Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
#751      

and 69 others

A
and 69 others
IlliniwekKDR said:
Because that's where we stick Bona


Ooh. Phrasing.
Click to expand...
I think you’re right about sticking Bona in the lane, but you have to pull him out to draw the defense away from the basket. The best strategy is to stick Bona in the lane, but then pull him out, then put him back in, then pull him out and just do that over and over again to keep the defense honest.
 
#755      

Zorak

Zorak
Naperville
Zorak
My only question for Terrence is what took so long, LOL. Whether he stays or goes, I hope he makes a good decision for himself.
 
#756      

and 69 others

A
and 69 others
ChiefGritty said:
This is wrong, important to understand.

From the perspective of scouting him as an NBA defensive player, last year was a catastrophe for Kofi. He was exploited in every kind of matchup he'd face at the next level, totally different than Luka Garza who kinda-sorta did just maybe well enough if you squint facing the same issues. Garza is quickly failing out of the league anyway, despite being an awesome offensive player. If you are hopeless at defending NBA athletes on the perimeter you will be gone quickly. Kofi was not an NBA prospect in April 2022, period.

Ayo, for the record, was a definite NBA prospect and a guy with real first round interest in April 2021, but nonetheless was another guy who was a weird translation to the NBA where his physical profile wouldn't just allow him to get to and finish everything at the rim the way he could in the Big Ten. Ayo's a real NBA player and would have been taken in the first round if you re-drafted, but he's a quirky NBA player, the scouting was overly harsh but it wasn't wrong.

I mention that because Shannon and Hawkins both have absolutely prototypical hand-in-glove profiles for the modern NBA (albeit at different positions), they fit the mold to a T. So we're used to a "godlike superstar All-American = non first rounder" translation for Kofi and Ayo which will not apply here.

Hawkins has the individual skill pieces of an NBA big, but has shown them only fleetingly and inconsistently. You forgive some of that for an 18 year old who can jump out of the gym, Hawkins is beyond the point where just "potential" will carry his profile. He's a possible draft pick, but coming back and putting consistent high level performance on tape where getting him going is more of a team focus offers some real upside for him.

If Shannon returns and then enters the 2024 Draft, he will be 24 years old the first time he touches an NBA floor. He has shown comprehensively that he is an awesome athlete who can break players down off the dribble and explode to the rim, finishing through contact. He has both ability and willingness to guard. His jumper is functional and could be good (though probably never elite) with further development. He is what he is, I think he would definitely be a second rounder and get a full time NBA roster spot as a rookie, and I feel like he has more to lose than gain by coming back. I'd love to have him, I just wouldn't expect him being a 20 point a night Big Ten POY to radically change his draft outlook.

The good news on both of them is the 2024 Draft is thought to be much weaker than 2023. However, that's not a secret and they may not be the only fringe guys that return with that knowledge.

If I had to handicap it?
Hawkins stays, Shannon goes 40%
Both stay 30%
Both go 25%
Shannon stays Hawkins goes 5%
Click to expand...
That’s only 100%. When you committed to the Illini, you said you were 110% committed. Where’s the other 10%?
 
#757      

ChiefIllinois

C
ChiefIllinois
Zorak said:
My only question for Terrence is what took so long, LOL. Whether he stays or goes, I hope he makes a good decision for himself.
Click to expand...
Not saying it means anything, but I believe Kofi took a while to announce last year. He announced on 4/20 last year.
 
#759      

Sutton_Place

S
Sutton_Place
Central Park Anxiety GIF by Apple TV+
 
#761      

Big Jack

Big Jack
Decatur
Big Jack
Indy Illini Fan said:
He declared for the draft … As he got told to do … He has nothing to lose by doing it as I stated earlier …

He has until May 31st to announce he’s in the draft or coming back …

This is exactly what we told you was going to happen … Take a deep breath yall … Geesh 😂
Click to expand...

When Will It Be Over GIF by CBC
 
#763      

DeonThomas

DeonThomas
South Carolina
DeonThomas
BBlock24 said:
Nothing about keeping his college eligibility, but maybe I’m blind? In the latest ESPN mock draft, they had him at pick 40.
Click to expand...
TSJ was not listed in either the first or second round of the last mock I saw.

17 - Jett Howard
20 - Kris Murray
30 - Trace Jackson-Davis
59 - Podz
60 - Z. Edey
65 - Jalen Pickett
71 - TSJ
77 - D. Timme
 
#768      

IndyOrange

I
IndyOrange
Just curious, if TSJ stays in the draft, and we get a PG and big, is there another player in the portal we’re looking at to fill that position?
 
#769      

azillini1

A
Scottsdale
azillini1
So if we lose TSJ, who on the roster can take over the game offensively in the last 2 minutes? Who can create their own shot?

Still worried about our offense.
 
#774      

Johnny Lawrence

Johnny Lawrence
Johnny Lawrence
ChiefIllinois said:
Admittedly I got my hopes up he’d pull a Jordan and just say he’s back.

That being said, if given the opportunity to pursue your ultimate dream and at minimum get feedback on how to do that, who doesn’t take that opportunity?
Click to expand...

Seems to me like your wish is right on schedule. His Airness had to leave before he could come back. 🤷‍♂️
 
Status
Not open for further replies.