Growth plates were closed. No upside
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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Could also be a case of a guy who wasn’t interested in the Illini and let that be known either directly or indirectly by his actions. He committed relatively early (not Morez early but I think it said Sept last year), so maybe it was just apparent that he was a Purdue lean. Why put the resources toward a player that you likely can’t get.One of my buddies, who is sadly a Purdue grad, keeps going on and on about Kanon Catchings. Every time we talk, he has to mention Kanon Catchings.
His mom is Tauja Catching who was an All Big Ten 1st team player for the Illini. His aunt is Tamika Catchings who was a star at Tennessee and WNBA. I believe his dad is also an Illinois grad. His grandpa played in the NBA.
Saw in an article that he visited Illinois, but I don't believe we ever offered and I don't remember ever seeing a single post about this kid on here. Looks like he was just rated a 5 star #17 in the class by 247. Is this a recruiting miss by the staff, a kid who blew up, and greatly exceeded expectations, or just a kid who's good not great?
Kanon Catchings, Overtime Elite , Small Forward
Kanon Catchings is a 6-8, 185-pound forward from Brownsburg, IN. He has committed to Purdue Boilermakers.247sports.com
Of course not. Who knows. You might be right. I’d be surprised and I’m sorry if my tone was rude or anything.
Personally I am glad we have all those guys. However I hope we can bring in some transfers especially at the guard position that are bigger, stronger defenders vs bigger guards that have hurt us and are better shooters. Overall better than Harris and Epps while they improve and get stronger. I am fine with both of them playing a lot but I would love to get better players at any and all positions we can. They both have played very well for freshmen but I hope our back court is amount the best in the B10 and the country. They can get there but it may take a bit and transfers could fill some voids we had on both ends this season.
I am looking forward to the next month or two when all that starts because the transfers can have a massive impact next season along with the possibility of Hawk and or TSJ returning. I have no idea what kind of money they made on NIL but if it’s great and compares it is better than overseas maybe they will. Personally I not sure they are ready to make an NBA roster. I hope they do though for sure!
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Hansberry has a 7-1 wingspan and is as strong as an ox.
Think Dain’s was noted somewhere at 7’6” or 7’8”. Not sure how accurate that is but certainly is a shot blocker. 5” would be huge in height and significant in wingspan.
Here’s some basic information on Dain Dainja:
- Height: 6 feet, 9 inches
- Weight: 270 pounds
- Wingspan: 7 feet, 7 inches
- Age: 20 years old
- Birthday: July 16, 2002
- Hometown: Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
Because we can’t compete with John Groce for recruits
During a game and not just "elite" in practice.
It's going to be interesting because I think that BU has learned a lesson regarding the portal. A lot of coaches have/are. You have to try and keep guys in the program and plug in holes where you lack versus overhauling 75+% of the roster (which he had to do last year).
There's been no continuity with this team and I think that a lot of it is due to the fact that he put this thing together on the fly, then had to try and make them mesh on the fly. How he pulled 20 wins out this year after losing about 90% of everything last year is unbelievable. Don't want to have to go back down that rabbit hole again.
This has one of the most unenjoyable, heart attack teetering, high anxiety driving....winning seasons that I can remember. I'm guessing that BU's feelings aren't that far off.
Illinicpa14
- Chicago
And yet if Skyy Clark had been a true 1 and done guy (or say comaparable to Hood-Schfino on IU), they’d probably be a top 4 seed.
Unfortunately, the bolded is easier said than done these days.
I have not looked into it in detail, but I suspect Dainja has freakish length. The Michigan center HD measured 7-1 in shoes with a little over 7-3 wingspan. I think that is more typical.
Hansberry's combination of length, strength, and savvy should enable him to hold his own.
Govoner Vaugn Fan
- New Orleans
And he has a short neck
AyoDos11
- Southern Illinois
Can't have any of that wasted height
If he had stayed I'm sure he would have been. At least by this point of the season. Look at what Podziemski is doing! Wish he had stayed also.
And/or RJ lived up to the hype
Yeah, this is not a great take. Go back to last year. Not a ton was needed from the portal because you had 5th+ year seniors and a monster junior named Kofi. That is exactly the continuity you're saying BU is not building. Rosters will turn over. It happens when guys graduate or go pro. We didn't lose a giant part of our roster because guys were recruited over in the portal and left.
Now think about Goode, Melendez, Hawkins, Dain and the three freshies. Continuity from last year and building for the future. Also, your want to complain about BU's use of the portal? Think about last year without Plummer, or where we would be without TSJ and Mayer this year. THAT is anxiety provoking.
Love Hansberry, just want him at the four. Three 6’9/10” guys in the starting lineup offered the rim protection we were lacking with a 7’ center and a 6’6” four.
Agreed, the talent on this years team is better than last year with only one big exception and that’s Kofi. Hypothetically if Kofi had stayed this team was quite bit better than last seasons. Granted it’s doubtful we get both the transfers. While I am very excited about the freshman coming in next season. Personally the development of this years guys, if Hawk or TSJ stay, and the type of transfers we recruit and land will likely impact next years teams success more than the incoming freshmen will. Everyone we recruit is important and as for next year the choices Hawk and TSJ make along with our transfers having an impact shooting and other areas will be vital much like this season. I mean we don’t make the tourney with this years transfers unless Kofi had come back. Next year is a better situation for sure but we need some experienced quality additions or at least one of those guys to stay. If we get both awesome!
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yeah, obviously Podz wouldn't have had the same numbers playing for us as he does this season out west. But he has proven to be a great shooter and capable playmaker. If I remember correctly, I don't think he entered the portal until after Skyy committed. If we didn't take the risk on Clark being able to be a starting PG as a freshman coming off a massive knee injury, maybe Podz would have stayed
Also would have been a pretty big risk trusting Podz to improve so I get it, but you still wonder
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This is revisionist history. Clark committed to the illini in early March. Podz didn't enter the transfer portal until mid-April per 247.yeah, obviously Podz wouldn't have had the same numbers playing for us as he does this season out west. But he has proven to be a great shooter and capable playmaker. If I remember correctly, I don't think he entered the portal until after Skyy committed. If we didn't take the risk on Clark being able to be a starting PG as a freshman coming off a massive knee injury, maybe Podz would have stayed
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