When it comes to the unknown in recruiting these days. There are few surprises. Social media and video make it impossible not to know players. There are certainly evaluations that go south. But basically everyone knows everyone, that matters when it comes to D1 recruiting. So when a player like Catie Klemm of the NJ PANTHERS shows up. It sends a shock to your system.
When you find a sleeper in recruiting these days, it’s rare. There are usually some strange circumstances involved. Catie Klemm is an example of the perfect storm when you talk sleepers. She goes to Ridgewood High School High School. A school that is not exactly a high school powerhouse. College coaches don’t flock to Ridgewood. They don’t play in big showcases. Catie Klemm, played AAU but wasn’t exactly a star. She was just another good player on a solid NJ PANTHRRS team. There was nothing that stood out about her. In fact I watched the Panthers on a number of occasions in the past and never noticed her. But that was the past and this is now.
Last weekend, I watched the NJ PANTHERS play at the Hoop Group Warm up. There were lots of talent in the event. But no player shocked me like Catie Klemm. I was shocked by her positional size, strength and yes talent. Her college ready body no question is going to catch the eyes of D1 coaches. But it’s her ability to play under control vs any level of pressure, that brings a smile to your face. She is that point guard you simply cannot speed up. Her ability to change pace, see secondary defenders and play without the ball are precious skill sets. She is like a “Mack Truck” getting to the rim… SHE FINISHES EVERYTHING. In fact she makes it look easy. In fact see reminds me of MADISON KOCIS. Strong words but indeed a fact. I really couldn’t see a glaring weakness in Catie Klemm’s game. I just couldn’t believe a kid this good could be this under the radar.
When John Griffin signs off on a player with a smile, that has to matter and carry weight. That’s because he has seen them all and coached them all. Coach Griff, is without question on the AAU COACHES, MT. RUSHMORE. He smiles when talking about his talented guard. He smiles like the Canary who ate the bird when talking about Catie. He knows she is special. But the real question is how does a kid this good go unnoticed. Well once again circumstances plays a role. Catie Klemm grew over 3 inches in the past year. She hit her growth spurt and gained weight and strength. Then she put the work in on her own and with her trainer. Basically Catie Klemm took her new found god given attributes and ran like the wind towards greatness. She did it in under the darkness of the night. She did it when nobody was watching. Her 12 points, 5 rebounds and 3 dimes a night went unnoticed at Ridgewood. Just like her 1st TEAM ALL COUNTY SELECTION. These are the reasons, why she was shock to everyone’s system she played against last weekend. Most were not ready for this total unknown. A player not glazed up or with a big reputation. Catie Klemm had something more important than all those things… SHE HAS A DYNAMIC GAME.
On Sunday I went home and watched every game Catie Klemm played last weekend. I wanted to make sure I had gotten it right. I still had doubts about how a kid this talented could pop up out of nowhere. Even if I never see a kid play. You at least hear their names floating around these days. I never pay attention to what people say about these kids that I have never seen. But so know their names. Everyone has a hype man or organization often exaggerating a players talent. Catie Klemm had none of that. I so I wanted to see myself, if she was just a one day pony or the real deal. What I discovered was Catie, was not just the real deal, she is the deal. Her basketball IQ IS OFF THE CHARTS. Here decision making is elite and her competitive nature is scary. I discovered CATIE KLEMM was a D1 Lock and more importantly the best new thing of the spring… she is not just D1 sleeper…. She is a coaches dream
