LJ Figueroa

[quote="Paultzman" post=300785]Figueroa seems antithesis of Bashir & am not bashing Ahmed. It is not the norm to see a Juco in year one play under control, be heady and evidence good shot selection. Not anointing him after one game, but he may over time be one of Matt’s better transfers. Love his passion, composure and court sense thus far. Very versatile to boot.[/quote]

Bashir is an extremely athletic guy who plays basketball. (I think he'd be an incredible position athlete like wide receiver) Fig is a great basketball player who is (to me) surprisingly athletic.
 
[quote="espken" post=308207]LJ has been an absolute godsend[/quote]

Kid is phenomenal. Underrated if that’s possible. Look how efficient his numbers are! He scores in crazy ways and makes clutch plays all the time. The kid is awesome...
 
It’s his basketball IQ that is even more impressive then his skill.
 
[quote="espken" post=308207]LJ has been an absolute godsend[/quote]
Couldn't have put it better: an absolute godsend. Love this kid.
 
[quote="Andrew" post=308221]It’s his basketball IQ that is even more impressive then his skill.[/quote]

100% agree. Every game I find something new to be impressed with him about. Last game it was his soft touch on the glass on with a couple of layups from tough angles.

Man, we are so lucky to have this kid. It's very rare to see a kid come from JUCO and dominate immediately, but he hasn't missed a beat.

I almost think the most impressive thing is his motor. He gives it his all from start to finish on both ends of the floor.
 
[quote="Room112" post=308237][quote="Andrew" post=308221]It’s his basketball IQ that is even more impressive then his skill.[/quote]

100% agree. Every game I find something new to be impressed with him about. Last game it was his soft touch on the glass on with a couple of layups from tough angles.
[/quote]

Those were very difficult shots he made look easy.
 
Goes against every negative stereotype of juco players. Hope we have him for 3 seasons.
 
[quote="bamafan" post=308302]Goes against every negative stereotype of juco players. Hope we have him for 3 seasons.[/quote]
Agree, but will sign up for two right now.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=308307][quote="bamafan" post=308302]Goes against every negative stereotype of juco players. Hope we have him for 3 seasons.[/quote]
Agree, but will sign up for two right now.[/quote]

When he starts to add some muscle and speed by spending consistent time in the weight room he will become a dominant college player as he has all the other tools. Needs to have more tone in the upper body.
 
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I'll take a great year from LJ next season. A little more muscle next year as noted will only help.

Good chance he'll be our leading scorer unless Precious ends up here.
 
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[quote="RedStormNC" post=308329]I'll take a great year from LJ next season. A little more muscle next year as noted will only help.

Good chance he'll be our leading scorer unless Precious ends up here.[/quote]

Precious or not, Figueroa is prime-time. I almost feel like he’s our glue-guy even though he’s brand new. His motor and effort level change the game for us. He can do a lot of things that others can’t. He adds a bunch of muscle and some experience and he will be impossible to stop. His confidence level is already high as is. Ace in the hole, as everybody else game-plans for Ponds and Heron...
 
[quote="RedStormNC" post=308329]I'll take a great year from LJ next season. A little more muscle next year as noted will only help.

Good chance he'll be our leading scorer unless Precious ends up here.[/quote]

Are we certain Heron won't be back? I'm not entirely sure he's ready for the leap based on what i've seen to this point. I realize being ready doesn't have much correlation with kids' decision to leave, but i don't think that's necessarily a done deal.
 
[quote="Windy City Johnny Fan" post=308334][quote="RedStormNC" post=308329]I'll take a great year from LJ next season. A little more muscle next year as noted will only help.

Good chance he'll be our leading scorer unless Precious ends up here.[/quote]

Are we certain Heron won't be back? I'm not entirely sure he's ready for the leap based on what i've seen to this point. I realize being ready doesn't have much correlation with kids' decision to leave, but i don't think that's necessarily a done deal.[/quote]

Well those in the know have told us it's unlikely he'll be back. He will be playing pro next year whether NBA or elsewhere.

It makes sense though if you noticed how the staff has recruited for 2019. Offering more scholarships than we have openings.
 
[quote="Room112" post=308343][quote="Windy City Johnny Fan" post=308334][quote="RedStormNC" post=308329]I'll take a great year from LJ next season. A little more muscle next year as noted will only help.

Good chance he'll be our leading scorer unless Precious ends up here.[/quote]

Are we certain Heron won't be back? I'm not entirely sure he's ready for the leap based on what i've seen to this point. I realize being ready doesn't have much correlation with kids' decision to leave, but i don't think that's necessarily a done deal.[/quote]

Well those in the know have told us it's unlikely he'll be back. He will be playing pro next year whether NBA or elsewhere.

It makes sense though if you noticed how the staff has recruited for 2019. Offering more scholarships than we have openings.[/quote]

Definitely possible he'll be gone. If it were me and I'm him, I'd be very attracted at the option of having this be "his team" next year and out of Ponds' shadow. That could be better two-year play for him to optimize NBA value then doing a year overseas. Time will tell.
 
I think Heron will be back. I believe FIgueroa is better off in a Robin role than a Batman role. He could be the lead in a three-headed attack, but anything less would not be ideal.

The recruiting doesn't tell me anything other than the staff is unwilling to let one or two surprises destroy them again. Lesson learned.
 
Wish MH the best, but really seems like his chance of being a first round NBA draft pick next year is low. Much better off coming back for his year in the spotlight 2019-2020, unless he is happy to go overseas.
 
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