2018 Recruiting
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It’s what you don’t see in the mock drafts
The two paragraphs below were taken from article written shortly after the 2016 draft.
KU basketball’s Bill Self laments ‘false hope’ of NBA Draft, advocates for system fairer to college players
A record 26 international players were selected during this year’s 60-selection, two-round draft, shattering the previous high of 21 set in 2003. Several of those picks never played collegiately in the United States, and many were so-called “draft-and-stash” players nowhere to be found on many mock draft websites.
All of those international selections bumped projected bubble picks like Selden and former KU senior Perry Ellis out of the draft entirely, leading to the “false hope” Self referenced.
One of these draft-and-stash players is Saric who plays for the 76ers and considered a ROY candidate. He was drafted in the same class as Embid but played 2 years in Europe.
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He’s done a much better job of being aggressive and getting to the hoop as of late. I hope he continues to show that element of his game because he’s got the size and body to take advantage of that skill. He needs it because otherwise he’s kind of set-shot prospect for the NBA.
I would love to see him back as senior to continue to work on his mid-range game. Graham & Mason have that pull up game that gives them the triple threat aspect and sets them apart in our offense. Imagine Svi back with Newman/Vick/incoming recruits. Another potentially good shooting team that could play small ball and exploit defenses. I could see Svi potentially being a leading scorer next year with another year here. I think he’s just starting to get confidence in his full game and the extended playing time he’s seeing this year is helping facilitate his improvements in his game
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Hamidou Diallo to potentially enroll at UConn at semester.
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I just don’t see Bragg at KU as a senior. Heck, with a good showing during the upcoming “meat” portion of the schedule. i.e. conference play, he might be gone at the end of this season. I can see him coming back next season but barring something unforeseen, he is probably gone after that. Same situation with Udoka, with his current playing time, one additional off season of conditioning and improving his technique and he is probably gone after his sophomore year. Players will not stay a single day longer than they have to considering there is a potentially big paycheck waiting for them.
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@Kcmatt7 As long as kentucky doesn’t get him I’m happy. Or duke
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@Ralph said:
@Kcmatt7 As long as kentucky doesn’t get him I’m happy. Or duke
Tfwiw but Duke insiders said Hami had to “prove he can shoot” before UK would take him. With the timing on this UConn makes the most sense to me.
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UCONN also has the most need for him right now with guys injured. Diallo would potentially start right now for Ollie.
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@BShark UK fans always think that they can literally get whoever they want and anyone who commits elsewhere got their scholarship pulled. That’s bull. Won’t believe that for a second.
UCONN made the most sense with their need, him wanting to go pro after this year and the fact that UCONN was the first major program on him in the first place.
I hope that all works out though, because I am in agreement. Anybody but UK. I’d love to see them miss the tourney again next season. Their 2017-2018 roster looks like it could be hot garbage. Monk, Fox, Abadayo, Willis, Briscoe, and Hawkins will probably all be gone. That leaves them with some decent post play but NOTHING on the perimeter. They could really really struggle next year.
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Lorenzo Romar hot seat talk is juuuuust starting up. They got a couple of wins against cupcakes lately, but that came after a 4 game skid where social media started buzzing about his future. They have one more guaranteed win before conference play. That will put them at 7-5 going into the WSU game. They could go into conference play at 7-6. And honestly, they look like a 4 or 5 win conference team. If that is all they do, it looks more and more like he will be done at UW. Would most likely put MPJ back on the market. Not saying that we should get our hopes up but just keep an eye on those Huskies. They could be delivering someone a present sometime in April or May.
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As much as I would like Porter if Romar did get fired and KU misses on PG targets in the spring the staff should also be looking at Blake Harris that signed with UW as well. Underrated PG in my mind from North Carolina. Wouldn’t mind seeing him at KU
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They will probably wait until late spring to make an announcement to lessen the chances of prospects from jumping ship, although if they choose to leave, there is not much they can do about it, other than perhaps banning transfer to a rival, or risk huge negative publicity.
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@Kcmatt7 no way coach porter would take over, I’m ducking!
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They would have to get a big name coach to keep the prospects; Coach Porter ain’t it.
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Honestly I wouldn’t have mentioned it if it was from UK people. It was from the main Duke 247 guy who knows a lot about recruiting in general.
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@JayHawkFanToo if he has a 4 win conference season the writing will be on the wall and coaches will definitely start to vulture on some recruits. And you can’t wait too long on a firing, because then a new coach won’t have time to be able to keep recruits.
Would it surprise me if Coach Porter stayed on the new staff? Absolutely not.
