Recruiting Rumors
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@dylans I completely forgot that the Jordan brand classic was on tonight. Even though it is just an all star game, 26 and 11 is still really solid.
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I’ll take Junior Selden over any OAD.
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Late Thursday night, Stephen Zimmerman committed to UNLV, leaving the number of uncommitted guys in the Jordan Game at three — Malik Newman, Cheick Diallo and Jaylen Brown. Brandon Ingram, who is not here in New York because he’s not a Nike kid, has also yet to publicly announce.
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Looks like Thorne to illinois
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I suppose we misjudged his interest in the other schools. I would have thought that he might take all his visits first and see where other domino’s might fall. Illinois certainly had the PT available. Can’t say that they would offer him the path to the NBA that KU could have.
Landing Diallo becomes all the more important now… Did you see the Jordan game? He was an absolute beast out there. Someone kick me and tell me he’s not the best big besides Simmons in this class. Effort is off the charts.
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@BeddieKU23 I’m hoping this is a good sign, no room in the inn.
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Matt Scott @KUTheShiver · 4m4 minutes ago
Kansas in home with Brandon Ingram and family happening right now
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@Statmachine tell me something good
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@BeddieKU23 I watched it last night and also noticed that KU didn’t get mentioned as trying to get Diallo. I heard St John’s, Kensucky and ISU.
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because its a nike event. They did mention him with KU a few times but a few times they also failed to mention them. The announcers know as much as us which is nothing.
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Thorne has one year left to show what he can do and needed “guaranteed” playing time somewhere in one of the top conferences. There is no way KU could have promised or guarantee playing time. KUs on the other hand cold have; another player dismissed (5leaving so far) and they will have only 3 of their top 10 scorers coming back; they do have several decent (2-3 stars???)prospect signed though.
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@JayHawkFanToo said:
I’ll take Junior Selden over any OAD.
Absolutely. No question in my mind. Selden is the kind of guy that could just explode. I’m very optimistic on Selden for next season.
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@BeddieKU23 I had posted this on another thread - Miles Simon made the point that Diallo was not a guy you’d throw it into on the block. He’s not a back to the basket scorer yet. He called him a “garbage man.” Diallo is amazing in literally every other phase. But that back to the basket scoring is our biggest need.
Here’s ESPN’s comment on his weaknesses: This is where significant improvements must be made. He lacks feel on the offensive side and while he’s got major awareness as a shot blocker he’s opposite in terms of catching and scoring. His touch is fleeting. Needs one move and he’ll be a kid that can impact games. He must continue to work to develop on the offensive end of the floor including his ball handling.
One post move. A little baby hook might be nice.
For our system, I would have liked Simmons obviously, but Rabb or Jeter would have been my choice regarding presumed OADs.
But no sense in worrying about that now. It’s all in on Diallo.
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Looked like a nice post move to me?
I understand what we want or what we need is a post who can score when he gets the ball down low. The thing about Diallo is he can score and he’s done it very easily in these all-star games. I think if he couldn’t score he wouldn’t have been the MVP in 2 of the 3 games he’s played in recently.
His effort alone says that Self and Staff can teach him a few post moves this summer. He just started playing basketball 4 years ago and look at where he is already. He might get 10 pts a game in College just on put-backs, hustle, and Lobs. He also has a good FT motion so he shouldn’t be a liability when he gets fouled. He’s not polished I know that and everyone can see it. I don’t think Embiid was farther along offensively at this point either but KU certainly accelerated the learning curve. He might have just been a once in a lifetime type big that picked things up quickly but you have to think Diallo could do the same if taught.
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@BeddieKU23 I think he is farther along offensively that what he gets credited for.
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And over Zim. Guess he didn’t want to contest the shot because he could break a nail.
Whether he can score or not… what we really need is a post presence and that starts with a guy who has a motor. I haven’t seen this kind of motor since TRob.
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@drgnslayr I agree. Right now, toughness, effort and rim protection are more important than back to the basket scoring. As he improves, it will come along.
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“As he improves, it will come along.”
It usually does for guys with motors and toughness… usually sooner than anticipated.
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All great responses. This just better work out for us then, we better start praying to the KU basketball gods.
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Amen!
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@BeddieKU23 I’m truly not trying be a contrarian here. Your link is on the spin move where he got the ball away from the basket. I had mentioned that move specifically today in another post today. Nice move on Zimmerman.
But Diallo is nowhere near Embiid near the basket. Embiid had an array of options, He did well with ball in his hands, he could put the ball on the floor in traffic, he had a drop step, he could pivot and shoot, and he had a nice little one hander (using both left and right). Again, just referring to back to the basket scoring – throw it in, make your move, and score. I have never seen Diallo do that. And Embiid was far more advanced. If I could have Embiid or Okafer, I’d take Embiid (healthy, of course).
Embiid would have been the at least the third greatest college player at Kansas had he been healthy and stayed three seasons. He was incredible.
All that said, I’m confident that Diallo can be taught. His effort does say a lot. It’s just the accelerated necessity since he’d be at Kansas about 9 months total.
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Did Embiid come into KU with all those posts moves he had in his one year?
I just don’t remember him having those before he got here. He was one of the best Bigs we’ve ever had there is no questioning that. I could be wrong but I could have sworn he was supposed to be a multi year development talent that just blew up with coaching and PT.
I agree Diallo is nowhere the player Embiid turned out to be but if all it takes is coaching to accelerate his learning curve because of his high level of effort then I’m optimistic we can get more than serviceable play from him next to Perry.
Question: Do you trust that the KU staff could help Diallo develop a go-to move B2B. Or would you rather deal with Lucas, Traylor, Mickelson B2B non existent game.
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@BeddieKU23 I think you have to like the odds of Diallo developing a move or two in his one year over the idea that Jamari / Lucas / Hunter will somehow develop moves over the summer.
That said, I think we have to get used to the idea that we may not have a back to the basket threat again next year no matter what. Perry will be a stud. Bragg will be solid. Hopefully we get Diallo and if not we will have to pray that Landen makes a Withey-esque leap in production.
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I’m thinking about the need for Diallo more for defense and rebounding. Any offense is a bonus.
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@BeddieKU23 Of the two options, I trust the staff to develop Diallo … no doubt.
