Guys on Matt’s Radar
- Thread starter paultzman
- Start date
[quote="Tom in Salem" post=281915][quote="IDRAFT" post=281909]The starting lineup now could be:
Keita 6'9
Clark 6'7
Figueroa 6'5
Simon 6'4
Ponds 6'0
Another big for depth would have been nice but this is not a small college lineup. I'm optimistic, I think the staff did a very good job of getting maximum talent from the transfer process this year.[/quote]
Mullins not a big position guy.
I suspect he'll start his best 5 and Keira most likely is not in that group.
Ponds is a terrific rebounding guard and with the conference playing more small ball, this might be a successful season.[/quote]
Before lovett's "injury" Owens was coming off the bench. Depending on match-ups, I think you could be correct about Keita with he and Dixon rotating as the fifth starter.
Keita 6'9
Clark 6'7
Figueroa 6'5
Simon 6'4
Ponds 6'0
Another big for depth would have been nice but this is not a small college lineup. I'm optimistic, I think the staff did a very good job of getting maximum talent from the transfer process this year.[/quote]
Mullins not a big position guy.
I suspect he'll start his best 5 and Keira most likely is not in that group.
Ponds is a terrific rebounding guard and with the conference playing more small ball, this might be a successful season.[/quote]
Before lovett's "injury" Owens was coming off the bench. Depending on match-ups, I think you could be correct about Keita with he and Dixon rotating as the fifth starter.
JohnnyFever
Active member
Love the Fig commitment. Should take some pressure off our guards if they are off certain games. Another threat opponents have to plan for. That being said, it kind of reminds me of the Jets. They always sign really nice defensive players although the real issue is always no QB. Then Jets fans get excited and explain why we don't need a QB because the defense will carry us. Then it never happens. For us we have everything but a legit big and always find guards. We must not have a good reputation at all among the bigs community. Maybe they have a forum with our logo and a caution sign over it.
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[quote="Mike Zaun" post=281935]Love the Fig commitment. Should take some pressure off our guards if they are off certain games. Another threat opponents have to plan for. That being said, it kind of reminds me of the Jets. They always sign really nice defensive players although the real issue is always no QB. Then Jets fans get excited and explain why we don't need a QB because the defense will carry us. Then it never happens. For us we have everything but a legit big and always find guards. We must not have a good reputation at all among the bigs community. Maybe they have a forum with our logo and a caution sign over it.[/quote]
Seemed the opposite during Norm's years, we had bigs, but couldn't get guards, specifically PGs.
Seemed the opposite during Norm's years, we had bigs, but couldn't get guards, specifically PGs.
L J S A
Well-known member
[quote="Knight" post=281932]Since 13 scholarships have been committed, and more guards coming in, what's the chances of Trimble transferring and us grabbing a big?[/quote]
If anyone leaves, it would probably be a kid who:
1) Just saw a friend from the same country and high school leave
2) A kid who was rumored to be wavering on commitment, but then suffered a nasty injury and had to stick with the sure thing, as opposed to trying to find another big-name school to step in and let him rehab on their dime.
3) Wow, 1 and 2 are the same player!
If anyone leaves, it would probably be a kid who:
1) Just saw a friend from the same country and high school leave
2) A kid who was rumored to be wavering on commitment, but then suffered a nasty injury and had to stick with the sure thing, as opposed to trying to find another big-name school to step in and let him rehab on their dime.
3) Wow, 1 and 2 are the same player!
Put me in the camp of those who are happy with the new additions (LJ, Caraher and to a lesser extent Wright) but both frustrated and nervous about failure to add a big man. Clark may be 6'7" but as we saw last year he plays like a small 6'7". Our only potential backup to Keita is Roberts based on current roster - hope he is ready to give us solid 10-12 minutes a game. I think that may come back to bite us in BE play, but would be very happy to be proved wrong. If another spot opens up, hope it happens soon so that there may be a big man left for us to scoop up (eternal optimist in me talking).