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@BeddieKU23 Harris would be a very good consolation prize.
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Watched him play against Oak Hill where Billy Preston plays and he was sensational. One of his other teammates is signed with UNC, big bruising forward type. Of course if Romar isn’t fired we would have no chance anyway but if he does and KU misses the Duval/Young party this guy would be someone to go after.
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You can also look at it the other way. Recruits will not jump while he is still the coach. The longer he stays the more other rosters get filled and the less opportunities for recruits to go elsewhere. I don’t believe Porter is at the major program level as a coach; he might be able to keep his kid but likely no one else with potential.
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@JayHawkFanToo I’m not saying Porter will be head coach. But he could still be a “video coordinator” or something dumb.
I just don’t see how you can wait too late. Someone will have an open scholarship.
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Teams would literally do anything to get Porter if he was available. Roster situations will “work themselves out” wink wink
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@BShark Like the sound of that.
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@BShark He’s a big get. It sures up the wing spot next season. He shot 40% from trey in the 10 games he played for ASU. Good add at semester to come in and practice and push guys this season. Then he would get to be a fresh body at semester next year. Just in time for conference play.
Our practice squad is seriously phenomenal. I’d love to see a practice this year. Newman, Maxwell, Lightfoot and Coleby pushing guys. If we add Cunliffe this year, man, our practice squad could end up pushing our starters to that next level.
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Hope that news hold true. Big pickup. Question- Have we ever added a midseason transfer before?
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@BeddieKU23 Withey
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@dylans beat me to it! I had to fact check to be sure.
http://m.espn.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=katz_andy&id=3756696&src=desktop
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Thank you! totally forgot about him.
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This comment on that article intrigued me:
“Onto Cunliffe. I will tell you EXACTLY who he reminds me of from his Soph year through his Senioe year in HS. A 2” shorter Micah Downs! He also has the same issues that Micah had when he was 18/19 and parents influence. Micah went to Kansas expecting to be the star and it didn’t work out. Best move of his life was to get under Coach Few’s handling. Turned his LIFE around. As for Cunliffe, off to Arizona State with the same dreams as Micah had. Wrong Coach in Hurley (style). He just got his ego bruised.
I’ll tell you this, I watched them both for 3 years in HS and they are mirror images of each other: talent, BBIQ, athleticism, shooting style and range. Great hops too! Also transfered around in State alot (both). Only difference is height and parents! I would give this young man a chance if “I” had the room but like Peter pointed out, I don’t see it now either. Oh well. Thanks Peter for the info, especially the charts. Mike"
ASU posters claim he is a head case. Sounds like there is some truth to it. Might be one of those cases where he was never going to succeed on his first college stop. Regardless of if he ends up at KU or not I hope the kid turns it around, he is quite talented.
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Saw that post somewhere else. Not sure I agree with that comp but to each their own.
Definitely seems like this is a messy exit for Sam with the amount of press being thrown around about his transfer. Anytime a Top 40 kid leaves so early into a career there is always going to be flags thrown up and concerns to address. We’d be similarly upset if a top 40 kid from KU transferred out of the program so early. I do think Sam could be a very good fit at KU. Scores on all 3 levels, has that athleticism and shooting ability that Self loves to have from his wing player.
A lot of benefit to adding him right now with the open scholarship. If anything is true about his character it won’t fly under Bill so I have no concerns about what kind of player he was, only that if he wants to play here he’ll be a better version of himself by the time he steps foot on the court.
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@BShark To me, he looks a little more athletic than Micah, but that isn’t a bad comparison. I’d take 3 1/2 years of a Micah Downs.
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Yeah the rumour is that he decided to transfer after Hurley unloaded on the team after the Purdue game. I think he is definitely worth a shot if the visit goes well. If there are bad signs on the visit then I bet Self moves on.
I mentioned it elsewhere as well but Cunliffe, Newman and Preston is a lot of mercurial talent to have on one roster. If anyone can make it work, it’s Bill though.
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I think there are many possible scenarios and it depends on who the new HC ends up being. He might prefer to bring his own people or he might keep Porter in some capacity as long as Michael and then his brother are there; Michael seems to be a OAD and I am not sure about his brother. Keep in mind that while any program would take Michael, there are really very few places where he would be able to truly showcase his talent for the NBA, including a depp rum in the Tournament. Having said this, Ben Simmons went to a crappy programs and it did not seem to hurt his draft status.
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@BShark said:
I mentioned it elsewhere as well but Cunliffe, Newman and Preston is a lot of mercurial talent to have on one roster. If anyone can make it work, it’s Bill though.
