Diallo & Yakwe

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article49487735.html

Interesting piece mainly devoted to Diallo's development from entering the US until now. It also provides some detail about the "advisor" guiding Yakwe, Felix & Diallo
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Thanks.
 
You read this article, and it just is further proof of how ridiculously out of touch the NCAA is. A kid barely escapes from a war torn nation just in time. He arrives not speaking a word of English, and apparently works his butt off on academics. Yet the NCAA ruling body, which lavish themselves at annual and regional meetings at 4 star hotels that turn into mini vacations, choose to derail this kids career over $165 including some essentials from Walmart. It's time for some big schools to pull out of the NCAA and form their own college leagues. I suppose there isn't much to prevent that, and with the clout of TV money that would follow some of these schools, could rid themselves of the NCAA once and for all.
 
You read this article, and it just is further proof of how ridiculously out of touch the NCAA is. A kid barely escapes from a war torn nation just in time. He arrives not speaking a word of English. Yet the NCAA ruling body, which lavish themselves at annual and regional meetings at 4 star hotels that turn into mini vacations, choose to derail this kids career over $165 including some essentials from Walmart. It's time for some big schools to pull out of the NCAA and form their own college leagues. I suppose there isn't much to prevent that, and with the clout of TV money that would follow some of these schools, could rid themselves of the NCAA once and for all.
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To be fair to the NCAA, have you ever tried to divide a few billion dollars? All those zeros make for a lot of work.

You can't reasonably expect the NCAA to sweat such small stuff llike a kid pulling himself up from his bootstraps and persevering through atrocities.

Pfft. Choosing between the Ritz Carlton and the Four Seasons is stressful.
 
Diallo was the prize recruit. But, I feel Yakwe is the better recruit for us. Diallo is likely 1 and done and Yakwe will probably be here 4 years. He is young w a high ceiling. Look how good he is playing w only a few games under his belt. He may even grow a couple of inches, and will certainly put on weight and get stronger.
 
Diallo was the prize recruit. But, I feel Yakwe is the better recruit for us. Diallo is likely 1 and done and Yakwe will probably be here 4 years. He is young w a high ceiling. Look how good he is playing w only a few games under his belt. He may even grow a couple of inches, and will certainly put on weight and get stronger.
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I wouldn't be so sure Yakwe will be here 4 years. His performance yesterday must have caught the eye of more than a few NBA scouts. He was so impressive, will be interesting to see if that continues.
 
Diallo was the prize recruit. But, I feel Yakwe is the better recruit for us. Diallo is likely 1 and done and Yakwe will probably be here 4 years. He is young w a high ceiling. Look how good he is playing w only a few games under his belt. He may even grow a couple of inches, and will certainly put on weight and get stronger.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be so sure Yakwe will be here 4 years. His performance yesterday must have caught the eye of more than a few NBA scouts. He was so impressive, will be interesting to see if that continues.
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He would really have to develop SF skills. Right now he is an undersized PF.
 
Diallo was the prize recruit. But, I feel Yakwe is the better recruit for us. Diallo is likely 1 and done and Yakwe will probably be here 4 years. He is young w a high ceiling. Look how good he is playing w only a few games under his belt. He may even grow a couple of inches, and will certainly put on weight and get stronger.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be so sure Yakwe will be here 4 years. His performance yesterday must have caught the eye of more than a few NBA scouts. He was so impressive, will be interesting to see if that continues.
Click to expand...

He is very raw. Long way to go. Not to worried about NBA calling.
 
Diallo was the prize recruit. But, I feel Yakwe is the better recruit for us. Diallo is likely 1 and done and Yakwe will probably be here 4 years. He is young w a high ceiling. Look how good he is playing w only a few games under his belt. He may even grow a couple of inches, and will certainly put on weight and get stronger.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be so sure Yakwe will be here 4 years. His performance yesterday must have caught the eye of more than a few NBA scouts. He was so impressive, will be interesting to see if that continues.
Click to expand...

He is very raw. Long way to go. Not to worried about NBA calling.
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Not worry now but could be in a year or two. The 76ers have started Jakarr on a few occasions and I think Yawke will be better.
 
Diallo was the prize recruit. But, I feel Yakwe is the better recruit for us. Diallo is likely 1 and done and Yakwe will probably be here 4 years. He is young w a high ceiling. Look how good he is playing w only a few games under his belt. He may even grow a couple of inches, and will certainly put on weight and get stronger.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be so sure Yakwe will be here 4 years. His performance yesterday must have caught the eye of more than a few NBA scouts. He was so impressive, will be interesting to see if that continues.
Click to expand...

He is very raw. Long way to go. Not to worried about NBA calling.
Click to expand...