[quote="redken" post=281918][quote="Logen" post=281907][quote="redken" post=281900][quote="alexander salem" post=281896][quote="redken" post=281895][quote="panther2" post=281878][quote="redken" post=281867]So basically we've written off recruiting any metro-area HS guards for the '19 and '20 classes. And here I thought that building strong ties with local programs and keeping talent at home was supposed to be the backbone of the CM era.[/quote]
While having ties with local schools is good, the staff has to also go for the players they feel may make an impact. How many of you remember how Lavin was destroyed on this board for not recruiting Omar Calhoun and Jon Severe out of Christ The King. Then there were the lies put out by Arbitello that Lavin's staff did not enter his gym. The reason I can say this is a lie is because I went to CTK with Tony Chiles and Rico on a few occasions. I also sat next to Lavin when he watched Adonis play.
At the present time, Matt has established a great relationship with Coach Pollard from Jefferson, the school that blessed us with Shamorie. He has two guards, classes of 20 & 21 that are very good. Jalen Nesmith's father has contacted the staff and let them know that his son is interested in St Johns. He is also class of 20. What I am trying to say is New York is no longer producing stud players year after year.[/quote]
Panther, I always value your opinion and I agree that the NY talent pool isn't as deep as it once was, but I'm not blown away by adding Wright, and the fact that Earlington is our only metro-area recruit (in our less than stellar recruiting class) is very disappointing given the 2018 names that were being talked about at the start of the season. (And if we don't do well this season, all those 2019 names optimistically being bandied about will similarly take it elsewhere.) And the way the staff mishandled Luther Muhammad's recruitment as well as the failure to land a badly needed big man frustrates the hell out of me. For the record, I'm not anti-Mullin (although I'm not happy with some of what I've heard recently), but it's obvious our staff needs a change and/or the addition of another recruiter to go along with Matt. (Time for a Xanax.)[/quote]
How did the staff mishandle Muhammad's recruitment?[/quote]
By telling him he was our primary target but not being able to offer substantial PT because he'd be part of a possible six-man backcourt that included the new additions Dixon and Trimble as well as three returning starters. (At the time, LoVett was still with the team.)[/quote]
Muhammad is a stoned competitor and would not at all be afraid to compete for court time. He picked another school, a great school in a power conference, one with better resources and facilities and offering more of the "college experience."[/quote]
And lots of PT. (We may not be in a power conference, but we are in one that's powerful.)[/quote]
Forgive me but I have to challenge a couple of the notions in this thread. especially the one that suggests that New York talent is down. The "problem" if that's what it is is not that New York is not producing players or that we have "slacked off" it's that other parts of the country are producing players also. The talent pool is deeper and more spread out than 30 years ago but New York still produces many good players. To demonstrate let's have a look at ESPN's top 60 for 2019. In that group 3 kids (Cole Anthony, Kofi Cockburn and Aiden Igiehon are in New York area schools. 2 more (Jalen Lecque and Precious Achiuwa) are New Yorkers who chose prep programs out of state. Another player (Scottie Lewis) lives in New Jersey with family roots in the Bronx.So even before the geniuses at ESPN have expanded their list to 100, six New York kids are included. When they expand that list to 100 their could be as many as 3 or 4 more added including big man Max Lorca and a couple of the many fine guards in the area. (I have my opinion on whom they should be)
Keep in mind also that there's a reason why programs (both prep and high school, want kids from NY...it's because they're good. I say this respectfully as it pertains to Jalen Nesmith. He is indeed a fine prospect but the competition he ran into for playing time at Cardinal Hayes was quite substantial in players such as Joe Toussaint,Jontai and Tyrese Williams and Jaylen Murray. Last season the first 3 in that group provided the core of a CHSAA championship team. If you choose to diminish that because you believe the canard that "New York is down" I can't argue with you, but speaking as someone who's informed because he follows and watches both the PSAL and CHSAA the level of play here is still really good.
Lastly I want to say that I think it's fair to ask that St. John's staff do a "deeper dive" if you will recruiting kids from the area. They're not all going to be proverbial "top 100" kids these days because the talent pool is deeper and wider. Villanova is a prime example that if you trust the area you know (Philly in this case) a tean may not always get local stars but they will find good depth and kids who may develop in the course of a college career. Connor Gillespie and Dahmir Cosby-Roundtree are examples of kids who were not counted on by Nova to be stars as frosh but gave them important minutes off the bench. New York still has players like that who may not be on everyone's "list" but if the leg work is done they will be found.
