Recruiting report: Will Rucker (2016)
SPRINGFIELD — After a big senior season, Moberly forward Will Rucker is among the state’s premier players in the Class of 2016 that is still available. Rucker is versatile athlete that has a big frame at 6-foot-6, 215-pounds. He can…
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Continue ReadingSPRINGFIELD — After a big senior season, Moberly forward Will Rucker is among the state’s premier players in the Class of 2016 that is still available.
Rucker is versatile athlete that has a big frame at 6-foot-6, 215-pounds. He can shoot from the outside, handle the ball and defend multiple positions. Had several highlight reel worthy dunks last weekend at the Missouri Challenge in Springfield, including a stretch of three straight on Friday. He averaged 22.4 points, 12.2 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game, while shooting 57 percent from field and 38 percent from 3this past season for Moberly.
And while he brings a terrific skill set and big frame, his biggest strength might be his court vision and passing ability, as evidenced by his seven triple doubles this past season.
Rucker said he is still weighing his college options. He has received interest from some small Division I programs along the way, and several offers from Division II, NAIA, and junior college programs.
He played AAU basketball with the St Louis Gym Rats and said it was a good experience being able to travel the country and play against some of the best players and teams in the country.
“Developed a good relationship with some great coaches and teammates,” he said.
Rucker was able to team up with several of central Missouri’s top players at the Missouri Challenge, including Mizzou football commit Tre Williams (Rock Bridge), and others.
“The experience playing the the Mo Challenge was great,” he said. “I was able to play with some really good players. Tre Williams has been one of my best friends since we were in Kindergarten so I know him. Clabe Reed played on my traveling teams throughout elementary and middle school. James Norton and Dallin Vorkink played in the same conference as me so I’ve played them multiple times.
“Matt Edwards lives five miles from me. I played against Zach Richardson when we were younger. Other then that I didn’t know the other guys on the team until this weekend.”
Rucker said his whole family has been a big influence on his basketball career.
“They’ve paid a lot of money and put a lot of time in for me to be able to play as much ball as I have and go the places I have gone,” he said. “I learned a lot of things from my dad who taught me a lot of the fundamentals as a little kid and always stressed to me ball handling and using both hands. That’s big reason as to why at my size I have the skills I have.
“I look up to a couple of people, my dad like I mentioned earlier taught me a lot of things. All my coaches that have invested time in me.”
Rucker also said he looks up to former Moberly standout Brennen Hughes who went on to win a National Championship at Central Missouri State in 2014.
“He’s been like an older brother to me,” he said.