By all accounts from last season, he and Trent went at it for hours.. so if he can keep up with Trent, I'm sure his speed Is fine.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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And now I put an alert on all his tweets…Its about that time for Skyy to be on commit watch
I was at that game, I'll never forget it. My dad drove in a snow storm most the way home after. I lived in Bolingbrook at the time. I remember barely being able to see, we were going like 10 MPH on the interstate.Intriguing!
I hear Rennie Clemons dunked on his dad, so probably no chance
I’m excited about the prospect of what Podz can be for us in the future. Will he be patient enough to see that come to fruition? I sure hope so.
His dad hasn’t been on here like he was at the beginning of the season. Could be nothing, but hopefully that isn’t a sign of a little frustration with how they thought the season and playing time would go compared to how it actually went throughout the season. It’s a tough thing for really good HS players to not get the playing time they are used to when they get to college (especially a good program that is typically top 25 caliber… which is thankfully Illinois now).
Hope he sticks it out, and that he is the player that everyone is complaining about playing against in 2026 as someone else already mentioned. I just hope he is playing for us. And by no means do I know or have I heard any speculation other than what is on this board. I just hope he’s happy here.
His dad hasn’t been on here like he was at the beginning of the season. Could be nothing, but hopefully that isn’t a sign of a little frustration with how they thought the season and playing time would go compared to how it actually went throughout the season. It’s a tough thing for really good HS players to not get the playing time they are used to when they get to college (especially a good program that is typically top 25 caliber… which is thankfully Illinois now).
Hope he sticks it out, and that he is the player that everyone is complaining about playing against in 2026 as someone else already mentioned. I just hope he is playing for us. And by no means do I know or have I heard any speculation other than what is on this board. I just hope he’s happy here.
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Agreed on all points. It seemed like Podz knew coming into the season, based partially on Mr. Podz posts, that he wasn't going to play a lot with the veteran lineup. We've seen him putting in the work on the side though and I see a lot of potential, especially as a 3 pt. specialist. That said, it was probably pretty tough to realize he is third in line among the freshman. If Podz stays, he is never going to have a clear path to PT the way we are recruiting, so he's going to have to earn it. I hope he does. If he leaves, I hope its because he had a really honest conversation with the coaches and they tell him it is best for him to go find playing time elsewhere. I hope it's not because he's unhappy with the coaches or his experience this year, which went about exactly as expected.I’m excited about the prospect of what Podz can be for us in the future. Will he be patient enough to see that come to fruition? I sure hope so.
His dad hasn’t been on here like he was at the beginning of the season. Could be nothing, but hopefully that isn’t a sign of a little frustration with how they thought the season and playing time would go compared to how it actually went throughout the season. It’s a tough thing for really good HS players to not get the playing time they are used to when they get to college (especially a good program that is typically top 25 caliber… which is thankfully Illinois now).
Hope he sticks it out, and that he is the player that everyone is complaining about playing against in 2026 as someone else already mentioned. I just hope he is playing for us. And by no means do I know or have I heard any speculation other than what is on this board. I just hope he’s happy here.
Good luck Brandon. I'll be rooting for you!
you would like to think they knew with all the super seniors and Belo that PODZ wasn't gonna get too much tick his first year. Then again we don't know what he was told in the recruiting process. Podz seems like an awesome dude.I’m excited about the prospect of what Podz can be for us in the future. Will he be patient enough to see that come to fruition? I sure hope so.
His dad hasn’t been on here like he was at the beginning of the season. Could be nothing, but hopefully that isn’t a sign of a little frustration with how they thought the season and playing time would go compared to how it actually went throughout the season. It’s a tough thing for really good HS players to not get the playing time they are used to when they get to college (especially a good program that is typically top 25 caliber… which is thankfully Illinois now).
Hope he sticks it out, and that he is the player that everyone is complaining about playing against in 2026 as someone else already mentioned. I just hope he is playing for us. And by no means do I know or have I heard any speculation other than what is on this board. I just hope he’s happy here.
Yeah, my point is that highly successful teams do not rely on gimmick Ds. It's why Shaka has struggled to replicate his mid-major success.
Plus you've been recruiting and selling guys on the relatively successful D we have. We just need non-streaky shooters and a bit more size (which hopefully is on the way).
That's okay, when I was younger, I used to date myself...A LOT!
