More significance than we may be willing to acknowledge
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (April 2019)
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More significance than we may be willing to acknowledge
MIF-Nike
Giorgi is a good start there. Hopefully we get Holyfield or someone like him to pair with The King of Dance.
Perhaps I'm misremembering the recruitment. Didn't they spot him while recruiting Naz Reid and offer shortly thereafter? I'm pretty sure the Tribune article about him said that BU didn't know who he was when he saw him play and that was in late January of last year.
201154JC
- Rockford, IL
FWIW I took the time to watch the entire Our Savior vs Roselle Catholic game. I gotta believe this is another great under the radar pick up. Bernard has great hands, a nice stroke and rebounds very well. Thought his defense was very good around the rim. He is a natural big. Plays with fluidity. Kouma, Kofi and Giori B........looks like we're back. I'm encouraged.
Wasn't the staff after Valdir Manuel, Giorgi's teammate, first?
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Could well be, most of my info was just coming from the Tribune article that Shannon Ryan wrote about Giorgi. That article says BU and OA were there to watch one of Giorgi's opponents. Maybe Manuel had committed somewhere by then or otherwise fallen off the radar.
Yes and Manuel was the primary, I always thought he was a typical east coast recruit, meaning not leaving the area, and he seems to be. Giorgi was the unexpected diamond that was found.
Sadly I concur on this one....lol
Common theme in the tournament was rim protection. Good offensive players get to the rim despite the defense. Need protection there and two seven footers is a good start. Knew we would have a problem when opponents had two bigs vs Giorgi. Not sure how the pieces are going to fit together but have faith that there is a plan.
UCLA is now Under Armour.
We will be in it until the end. I think we will get him unless a Duke, UK come calling, then things get interesting.
I will guess about 20 minutes. Both centers listed played last year, 7 and 8 minutes. Five forwards and five guards, for the world team.
https://www.usab.com/mens/nike-hoop-summit/roster.aspx
Cronin to UCLA will greatly improve their situation in Miller’s recruitment. Cronin is in there pretty good with some of Miller’s people.
Interesting that he is in with them, he didn't even offer him when he was the coach at Cincinnati.
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
I kinda thought he got worked to be honest. He's a man-child physically but still needs to learn how to harness his size and add some agility. Mostly was bummed that he didn't have the fire to dominate whenever he was in, which was a clear contrast to Stewart. Hopefully Underwood can help with all three -- no doubt he'll be a huge contributor at some point, but this game is making me temper expectations for Year 1. If you don't get it up for a nationally televised semifinal game, I'm not convinced a Big Ten arena will suddenly change things. Hopefully I'm wrong.
Practice will certainly change with the addition of Kofi, Bernard, and maybe Antwan to Giorgi and Samba. Think that should help everyone's development including the guards ability to finish at the rim. Really expect Giorgi to lead that group and fire them up. How they fit into the chemistry and affect the defense will determine next year's success IMO.
Three-Point Play: Mick Cronin, Tre Jones, big weekend visits
Finland native
Olivier Robinson-Nkamhoua
will take his second official visit of the spring to Illinois this weekend. Pitt is in a fine spot for him as his trip to the Oakland campus went very well last weekend. It would seem Robinson-Nkamhoua will pick between the two programs, though Tennessee is also involved.
https://basketballrecruiting.rivals...play-mick-cronin-tre-jones-big-weekend-visits
Evan Daniels @ EvanDaniels
19h
No less than 15 coaches complained at the Final Four about how stupid this spring/summer recruiting schedule it. Rightfully so. One told me they left in the middle of the head coaches meeting explaining the changes b/c they couldn't handle the level of stupidity w/ the changes.
Brian Snow @ BSnow247
Just had a coach say this to me, "You guys get to go out and evaluate kids all the time. We only get one weekend. This is (expletive) stupid."
19h
No less than 15 coaches complained at the Final Four about how stupid this spring/summer recruiting schedule it. Rightfully so. One told me they left in the middle of the head coaches meeting explaining the changes b/c they couldn't handle the level of stupidity w/ the changes.
Brian Snow @ BSnow247
Just had a coach say this to me, "You guys get to go out and evaluate kids all the time. We only get one weekend. This is (expletive) stupid."
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drsmitty74
- Rochester
You are correct. Thanks for setting it straight. I still stand by that this was not a desperation move.
Who does Kofi compare to in the current NBA. I haven't watched a ton of his game tape, but just strictly based on build he kind of reminds me of Boogie Cousins. I have a feeling he will play more like Steven Adams. He seems like a bully on the court (which I love). Anyone seen him play more than just on highlights?
Tractor Traylor, RIP
RIPIP, Lets hope he is healthier.....
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