I've watched all of Dainja highlights I can find, and it's hard not to be enthused. I realize these videos can be misleading and incomplete, but I saw enough of him to suggest he might be able to play the 4 as well as the 5. In addition to the countless thunderous dunks, I saw a guy with a face-up game. Can put the ball on the floor and create mid-range jump shots, was even draining jumpers from out near the arc. He seems versatile and athletic in the paint, with the ability to create. He's got an effective turn around jumper in the post (think Deon Thomas). He's listed at 6-9; I hope that's accurate, as we may need him primarily in the post. He seems big and strong in the upper body; anybody know what kind of program Fletcher is putting him through?
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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On next year and "Guard U" and playing time....if you take care of ball, play D and make the 3, you will get on the court. Some may emerge as playmakers...room for that, and that's where curbelo shines. It will be fun to watch. TF, plummer and damonte all leave big shoes to fill.
Agree with all of this but the clips I saw showed a complete disinterest in playing defense. He is very skilled but does he have the motor and drive to play defense? If he does we are going to be very happy. Coaches must have evaluated this and had a positive conclusion.
USAFILLINI
- Florida
He is going to get a year playing D against the NPOY, and an extremely athletic OP every day in practice (no where else in the nation could he get that). Everything I read there was a huge question mark around his conditioning, which I expect Fletch will take care of. Might be drinking the juice, but I think we will see some solid minutes from him next year.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
Fixed
Nothing against DMW but I hope he is more like Nick Anderson.
B-ILL
- Working From Home
Are you comparing his videos to DMW's high school videos? Or the role the DMW has settled into on this team?
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
That would be setting the bar awfully high!
More the latter. I saw DMW in person in h.s. more than once. I don't need hs. video on him. The role he has settled into on this team doesn't show his creative offensive skills.
The videos I've seen have been summer league teams--AAU games. Defense in those games is notoriously lacking. And if he's "disinterested" in playing defense at Illinois, he'll spend his time sitting next to Underwood rather than seeing the floor.
Perhaps that is why he chose Illinois? The culture and drive from BU as a motivator forcing him to play D could be seen as an admittance of his own weakness
Fletch doesn't take care of conditioning. Players take care of conditioning. I pretty much guarantee that Baylor has an S&C guy that is in the same ball park as our guy.
No doubt Dainja has all the right tools and personnel available to get into top shape. At this point it's up to him.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
ahah - a hall of fame name from the vault!
(Speculating that people never really go away; they're just reincarnated.)
Dainja is originally from Chicago and he sees some serious open minutes at the PF position. Those are the more likely reasons. However, I'm quite sure he will learn pretty quickly that he will play defense or not play. That desire for minutes should get him to put forth some effort on the defensive side.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Great timing for this retro clip. Love it!!
How about Grandison?
Yeah, based on things the freshmen this year have said publicly, I don't think this staff is sugar coating their expectations. The way to floor time at Illinois is to convince the coaches that you can do your job defensively.
I'm excited to see this young man play. Most of the video's are a few years old. I know he was sidelined for a period of time with a foot injury, but I assume he has advanced some of the skills that were apparent in his AAU days. I he stays healthy and follows his fitness/nutrition plan, he could earn a significant role.
DMW, offensively, was a more dynamic player in H.S. than Rodgers. He could score and create offensive all over the court. Obviously his injury affected his playing style.
Rodgers is more the in-your-face physical beast at the same stage.
ChazzReinhold
Mom! The Meatloaf!
Then what is the “C” in S&C coach?
Yes him too...big loss there.
Although love for him to figure out another yr of covid eligibility, I think he may have one still...
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