MuchMany

I'm intrigued by the prospects we have coming in, but I feel like we're deeper at PG than big. Fulcher, Sabol, and even Boldin at point feels deeper than a raw unknown freshman Brit in Oboh and 6'6 Zaakir as our only bigs. I get positionless ball but that's about as thin a frontcourt as I've seen.

They're more wings than guards. Akot and Jackson are college SFs from everything I've seen based on handle and height. Boldin is the only one I'd call a true college SG. Adams, Graham, McVeigh, Wilson, Akot, Jackson, and now Batchelor are all forwards based on their lack of handle to me. I get interchangeable pieces, but we're a roster without reliable PG play and without reliable big play at the moment. Waiting for those roles to be addressed.

Ehh there are shooters everywhere and judging by this kid's list, hundreds of the best schools are saying "no." You can only roster 1-2 shooters who can't play D.

An entire team of SFs... Seems to be a decent talent that needs a fresh start. Was ranked #207 out of IMG by 247.

This guy seems awfully redundant with Sabol already here. We need more tough, athletic MAC-style guards imo.

No

The fact that Sullinger stayed in the MAC this year and didn't go MVC or something surprised me. Especially after the success of a guys Sears and Dennis at P5 schools.

I'd say he's a solid rotational player on a average/bad team imo. He's really not much more than a volume rebounder without the bulk to seriously guard opponent's bigs. Offense really isn't there to be more than that.

Eh, they were picking from leftovers last year having to start recruiting in April. There was no way to get highly rated recruits at that point. Whitesell didn't have anything incoming either. This year's class is unique, with guys outside the traditional circuits/rankings. Like Tee4 said, Jackson is highly regarded in Canada even though he hasn't broken through into American rankings. We have no reputation leftover from the "Golden Years" to recruit off of and no NIL to give out. Outside-the-box recruiting is going to be our norm for a while, gotta hope our staff can pick some gems and hold them.

Even the best NBA factory in the world gets a little clogged up when there are five 5-stars and one 4-star incoming. Maybe the most historic class ever. I'd do backflips if UB ever sniffs a 4-star like Jeenathan again. Sigh.

Former Ohio and current Alabama guard Mark Sears named Second-Team AP All-American. That's incredibly impressive.

So another Duke example that I think shows Adams and Smith are going to count against the 13. Ryan Young played three years at Northwestern, including the Covid waiver year as a Soph. He transferred to Duke for his fourth year and is now in his fifth and final year. He is counting against the 13 scholarships this year. So he technically didn't transfer for his extra year, but he counts still. I'm going with we're at one open scholarship unless I hear otherwise.

I have no idea tbh. But based on the bolded, wouldn't Adams and Smith be regarded as having transferred elsewhere (here) for their fifth year since they aren't at the same school they were at for the covid season? I'm a lifer Duke fan and they have a scholarship crunch coming with an insane six-man class incoming. Jeremy Roach may return for his fifth (covid) year, but I haven't seen any discussion of him being exempted from the 13 count.

Only one scholarship available currently, call it the unused one from this year (along with the 3 in/3 out balancing each other). I feel like we need size just as much as a PG. Jo, Zaakir, and an unknown freshman from England is a precarious frontcourt after losing Sy. In an ideal world for me, Graham would leave (he looked utterly broken this year) as well as McVeigh. Then bring in a vet PG, vet big, and a HS/JUCO shooter.

Yep. And Famakinde is a question mark, either a rising sophomore or a departure.

From Lyons Rochester I see (victims of mine on the way to states in '03🫡) He'd fit our collection of misfit 6'5-6'8 toys. Can he run a little point?

Can you tell us anything more about him? Seems to have had a very down year. Injuries?

Blocker was a nothing player in 51% of minutes for a bottom 5 team in the country this year. Closest comp here to his season is a worse Boldin (but two years older so less potential).

Yeah I imagine he's looking to go AAC/MVC if not Big East. Unfortunately we're going to be looking at guys needing second chances/resets. Graham is an example. This upcoming season is the last of the bulk of extra covid year guys. We should be able to find some 5th year guys looking for one last shot at PT if that's what the staff is seeking.

Greg Gordon in the portal at Iona. GH3 tried to get him here last summer, but I imagine he's looking to go up a level after a strong season. Greg Gordon, 6-5, G, Jr., Iona (16.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg)

Probably best for both sides. Personally I never liked his game and we need his scholarship slot freed to revamp things. One of the strangest jump shots I've ever seen, landing about three feet in front of where he took off. Hope he finds a good spot to finish his education.

https://www.instagram.com/stories/samuel.akot/3325854081921612575?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&igsh=cjh1NWduOTIzY3R0

Good for Zid. He was always a very talented player who would have benefitted from playing here under a more disciplined coach who ran an actual offense.

Cage still pumps his tires on social nedia. Could be something there based on their relationship.

All my ranting and raving about recruiting Canada is being rewarded. Let's see if the staff or I know what the hell we're doing and if these guys are any good! Family is from South Sudan. Came to Canada in 2000 before Sam was born. (Again - Sabol, Boldin, McVeigh, Wilson all follow the kid immediately) https://www.themapleminute.com/post/tony-house-s-canada-top-flight-program-primed-for-success-in-upcoming-season Sam Akot – 6'7, 2024 W Akot, with interest from Division 1 schools like Stonehill, Marshall, and Pepperdine, is a talented wing player. With his athleticism and versatility, he is set to make a significant impact on the team this season. He will be coming off an impressive season with Red Rush during the AAU circuit. I had the chance to see Sam play in person at the Ball Don't Stop High School Showcase game at the Toronto Pan-Am Centre earlier this month & he thoroughly impressed by my standards. I can't help but draw a recency bias comparison to the newest member of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Leonard Miller. The frame and the way he moves on the court reminded me a lot of the G-League standout. I think Sam Akot could be a dark horse to compete for a spot in the top 10 in the country when the 2024 season concludes.