Amir Garrett Leaving St. John's

[westchesterjoe]

Maybe he'll transfer to Cincinnati ? Since they are no longer in our League, he can go there and just sit out the 1 year..
He's a great athlete as proven by both, his baseball and basketball skills but, unless you're a standout in both, Gene Conley, Dave DeBUSSHERRE, etc. playing both at the highest pro level is very rare. His Basketball skills are not at the NBA level.

He proved himself to be a nice off the bench player but, as has been discussed here at length, one of the ATHLETES that aren't complete Basketball players. His game was limited..

Nice KID.. Hope to see him pitch in the Majors soon. No team gives a kid a $1million bonus if they don't have the highest confidence that he has the potential to be a big leaguer. The REDS just have don't that kind of money to throw away. They scouted him intensely.

Good luck to him.

 

[beast of the east]

I would specualte that he had a heart to heart with Lavin, and found out he was likely to see less playing time, not more next season. I do think LAvin genuinely likes Garrett, and LAvin has said before that while Garrett got a pro baseball contract that his passion is basketball. I also think Lavin was honest with him, and Amir's development is being impeded by a baseball career. All in all, this is likely best for everyone, as Christian Jones appears more able and ready to be a serious role player next season. Throw GG and Sanchez in the mix, and Garrett's minutes would diminish considerably.

 

[bobo]

Throw GG and Sanchez in the mix, and Garrett's minutes would diminish considerably.

Rumors awhile back had Gift transferring to Harvard. Anything further on that?

 

[austour]

I would specualte that he had a heart to heart with Lavin, and found out he was likely to see less playing time, not more next season. I do think LAvin genuinely likes Garrett, and LAvin has said before that while Garrett got a pro baseball contract that his passion is basketball. I also think Lavin was honest with him, and Amir's development is being impeded by a baseball career. All in all, this is likely best for everyone, as Christian Jones appears more able and ready to be a serious role player next season. Throw GG and Sanchez in the mix, and Garrett's minutes would diminish considerably.

This is exactly it as far I can believe. He's entering the third year with the program. Year 1: 27 mins per game, Year 2: 20 mins per game, Year 3, 15 mins per game. I'm sure that's not how he envisioned his college career progressing when he signed up. I'm also sure the staff thinks that Amir would be productive for those 15 mins per game but that's probably not enough for Amir. I don't begrudge his decision to leave. Does anyone believe that with all the front court returning and Sanchez and Gift taking up at least 30-35 minutes per game that every front court player will have to see a few minutes drop out? Let me qualify that by saying I don't see the SF skills in Amir to take minutes away from Jakarr (who'll be playing there more beside Sanchez and Obekpa) and Dom at that position. He's more a classic STJ undersized workhorse PF like Minlend, Middleton and Singleton. It's actually a good sign for the program that he's not starting at that position, the way those guys did in their times. Means more depth in the front court than during some pretty good years. Sancez, Gift and improvement from Obekpa should make up for the missing rebounds. Hope they can play good D as well.

 

[boo haarvey]

Throw GG and Sanchez in the mix, and Garrett's minutes would diminish considerably.

Rumors awhile back had Gift transferring to Harvard. Anything further on that?

Let me preface this by saying that I have absolutely no inside information -- I am speaking from my gut. I would be very surprised if Gift plays for us next year. Presumably Lavin convinced him to Redshirt by telling him that he was going to see limited time this past year with Sanchez in front of him. Well, Sanchez will be in front of him next year. That fact coupled with the fact that Gift could transfer without sitting out a year makes him a likely transfer candidate. Not to mention the fact that Gift may have an academic reason for wanting to transfer, i.e., seeking a school with a program or prestige factor that will benefit his non-basketball career aspirations.

I hope I'm wrong.

 

[kred]

The kid gave it his all. He followed a dream that didn't pan out exactly as he wanted it. But he still has options. Hope to see him in the majors one day. Nice kid. Good luck.

 

[boo haarvey]

I would specualte that he had a heart to heart with Lavin, and found out he was likely to see less playing time, not more next season. I do think LAvin genuinely likes Garrett, and LAvin has said before that while Garrett got a pro baseball contract that his passion is basketball. I also think Lavin was honest with him, and Amir's development is being impeded by a baseball career. All in all, this is likely best for everyone, as Christian Jones appears more able and ready to be a serious role player next season. Throw GG and Sanchez in the mix, and Garrett's minutes would diminish considerably.

