Former Illini in College Hoops

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#801      
ESPN 2023 Mock Draft - posted today

Brandin Podziemski | 6-5 | SG | Age: 20.0 | Santa Clara | No. 39 in Top 100

It's hard to find a more productive player in college basketball over the past 10 games. Podziemski is averaging an outstanding 23.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 57% for 2 and 48% for 3 over that stretch, helping him win co-WCC player of the year honors. Unfortunately for him, and NBA scouts, Podziemski's NCAA tournament hopes were dashed when Santa Clara lost in double overtime in the WCC tournament quarterfinals, leaving the Broncos hoping for an NIT invite on Sunday.


Podziemski is shooting 45% for 3 on the season, but is much more than that, seeing a significant amount of offense handling in pick and roll, in isolation, pushing in transition, or coming off screens. He is smart when operating off hesitation moves, splitting or rejecting ball screens, and passing on the move, but has seen his production drop off fairly dramatically against better competition this season, shooting just 43% inside the arc with nearly as many turnovers as assists against top-100 caliber competition. NBA teams have some concerns about Podziemski's physical tools, as he doesn't boast great size, length or frame and has had some tough moments defensively one-on-one against better competition. With that said, he clearly brings an intriguing combination of toughness and smarts which allowed him to lead the WCC in rebounding and post a strong 1.8 steals per game.

Podz leading the WCC in rebounding is what’s setting him apart. What league anywhere has a 6’5 guard lead it in rebounding? Then the 45% from 3. If you can shoot at an elite level, and you have some toughness, you’ll get looks at the NBA. The rebounding is showing he has more to his game than just an outside shooter.

The trajectory of his career is reminding me somewhat of Max Strus. Strus started out at D2 Lewis, transferred to DePaul, and I don’t think anyone considered him a real NBA prospect. But he worked his way into the league and was starting last year for an ECF team. Nobody saw that when he was at Lewis. Podz could be between Tyler Herro and Strus. Maybe the Heat will draft him bc they love guys like that. Throw in Duncan Robinson too. If you shoot 40+% from 3, play the game smart on the defensive end, the NBA will find you no matter where you are.

The resident coach defenders trying to say he wouldn’t play much here is ridiculous sour grapes. It’s ok to say the staff made a mistake by not recognizing a guys talent. It happens in every sport. The Dodgers gave away Yordan Alvarez for nothing. White Sox did the same with Tatis Jr.
 
#802      

Big Jack

Decatur
Podz leading the WCC in rebounding is what’s setting him apart. What league anywhere has a 6’5 guard lead it in rebounding? Then the 45% from 3. If you can shoot at an elite level, and you have some toughness, you’ll get looks at the NBA. The rebounding is showing he has more to his game than just an outside shooter.

The trajectory of his career is reminding me somewhat of Max Strus. Strus started out at D2 Lewis, transferred to DePaul, and I don’t think anyone considered him a real NBA prospect. But he worked his way into the league and was starting last year for an ECF team. Nobody saw that when he was at Lewis. Podz could be between Tyler Herro and Strus. Maybe the Heat will draft him bc they love guys like that. Throw in Duncan Robinson too. If you shoot 40+% from 3, play the game smart on the defensive end, the NBA will find you no matter where you are.

The resident coach defenders trying to say he wouldn’t play much here is ridiculous sour grapes. It’s ok to say the staff made a mistake by not recognizing a guys talent. It happens in every sport. The Dodgers gave away Yordan Alvarez for nothing. White Sox did the same with Tatis Jr.
I am glad you are a Pods fan so am i. Really wish he had stayed however that being said Ago would eat him for lunch! I hope he does get drafted and I am wrong but I don't see it happening. Maybe he duplicates those numbers again next year a GM will take shot at him but we shall see.
 
#803      
Im
Podz leading the WCC in rebounding is what’s setting him apart. What league anywhere has a 6’5 guard lead it in rebounding? Then the 45% from 3. If you can shoot at an elite level, and you have some toughness, you’ll get looks at the NBA. The rebounding is showing he has more to his game than just an outside shooter.

