SJU Portal Targets

Our fans can go 0 to 60 and 60 to 0 as fast as anyone.

Speaking of fast, Sellers and Jackson are two of the fastest guys in transition I've seen. If we were lucky enough to get both, we would get a lot of easy points.
Well it’s understandable when people claiming to be in the know promise one thing and then things change. Yea they’ll always point to “fluid” situations after the fact. Just stop pretending like you know something when you get third hand info
 
I like to think these guys have smart people around them. And if they are smart it’s not hard to put together some of the same plaything time question marks we see that would come in to play if the “other” rumored guys are to join.

Sellers has been rumored as likely for a while. I think it would be silly to assume that him knowing Mitchell and Jackson may be coming doesn’t change his equation. Mitchell could be promised a starting role in every major conference. I think there’s a good chance he’d start here too but it’s not clear. And he hears Jackson might come and we are looking for a PG? We know zuby and Hopkins are starting, so there’s only so many other combinations.

Jackson’s probably the one guy who has to worry the least about what happens around him. But that means he can also be the most patient lol. So many layers to this for both the players and our staff. We’re gonna get guys no question there.
 
I like to think these guys have smart people around them. And if they are smart it’s not hard to put together some of the same plaything time question marks we see that would come in to play if the “other” rumored guys are to join.

Sellers has been rumored as likely for a while. I think it would be silly to assume that him knowing Mitchell and Jackson may be coming doesn’t change his equation. Mitchell could be promised a starting role in every major conference. I think there’s a good chance he’d start here too but it’s not clear. And he hears Jackson might come and we are looking for a PG? We know zuby and Hopkins are starting, so there’s only so many other combinations.

Jackson’s probably the one guy who has to worry the least about what happens around him. But that means he can also be the most patient lol. So many layers to this for both the players and our staff. We’re gonna get guys no question there.
Some of these players have short horizons. They will never make NBA. So agents are often looking for quick hit. Most money. Forget winning program. Forget great coaching. Forget player development. It’s the money. No long term contracts here. Agents also know underclassmen can change agents annually. So their incentive is to cash out quickly. Take the highest offer and run.
 
Some of these players have short horizons. They will never make NBA. So agents are often looking for quick hit. Most money. Forget winning program. Forget great coaching. Forget player development. It’s the money. No long term contracts here. Agents also know underclassmen can change agents annually. So their incentive is to cash out quickly. Take the highest offer and run.
I don’t think we’re struggling there. But that’s another thing that’s not too hard to put together when there are countless rumors and reports of big time targets considering us or even visiting along side them. “Whats he getting?” “How come he’s getting more than us”.
 
I wouldn't assume that at all. Sanon is a big time talent, but there are holes in his game. Sellers is no joke...incredibly efficient movement, athletic at the rim, fast as hell in transition, and just as much of a shooter as Sanon.

Whoever steps up on defense will start out the names being bandied about.
A former 5 star guy who shoots as well as he does from 3 is not coming here to come off bench IMHO
 
How about everyone take a breath.

From a purely selfish standpoint, it would be nice to keep a thread on topic. Ish. Ballpark, at least.

From a "we are here to support the program and the players" standpoint, throwing stuff out there that is counterproductive to that is not what any of us (possibly with one exception) should be looking for.

So please
(a) think before you post;
(b) try to be respectful and encouraging to the players we would like to sign (and even those who we don't want to sign, it's just basic decency), and
(c) wait until the fat lady sings (or at least warms up) before you stampede for the exits and a post-opera cocktail.
 
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How about everyone take a breath.

From a purely selfish standpoint, it would be nice to keep a thread on topic. Ish. Ballpark, at least.

From a "we are here to support the program and the players" standpoint, throwing stuff out there that is counterproductive to that is not what any of us (possibly with one exception) should be looking for.

So please (a) think before you post; (b) try to be respectful and encouraging to the players we would like to sign (and even those who we don't want to sign, it's just basic decency), and (c) wait until the fat lady sings (or at least warms up) before you stampede for the exits and a post-opera cocktail.

Whenever I interview applicants for a position, I always make sure to thank those who interview BUT choose another option. There’s value in simply being considered and sharing the strengths of what you have to offer.

I really wish nothing but the best for any player who takes a visit to SJU.
 