While having ties with local schools is good, the staff has to also go for the players they feel may make an impact. How many of you remember how Lavin was destroyed on this board for not recruiting Omar Calhoun and Jon Severe out of Christ The King. Then there were the lies put out by Arbitello that Lavin's staff did not enter his gym. The reason I can say this is a lie is because I went to CTK with Tony Chiles and Rico on a few occasions. I also sat next to Lavin when he watched Adonis play.
At the present time, Matt has established a great relationship with Coach Pollard from Jefferson, the school that blessed us with Shamorie. He has two guards, classes of 20 & 21 that are very good. Jalen Nesmith's father has contacted the staff and let them know that his son is interested in St Johns. He is also class of 20. What I am trying to say is New York is no longer producing stud players year after year.[/quote]
Panther, I always value your opinion and I agree that the NY talent pool isn't as deep as it once was, but I'm not blown away by adding Wright, and the fact that Earlington is our only metro-area recruit (in our less than stellar recruiting class) is very disappointing given the 2018 names that were being talked about at the start of the season. (And if we don't do well this season, all those 2019 names optimistically being bandied about will similarly take it elsewhere.) And the way the staff mishandled Luther Muhammad's recruitment as well as the failure to land a badly needed big man frustrates the hell out of me. For the record, I'm not anti-Mullin (although I'm not happy with some of what I've heard recently), but it's obvious our staff needs a change and/or the addition of another recruiter to go along with Matt. (Time for a Xanax.)[/quote]
How did the staff mishandle Muhammad's recruitment?[/quote]
By telling him he was our primary target but not being able to offer substantial PT because he'd be part of a possible six-man backcourt that included the new additions Dixon and Trimble as well as three returning starters. (At the time, LoVett was still with the team.)[/quote]
Muhammad is a stoned competitor and would not at all be afraid to compete for court time. He picked another school, a great school in a power conference, one with better resources and facilities and offering more of the "college experience."[/quote]
And lots of PT. (We may not be in a power conference, but we are in one that's powerful.)[/quote]
Forgive me but I have to challenge a couple of the notions in this thread. especially the one that suggests that New York talent is down. The "problem" if that's what it is is not that New York is not producing players or that we have "slacked off" it's that other parts of the country are producing players also. The talent pool is deeper and more spread out than 30 years ago but New York still produces many good players. To demonstrate let's have a look at ESPN's top 60 for 2019. In that group 3 kids (Cole Anthony, Kofi Cockburn and Aiden Igiehon are in New York area schools. 2 more (Jalen Lecque and Precious Achiuwa) are New Yorkers who chose prep programs out of state. Another player (Scottie Lewis) lives in New Jersey with family roots in the Bronx.So even before the geniuses at ESPN have expanded their list to 100, six New York kids are included. When they expand that list to 100 their could be as many as 3 or 4 more added including big man Max Lorca and a couple of the many fine guards in the area. (I have my opinion on whom they should be)
Keep in mind also that there's a reason why programs (both prep and high school, want kids from NY...it's because they're good. I say this respectfully as it pertains to Jalen Nesmith. He is indeed a fine prospect but the competition he ran into for playing time at Cardinal Hayes was quite substantial in players such as Joe Toussaint,Jontai and Tyrese Williams and Jaylen Murray. Last season the first 3 in that group provided the core of a CHSAA championship team. If you choose to diminish that because you believe the canard that "New York is down" I can't argue with you, but speaking as someone who's informed because he follows and watches both the PSAL and CHSAA the level of play here is still really good.
Lastly I want to say that I think it's fair to ask that St. John's staff do a "deeper dive" if you will recruiting kids from the area. They're not all going to be proverbial "top 100" kids these days because the talent pool is deeper and wider. Villanova is a prime example that if you trust the area you know (Philly in this case) a tean may not always get local stars but they will find good depth and kids who may develop in the course of a college career. Connor Gillespie and Dahmir Cosby-Roundtree are examples of kids who were not counted on by Nova to be stars as frosh but gave them important minutes off the bench. New York still has players like that who may not be on everyone's "list" but if the leg work is done they will be found.
