re: How meaningful are STARS? Player evaluations

In my opinion, the hidden gems are usually late bloomers with little exposure, but that's why LSU and Alabama pay their recruiters on their staffs good money.

I try not to base my opinion on kids I see play off of their rivals/scout profiles. If I know his height, weight and age, I could make a decent assessment of the kid. Meeting the family, especially if they have older brothers, helps out as well. 40 times, verticals and bench press maxs are great, but I like to read a little further into in comparison to the know-it-alls from scout and rivals. There just seems like there is something they miss when picking sure things and busts.... but I think that's based more on coaching schemes, player-coach relationships and the biggest issue IMO, the "unmeasurable intangibles", work ethic/attitude/leadership/accountability/etc