1) Not sure how the best remaining pg in a market desperate for them wouldn't have leverage...so why assume we don't have it?
2) Malpractice? How's that working for Nico? Im sure its hard for you to imagine but there are some kids, some families who finding the right situation and putting that young person in a situation to succeed on the court and in life is more important than every last dollar. Do you know this kid? His family? That we haven't already negotiated beyond any dollar amount they would have expected already?
He needs to be at MSG 79
 
Sellers is not even on team yet and we are talking about him taking time from Sanon😂

Unfortunately with all the money being thrown around these days nobody is a lock until I see them in a SJU and in Pitino’s offseason program.

You wrote that he would start no matter who we brought in, so you opened the door to the hypotheticals. If we brought in the three names that visited this weekend, I don't know if he would and would lean towards him not. Sellers would be a senior with better shooting #s. Mitchell was much more highly ranked and will be a senior. Jackson was ranked a lot higher as well.

Sanon was ranked, what, like 5 spots ahead of where Wilcher was? He also only started 9 games for a 13-20 Arizona State team. I think the gap between him and the other guys is a lot closer than you realize.
 
I am not worried, we will sign some needed players. Some might not be in the portal yet. That said, I also have pride in in our college. We have not signed Mitchell, Sellers, Lee, Johnson, Jackson, or Lewis. When do we stop being played, and remind the ballers that Pitino will teach them how to perform at an improved level? So make a decision. The money is there, the teacher is there, MSG is there, the support of NYC is there: so?
 
I am not worried, we will sign some needed players. Some might not be in the portal yet. That said, I also have pride in in our college. We have not signed Mitchell, Sellers, Lee, Johnson, Jackson, or Lewis. When do we stop being played, and remind the ballers that Pitino will teach them how to perform at an improved level? So make a decision. The money is there, the teacher is there, MSG is there, the support of NYC is there: so?
Don’t begrudge guys taking their time on such an important decision either.
 
You wrote that he would start no matter who we brought in, so you opened the door to the hypotheticals. If we brought in the three names that visited this weekend, I don't know if he would and would lean towards him not. Sellers would be a senior with better shooting #s. Mitchell was much more highly ranked and will be a senior. Jackson was ranked a lot higher as well.

Sanon was ranked, what, like 5 spots ahead of where Wilcher was? He also only started 9 games for a 13-20 Arizona State team. I think the gap between him and the other guys is a lot closer than you realize.

Herein lies the rub. You can't recruit 7 starters for 4 positions if they all expect to start, like you said in a previous post. If Jackson comes I think he's automatically the 2, BHop at 4 and Zuby at 5. So it isn't just about money but opportunity.

Looks like 3 guys vying for the last spot, which will need to provide 3pg shooting so that kind of eliminates Mitchell so seems logical he would consider other options, not that he might not come back to the fold. Sellers/Sanon would be a practice battle to see who starts, and would also depend on their ability to play D.

Honestly having Zuby, Bhop, Prey, Sanon, Sellers, Jackson and Wilcher as your core 2-5 with Vince, Ayo and Lefty available for spot minutes is very good roster and sufficient depth. Mitchell is a luxury, nice luxury, but luxury regardless.

At the end of the day it's all about what they do at the 1. Either Lee or Lewis is a mandatory because while some of the other guys can play some at the 1. If those two don't come I would hope there are other options being looked at. I've talked myself out of DJ being available.
 
Right now there are undoubtedly coaches telling both Sellers and Mitchell that they are guaranteed starters at their school, but only part of the top eight here.

Would be nice to get the PG situation sorted out ASAP, but think we are in a slight holding pattern with all four kids.
 
Now we know who the "six or seven players" often alluded to during the season. The players we are replacing are as follows:

Portal entries: Four
  1. RJ Luis
  2. Brady Dunlap
  3. Jaiden Glover
  4. Kaman Maker
Graduates: Three
  1. Kadary Richmond
  2. Devion Smith
  3. Aaron Scott

Returning (core) players:
  1. Simeon Wilcher
  2. Lefteris Liotopolous
  3. Sadiku Ibine Ayo
  4. Ruben Prey
  5. Zuby Ejiofor
  6. Vince Iwuchukwu

Portal additions: Two
  1. Joson Sanon
  2. Bryce Hopkins

~ We have a lot of space on the roster for portal additions.
 
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