Not worry now but could be in a year or two. The 76ers have started Jakarr on a few occasions and I think Yawke will be better.
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Fair comparison, but Jakarr was a far more finished product and is a few inches taller than Yakwe.
 
Diallo was the prize recruit. But, I feel Yakwe is the better recruit for us. Diallo is likely 1 and done and Yakwe will probably be here 4 years. He is young w a high ceiling. Look how good he is playing w only a few games under his belt. He may even grow a couple of inches, and will certainly put on weight and get stronger.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be so sure Yakwe will be here 4 years. His performance yesterday must have caught the eye of more than a few NBA scouts. He was so impressive, will be interesting to see if that continues.
Click to expand...

He would really have to develop SF skills. Right now he is an undersized PF.
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Its obvious that in terms of height alone, Yakwe is undersized, but to me just watching through my TV screen, he looks more like a center out there. That kid covers ground in every direction.

And Paultz I know you were talking pro prospects but I'm just speaking generally about my thoughts on Yakwe. Him and SJU have a bright future together!
 
As a local talent evaluator (believe it was Tom Konchalski) was said about Malik Sealy, Yakwe out athletes people.
 
What impressed me the most about Yakwe was his decision making. Several times he could have made some really bad decisions, I thought he was going to make them. He didn't and even more, he really seemed to be a lot more mature than I expected. Kid is a big time athlete but came up huge in his second game on the court with his smarts. Can't help but think we really won with Yakwe. He's long and athletic. Gonna be a stud for us..
 
I'm also very high on Yakwe. Not to jump the gun on a couple of kids who haven't played half a season yet, but do you guys think Yakwe and Sima have potential to be the best defensive front court we've ever had?
They're already very good and they're only going to get bigger, stronger and smarter. It kind of makes me not want to see someone like a Thon Maker come here. I'd rather let them lock down the 4 and 5 for the next 4 years and see what happens. A Sima/Yakwe front court as juniors & seniors could be pretty special.
 
I'm also very high on Yakwe. Not to jump the gun on a couple of kids who haven't played half a season yet, but do you guys think Yakwe and Sima have potential to be the best defensive front court we've ever had?
They're already very good and they're only going to get bigger, stronger and smarter. It kind of makes me not want to see someone like a Thon Maker come here. I'd rather let them lock down the 4 and 5 for the next 4 years and see what happens. A Sima/Yakwe front court as juniors & seniors could be pretty special.
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Both need to get stronger, which is not always a given. There is more to defense than blocking shots, so both have some work to do with footwork, positioning, etc. If both work hard and listen to their coaches, and they certainly seem to be, then the upside is enormous. In fact, it's enormous for the whole program.
 
I agree Dick regarding the Sima/Yakwe tandem. I love it. To me, Yakwe reminds me of a Willie Glass type player. In any event, it is obvious to me that this staff is better at evaluating talent than any of the 3 previous staffs. Each of the freshman who have come in have been better than advertised (with the possible exception of Ellison who we haven't seen enough of yet).
 
Yakwe & Sima both run the court like gazelles. Beating their men down the court will often result in easy hoops. In time Yakwe will really hurt teams with his offensive rebounding & put backs, utilizing his quickness & jumping ability. His jumper in the paint surprised me & with experience I suspect he can modestly increase his range. All in all this combo will really make us happy, especially when running together. I really love these coachable, talented & competitive guys. Lastly, both, despite their youth, appear to be "heady" players. Enjoy this year, losses aside, seeing our talented "newbies" evolve into outstanding college players.
 
Yakwe & Sima both run the court like gazelles. Beating their men down the court will often result in easy hoops. In time Yakwe will really hurt teams with his offensive rebounding & put backs, utilizing his quickness & jumping ability. His jumper in the paint surprised me & with experience I suspect he can modestly increase his range. All in all this combo will really make us happy, especially when running together. I really love these coachable, talented & competitive guys. Lastly, both, despite their youth, appear to be "heady" players. Enjoy this year, losses aside, seeing our talented "newbies" evolve into outstanding college players.
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Talented, coachable and ready to evolve in step with the program. The best part is CM and staff are consciously spreading the wealth with respect to recruiting classes. So a) these kids already have shown their maturation process is not as prolonged as other players we've seen in recent years and b) the entire program in the next few years doesn't have to suffer through "growing pains" for 3.5 years because 90% of the roster is underclassmen. Spreading the wealth in recruiting will pay immediate dividends!
 
With his athleticism, Yakwe reminds me of a young Mel Davis. A monster around the boards who developed a pretty good shot. I would love him develop into a current day version of MD.
 
One thing that has really impressed me with Yakwe is his footwork. How many times do you see a freshman big turn, pivot and spin as often as he did in the paint on Sunday without traveling every other time. Really impressed.
Also, both him and Sima seem to have a soft touch around the basket.
 
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