SJU Offseason Thread (portal and recruiting discussions)

MugCostanza said:
His tape looked ok to me. Agreed the comp is just terrible so tough to get a read. Though the 4:33 mark of this video helped assuage some of my athleticism concerns. Blows by Skyy Clark of UCLA and finishes at the rim. Had 3 games against high majors last year. Terrible outing in the season opener vs Arizona State but then very good performances vs UCLA and USC.

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I thought tape was fine, but like other lower end PGs they are looking out there are risks. It then becomes a matter of going w the best risk/reward guy albeit subjective.

We have a great roster shaping up, but we will miss Smith’s physical on ball D and speed to change tempo at both ends. Current candidates don’t bring that, but nothing is ever perfect and the potential of this group is something.
 
MugCostanza said:
His tape looked ok to me. Agreed the comp is just terrible so tough to get a read. Though the 4:33 mark of this video helped assuage some of my athleticism concerns. Blows by Skyy Clark of UCLA and finishes at the rim. Had 3 games against high majors last year. Terrible outing in the season opener vs Arizona State but then very good performances vs UCLA and USC.

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So if you’re not worried about the athleticism, and admit the comp is bad, what about his tape don’t you like?

I see a guy who’s extremely skilled with the ball. You don’t have those great efficiency numbers in isolation and an assist rate close to 40 without it.
 
dk423 said:
I've basically told myself if we do sign him, I'm going to try to watch the UCLA/USC/ASU games to get a better gauge. The guys on the court with them look like they've got cement in their shoes.
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Yeah I agree the Big Sky is a disaster. But if we're considering taking a guy from there it should be one that dominated the league, and Darling did both from a volume and efficiency standpoint. Mingo and Walker, while playing a level above the Big Sky, didn't perform nearly as well in their respective leagues. Darling also showed he could hack it against better comp albeit in a very small sample size.

All 3 guys have similar floors. They could all be completely unplayable at the BE level. With Mingo and Walker, you know what their ceilings are - they won't overperform their already pedestrian numbers while moving up in weight class. With Darling, his ceiling is higher. That's why I lean Darling
 
Darling has a legit handle which I think will translate to the BE level. I like his stop/start and change of direction. He leaves several defenders off balance. That's the most important thing we need out of him is a true steady ball handler from the PG spot. To me, he looks like that guy.

Anything beyond that with his scoring ability, etc is just gravy.
 
Amaseinyourface said:
So if you’re not worried about the athleticism, and admit the comp is bad, what about his tape don’t you like?

I see a guy who’s extremely skilled with the ball. You don’t have those great efficiency numbers in isolation and an assist rate close to 40 without it.
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Probably didn't communicate it great on my end. Athleticism is still a concern but that clip made me feel a little better about it. My main concerns are if he can be even just a neutral on defense, the fact he comes from a slow paced team and might slow some of our thoroughbreds down (didn't see a whole lot of playmaking in transition in that video) and if he'll be able to go from a top 100 usage and top 250 shot% player in the country to a guy that accepts his role as strictly a facilitator.

He could be a very poor to poor man's Tyler Kolek if things break right.
 
MugCostanza said:
Yeah I agree the Big Sky is a disaster. But if we're considering taking a guy from there it should be one that dominated the league, and Darling did both from a volume and efficiency standpoint. Mingo and Walker, while playing a level above the Big Sky, didn't perform nearly as well in their respective leagues. Darling also showed he could hack it against better comp albeit in a very small sample size.

All 3 guys have similar floors. They could all be completely unplayable at the BE level. With Mingo and Walker, you know what their ceilings are - they won't overperform their already pedestrian numbers while moving up in weight class. With Darling, his ceiling is higher. That's why I lean Darling
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Convincing points. Watching small samples admittedly but Darling may be the headier of the three. Just a gut reaction, certainly not steeped in statistics.
 
dk423 said:
Would you take Kriisa or Darling?
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omg Krissa in a heartbeat- kid is made for NYC- electric factory.... this is based solely on being the Villian of College bball next year... Krissa is the perfect kid to check-in / hit a long 3 - and then mock the other teams bench. sign me up
 
Never heard of Darling or Mingo so asked around ...got this on Darling
"Better athlete than you'd think. Not elite by any means but holds his own. Good handle, excellent vision and willing rebounder. Nice range and tough at the rim. I liked him a lot. He can be exploited in the pick and roll and can get caught drifting. Competitive kid. I think he will crush Ricks workout. Only issue will be his size on some of the high switches. I actually like it a lot for them"
 
sju79# said:
Never heard of Darling or Mingo so asked around ...got this on Darling
"Better athlete than you'd think. Not elite by any means but holds is own. Good handle, excellent vision and willing rebounder. Nice range and tough at the rim. I liked him a lot. He can be exploited in the pick and roll and can get caught drifting. Competitive kid. I think he will crush Ricks workout. Only issue will be his size on some of the high switches. I actually like it a lot for them"
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Thanks. Anything on Mingo or Walker? Any others we should be aware of?
 
sju79# said:
Never heard of Darling or Mingo so asked around ...got this on Darling
"Better athlete than you'd think. Not elite by any means but holds his own. Good handle, excellent vision and willing rebounder. Nice range and tough at the rim. I liked him a lot. He can be exploited in the pick and roll and can get caught drifting. Competitive kid. I think he will crush Ricks workout. Only issue will be his size on some of the high switches. I actually like it a lot for them"
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At this point it feels like a Darling makes a lot of sense for a few reasons. Obviously roster build but you need a kid that will be content with coming off the bench. Given that Darling has two years left, I feel like he's perfect for what St. John's needs with this construction. Be the PG for about 15-18 mins a game your junior year, hit some shots, drive the rim when guys like Jackson, Sellers, Sanon are taking breaks from being on the ball or moved around between the 2 and 3.

Then, he runs point next year (if around) with a lot of talent around him that gets revamped while being a PG in year 2 under Rick Pitino that knows his system...like so many that have been successful under Coach P before.

I like the fit, and to me just makes sense and won't (likely) cost you seven figures that some PGs in the portal that remain are commanding.
 
SJUDave said:
At this point it feels like a Darling makes a lot of sense for a few reasons. Obviously roster build but you need a kid that will be content with coming off the bench. Given that Darling has two years left, I feel like he's perfect for what St. John's needs with this construction. Be the PG for about 15-18 mins a game your junior year, hit some shots, drive the rim when guys like Jackson, Sellers, Sanon are taking breaks from being on the ball or moved around between the 2 and 3.

Then, he runs point next year (if around) with a lot of talent around him that gets revamped while being a PG in year 2 under Rick Pitino that knows his system...like so many that have been successful under Coach P before.

I like the fit, and to me just makes sense and won't (likely) cost you seven figures that some PGs in the portal that remain are commanding.
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Very reasonable
 
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