Darrick Wood, SG
- Thread starter Moose
- Start date
Great addition, now let's get a big guy or 2 (if possible, which it sounds like since Felix may back out).
Like that the staff can get guys re-committed like this and Sampson.
Like that the staff can get guys re-committed like this and Sampson.
Maybe, Balamou verballed on the contingency of Obekpa coming along.
It's very possible. Who knows what goes on behind the scenes. I just don't see both Wood and Balamou happening for some reason. It's just as well. Wood is certainly a bit wild and needs some "coaching up". He has a real good handle though, long arms, nice stroke and good instincts. Our staff will be able to mold those raw tools. He's going to make some bonehead plays because he forces the action, but they is fine. He fits our style extremely well. Balamou fit too, but he wouldn't have helped us with the "who's gonna score except D'Lo" part of the equation. Wood has ability to become a real nice scorer at this level.
SJUhoopNUT
Well-known member
Acoording to Zagoria, Balamou's letter is in.
#stjbb commit @DarrickWood is considering junior college options, imcluding. NW Florida, sources tell @SNYtv
http://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/231013978573266945
http://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/231013978573266945
I'm not as high on Darrick as many people here are/were. I think he's pretty much just a volume scorer and needs a green light to have any success.
I still think Balamou has more upside as a 12th/13th player off the bench. Plus he gives you more on the defensive side of the ball.
The staff will have to give the SG a hard look during recruiting since D'Angelo might pursue playing professionally.
I still think Balamou has more upside as a 12th/13th player off the bench. Plus he gives you more on the defensive side of the ball.
The staff will have to give the SG a hard look during recruiting since D'Angelo might pursue playing professionally.
Just curious.... How many times have you seen Wood play? I think he showed while playing with the Playaz last summer that he can excel in a team setting. D'Angelo Harrison had the green light in AAU ball and his high school team. He also practically had it during his freshmen season with the Johnnies. But, you could also see he was able to have some success without tossing up a bunch of shots.
I'm sure there were probably games at Bridgeton where he was given the green light and shot the ball carte' blanche. IMO, Wood probably has more upside because his offensive game is already furthur ahead of Balamou's. Wood needs a consistent handle and become a more disciplined defender (the same for Balamou, as a defender). Wood also tends to get out of control at times, as well. Those are things that can be harnessed and honed.
Do not get me wrong, as I liked what I've seen on Balamou, per the IS8 games. I just believe he won't be able to bring the same to the table, as Wood would've brought. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, as he'll have time to maturate his game over the next few seasons.
IMO, Wood has a fairly, solid offensive arsenal. I believe Wood would've certainly helped us, especially from an offensive standpoint, had he been eligible. He probably would've been one of the better offensive players (on the team) had he come aboard.
I've watched full game videos of Wood at Bridgton (they are quite a few available on Youtube).
I believe he's one of those players who think they are way better than they actually are. Not a horrible thing but the kind of player that will constantly leave you scratching your head. Just incredibly poor shot selection.
I also think the only reason we went after him was to snag Kyle. People can say the same about Balamou but it's kind of hard not to see the upside in Felix. He has incredible leaping ability and the length to be a pesky defender at 2 positions. Plus there is a humbleness about him which is refreshing.
I have no idea how he cracked Rival's 150 but Felix didn't.
I just feel like kids like Wood come and go. I didn't see "special" with him. He strikes me as a kid who would excel at a mid-major. I wouldn't trust someone like Wood to one day take over for D'Angelo.
Maybe, the coach at Bridgeton allowed him to do what he wanted to do (ie, shooting carte' blanche). Of course, the player has to use some form of discretion when taking shots, but some players will do as much as their coach allows.
I had the chance to see him last summer at the Peach Jam, and he showed he could play and excel in that particular setting. I'm sure the staff thought the same.
The staff might've indirectly targeted Wood to help enhance their chances with Anderson. But, Wood was an alternative plan to Katin Reinhardt. If we had landed Reinhardt, then Wood probably would've never announced for St. John's. Wood also has shown that he doesn't particularly has to ride on someone's coat-tail to get high-major offers. Take a look at some of his other offers and that should tell you.
Wood also has incredible leaping ability, as well as possesses the length to be a bothersome defender at the 2 spot. Once again, both players need to shore it up on the defensive end. The potential and lateral ability is there, but they just need to show some consistency.
I like Balamou, but I think you're continuing to sell Wood short.
It sounds to me like a personal thing, in which you have with Wood. It's your prerogative. I don't think anyone has said anything in the form of "special" when it comes to Wood, so not sure where that is coming from. Wood probably would certainly excel at a mid-major, but do not think for a second that Wood isn't capable of playing on the high-major level.
I'd love to see Wood rejoin the Johnnies after his stint in JUCO. Maybe, you wouldn't trust him to take over for Harrison, but the staff obviously thinks differently.