The trajectory of his career is reminding me somewhat of Max Strus. Strus started out at D2 Lewis, transferred to DePaul, and I don’t think anyone considered him a real NBA prospect. But he worked his way into the league and was starting last year for an ECF team. Nobody saw that when he was at Lewis. Podz could be between Tyler Herro and Strus. Maybe the Heat will draft him bc they love guys like that. Throw in Duncan Robinson too. If you shoot 40+% from 3, play the game smart on the defensive end, the NBA will find you no matter where you are.

The resident coach defenders trying to say he wouldn’t play much here is ridiculous sour grapes. It’s ok to say the staff made a mistake by not recognizing a guys talent. It happens in every sport. The Dodgers gave away Yordan Alvarez for nothing. White Sox did the same with Tatis Jr.
Im wondering what sort of impact Covid had in that class which is currently Sophmores. Had year taken away from them in a critical stage in development and evaluation, then had to deal with super seniors as freshman who should have never been on the same team with as well as playing against.
 
#804      
The resident coach defenders trying to say he wouldn’t play much here is ridiculous sour grapes. It’s ok to say the staff made a mistake by not recognizing a guys talent. It happens in every sport. The Dodgers gave away Yordan Alvarez for nothing. White Sox did the same with Tatis Jr.

Nobody knows what the conversations were like or what the situation was with Podz here at Illinois. In my mind, the likely scenario is that Brad tried to keep him on board without promising him too much. Podz transferred down a level for a reason. He's certainly improved a great deal, and as him being a former Illini, I celebrate his success.

You also must realize you are on an Illini fan forum, so to speak that way "resident coach defenders" and harp on this being such a huge mistake when in reality nobody (or, well, every other P5 coach in the country, at least) saw this progress coming from him. We have the winningest coach in the B1G over the last 4-5 years who (by the way) still wins 20 games and goes to the tournament in a down year when we lost 90% of our production. But, now he isn't a good coach because he has a former player on a mid-major team averaging 19 & 8? Sorry, but that's "ridiculous sour grapes", to use your terminology.
 
#805      

MustangWally

Mayfield
Nobody knows what the conversations were like or what the situation was with Podz here at Illinois. In my mind, the likely scenario is that Brad tried to keep him on board without promising him too much. Podz transferred down a level for a reason. He's certainly improved a great deal, and as him being a former Illini, I celebrate his success.

You also must realize you are on an Illini fan forum, so to speak that way "resident coach defenders" and harp on this being such a huge mistake when in reality nobody (or, well, every other P5 coach in the country, at least) saw this progress coming from him. We have the winningest coach in the B1G over the last 4-5 years who (by the way) still wins 20 games and goes to the tournament in a down year when we lost 90% of our production. But, now he isn't a good coach because he has a former player on a mid-major team averaging 19 & 8? Sorry, but that's "ridiculous sour grapes", to use your terminology.
I missed the part where he said Brad isn't a good coach.
 
#808      
I don’t understand all the sour grapes about Podz on this thread. The fact that he’s doing so well confirms that our staff is extra good at spotting talent in high school players.

Also, he’s noticeably improved. He absolutely does look like a future NBA player. That range and jumper with the high arc he has is a thing of beauty. That’s NBA level right there already. It’s gonna have a “gravity” effect and demand extra attention from defenses, thus opening up the team offense. I remember he had a bit of that last year too even in limited minutes. I think the big difference is he’s gained a step or two and can now do a lot more on top of the shooting. Yeah the WCC isn’t the BIG but no doubt he could still a number 1-2 option on a power 5 team. What a difference a year can make for development.

And for those ragging on his defense, individual offense is always going to be way more valuable than individual defense in basketball. Just the way the game is structured. His defense never has to be great. Just okay enough for him to stay on the floor so he can score. He’s got good enough size and mobility for that. Guys like Max Strus and Duncan Robinson are able to have decent NBA careers. Podz is absolutely capable of doing the same.
 
#810      
gareth edwards godzilla GIF


Go get drafted big dog!!!!
 
#813      
Ladies and gentlemen! In a shocker, I welcome Skyy Clark to this thread!

