Recruiting Report: Ethan Snapp (2016)
When he signs Wednesday Ethan Snapp will become a standard-bearer for Newport High School Wildcat basketball. “He is probably going to be the first guy (from Newport public schools) in a really long time to sign D2,” said Newport Head Coach…
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Continue ReadingWhen he signs Wednesday Ethan Snapp will become a standard-bearer for Newport High School Wildcat basketball.
“He is probably going to be the first guy (from Newport public schools) in a really long time to sign D2,” said Newport Head Coach Rod Snapp, also his father.
At 2 PM Eastern, Wednesday afternoon, Snapp will put pen to paper for Urbana University (OH). Snapp has been verbally committed for three months, but the NCAA Signing Period opens for basketball on Wednesday.
Why did Snapp select Urbana?
“I think it is about two hours from our house, so it is relatively close,” said Coach Snapp. “Newport is about 400 kids. Going to a college at Urbana is a smaller university. I think coaches, players, and location were key.”
Ethan also visited visited Lipscomb, Belmont, and Charleston (D2-West Virginia). Charleston offered him. He liked the Cincinnati Christian coach, but Urbana fit his personality more closely.
“He really liked the atmosphere and the players,” said Coach Snapp. “He played in the open gym. All the guys were very sociable and treated him like he was one of them. He liked Coach (Rob) Summers and Coach Summers’ background playing overseas.”
Ethan Snapp Evaluation
Even though he thrived as a high school player, Ethan Snapp turned heads with Shining Stars AAU program.
“He is one of the best scorers I have coached in a long time,” said Shining Stars Coach Mike Price. “He is a great scorer. He has a variety of jump shots. He can shoot the floater. He can go right and left.”
Coach Price gushed over Snapp’s refined skills. Acknowledging the broad scoring arsenal is unavoidable, but both coaches also agreed he needs physical maturation.
“He just needs to gain weight,” said Coach Price. “His body just hasn’t caught up yet with where he is age-wise. When he gets a little bit of muscle and weight he is going to explode.”
Playing AAU Snapp routinely faced powerful guards, young men occasionally capable of bumping him away from his preferred path.
“The guys who gave him problems really got physical with him,” said Coach Price. “He had to adjust. It was good for him. Even in high school guys just chased him, bodied him, and held him.”
Entering his senior year Snapp began to absorb more contact. He converted more after taking the knock.
“I have always been a big believer in getting to the foul line,” said Coach Snapp. “It shows his size and aggressiveness.”
Because he scores from different points on the floor, Snapp has to engage with the big bodies. He is much more than an outside shooter and he threatens the defense by dashing into the lane.
“He still has to develop some muscle,” said Coach Snapp. “He needs some mass and frame. He is a herky-jerky player. He is hard to guard.”
At 155 pounds most of his prep career, Snapp still dominated the northern Kentucky area. His senior season Snapp posted 18.5 ppg, 4.0 apg, and 3.1 rpg.
“He knew that he had to run the point a little bit more,” said Coach Snapp. “He had to up his assist ratio, to become a more complete player.”
Coach Summers will usher Snapp from boyhood to manhood. By the time he graduates college Snapp will be a more complete player, but also a more complete human.
“(Coach Summers) played overseas a little bit,” said Coach Snapp. “He is really good with the kids. He seems like a player’s coach. He is not a wild man. He is pretty mild and reserved. He seems like he really cares about the kids and the program. It is important for kids to hear that and see that.”
Moving to another state, Snapp will be required to be accountable for his own problems and routinely make deadlines. College athletes have countless demands on their time and Snapp will welcome the transition.
Ethan Snapp is carrying the Newport name with him on his basketball journey. A whole town is rooting for him.