Hollins gives Oregon State a talented wing player
The Oregon State Men's Basketball Team added a commitment in three-star small forward Alfred Hollins from Phoenix (Ariz.) Hillcrest Academy on Tuesday evening.
He joins wing players Ethan Thompson and Zach Reichle as Oregon State's 2017 class. Thompson and Reichle signed with OSU last fall during the early signing period, and Hollins will sign with the Beavers in April.
"Alfred is a very talented player," Hillcrest coach Nick Weaver said. "He's a 6-foot-5 guard that can play the 1-3 and is a terrific athlete. He is the best defender I have ever had the opportunity to coach. He can take some of the best players completely out of the game on offensive side."
BeaversEdge.com caught up with Rivals.com National Basketball Recruiting Analyst Eric Bossi for his thoughts on Hollins as well.
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"Hollins is a small forward who is at his best in the open floor," Bossi said. "He's a very good athlete, can play above the rim in transition, and has done a nice job of building up his body and getting stronger during his year at Hillcrest Academy."
Oregon State made their first NCAA Tournament for the first time in decades last season, and this season, the Beavers were very far from sniffing the tournament as they failed to reach ten wins.
"The Beavers found out how important depth and available bodies were this year when they took a step back after the 2015-16 season," Bossi said. "Hollins should give them another option as a wing athlete and finisher who can hopefully help out on the glass and with playing some tough defense."
Bossi is impressed with Oregon State's 2017 class and thinks that the future is bright for Wayne Tinkle's squad.
"I think that Ethan Thompson is an instant impact guy," Bossi said. "I'd be surprised if he doesn't leave a big mark right away and when you add him to core of his brother Stephen, Jaquori McLaughlin, Drew Eubanks, and a healthy Tinkle - you have a pretty solid core to build around.
"Reichle has some size for the wing and can stretch the floor with his shooting while Hollins gives them an additional athlete. However, I would expect that for the program to turn back around it is going to be more on the veteran players than the newcomers -- outside of Ethan Thompson -- in the immediate future."
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