This is exactly it as far I can believe. He's entering the third year with the program. Year 1: 27 mins per game, Year 2: 20 mins per game, Year 3, 15 mins per game. I'm sure that's not how he envisioned his college career progressing when he signed up. I'm also sure the staff thinks that Amir would be productive for those 15 mins per game but that's probably not enough for Amir. I don't begrudge his decision to leave. Does anyone believe that with all the front court returning and Sanchez and Gift taking up at least 30-35 minutes per game that every front court player will have to see a few minutes drop out? Let me qualify that by saying I don't see the SF skills in Amir to take minutes away from Jakarr (who'll be playing there more beside Sanchez and Obekpa) and Dom at that position. He's more a classic STJ undersized workhorse PF like Minlend, Middleton and Singleton. It's actually a good sign for the program that he's not starting at that position, the way those guys did in their times. Means more depth in the front court than during some pretty good years. Sancez, Gift and improvement from Obekpa should make up for the missing rebounds. Hope they can play good D as well.

There were only five eligible scholarship players on the team when Amir joined so I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the inflated minutes he received as a freshman. If memory serves me correctly, we were so despertate during Amir's first eligible game (24 hours after he arrived) that we threw him in for substantial minutes despite the fact that he didn't know a single play.

I also wouldn't compare Amir to Billy Singleton or Charles Minland. Those guys were big bulky slow workhorses who took up space, and cleaned the garbabe. Amir is active and a good rebounder for his size/frame, but he is more of a skinny athletic wing (without shooting touch) than any of the guys you mentioned.

 

[beast of the east]

I would specualte that he had a heart to heart with Lavin, and found out he was likely to see less playing time, not more next season. I do think LAvin genuinely likes Garrett, and LAvin has said before that while Garrett got a pro baseball contract that his passion is basketball. I also think Lavin was honest with him, and Amir's development is being impeded by a baseball career. All in all, this is likely best for everyone, as Christian Jones appears more able and ready to be a serious role player next season. Throw GG and Sanchez in the mix, and Garrett's minutes would diminish considerably.

This is exactly it as far I can believe. He's entering the third year with the program. Year 1: 27 mins per game, Year 2: 20 mins per game, Year 3, 15 mins per game. I'm sure that's not how he envisioned his college career progressing when he signed up. I'm also sure the staff thinks that Amir would be productive for those 15 mins per game but that's probably not enough for Amir. I don't begrudge his decision to leave. Does anyone believe that with all the front court returning and Sanchez and Gift taking up at least 30-35 minutes per game that every front court player will have to see a few minutes drop out? Let me qualify that by saying I don't see the SF skills in Amir to take minutes away from Jakarr (who'll be playing there more beside Sanchez and Obekpa) and Dom at that position. He's more a classic STJ undersized workhorse PF like Minlend, Middleton and Singleton. It's actually a good sign for the program that he's not starting at that position, the way those guys did in their times. Means more depth in the front court than during some pretty good years. Sancez, Gift and improvement from Obekpa should make up for the missing rebounds. Hope they can play good D as well.

There were only five eligible scholarship players on the team when Amir joined so I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the inflated minutes he received as a freshman. If memory serves me correctly, we were so despertate during Amir's first eligible game (24 hours after he arrived) that we threw him in for substantial minutes despite the fact that he didn't know a single play.

I also wouldn't compare Amir to Billy Singleton or Charles Minland. Those guys were big bulky slow workhorses who took up space, and cleaned the garbabe. Amir is active and a good rebounder for his size/frame, but he is more of a skinny athletic wing (without shooting touch) than any of the guys you mentioned.

Both Minlend and Singleton were skilled basketball players. I liked Goodwin better than Singleton, and Singleton had the bad knee but had a nice soft short jumper. Minlend was much better offensively than either.

My guess is that Lavin has advised him to transfer to a school one or two pegs down, and become a starter who will put up some decent numbers. His future isn't in basketball, its on a pitcher's mound. That's a nice option to have, and like most of us, wherever he lands, I'll be rooting for him.

