Looks like Kiir is retweeting a few pro-Illini tweets! We've seen this before, I know, but this year seems different! With the four we already have in the fold I'm taking off the cup, and it feels good!
I can't get mine off...to many dents.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (July-August 2016)
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I can't get mine off...to many dents.
He's a ways away from being a contributor and there's definitely a chance he just never becomes a basketball player and he's Ibby Djimde.
But big guys that can move like that do not grow on trees. If you can develop him, you've got a stud on your hands.
He hasn't gotten much exposure. Moved to the US from Australia three years ago. There were vague reports that he had some conditioning issues: apparently looked lean and explosive when he first showed up on the radar after his sophomore year and then put on a bit of weight and seemed sluggish for a brief stretch before regaining his conditioning this summer. He's played on a lower-level AAU team.
The reports and highlights speak of a player that possesses good defensive instincts, above average run-jump athleticism, terrific length, and a burgeoning offensive skill set. In interviews, Kiir has said he prides himself on his motor and aggressiveness. I've read a few write-ups that talk about his unique fluidity as a ball handler. He honestly sounds a little like Julius Randle to me. He had a great summer - put up solid scoring totals and elite rebounding numbers. Looks to be severely underrated - should probably be top-100 at least.
Probably pretty raw - I'm guessing he'd be a contributor as a sophomore or junior. With Tilmon in the fold, that would be perfect.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
My thoughts are similar to this. I am not enamored by the mix-tape I saw on 24/7 and see a lot of bust potential. With the big class coming in with him, I worry he'll get lost in the shuffle ala Aaron Spears.
I'm all for tempering mix tape hype but there's a reason Kiir has multiple. He oozes potential & has a much higher floor/ceiling than someone like Djimde. I agree he may not be a contributor immediately but defensively he can be one sooner rather than later. Offensively I wouldn't call him completely raw, either. Like most young bigs he has some progress to make there but he has some really nifty post-moves. His ceiling is through the roof.
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My thoughts exactly. Kier looks more athletic than most bigs that we get. Abby was molasses. Kier can redshirt if necessary to develop his body and offensive game and then be a force on D. Or not redshirt and give us 5-10 mins of defense off the bench. Either way high ceiling like you say. Worth the roll of the dice.
Unless, of course,Wilkes and Scruggs want to finish off this class...
He might foul out in 5-10 minutes as a true freshman. Gonna take time.
I agree it's worth a roll of the dice, especially when you've already got Tilmon who is ready to go.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
And you have two power forwards that are juniors. We have the luxury of not having to force big minutes on Kiir, or whoever we land.
Reading Kiir's choice of re-tweets, one would definitely think he is strongly considering attending Illinois, but that doesn't mean anything yet. The fact that we have 4 solid prospect committed already before their senior year even starts (or just is getting started) is very impressive work by Coach Groce. What a job he has done with very little success to show on the floor to prove to these recruits he's the guy and still to land a top 3 class (at the moment). Nicely done coach! If we add Kiir, you have a 1, a 1/2, a 2/3, a 4/5, and a 5 in this class. Talk about balance. I think you roll the last over at that point, unless its a borderline 5 star kid or immediate contributor. Obviously have to land Kiir still, but I'm on cloud 9 with the four guys who have said yes already!
Lather, rinse, repeat.
Is a mid-major program allowed to do that?
Mark Price=UNC-Charlotte.
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I just watched the Kiir mixtapes on youtube... sign me up... long, great athleticism for a guy his size and he has some hands unlike some similar unpolished talents. Also saw he just tweeted that a visit to UI is in the works.
Hey! That's me!
As others said, his timeline is full of pro Illinois tweets. We have recruiting momentum going and if distance is an issue, maybe Frazier can talk to him about it and say, for him, it's like a home away from home.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
Kiir came to the US from Australia. He may have come from Sudan? to Australia. I doubt distance is an issue.
Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
Looks like Kiir is retweeting a few pro-Illini tweets! We've seen this before, I know, but this year seems different! With the four we already have in the fold I'm taking off the cup, and it feels good!
It's good to take the cup off at least once or twice a year. Thing's gotta breathe...
EDIT: Geez, too slow and beaten by two or three other guys. Story of my life.
I dont know jack about the kid and watched about two thirds of that highlight tape but he runs and moves that 6'9 220 like he's about 6'4 195. But not a slight gazelle type either, seems willing to get his nose dirty too. decent hands moving with the ball.
Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
Have to admit I didn't know much about Victor Uyaelunmo, and really like Kiir's potential, but I would be very happy with either guy. Victor may not be as good in space, but he's a beast on D, and can sure play that center spot.
Not sure if Tilmon seems himself as a C or a PF at the next level. May not matter in college, but the skills are different in the NBA.
Yeah, whether he is in Illinois or Florida..the relative distance is the same. He hasn't been in the states that long so it's not like he is deeply rooted to Florida.
Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
Just a reminder, which I think we all know, defense is a heck of a lot more than swatting shots. Team defense means knowing where your teammates are, where you want to push the ball, how to defend pick-and-roll, positioning, etc. There's a reason why even very good high school players don't play much as freshman, and it's usually because they have to think too much on defense to play within the team concept. I think Kiir could obviously be a force on defense and the boards, and it looks like he already has better handles than a guy his size has a right to, but he needs a lot more than highlight tape blocks to show he can play 5-10 minutes a game for us as a freshman. Probably stating the obvious...
Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
He's gotta work on not doing a pull-up after every dunk. I counted about 13 technicals in one highlight reel!
I almost agree with you but I think you hope for 2 from A, the 1 each a,b but 2 from b wouldn't be bad either. and your right having Wilkes on both right now he is by far the biggest fish we are hopeing to at least have a shot at
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
Meh.
Didn't DePaul have a mcd AA who was a 1st round pick and 2 other 1st round picks in late 90- early aughts?
Didn't too too much for them.
I don't expect it will bring a sea Change for SLU Especially if Ford is itching to get back to P5 asap
Meh.
Didn't DePaul have a mcd AA who was a 1st round pick and 2 other 1st round picks in late 90- early aughts?
Didn't too too much for them.
I don't expect it will bring a sea Change for SLU Especially if Ford is itching to get back to P5 asap
That is kind of a contradictory statement because the only way Ford gets back to P5 is if SLU has success.
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