It's funny how the personalities of posters come out in every single situation. Now the pessimists are complaining that OA couldn't land a blue chipper in his two and a half years at a mid major and didn't contribute to landing/developing the future NBA bigs an Kentucky.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (July-August 2017)
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Looks like OA's best recruits at USF were Troy Baxter & Mike Bibby Jr...Baxter was a 4 star top 100 guy & Bibby Jr. had some good offers. Not the worst for a historically bad program
I think he has been a very good recruiter throughout his career. That is of course different than closing recruits and being successful at Illinois in particular, but there are valid reasons for optimism.
At the same time, he has been successful coaching talented, highly ranked recruits, specifically bigs. There is no much evidence pointing to turning diamonds in the rough into successful high level players. If he had done that, he would have been more successful in South Florida.
So despite all this "positionless" basketball, yada, yada, yada, much will depend on Illini significantly upgrading our roster and getting talented players on the court. Even next year, the reason for optimism is the infusion of talented guards, many of them who can play PG (not really positionless). As a next step, we need to seriously upgrade the talent level at 3-5 positions.
Has an impressive offer list according to 247. Kansas, Arizona, UCLA, Purdue, WVa, Oregon.
I for one agree with you , I do not think they are recruiting hm to be the post/high post/pinch post /5 what ever you want to call it. I think Sow or this new name are the ones they are after for that spot, Same could be said for next years class Okoro and Ej sure aren't being recruited to play the same spot
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Agree with all of this.
Upgrading our bigs will be hugely important, which is why OA's role is hugely important. I think OA has a chance to be hugely effective for us if we can get things rolling on the court. Pair his connections with some winning... Look out. But then again, it's the chicken and the egg. Can we start winning without high-level bigs?
Kid is an absolute beast. Has Oregon, KU, and AZ offers. OA got a few tricks up his sleeve I guess.
The problem is there are not enough good bigs to fulfill the demand. That's why player development is so important at that position. I read a few years ago, that bigs with the potential to play in the NBA rarely make it to their senior year. The best ones get drafted after one year, and they tend to go to a handful of schools. They are hard to recruit. We can win without the most talented bigs, but there's a ceiling. Positionless BB is not a magic wand. It might be a great system, but it requires the right combination of talent on both offense and defense, and that includes the 5. BU may not be looking for the traditional big bruiser, but looking at our roster, we need help.
The best ones do, sure. But a good amount of NBA caliber big men stick around for 2-4 years. One's in recent memory that come to mind are AJ Hammons(4 years), Damian Jones(3 years), Georges Niang(4 years), Gorgui Dieng(3 years),Montrez Harrell(3 years), Thomas Bryant flirted with a 3rd year at IU, and I'm sure there's others I'm missing. Bigs take longer to develop, even quasi-elite ones!
Special Talent
This is one of the best highlight videos I've seen recently and not only for the elite skill displayed by Bryan. Immediate game changer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fq_4s8QMjQ
This is one of the best highlight videos I've seen recently and not only for the elite skill displayed by Bryan. Immediate game changer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fq_4s8QMjQ
Insane length. Those arms don't end.
I was quietly judging people for getting excited about an unofficial from a guy we haven't been linked to at all, and then I watched the video, and now apologize because even a 1% chance to land him is at least worth some level of excitement.
Interest from UK and LVille.
But sources are telling me his growth plates may be closed.
Didn't see this had already been posted. My bad.
We get a big dog sniffing around, I would say he is interested in us. U V too. OA must have got his attention. Attaboy OA , now the plot thickens.
opcorn:opcorn::thumb:Wasn't that yesterday's news?
We get a big dog sniffing around, I would say he is interested in us. U V too. OA must have got his attention. Attaboy OA , now the plot thickens.
Unfortunately, I don't see a plot yet, but if there is one, it's a mystery.
Really, I thought you were paying attention. Need to watch closer as handful of big guys, are all scheduling visits within a 3 week period, all vying for probably 1 spot. Which will it be?
Scout ranking
Conditt. #210
Sow. #241
Not sure staff is checking ranking, the judge performance and potential.
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