 

[Moose]

I would specualte that he had a heart to heart with Lavin, and found out he was likely to see less playing time, not more next season. I do think LAvin genuinely likes Garrett, and LAvin has said before that while Garrett got a pro baseball contract that his passion is basketball. I also think Lavin was honest with him, and Amir's development is being impeded by a baseball career. All in all, this is likely best for everyone, as Christian Jones appears more able and ready to be a serious role player next season. Throw GG and Sanchez in the mix, and Garrett's minutes would diminish considerably.

This is exactly it as far I can believe. He's entering the third year with the program. Year 1: 27 mins per game, Year 2: 20 mins per game, Year 3, 15 mins per game. I'm sure that's not how he envisioned his college career progressing when he signed up. I'm also sure the staff thinks that Amir would be productive for those 15 mins per game but that's probably not enough for Amir. I don't begrudge his decision to leave. Does anyone believe that with all the front court returning and Sanchez and Gift taking up at least 30-35 minutes per game that every front court player will have to see a few minutes drop out? Let me qualify that by saying I don't see the SF skills in Amir to take minutes away from Jakarr (who'll be playing there more beside Sanchez and Obekpa) and Dom at that position. He's more a classic STJ undersized workhorse PF like Minlend, Middleton and Singleton. It's actually a good sign for the program that he's not starting at that position, the way those guys did in their times. Means more depth in the front court than during some pretty good years. Sancez, Gift and improvement from Obekpa should make up for the missing rebounds. Hope they can play good D as well.

There were only five eligible scholarship players on the team when Amir joined so I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the inflated minutes he received as a freshman. If memory serves me correctly, we were so despertate during Amir's first eligible game (24 hours after he arrived) that we threw him in for substantial minutes despite the fact that he didn't know a single play.

I also wouldn't compare Amir to Billy Singleton or Charles Minland. Those guys were big bulky slow workhorses who took up space, and cleaned the garbabe. Amir is active and a good rebounder for his size/frame, but he is more of a skinny athletic wing (without shooting touch) than any of the guys you mentioned.

Both Minlend and Singleton were skilled basketball players. I liked Goodwin better than Singleton, and Singleton had the bad knee but had a nice soft short jumper. Minlend was much better offensively than either.

My guess is that Lavin has advised him to transfer to a school one or two pegs down, and become a starter who will put up some decent numbers. His future isn't in basketball, its on a pitcher's mound. That's a nice option to have, and like most of us, wherever he lands, I'll be rooting for him.

Lavin did not advise him to leave. It was Amir's decision.

 

[Della9250]

Throw GG and Sanchez in the mix, and Garrett's minutes would diminish considerably.

Rumors awhile back had Gift transferring to Harvard. Anything further on that?

Let me preface this by saying that I have absolutely no inside information -- I am speaking from my gut. I would be very surprised if Gift plays for us next year. Presumably Lavin convinced him to Redshirt by telling him that he was going to see limited time this past year with Sanchez in front of him. Well, Sanchez will be in front of him next year. That fact coupled with the fact that Gift could transfer without sitting out a year makes him a likely transfer candidate. Not to mention the fact that Gift may have an academic reason for wanting to transfer, i.e., seeking a school with a program or prestige factor that will benefit his non-basketball career aspirations.

I hope I'm wrong.

Of course now Garrett's out of the picture and you could just transfer all of his minutes to Gift.

 

[austour]

I would specualte that he had a heart to heart with Lavin, and found out he was likely to see less playing time, not more next season. I do think LAvin genuinely likes Garrett, and LAvin has said before that while Garrett got a pro baseball contract that his passion is basketball. I also think Lavin was honest with him, and Amir's development is being impeded by a baseball career. All in all, this is likely best for everyone, as Christian Jones appears more able and ready to be a serious role player next season. Throw GG and Sanchez in the mix, and Garrett's minutes would diminish considerably.

