Dominique Taplin from Oakland High has decided to reopen his recruiting process. The senior point guard had originally made a verbal commitment to Santa Clara during the summer of 2009.
According to Oakland High Coach Orlando Watkins, Taplin's primary reason for this decision is a strong showing this past spring and summer with his club team, the Oakland Rebels. Taplin, the No. 20 ranked player in the NorCalPreps.com 2011 boys basketball rankings, consulted with his family and coaches and decided that Santa Clara would not be the best fit for him.
Taplin, an All Oakland Athletic League player last year, has the GPA and SAT scores to be a Division I qualifier. He is looking forward to having an outstanding senior season for the Wildcats that will allow him to move on to a college that best matches his potential and skill level. Taplin is comfortable playing in a half court set, but he believes that an up tempo pace will take advantage of his athleticism. He is open to his recruiting but has been in contact with schools in the Big Sky and Big West conferences among other colleges. Ideally, Taplin wants to make his commitment before the start of the Wildcat season during the early signing period.
At 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, Taplin is known to be a tenacious defender who has above average strength, has a good reach, and moves his feet well. As an offensive player, he is known to be an athletic slasher who can take the ball strong to the basket and finish. This Wildcat has worked hard during this past summer at 630am every morning to develop his mid-range and three point shot to make himself a more complete offensive player to complement his defensive tenacity. In addition, the Oakland High offense requires all the players to be strong ball handlers. Hence, Taplin will improve those skills as the season progresses.
Taplin's Oakland High team includes Jabari Brown, Jamil Brown, Jalen Headspeth, TJ Taylor, and Miles Gordon while his Rebels club team includes Juan Anderson (Castro Valley), Brendan Keane (St. Joseph's), and TJ Taylor. As a result, Taplin has played with and against some of the elite high school basketball players in Northern California. During his Oakland High practices, he will have the challenge and privilege of defending a physical Brown and a quick-footed Taylor. Practicing against these two Division I caliber teammates will translate into the season as well as college.
The current Oakland High team often features national star Brown but a quality guard like Taplin will definitely be noticed this upcoming season in the OAL. A solid senior year on top of his summer AAU performance will definitely bring more recognition to this quiet Wildcat.
Coach Watkins has said that he plans to make Taplin more of a vocal leader on the court this upcoming year. Coach Watkins believes that the program that gets him will be quite lucky. He says, "Dominique is a great kid who has busted his butt the past few years. During that time, I have seen his maturity grow on and off the court."
Watch for this Wildcat to be on the prowl again from a basketball playing and basketball recruiting perspective.
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