Really good point. Word is Preston “loafed” in his game last night and had 2 points. Trust in Bill that he’ll make these pre-madonna’s into men
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If this did happen when would Cunliffe be eligible? Does he sit out next year?
Jerry Meyer:
Hearing Kansas is solidly in the driver’s seat to land Sam Cunliffe. Former top 40 prospect will visit Jan. 2. https://t.co/Y19u0CzmLo (https://twitter.com/jerrymeyer247/status/811974634237267968?s=09)
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He’d have to sit the rest of this year and the 1st semester of next year. Would be eligble after 9th game of 2017-18 season.
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Thanks
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Quick updates:
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Washington heading into conference play 7-6. Just lost at home to WSU, a Pac-12 bottom feeder this season. Romar talk is heating up more and more. More likely than not, going to finish last in the conference. Not a bad job for a Mid-major guy to take over. I think he is gone.
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Sam Cunliffe visited yesterday and is still here today to see the KState game. I expect that decision to come before too long. He also visited Seattle and Georgetown.
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So the question is for me - - -IF we had to choose between two options who would you take Cunliffe? 6ft 6 # 36ranked in 2016- - - OR Copeland? 6 ft 9 # 23 in 2014 - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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The one not having back surgery
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@jayballer54 Cunliffe 100%.
He was averaging 10 ppg as a freshmen. He can shoot the trey. And he would have basically 4 years left.
Copeland is a solid get as well. Just not the same upside. He would be a guy you could count on to be a very solid player off the bench or someone who can fill a spot if we were really lacking depth.
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Cunliffe has attitude problems, basketball skill problems and a helicopter dad. It may not end well but when you miss on all your wing targets and none are Spring decisions this is where it leaves you.
And fwiw Maxwell’s departure should open the door to take Cunliffe and Copeland.
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Cunliffe although he comes with more baggage potentially. He’s here for tonight’s game and I don’t see him going anywhere else after.
Copeland is someone who has underachieved for his ranking. There was talk he would be a OAD and now he’s a mid season transfer in his junior year. I’m not sure Georgetown was ever the best fit for his skill set but I also wonder if Copeland has just not progressed like a lot of people thought.
Cunliffe fills a need, Copeland would be another role player in the post that we have no idea how he would put his game into our current offensive scheme… we will see
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And a lot of those issues can be solved with a change of scenery. He has risk but if we lose all of our wings we are hard pressed to find a better option
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Oh I agree, gotta take him if he wants to come here. Can’t just hope to land MJ Walker late.
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We will see what else emerges. It’s hard to get a read on Walker, if he never visits it’s hard to see us as a serious player for him and the one school he did visit FSU has a likely opening at his position. Taking Cunlifffe would put us in jeopardy of landing him imo but that is just based on the current situation… we know we need an immediate wing who can score and play minutes
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Thanks guys, kinda of what I was thinking. I mean taking Cunliffe. - - The problem I have if we were to take Copeland for one is, yes he is as been mentioned going through back surgery, so my train of thought is he fully recovered will he be if we were to take him? - -Will he be another Coleby still limited? is that what we wanna use a scholi on? not trying to talk smack on the kid but his ability might be limited, the only thing I can go off on this is I’ve had 3 back surgeries myself, so kind have a feel as to what happens with that, some days good - -some days not so much Like my surgeon told me, we can’t eliminate the problem what we do is try to make it tolerable - -so see what I’m saying. Back has a tendency – scar tissue acts up starts to tighten up- - - - so ya anyways thanks guys - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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@jayballer54 said:
If he has back problems I’d say we probably will pass on him. I see he will visit NC ST this week so there’s no telling he makes it past that visit without going there
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There are all kinds of back problems. Do we know? My friend had back surgery, out of the hospital the next day and had instant relief. Recovery was no lifting for 4 weeks.
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@Crimsonorblue22 Mine was my l-4 , l5 has been problems, now have a spacer in my back, to separate the vertebrae, and titanium screws no fun but yet having said that feel better. Have had to have bone taken from my hip and placed into my spine lol, hell after surgery my dam hip hurt worse then my back I ask why didn’t you just take the sterile bone from the cardavor and put in my spine and leave my butt alone? they said because the bone in my hip was already acquainted to my body system, they said always a chance that my body would rejuect the sterile bone - -I SAID DAMM it really hurt lmao… - -Any kind of back surgery is no fun, I personally would stray away if I had to choose between the two. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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Any news on Cunliffe?