No Way Disbelief GIF


Please go to Michigan. You’ll fit in nicely with their program for many reasons. So thankful this is done. The suspense was killing me thinking the “personal reasons” were actually personal reasons and he would return. /s

It is a shame with this kid/his camp. But this is not one I will root for as the whole thing was pure selfishness on their part.

Sad Anthony Anderson GIF
 
#814      
Ladies and gentlemen! In a shocker, I welcome Skyy Clark to this thread!



Please go to Michigan. You’ll fit in nicely with their program for many reasons. So thankful this is done. The suspense was killing me thinking the “personal reasons” were actually personal reasons and he would return. /s

It is a shame with this kid/his camp. But this is not one I will root for as the whole thing was pure selfishness on their part.

Sad Anthony Anderson GIF
I’m thankful that kids have these opportunities now that didn’t have in the past…because that was wrong. (name and likeness…intellectual property etc.)

But I’m starting to get a little tired of these guys that play 89-99 percent of the time as freshmen and then lampoon us on the way out the door.
 
#816      
Let this be a cautionary tale: Every single Illini player that transferred is not in the NCAA tournament. Ace Wolf, Curbelo, Podz, Bosmans-Verdonk, Payne. I guess you can include Skyy Clark now
 
#821      
End of season update on the Illini diaspora

Jacob Grandison - Duke (6th year) appeared in all 34 games, starting 0 and averaging 16.0 minutes per game (8th most), averaged 4.4 points on .537 TS%, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists, along with 0.4 steals and 0.1 blocks. solid 4.3 Box Plus Minus. Duke finishes 26-8 (14-6) and then won the ACC Tournament. They will be a 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, making Grandison the only former Illini that will appear in the Big Dance and he will look to close out his college career on a high note.

Tevian Jones - Southern Utah (5th year) appeared and started in 33 games (with 1 game missed) and averaged a team high 33.5 minutes per game. He was his team's leading scorer at 17.6 PPG on .558 TS% (overall career is a .541 TS%), along with 4.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.1 blocks against 2.2 turnovers. Southern Utah finishes 22-12 (12-6) and fell short in the WAC Conference Tournament Championship Game to end their chances of a bid (after his heroic 4-point play sent them to the championship game). Jones finished 1st team All-WAC in what was a very strong last season for the former Illini, who made the most of his COVID eligible year.

Omar Payne - Jacksonville (Sr.) appeared in 25 games and started 9 (with 4 games missed) and averaged 17.0 minutes per game. He averaged 4.8 points per game on a team best .604 TS%, 3.2 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.3 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. Jacksonville finishes 13-16 (6-12) and failed to qualify for the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament. He should have one more year of eligibility due to COVID.

Jermaine Hamlin - Eastern Illinois (Sr.) appeared in 27 games and started 2 (with 4 games missed) and only averaged 9.3 minutes per game. He averaged 3.1 points per game on .518 TS%, 2.0 rebounds, 0.0 assists (recorded 1 all season), 0.1 steals and 0.7 blocks. Eastern Illinois finishes a lowly 9-22 (5-13) to come in last place and failing to qualify for the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. Hamlin should have one more year of eligibility due to COVID.

Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonck - South Carolina (r-Jr.) appeared in 31 games and started 14 (with 1 game missed) and averaged 14.9 minutes per game. He only averaged 1.9 points per game on a very poor .436 TS%, 3.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.2 blocks. South Carolina finishes a lowly 11-21 (4-14) and were eliminated in the first round of the SEC Tournament. Based on both a Redshirt year and the COVID year, he should have two more years of eligibility.

Andre Curbelo - St. John's (Jr.) appeared in 26 games and started 16 (with 7 games missed due to a combo of injury, suspension and coach's decision) and averaged 27.3 minutes per game. He averaged 9.6 points per game on a poor .468 TS%, a team leading 4.3 assists against 2.7 turnovers, 2.8 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 0.2 blocks. St. John's finishes 18-15 (7-13) and was eliminated in the Quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament. Curbelo will have two more years of eligibility due to COVID. Most concerning is that he's now had issues with two separate coaching staffs, and has already used his "free transfer" last season. St. John's fired coach Mike Anderson, so he will likely have to make nice with whomever they bring in.