This is exactly it as far I can believe. He's entering the third year with the program. Year 1: 27 mins per game, Year 2: 20 mins per game, Year 3, 15 mins per game. I'm sure that's not how he envisioned his college career progressing when he signed up. I'm also sure the staff thinks that Amir would be productive for those 15 mins per game but that's probably not enough for Amir. I don't begrudge his decision to leave. Does anyone believe that with all the front court returning and Sanchez and Gift taking up at least 30-35 minutes per game that every front court player will have to see a few minutes drop out? Let me qualify that by saying I don't see the SF skills in Amir to take minutes away from Jakarr (who'll be playing there more beside Sanchez and Obekpa) and Dom at that position. He's more a classic STJ undersized workhorse PF like Minlend, Middleton and Singleton. It's actually a good sign for the program that he's not starting at that position, the way those guys did in their times. Means more depth in the front court than during some pretty good years. Sancez, Gift and improvement from Obekpa should make up for the missing rebounds. Hope they can play good D as well.

There were only five eligible scholarship players on the team when Amir joined so I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the inflated minutes he received as a freshman. If memory serves me correctly, we were so despertate during Amir's first eligible game (24 hours after he arrived) that we threw him in for substantial minutes despite the fact that he didn't know a single play.

I also wouldn't compare Amir to Billy Singleton or Charles Minland. Those guys were big bulky slow workhorses who took up space, and cleaned the garbabe. Amir is active and a good rebounder for his size/frame, but he is more of a skinny athletic wing (without shooting touch) than any of the guys you mentioned.

Don't disagree about the minutes from year 1 but it's still a reality that he'd likely play 1/2 those minutes as a Jr. How do you think that is perceived internally?

And while the body types aredifferent Amir spent a ton of time down low on the baseline trying to get just such the garbage points you refer to. Minlend was neither bulky nor slow. Billy only became so because of the knee. But all mentioned were undersized but big of heart in the trenches and that was all I was getting at.

 

[beast of the east]

Nice KID.. Hope to see him pitch in the Majors soon. No team gives a kid a $1million bonus if they don't have the highest confidence that he has the potential to be a big leaguer. The REDS just have don't that kind of money to throw away. They scouted him intensely.

Good luck to him.

$1 million is chump change today. Scouted him intensely? He went to one pitcher's camp, and boosted his fastball from low 80s to mid 90s in 2 weeks. He had not played in an organized game since high school. When a 6'6" guy can throw mid 90s with no work at all except improved fundamentals for 2 weeks, it's a big risk, but the upside is tremendous. Have you ever hit in baseball against someone who is that size? I did, twice. Both were SJU pitchers - Jim Buggy and Mickey O'Connor, and both lefties (which I am). It feels like they are releasing the ball 10 feet closer to you with their arm length and longer stride. Neither struck me out (a huge accomplishment) and I hit the ball sharply without getting a hit off either.

Garrett is off tremendous intrigue as a prospect, but has a very long way to go before he is labeled as a can't miss major leaguer.

 

[Section9]

I would specualte that he had a heart to heart with Lavin, and found out he was likely to see less playing time, not more next season. I do think LAvin genuinely likes Garrett, and LAvin has said before that while Garrett got a pro baseball contract that his passion is basketball. I also think Lavin was honest with him, and Amir's development is being impeded by a baseball career. All in all, this is likely best for everyone, as Christian Jones appears more able and ready to be a serious role player next season. Throw GG and Sanchez in the mix, and Garrett's minutes would diminish considerably.

This is exactly it as far I can believe. He's entering the third year with the program. Year 1: 27 mins per game, Year 2: 20 mins per game, Year 3, 15 mins per game. I'm sure that's not how he envisioned his college career progressing when he signed up. I'm also sure the staff thinks that Amir would be productive for those 15 mins per game but that's probably not enough for Amir. I don't begrudge his decision to leave. Does anyone believe that with all the front court returning and Sanchez and Gift taking up at least 30-35 minutes per game that every front court player will have to see a few minutes drop out? Let me qualify that by saying I don't see the SF skills in Amir to take minutes away from Jakarr (who'll be playing there more beside Sanchez and Obekpa) and Dom at that position. He's more a classic STJ undersized workhorse PF like Minlend, Middleton and Singleton. It's actually a good sign for the program that he's not starting at that position, the way those guys did in their times. Means more depth in the front court than during some pretty good years. Sancez, Gift and improvement from Obekpa should make up for the missing rebounds. Hope they can play good D as well.

There were only five eligible scholarship players on the team when Amir joined so I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the inflated minutes he received as a freshman. If memory serves me correctly, we were so despertate during Amir's first eligible game (24 hours after he arrived) that we threw him in for substantial minutes despite the fact that he didn't know a single play.

