In the 16th century in Russia, Ivan Vasilyevich was known as the first Tsar of Russia and was nicknamed "Ivan the Terrible" as he was remembered for his paranoiac suspiciousness and cruel persecution of nobility during his reign. In the 21st century in Northern California, Freshman Ivan Rabb, otherwise known as "Ivan the Terribly Good" contributed immediately in the rotation after the departure of national prospect Brandon Ashley and played a key role in helping Bishop O'Dowd to a 27-6 record this past season on the hard court.
Like his Arizona-bound predecessor, Rabb is long, athletic, and versatile in his game. Another ironic twist is that the 6-foot-8 and 200 pounds post prospect already has an offer from Arizona earlier in the summer season. In addition, other west coast schools that are interested in him include Oregon, Oregon State, and UCLA.
Rabb has been a member of the Oakland Soldiers since eighth grade. Due to key injuries on the Soldiers 17U roster, Rabb was called up to the top team and has been competing in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) events among others.
Rabb has an obvious advantage with his height at his age. Soldiers Head Coach Nick Enzweiler says, "Ivan is so long and athletic, he has a huge advantage over his peers. He can use his height and length to score around the basket very effectively. He also has a very good touch around the basket for a big man."
Rabb compares his game to Kevin Garnett because he is similar physically and can play inside or outside. Rabb is left-handed and is comfortable posting up in the paint or sitting at the wing with a consistent mid-range shot.
Enzweiler comments on Rabb's attributes. "Obviously his height and wing span are his best attributes, but he is also a solid ball handler for a player his size and he has a solid outside jump shot."
Rabb is a good post passer and plays unselfishly. He expects to be a power forward at the college level, where his agility and lateral movement will enhance his developing ability as an effective shot blocker.
Being gifted at such a young age would spoil most people but Enzweiler sees Rabb progressing over the next three years. "I would like to see Ivan become an even better post player with his back to the basket. He needs to develop a wider range of post moves. He needs to learn to get deeper post position which will make him even more effective. Also, he needs to learn how to play against the double teams. With his talent, teams will constantly double him so he needs to learn how to pass out of the double teams more effectively."
On the college level, Rabb wants to play on a running team that is also effective in a half court offensive set. He is open to going anywhere from a geographic perspective and his favorite subjects are history and science. He is interested in real estate as he is also an avid player of Zynga's Cityville game where he has attained Level 50, which basically means that he has done a lot of mouse clicking on the screen.
Enzweiler believes Rabb has a great future ahead. "He is an outstanding high DI prospect. With his size and skill, the Pac-12 teams will be all over him. What I find most interesting about Ivan is that he is only 15! He has an enormous upside and he has so much time to develop and get better which is very scary for his opponents. Ivan loves basketball-to my knowledge he does not play any other sports because he focuses all of his energy and efforts into hoops."
When Ashley left for Findlay Prep this past season, Rabb stepped right into the rotation as a freshman. With TJ Daniel and Richard Longrus leaving for the Pac-12, Rabb will be the only returning starter but will also have frontcourt help from Kevin Dolan.
Rabb plans on working on his leadership by leading by example and being vocal. He is also working on getting bigger. His goal for next season is to make a deep run into the playoffs.
Ivan Vasilyevich got his famed moniker for the way that he ruled as a Tsar in 16th century Russia. If Rabb continues to progress, he will be a top national prospect in the 2015 class. Watch how "Terribly Good" this Dragon will be the next three years in Oakland (Calif).
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