Belo should be recruiting Payne if their pick and roll ability can really be what we were told it could be.
Big Jack
- Decatur
I have heard the same thing so not doubting his ability to guard. I believe he was just at the wrong place at the wrong time with to many upper class men at his position. When you can't get ahead and hold a lead its hard to go that deep off the bench. He had 3-5 guys to get past. I think he will be fine! He has a great stroke just needs his chance.
Agree. And seemed like after every game there were posts of him getting an extra lift/conditioning/shots etc. and I think around senior night he had a post to the effect that he never thought he could look up to a teammate the way he looked up to Trent. Sounds like he had the right attitude that last year was all about learning from the veterans and getting better. I’m not surprised that he was third out of the freshman as his was the biggest jump in competition and I’m sure the biggest adjustment. But he looks to have gotten much stronger physically and we know he can shoot it. Kid is going to be a player.
There still a place in the NBA for traditional big men. Especially on the defensive end. Strong rebounding and ability to score in the paint on other NBA bigs! Kofi strength and ability around the rim is his niche! Do that extremely well and you'll get paid like Shaq did. Giannis has done it for years. Yes he's developing a semi shot, but he's still not really a threat shooting. But dunking and points in the paint is where he thrives.
Completely agree
Giannis is a freak athletically….and can handle the ball…..Kofi isn’t fast enough laterally right nor does he have the ball handing or shooting ability to play in the nav right now.
I want Podz to stay. He can be huge for us next year
Based on what? I've deleted about 3 posts on this before I hit reply, but based on what are all the expectations for Podz?
The way I see it, Goode and RJ are better which is why they saw the floor. Now you add in Rodgers and potentially Shannon and where do you see Podz seeing the floor next year?
That isn't even taking into account Epps and potentially Skyy and Miller. There are only so many minutes to be had. Who is Podz playing over? Sorry to say it boys, but I personally would be a little shocked if he's still on the team next year. Happy, but shocked.
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
Yeahhh Kofi is his own kind of physical freak but he isn't dunking from the free throw line in traffic or casually doing this over a 6'6" guy in the middle of a game:
Not very useful comparing Kofi's physical gifts to those of two of the most insane physical and athletic specimens this world has ever seen.
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
Right? He needs to be compared to guys like Tony Bradley or Daniel Theis, who have found a niche in the league even if they don't really have an outside shot or much passing ability.
I agree with you on those points. I just believe that there is a place for his skill set in the NBA whenever he does leave. Anything he can add will definitely help his resume. They will continue to work with him on the next level as we both know also. He is by no means a finished product. Especially since he's just started playing basketball in high school if I recall correctly.
As we saw this year freshmen struggle early on defense. I have a hard time believing Epps is gonna beat him out for PT early in the season. Podz is 3" taller and a year into Fletchs weight program. The only freshman coming in that is gonna be solid on D right away is Rodgers. Great problem to have being so deep at the guard/wing positions. Young but deep. It will be an all out battle for PT next year. I also think Miller is contigent on another player transferring out if we do in fact take Shannon. So he may not even be in the mix.
I think he could make it. He’s been told by NBA guys to come back for another year. The problem is he’s gonna get eaten alive in pick n roll defense in the NBA
Dont forget that high end $60-70K SUV he's rollin in too.
Agree but I do think he’s improving. Think it was maybe the Michigan game where he was really moving his feet well and recovering to close out 3 pt shooters. But obviously still needs work.
I do think dropping 20ish pounds could potentially help a lot. He’s such a great athlete at his size think he could become a lot quicker/more noble. Yes, it’s fun watching him bludgeon kids down low, but that’s not what’s valued in todays NBA and feel like we’ve maybe grown a little too reliant on it TBH. Think it will be best for everyone if he becomes a more versatile player.
Big Jack
- Decatur
In my viewpoint Goode and RJ are guys who play the 3/4 position but I see Podz as a 2/3 player. So there might be some overlap but he now won't have Trent, Alonzo, Andre, DMW and sometimes Jake in front of him. Harris and Epps will be there but they will have to beat him out. There rankings don't give them the starting slots.
If we add Sky and Miller then there is more to compete then maybe you are correct but who knows if we get em. I still think his shooting is superior to all of these options including Miller.
he will drop a little bit of weight
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