I also wouldn't compare Amir to Billy Singleton or Charles Minland. Those guys were big bulky slow workhorses who took up space, and cleaned the garbabe. Amir is active and a good rebounder for his size/frame, but he is more of a skinny athletic wing (without shooting touch) than any of the guys you mentioned.

Both Minlend and Singleton were skilled basketball players. I liked Goodwin better than Singleton, and Singleton had the bad knee but had a nice soft short jumper. Minlend was much better offensively than either.

My guess is that Lavin has advised him to transfer to a school one or two pegs down, and become a starter who will put up some decent numbers. His future isn't in basketball, its on a pitcher's mound. That's a nice option to have, and like most of us, wherever he lands, I'll be rooting for him.

Goodwin had better stats than Minlend, played on better teams and won a BE championship, he was the better offensive player.

 

[usguard]

Nice KID.. Hope to see him pitch in the Majors soon. No team gives a kid a $1million bonus if they don't have the highest confidence that he has the potential to be a big leaguer. The REDS just have don't that kind of money to throw away. They scouted him intensely.

Good luck to him.

$1 million is chump change today. Scouted him intensely? He went to one pitcher's camp, and boosted his fastball from low 80s to mid 90s in 2 weeks. He had not played in an organized game since high school. When a 6'6" guy can throw mid 90s with no work at all except improved fundamentals for 2 weeks, it's a big risk, but the upside is tremendous. Have you ever hit in baseball against someone who is that size? I did, twice. Both were SJU pitchers - Jim Buggy and Mickey O'Connor, and both lefties (which I am). It feels like they are releasing the ball 10 feet closer to you with their arm length and longer stride. Neither struck me out (a huge accomplishment) and I hit the ball sharply without getting a hit off either.

Garrett is off tremendous intrigue as a prospect, but has a very long way to go before he is labeled as a can't miss major leaguer.

I would like to have that chump change

 

[beast of the east]

I would specualte that he had a heart to heart with Lavin, and found out he was likely to see less playing time, not more next season. I do think LAvin genuinely likes Garrett, and LAvin has said before that while Garrett got a pro baseball contract that his passion is basketball. I also think Lavin was honest with him, and Amir's development is being impeded by a baseball career. All in all, this is likely best for everyone, as Christian Jones appears more able and ready to be a serious role player next season. Throw GG and Sanchez in the mix, and Garrett's minutes would diminish considerably.

This is exactly it as far I can believe. He's entering the third year with the program. Year 1: 27 mins per game, Year 2: 20 mins per game, Year 3, 15 mins per game. I'm sure that's not how he envisioned his college career progressing when he signed up. I'm also sure the staff thinks that Amir would be productive for those 15 mins per game but that's probably not enough for Amir. I don't begrudge his decision to leave. Does anyone believe that with all the front court returning and Sanchez and Gift taking up at least 30-35 minutes per game that every front court player will have to see a few minutes drop out? Let me qualify that by saying I don't see the SF skills in Amir to take minutes away from Jakarr (who'll be playing there more beside Sanchez and Obekpa) and Dom at that position. He's more a classic STJ undersized workhorse PF like Minlend, Middleton and Singleton. It's actually a good sign for the program that he's not starting at that position, the way those guys did in their times. Means more depth in the front court than during some pretty good years. Sancez, Gift and improvement from Obekpa should make up for the missing rebounds. Hope they can play good D as well.

There were only five eligible scholarship players on the team when Amir joined so I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the inflated minutes he received as a freshman. If memory serves me correctly, we were so despertate during Amir's first eligible game (24 hours after he arrived) that we threw him in for substantial minutes despite the fact that he didn't know a single play.

I also wouldn't compare Amir to Billy Singleton or Charles Minland. Those guys were big bulky slow workhorses who took up space, and cleaned the garbabe. Amir is active and a good rebounder for his size/frame, but he is more of a skinny athletic wing (without shooting touch) than any of the guys you mentioned.

Both Minlend and Singleton were skilled basketball players. I liked Goodwin better than Singleton, and Singleton had the bad knee but had a nice soft short jumper. Minlend was much better offensively than either.