Favorite part-
“He scored 38 points in one game, and 31 points three times. He averaged 4 assists per game, and had two games with eight assists apiece.“
“He scored 38 points in one game, and 31 points three times. He averaged 4 assists per game, and had two games with eight assists apiece.“
Figueroa has and unusually soft looking stroke. Just an observation that some of his highlights when shooting looks unusually soft touch. I don't know if that is a good thing or just a quirk but the form looks good. I hope he adds some muscle weight and works his footwork before the season.
[quote="panther2" post=281878][quote="redken" post=281867]So basically we've written off recruiting any metro-area HS guards for the '19 and '20 classes. And here I thought that building strong ties with local programs and keeping talent at home was supposed to be the backbone of the CM era.[/quote]
While having ties with local schools is good, the staff has to also go for the players they feel may make an impact. How many of you remember how Lavin was destroyed on this board for not recruiting Omar Calhoun and Jon Severe out of Christ The King. Then there were the lies put out by Arbitello that Lavin's staff did not enter his gym. The reason I can say this is a lie is because I went to CTK with Tony Chiles and Rico on a few occasions. I also sat next to Lavin when he watched Adonis play.
At the present time, Matt has established a great relationship with Coach Pollard from Jefferson, the school that blessed us with Shamorie. He has two guards, classes of 20 & 21 that are very good. Jalen Nesmith's father has contacted the staff and let them know that his son is interested in St Johns. He is also class of 20. What I am trying to say is New York is no longer producing stud players year after year.[/quote]
Panther, I had long stated that stuff was overplayed and fabricated. Some people chose to believe it because it fit their agenda.
I've also stated that New York still produces talent, but not on the same level as it was 20 or more years ago. I saw it with my own eyes (per the circuit) and from people who are still affiliated with the circuit.
While having ties with local schools is good, the staff has to also go for the players they feel may make an impact. How many of you remember how Lavin was destroyed on this board for not recruiting Omar Calhoun and Jon Severe out of Christ The King. Then there were the lies put out by Arbitello that Lavin's staff did not enter his gym. The reason I can say this is a lie is because I went to CTK with Tony Chiles and Rico on a few occasions. I also sat next to Lavin when he watched Adonis play.
At the present time, Matt has established a great relationship with Coach Pollard from Jefferson, the school that blessed us with Shamorie. He has two guards, classes of 20 & 21 that are very good. Jalen Nesmith's father has contacted the staff and let them know that his son is interested in St Johns. He is also class of 20. What I am trying to say is New York is no longer producing stud players year after year.[/quote]
Panther, I had long stated that stuff was overplayed and fabricated. Some people chose to believe it because it fit their agenda.
I've also stated that New York still produces talent, but not on the same level as it was 20 or more years ago. I saw it with my own eyes (per the circuit) and from people who are still affiliated with the circuit.
[quote="Paul Massell" post=281942]Figueroa has and unusually soft looking stroke. Just an observation that some of his highlights when shooting looks unusually soft touch. I don't know if that is a good thing or just a quirk but the form looks good. I hope he adds some muscle weight and works his footwork before the season.[/quote]
I also watched a bit of one of his JUCO games a few nights ago on You Tube. He seems unselfish, too. While most of his teammates was shot hunting, he was playing more team ball.
He also seemed like he could be a decent defender, as seemed like he had a fairly, good concept about playing man.
I also watched a bit of one of his JUCO games a few nights ago on You Tube. He seems unselfish, too. While most of his teammates was shot hunting, he was playing more team ball.
He also seemed like he could be a decent defender, as seemed like he had a fairly, good concept about playing man.
[quote="Paul Massell" post=281942]Figueroa has and unusually soft looking stroke. Just an observation that some of his highlights when shooting looks unusually soft touch. I don't know if that is a good thing or just a quirk but the form looks good. I hope he adds some muscle weight and works his footwork before the season.[/quote]
Good observations Paul. I bet CM will work with him and DC and EW—players in his ‘mold’. Now, I wish we’d have a ‘big’ coach to attract those elusive ‘Big Foot’ bigs that must be ‘mythical’—hey?
I’m ecstatic we got Figgy.
I agree the roster is woefully ‘unbalanced’—but a close look at the available players for 2018-19 reveals imo, a modestly more talented ‘6’ (including LoVett for 10 games (?) he played) and—dare I say—a marginally ‘deeper’ bench.
