Seton Hall secured its first 2020 commitment on Thursday night, as three-star Woodrow Wilson High School (DC) wing Dimingus Stevens picked the Pirates over a handful of other power conference offers.
Let's get to know Seton Hall's newest recruit with a scouting breakdown.
Name: Dimingus Stevens
Position: Shooting Guard/Small Forward
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 180 pounds
247Sports Industry Generated Composite Rank: 3 stars, 0.9268 rating, No. 136 nationally, No. 30 shooting guard, No. 4 Washington D.C.
Other Offers: Boston College, Maryland, Temple, Virginia Tech
Primary Recruiter: Tony Skinn
AAU Affiliate: Team Takeover (Nike EYBL)
Highlights:
Recruitment: Stevens took his official visit to Seton Hall in early May. It was the only official visit he took before committing to the Pirates.
Scouting Report: The first thing that stands out with Stevens is his natural shooting ability. He can stroke it from anywhere on the floor and has range, which is important since the NCAA is moving back the three-point line beginning this upcoming season. Stevens also has a quick release, which makes him a very efficient catch and shoot player.
Stevens' scoring ability is not limited to behind the three-point line, though. He can put the ball and the floor and create his own shot as well. He uses his length to his advantage to shoot over defenders and his athleticism to beat defenders off the dribble. His shot selection also seems pretty solid, which is a plus for any player entering the college ranks.
Stevens has the length and athleticism to turn into a very good defender, but he's not there just quite yet. His lateral quickness could use some work and it is imperative that he guards with his feet instead of his hands in the Big East, as the referees place an emphasis on hand checking and any contact above the waist.
College Projection/Overall Analysis: I like Stevens' game and I believe this is a very good get for the Pirates. Seton Hall needed to add a knockdown shooter this cycle and the staff accomplished that by landing Stevens. The Pirates have plenty of wings already in the mix with Myles Cale, Jared Rhoden and possibly Tyrese Samuel depending on how the coaching staff wants to utilize him, but Stephens will force himself into the rotation early as long as he can shoot at a consistent clip and defend up to Kevin Willard's standards.
As for what Stevens' commitment means for Seton Hall's recruiting efforts moving forward, there are a lot of factors at play. For starters, the notion that the Pirates are not doing well with 2020 target Darius Maddox and took Stevens as a result is a false one. The staff loves Stevens' game and he is an interchangeable piece, meaning the two can play together. The 2 and 3 positions in Willard's offense operate similarly and having both Stevens and Maddox on the court together would not result in any toes being stepped on. If anything, Stevens' commitment indicates that the staff has possibly elected to move on from its pursuit of top target Earl Timberlake, who blew up with a dominant performance at the Peach Jam last week.
With a guard/forward combo now in the mix, Seton Hall will shift its focus to closing on Maddox and adding a guard and a big-man. The Pirates are doing well with New York City guard Posh Alexander and rumor has it Seton Hall is moving up IMG Academy product and Newark native Noah Farrakhan's list as well. In terms of a potential frontcourt addition, the staff has many offers out, but it remains to be seen who could be a possible commitment at power forward or center.
Tyler Calvaruso can be reached at tyler.calvaruso@student.shu.edu or on Twitter @tyler_calvaruso.