My guess is that Lavin has advised him to transfer to a school one or two pegs down, and become a starter who will put up some decent numbers. His future isn't in basketball, its on a pitcher's mound. That's a nice option to have, and like most of us, wherever he lands, I'll be rooting for him.

Goodwin had better stats than Minlend, played on better teams and won a BE championship, he was the better offensive player.

Poorly written. I meant that Minlend was better offensively than Singleton or Garrett, not Goodwin. Goodwin is one of my all time favorite players, and was the best of the players mentioned in my post.

 

[beast of the east]

Nice KID.. Hope to see him pitch in the Majors soon. No team gives a kid a $1million bonus if they don't have the highest confidence that he has the potential to be a big leaguer. The REDS just have don't that kind of money to throw away. They scouted him intensely.

Good luck to him.

$1 million is chump change today. Scouted him intensely? He went to one pitcher's camp, and boosted his fastball from low 80s to mid 90s in 2 weeks. He had not played in an organized game since high school. When a 6'6" guy can throw mid 90s with no work at all except improved fundamentals for 2 weeks, it's a big risk, but the upside is tremendous. Have you ever hit in baseball against someone who is that size? I did, twice. Both were SJU pitchers - Jim Buggy and Mickey O'Connor, and both lefties (which I am). It feels like they are releasing the ball 10 feet closer to you with their arm length and longer stride. Neither struck me out (a huge accomplishment) and I hit the ball sharply without getting a hit off either.

Garrett is off tremendous intrigue as a prospect, but has a very long way to go before he is labeled as a can't miss major leaguer.

I would like to have that chump change

FH will loan it to you.

 

[Section3]

hmy: Amir was the last guy I expected to leave. Would not be surprised if Marco or Jones left first. Thanks for choosing the Johnnies, Amir.

Amir will always be a baseball player first and was never going to be involved in the important summer and pre-season activities with the team. His minutes were going to disappear next season. There are plenty of non-D1 schools where he can make an immediate impact.
As for other players leaving, I think you are on to something! LOL!

Non-D1 schools? Give me a break...this kid has plenty of upside, but he wasn't being utilized properly here. I'd love to see him go to a structured system where he can expand his all-around game. Sampson is a future first rounder and Dom was a top 25 recruit that fit better in what Lavin was trying to do. He has a nice outside shot, he's a beast on the boards, and he can get to the tin. The poor kid looked like his confidence was shaken by December and he is a kid that needs to feed off of his confidence.

I think his ceilng is the 2nd round of the NBA draft. I'm probably the only one that thinks that, but baseball is really going to get in his way.

Marillac...I love his hustle and work ethic and believe he has a role...But do you really believe that he has NBA potential when at 19 he has no right hand and no jump shot...these aren't qualities that should have been impeded by baseball...he should have them by now...

 

[jumbo_peanuts]

Nice KID.. Hope to see him pitch in the Majors soon. No team gives a kid a $1million bonus if they don't have the highest confidence that he has the potential to be a big leaguer. The REDS just have don't that kind of money to throw away. They scouted him intensely.

Good luck to him.

$1 million is chump change today. Scouted him intensely? He went to one pitcher's camp, and boosted his fastball from low 80s to mid 90s in 2 weeks. He had not played in an organized game since high school. When a 6'6" guy can throw mid 90s with no work at all except improved fundamentals for 2 weeks, it's a big risk, but the upside is tremendous. Have you ever hit in baseball against someone who is that size? I did, twice. Both were SJU pitchers - Jim Buggy and Mickey O'Connor, and both lefties (which I am). It feels like they are releasing the ball 10 feet closer to you with their arm length and longer stride. Neither struck me out (a huge accomplishment) and I hit the ball sharply without getting a hit off either.

Garrett is off tremendous intrigue as a prospect, but has a very long way to go before he is labeled as a can't miss major leaguer.

I feel like your entire post was just to brag and re-live your 'glory' days. Congrats on getting to hit against two tall pitchers.......twice!!!

 

[redken]

I would specualte that he had a heart to heart with Lavin, and found out he was likely to see less playing time, not more next season. I do think LAvin genuinely likes Garrett, and LAvin has said before that while Garrett got a pro baseball contract that his passion is basketball. I also think Lavin was honest with him, and Amir's development is being impeded by a baseball career. All in all, this is likely best for everyone, as Christian Jones appears more able and ready to be a serious role player next season. Throw GG and Sanchez in the mix, and Garrett's minutes would diminish considerably.