Barring crazy bad luck, we’re dancing.
Praying.
Good observations Paul. I bet CM will work with him and DC and EW—players in his ‘mold’. Now, I wish we’d have a ‘big’ coach to attract those elusive ‘Big Foot’ bigs that must be ‘mythical’—hey?
I’m ecstatic we got Figgy.
I agree the roster is woefully ‘unbalanced’—but a close look at the available players for 2018-19 reveals imo, a modestly more talented ‘6’ (including LoVett for 10 games (?) he played) and—dare I say—a marginally ‘deeper’ bench.
Barring crazy bad luck, we’re dancing.
Praying.
With no scholarships left (pending further defections?) I assume this is what we go in to the summer with. Of course, let's wait to see who shows up in October, eligible and ready to play. The elusive big doesn't look like its happening. What I wouldn't give for Tyrone Grant now. 
We're bringing back 3 of our top 5 players (arguably THE top 3). I'm going to assume Ponds returns, otherwise my optimism level will tank. Also, eliminating LoVett as he was a negative factor on the team.
For the 2 being replaced, one replacement (Fig) is an excellent addition and may even be an upgrade.
Obviously TO's spot is very iffy. No idea how Keita did in practice, but obviously he was a highly ranked recruit who didn't do much his freshman year.
In addition, the depth should be a lot better.
Bottom line, the turn over in college basketball is insane. if you can confidently say 4/5 spots should be at the same level or better, in addition to fixing your major depth issue, I think that's reason for optimism.
Still hope we get a big but not counting on it.
For the 2 being replaced, one replacement (Fig) is an excellent addition and may even be an upgrade.
Obviously TO's spot is very iffy. No idea how Keita did in practice, but obviously he was a highly ranked recruit who didn't do much his freshman year.
In addition, the depth should be a lot better.
Bottom line, the turn over in college basketball is insane. if you can confidently say 4/5 spots should be at the same level or better, in addition to fixing your major depth issue, I think that's reason for optimism.
Still hope we get a big but not counting on it.
[quote="jpm114" post=281940][quote="redken" post=281918][quote="Logen" post=281907][quote="redken" post=281900][quote="alexander salem" post=281896][quote="redken" post=281895][quote="panther2" post=281878][quote="redken" post=281867]So basically we've written off recruiting any metro-area HS guards for the '19 and '20 classes. And here I thought that building strong ties with local programs and keeping talent at home was supposed to be the backbone of the CM era.[/quote]
While having ties with local schools is good, the staff has to also go for the players they feel may make an impact. How many of you remember how Lavin was destroyed on this board for not recruiting Omar Calhoun and Jon Severe out of Christ The King. Then there were the lies put out by Arbitello that Lavin's staff did not enter his gym. The reason I can say this is a lie is because I went to CTK with Tony Chiles and Rico on a few occasions. I also sat next to Lavin when he watched Adonis play.
At the present time, Matt has established a great relationship with Coach Pollard from Jefferson, the school that blessed us with Shamorie. He has two guards, classes of 20 & 21 that are very good. Jalen Nesmith's father has contacted the staff and let them know that his son is interested in St Johns. He is also class of 20. What I am trying to say is New York is no longer producing stud players year after year.[/quote]
Panther, I always value your opinion and I agree that the NY talent pool isn't as deep as it once was, but I'm not blown away by adding Wright, and the fact that Earlington is our only metro-area recruit (in our less than stellar recruiting class) is very disappointing given the 2018 names that were being talked about at the start of the season. (And if we don't do well this season, all those 2019 names optimistically being bandied about will similarly take it elsewhere.) And the way the staff mishandled Luther Muhammad's recruitment as well as the failure to land a badly needed big man frustrates the hell out of me. For the record, I'm not anti-Mullin (although I'm not happy with some of what I've heard recently), but it's obvious our staff needs a change and/or the addition of another recruiter to go along with Matt. (Time for a Xanax.)[/quote]
How did the staff mishandle Muhammad's recruitment?[/quote]