Adam Miller - LSU (r-So.) appeared and started in all 33 games and averaged a team high 33.0 minutes per game. He averaged 11.5 points per game on a poor .486 TS%, 1.7 assists against 2.1 turnovers, 2.3 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.2 blocks. Very tough season for LSU in the wake of Will Wade's dismissal and mass exodus of players last season as they finish 14-19 (2-16) to come in last place in the SEC and were eliminated in the second round of the SEC Tournament. Miller has had some bad luck since making the USA Roster for the 2021 U-19 FIBA World Cup where he tore his ACL and missed all of 2021-22 and then with Will Wade's dismissal saw the coach and team he joined leave in mass. He has three more years of eligibility due to both COVID and a redshirt season.

Brandin Podziemski - Santa Clara (So.) appeared and started in 31 games (with 1 game missed) and averaged a team high 35.9 minutes per game. He averaged a team high 19.9 points per game on an impressive .604 TS%, which included a WCC-best 43.6 % on 5.8 three point attempts per game. He averaged 3.5 assists against 2.2 turnovers, 8.8 rebounds per game (WCC-best), 1.8 steals and 0.5 blocks. Santa Clara finishes 23-9 (11-5) and were eliminated in the Quarterfinals of the WCC Tournament. They qualified for the NIT as a 6 seed where they will play Sam Houston on Wednesday. Podziemski 2nd in the WCC in Player Efficiency Rating, 2nd in Win Shares and 1st in Box Plus/Minus. Podziemski was named 1st Team All-WCC and alongside Gonzaga's Drew Timme was honored as the Co-Player of the Year in the Conference. He has found his way onto some Mock NBA Draft Boards as a 2nd round pick. Once the season is over, he will have a decision to make regarding his future, but he has 2 remaining years of eligibility if he chooses to remain in school.
 
#824      
Nobody knows what the conversations were like or what the situation was with Podz here at Illinois. In my mind, the likely scenario is that Brad tried to keep him on board without promising him too much. Podz transferred down a level for a reason. He's certainly improved a great deal, and as him being a former Illini, I celebrate his success.

You also must realize you are on an Illini fan forum, so to speak that way "resident coach defenders" and harp on this being such a huge mistake when in reality nobody (or, well, every other P5 coach in the country, at least) saw this progress coming from him. We have the winningest coach in the B1G over the last 4-5 years who (by the way) still wins 20 games and goes to the tournament in a down year when we lost 90% of our production. But, now he isn't a good coach because he has a former player on a mid-major team averaging 19 & 8? Sorry, but that's "ridiculous sour grapes", to use your terminology.
I think you can still like the head coach while questioning decisions that were made by the coaching staff, that's the point of these discussions/forums!

A consistent defense of the coaching staff by saying the many talent evaluators/scouts are way off on him (given he is projected early second round in many mocks) and our coaching staff's evaluation of him is still on point (i.e., can't play defense, not athletic, etc) seems to be drinking too much Orange Kool-Aid related to talent identification. I believe the point of the post you responded to was that some people blindly defend every decision made by their team/staff, and that it is ok to criticize the staff while also believing they are great coaches.
 
#825      
Andre Curbelo - St. John's (Jr.) appeared in 26 games and started 16 (with 7 games missed due to a combo of injury, suspension and coach's decision) and averaged 27.3 minutes per game. He averaged 9.6 points per game on a poor .468 TS%, a team leading 4.3 assists against 2.7 turnovers, 2.8 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 0.2 blocks. St. John's finishes 18-15 (7-13) and was eliminated in the Quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament. Curbelo will have two more years of eligibility due to COVID. Most concerning is that he's now had issues with two separate coaching staffs, and has already used his "free transfer" last season. St. John's fired coach Mike Anderson, so he will likely have to make nice with whomever they bring in.
Does Curbelo get a free transfer because his coach was fired, or does that work only for incoming recruits?
 
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