Roy Marble Jr., has some pretty good bloodlines. His dad still holds down the top spot in the Iowa record book with 2,116 career points scored, playing in Iowa City from 1986-89. He even helped the Tom Davis-led Hawkeyes to an Elite Eight appearance and currently works for the Big Ten Network as a color commentator.Meanwhile, the younger Marble is one of the top players in the state of Michigan for the class of 2010. The 6-foot-5 Southfield native has a lot to live up to with a former NBA player as a father.
“I’m more comfortable on the court this year, and as a result, I see the game unfolding better and can react accordingly,” Marble Jr., told the Oakland Press back in January. “I don’t really feel hindered by the comparisons to my dad, because I think we have different types of games. He was a hard-core slasher, and I’m a better shooter than he was. His style was his style, and I know I’ve been able to create my own, so I just go from there.”
As a junior in high school, Marble earned Class A first team all-state in Michigan, averaging 21.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 4.0 steals. According to rivals.com, Marble has received recruiting interest from Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Providence--none have offered a scholarship, however.
Even with Marble’s pedigree and solid play, he hasn’t gotten as much attention as he hoped for. Mike Avery, his head coach at Lathrup High School, believes it’s a mistake for D-1 colleges to overlook him.
From the Oakland Press: “For some reason, Junior has stayed under the radar for most of his career so far,” he said. “If the college recruiters are doing their job, he’ll be hard not to find as things move forward. Somebody will be able to snatch him away to their program and they’ll have a real diamond in the rough. He’s a pure scorer.”
Scott Burnstein, a sportswriter for the Oakland Press, seems to share Avery’s viewpoint.
“Roy Jr. is one of the true hidden gems of the 2010 recruiting class,” Burnstein wrote. “Just like his father, Roy Sr. - an all-Big Ten player at Iowa in the late-80's and NBA first round draft pick of the Atlanta Hawks - he has a knack for the bucket, utilizing a tantalizing array of offensive moves. An owner of one of the sweetest strokes in the state, Marble will be a huge sleeper for whatever college coach grabs him.”
Sounds like a good fit for Todd Lickliter’s Hawkeyes. It would be surprising if Iowa didn’t offer this talented wing player. Marble appears to have the stroke to fit into the system and a father who’s obviously familiar with the area. Recent reports indicate Iowa is interested.
And with little other major college competition, at least to this point, the Hawkeyes could have the inside track in gaining Marble’s services.
*Photo from Detroit Free Press.
"a sweet stroke", whoa Nellie. Having watched his Dad throughout his career, I had a recurring dream about combining his Dad's slashing moves to the bucket with Glen Rice's (Michigan)outside shot. In my mind that combination would have been the perfect basketball player. So when I hear that he indeed can slash as well as stroke; my imagination is let off the chain. Now keep in mind I have never seen Junior play so this is pure unadulterated fantasy...but isn't that what internet blogging is all about?
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