By telling him he was our primary target but not being able to offer substantial PT because he'd be part of a possible six-man backcourt that included the new additions Dixon and Trimble as well as three returning starters. (At the time, LoVett was still with the team.)[/quote]
Muhammad is a stoned competitor and would not at all be afraid to compete for court time. He picked another school, a great school in a power conference, one with better resources and facilities and offering more of the "college experience."[/quote]
And lots of PT. (We may not be in a power conference, but we are in one that's powerful.)[/quote]
Forgive me but I have to challenge a couple of the notions in this thread. especially the one that suggests that New York talent is down. The "problem" if that's what it is is not that New York is not producing players or that we have "slacked off" it's that other parts of the country are producing players also. The talent pool is deeper and more spread out than 30 years ago but New York still produces many good players. To demonstrate let's have a look at ESPN's top 60 for 2019. In that group 3 kids (Cole Anthony, Kofi Cockburn and Aiden Igiehon are in New York area schools. 2 more (Jalen Lecque and Precious Achiuwa) are New Yorkers who chose prep programs out of state. Another player (Scottie Lewis) lives in New Jersey with family roots in the Bronx.So even before the geniuses at ESPN have expanded their list to 100, six New York kids are included. When they expand that list to 100 their could be as many as 3 or 4 more added including big man Max Lorca and a couple of the many fine guards in the area. (I have my opinion on whom they should be)
Keep in mind also that there's a reason why programs (both prep and high school, want kids from NY...it's because they're good. I say this respectfully as it pertains to Jalen Nesmith. He is indeed a fine prospect but the competition he ran into for playing time at Cardinal Hayes was quite substantial in players such as Joe Toussaint,Jontai and Tyrese Williams and Jaylen Murray. Last season the first 3 in that group provided the core of a CHSAA championship team. If you choose to diminish that because you believe the canard that "New York is down" I can't argue with you, but speaking as someone who's informed because he follows and watches both the PSAL and CHSAA the level of play here is still really good.
Lastly I want to say that I think it's fair to ask that St. John's staff do a "deeper dive" if you will recruiting kids from the area. They're not all going to be proverbial "top 100" kids these days because the talent pool is deeper and wider. Villanova is a prime example that if you trust the area you know (Philly in this case) a tean may not always get local stars but they will find good depth and kids who may develop in the course of a college career. Connor Gillespie and Dahmir Cosby-Roundtree are examples of kids who were not counted on by Nova to be stars as frosh but gave them important minutes off the bench. New York still has players like that who may not be on everyone's "list" but if the leg work is done they will be found.[/quote]
JPM 114, I have much respect for your knowledge of basketball. Here is the reason I say that New York talent is not what it used to be. In the summer of 2001, our Panther team started Jason Fraser, Charlie Villaneuva, Curtis Sumpter, Taquan Dean, and Daryl Hill. On the bench were Marvin McCullough, Aubin Scott Tim Doyle, and Josh Wright. That is 9 D1 players on one team. Additionally, Lenny Cooke, Quincy Douby, and Gary Ervin left to play with other teams after playing with us in the Spring. The Ravens had Allen Ray, Francisco Garcia, Curtis Stinson and others. Riverside and the Gauchos had good players also. There is no way the talent today measures up in either quality or quantity.
The other thing that is hurting NYC basketball is the single and double reclassifying. You have 17 year old kids traveling around the country playing 15U, no one gets better doing that. Before you only played 15U after the 8th grade or freshman year of high school. Then you were expected to play 17U. What is going on at the present time is stagnating the development of kids in New York.
While having ties with local schools is good, the staff has to also go for the players they feel may make an impact. How many of you remember how Lavin was destroyed on this board for not recruiting Omar Calhoun and Jon Severe out of Christ The King. Then there were the lies put out by Arbitello that Lavin's staff did not enter his gym. The reason I can say this is a lie is because I went to CTK with Tony Chiles and Rico on a few occasions. I also sat next to Lavin when he watched Adonis play.
