though the Lipscomb Bison offered just four weeks ago, Sanchez consistently maintains contact with their coaches.
“Their coach has talked to me a lot,” said Sanchez. “I just got an offer from them not too long ago.”
Caden talks with Casey, as Head Coach Alexander introduces himself to peers. Coach Alexander just wrapped his third year with the Bison. He is heavily engaged in Sanchez’ recruitment.
While some head coaches will allocate much of the recruiting legwork to their assistants, Coach Alexander has talked with Sanchez on the phone more than once. Sanchez also hears from Lipscomb LU Assistant Coach Rutigliano
“They tell me how great the campus is and [how] there is lots to do around there.”
Lipscomb is the second northernmost team in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Much of the conference resides in Florida. This could be a problem for Sanchez, who does have an affinity for the Midwest/Great Lakes region.
Time and possibly a campus visit will help un-muddy the waters regarding his Lipscomb recruitment. Much depends on the clarity the next year brings. What other schools will offer? Which college coaches show up at his AAU games? In what ways does his family life change?  So many factors affect college picks.
The Visits
Two visits serve as distinctive landmarks along the recruiting road for Caden.
Sanchez dropped by Toledo last month.
“Their arena was really nice,” said Sanchez. “The big thing I took away was, it was me and some other recruits there…they didn’t really make it feel at home.”
Toledo was hosting recruits and their MAC opponent. The number of recruits in tow made the personal touch less noticeable.
“It was a game,” said Sanchez.  “They brought us down for the game and showed us the locker room. We got to sit in on the pregame talk.”
Sanchez also evaluated the arena and campus of Ohio University.
“I think it was last year,” said Sanchez. “My high school coach was talking with one of their coaches. They invited me and another player on the team. We went down for a game. We got to watch the Green-and White game.”
After the early season scrimmage Sanchez went to the OU football game.
“I haven’t really seen the campus too much,” said Sanchez.
A Lipscomb visit would take more planning and a significant overnight commitment. Â With AAU approaching (Caden will run with Indiana Elite), his opportunities for campus visits are rare. Â Still, the Bison are plugging away and their pitch is resonating with Sanchez.
Caden Sanchez Preferences
Sanchez is coached by a former Wright State basketball player, Joe Bills. St. Francis DeSales Head Coach Bills competed with the Wright State Raiders from 1999-2003. His influence in Sanchez’ growth as a player can not be overstated.
“I went to (Wright State) for a camp and our high school coach used to go to Wright State,” said Sanchez.  “He played there.”
Ideally Sanchez would like to attend college in the region. He has strong family ties and obviously developed important friendships throughout his youth.
“Honestly I would prefer to be in this region, but if I get a big offer from a big school and I really like that school I would probably end up picking it,” said Sanchez. “It plays a factor, but it is not too serious.”
“Free” college and D1 athletics are a big deal, and appropriately, blossoming talent Caden “Big Deal” Sanchez will soon indulge in both.