This is exactly it as far I can believe. He's entering the third year with the program. Year 1: 27 mins per game, Year 2: 20 mins per game, Year 3, 15 mins per game. I'm sure that's not how he envisioned his college career progressing when he signed up. I'm also sure the staff thinks that Amir would be productive for those 15 mins per game but that's probably not enough for Amir. I don't begrudge his decision to leave. Does anyone believe that with all the front court returning and Sanchez and Gift taking up at least 30-35 minutes per game that every front court player will have to see a few minutes drop out? Let me qualify that by saying I don't see the SF skills in Amir to take minutes away from Jakarr (who'll be playing there more beside Sanchez and Obekpa) and Dom at that position. He's more a classic STJ undersized workhorse PF like Minlend, Middleton and Singleton. It's actually a good sign for the program that he's not starting at that position, the way those guys did in their times. Means more depth in the front court than during some pretty good years. Sancez, Gift and improvement from Obekpa should make up for the missing rebounds. Hope they can play good D as well.

There were only five eligible scholarship players on the team when Amir joined so I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the inflated minutes he received as a freshman. If memory serves me correctly, we were so despertate during Amir's first eligible game (24 hours after he arrived) that we threw him in for substantial minutes despite the fact that he didn't know a single play.

I also wouldn't compare Amir to Billy Singleton or Charles Minland. Those guys were big bulky slow workhorses who took up space, and cleaned the garbabe. Amir is active and a good rebounder for his size/frame, but he is more of a skinny athletic wing (without shooting touch) than any of the guys you mentioned.

Both Minlend and Singleton were skilled basketball players. I liked Goodwin better than Singleton, and Singleton had the bad knee but had a nice soft short jumper. Minlend was much better offensively than either.

My guess is that Lavin has advised him to transfer to a school one or two pegs down, and become a starter who will put up some decent numbers. His future isn't in basketball, its on a pitcher's mound. That's a nice option to have, and like most of us, wherever he lands, I'll be rooting for him.

Goodwin had better stats than Minlend, played on better teams and won a BE championship, he was the better offensive player.

Poorly written. I meant that Minlend was better offensively than Singleton or Garrett, not Goodwin. Goodwin is one of my all time favorite players, and was the best of the players mentioned in my post.

Not a knock on Minlend, who had the heart of a lion, but I'd take Billy Singleton, bad knees and all, over him and a lot of other guys who played that position in a heartbeat. Billy had an exceptional basketball IQ and was an outstanding passer (when he was in high school, people were comparing his outlet passes to Wes Unseld's; the absolute highest of compliments), and I'd love to see him back on our bench. Other than the fact that he too has a lot of heart, Amir is a completely different type of player, and to compare him with them is unfair.

P.S. Loved Billy Goodwin. He was a perfect fit for that '83 team that took home our first BE title.

 

[Jack Williams]

hmy: Amir was the last guy I expected to leave. Would not be surprised if Marco or Jones left first. Thanks for choosing the Johnnies, Amir.

Amir will always be a baseball player first and was never going to be involved in the important summer and pre-season activities with the team. His minutes were going to disappear next season. There are plenty of non-D1 schools where he can make an immediate impact.
As for other players leaving, I think you are on to something! LOL!

Non-D1 schools? Give me a break...this kid has plenty of upside, but he wasn't being utilized properly here. I'd love to see him go to a structured system where he can expand his all-around game. Sampson is a future first rounder and Dom was a top 25 recruit that fit better in what Lavin was trying to do. He has a nice outside shot, he's a beast on the boards, and he can get to the tin. The poor kid looked like his confidence was shaken by December and he is a kid that needs to feed off of his confidence.

I think his ceilng is the 2nd round of the NBA draft. I'm probably the only one that thinks that, but baseball is really going to get in his way.

Marillac...I love his hustle and work ethic and believe he has a role...But do you really believe that he has NBA potential when at 19 he has no right hand and no jump shot...these aren't qualities that should have been impeded by baseball...he should have them by now...

Agreed. Although I do agree with marillac when he said garret can play d1. There is no doubt about it. He can play and start for a mid major in d1 easily.