At the present time, Matt has established a great relationship with Coach Pollard from Jefferson, the school that blessed us with Shamorie. He has two guards, classes of 20 & 21 that are very good. Jalen Nesmith's father has contacted the staff and let them know that his son is interested in St Johns. He is also class of 20. What I am trying to say is New York is no longer producing stud players year after year.[/quote]
Panther, I always value your opinion and I agree that the NY talent pool isn't as deep as it once was, but I'm not blown away by adding Wright, and the fact that Earlington is our only metro-area recruit (in our less than stellar recruiting class) is very disappointing given the 2018 names that were being talked about at the start of the season. (And if we don't do well this season, all those 2019 names optimistically being bandied about will similarly take it elsewhere.) And the way the staff mishandled Luther Muhammad's recruitment as well as the failure to land a badly needed big man frustrates the hell out of me. For the record, I'm not anti-Mullin (although I'm not happy with some of what I've heard recently), but it's obvious our staff needs a change and/or the addition of another recruiter to go along with Matt. (Time for a Xanax.)[/quote]
How did the staff mishandle Muhammad's recruitment?[/quote]
By telling him he was our primary target but not being able to offer substantial PT because he'd be part of a possible six-man backcourt that included the new additions Dixon and Trimble as well as three returning starters. (At the time, LoVett was still with the team.)[/quote]
Muhammad is a stoned competitor and would not at all be afraid to compete for court time. He picked another school, a great school in a power conference, one with better resources and facilities and offering more of the "college experience."[/quote]
And lots of PT. (We may not be in a power conference, but we are in one that's powerful.)[/quote]
Forgive me but I have to challenge a couple of the notions in this thread. especially the one that suggests that New York talent is down. The "problem" if that's what it is is not that New York is not producing players or that we have "slacked off" it's that other parts of the country are producing players also. The talent pool is deeper and more spread out than 30 years ago but New York still produces many good players. To demonstrate let's have a look at ESPN's top 60 for 2019. In that group 3 kids (Cole Anthony, Kofi Cockburn and Aiden Igiehon are in New York area schools. 2 more (Jalen Lecque and Precious Achiuwa) are New Yorkers who chose prep programs out of state. Another player (Scottie Lewis) lives in New Jersey with family roots in the Bronx.So even before the geniuses at ESPN have expanded their list to 100, six New York kids are included. When they expand that list to 100 their could be as many as 3 or 4 more added including big man Max Lorca and a couple of the many fine guards in the area. (I have my opinion on whom they should be)
Keep in mind also that there's a reason why programs (both prep and high school, want kids from NY...it's because they're good. I say this respectfully as it pertains to Jalen Nesmith. He is indeed a fine prospect but the competition he ran into for playing time at Cardinal Hayes was quite substantial in players such as Joe Toussaint,Jontai and Tyrese Williams and Jaylen Murray. Last season the first 3 in that group provided the core of a CHSAA championship team. If you choose to diminish that because you believe the canard that "New York is down" I can't argue with you, but speaking as someone who's informed because he follows and watches both the PSAL and CHSAA the level of play here is still really good.
Lastly I want to say that I think it's fair to ask that St. John's staff do a "deeper dive" if you will recruiting kids from the area. They're not all going to be proverbial "top 100" kids these days because the talent pool is deeper and wider. Villanova is a prime example that if you trust the area you know (Philly in this case) a tean may not always get local stars but they will find good depth and kids who may develop in the course of a college career. Connor Gillespie and Dahmir Cosby-Roundtree are examples of kids who were not counted on by Nova to be stars as frosh but gave them important minutes off the bench. New York still has players like that who may not be on everyone's "list" but if the leg work is done they will be found.[/quote]
JPM 114, I have much respect for your knowledge of basketball. Here is the reason I say that New York talent is not what it used to be. In the summer of 2001, our Panther team started Jason Fraser, Charlie Villaneuva, Curtis Sumpter, Taquan Dean, and Daryl Hill. On the bench were Marvin McCullough, Aubin Scott Tim Doyle, and Josh Wright. That is 9 D1 players on one team. Additionally, Lenny Cooke, Quincy Douby, and Gary Ervin left to play with other teams after playing with us in the Spring. The Ravens had Allen Ray, Francisco Garcia, Curtis Stinson and others. Riverside and the Gauchos had good players also. There is no way the talent today measures up in either quality or quantity.
The other thing that is hurting NYC basketball is the single and double reclassifying. You have 17 year old kids traveling around the country playing 15U, no one gets better doing that. Before you only played 15U after the 8th grade or freshman year of high school. Then you were expected to play 17U. What is going on at the present time is stagnating the development of kids in New York.
prjohnnies
Member
If the guys we already have and the ones coming in do not motivate Trimble to get himself in better shape, I don't know what will. I think he has the potential to be a solid contributor because he can shoot, has good size, is athletic despite the extra baggage, can potentially rebound decent for a guard and seems to know his limitations as a player.
[quote="Windy City Johnny Fan" post=281902]Figueroa officially signed. [Insert we still need a big message here][/quote]
I thought you were joking until this:
[quote="mattc" post=281903]Jon Rothstein
Verified account
@JonRothstein
6m6 minutes ago
More
JUCO transfer L.J. Figueroa has committed to St. John's, per a source. Former Top-70 recruit. Was a JUCO All-American last season. #SJUBB[/quote]
And then this:
[quote="Knight" post=281904]Per Zags-
LJ Figeuroa- Juco all American just committed to St. John's, per source. Plays next year. Has 3 years[/quote]
Welcome about Mr. Figueroa
I thought you were joking until this:
[quote="mattc" post=281903]Jon Rothstein
Verified account
@JonRothstein
6m6 minutes ago
More
JUCO transfer L.J. Figueroa has committed to St. John's, per a source. Former Top-70 recruit. Was a JUCO All-American last season. #SJUBB[/quote]
And then this:
[quote="Knight" post=281904]Per Zags-
LJ Figeuroa- Juco all American just committed to St. John's, per source. Plays next year. Has 3 years[/quote]
Welcome about Mr. Figueroa
[quote="Paultzman" post=281914]Pressure on with some very good talent. Taking advantage of this window of opportunity to change perception of program is important.
Personally, I don’t like the Wright commitment, but LJ seems like a good one. I hope they get Burke who can play same point like Dixon, both combo guards. That will help a bit filling Ponds void when he leaves next season. It will also give a kid like Gaffney time to break in at PG if we get him.
Lastly on the absence of big men this cycle, they did whiff on Femi and apparently had a kid from Africa in their sites, but it did not materialize. I too am disappointed in the 2 year drought on bigs. Well the ball is in Mullin’s hands to prove this can work. Sending Keita for pre healing in Lourdes may also be a good idea.[/quote]
Would add Paultz that it could be a 2 year drought in bringing in #1 type player(s), which is probably even more of a miss. Lot of positive developments the last few days, especially this most recent one I think, but this type of recruiting is mostly palatable because we (hopefully) have Ponds. Hoped we'd be on a little more solid footing by (almost) year 4 than so reliant on one guy, spectacular as he is.
Thankfully if Ponds is back next season is really looking up, and if it exceeds expectations that can build momentum quickly. Suppose best case is probably Simon returns for senior year and 1-2 premium '19 kids are brought in to replace Ponds (in terms of that level of talent, not position). Year away, important thing is to have a big 21-22+ win and no-doubt NCAA season, but really would be big to ink an impact '19 kid or two in the fall, otherwise there is real potential even with a successful season the scramble next spring could make the last few weeks look like light work.
Personally, I don’t like the Wright commitment, but LJ seems like a good one. I hope they get Burke who can play same point like Dixon, both combo guards. That will help a bit filling Ponds void when he leaves next season. It will also give a kid like Gaffney time to break in at PG if we get him.
Lastly on the absence of big men this cycle, they did whiff on Femi and apparently had a kid from Africa in their sites, but it did not materialize. I too am disappointed in the 2 year drought on bigs. Well the ball is in Mullin’s hands to prove this can work. Sending Keita for pre healing in Lourdes may also be a good idea.
[/quote]Would add Paultz that it could be a 2 year drought in bringing in #1 type player(s), which is probably even more of a miss. Lot of positive developments the last few days, especially this most recent one I think, but this type of recruiting is mostly palatable because we (hopefully) have Ponds. Hoped we'd be on a little more solid footing by (almost) year 4 than so reliant on one guy, spectacular as he is.
Thankfully if Ponds is back next season is really looking up, and if it exceeds expectations that can build momentum quickly. Suppose best case is probably Simon returns for senior year and 1-2 premium '19 kids are brought in to replace Ponds (in terms of that level of talent, not position). Year away, important thing is to have a big 21-22+ win and no-doubt NCAA season, but really would be big to ink an impact '19 kid or two in the fall, otherwise there is real potential even with a successful season the scramble next spring could make the last few weeks look like light work.
