SJU Power Forward Portal Targets

dk423 said:
Omier, Mitchell, and Watkins were sure-fire things. Mitchell had some clear weaknesses in his game, but you know that you're getting someone elite at other things. Omier and Watkins were bonafide studs who have proven to play at the BE level. Pryor was a little more TBD, but I liked him and his roster fit.

Prey, who knows. Maybe I look foolish and the guy is the BE Freshman of the Year. But I find it very hard to count on any foreign player to contribute in their first year for a multitude of reasons. I'd also say that what makes someone a good NBA prospect doesn't make them necessarily a good college player. He could be a prime candidate for a "draft and stash" since he's young/tall/athletic, while Watkins is older and shows less of the raw abilities.
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Very valid points, dk. Prey seems like the real deal from what I've read about him, but who knows.
We may never know either way, given that his 'eligibility' status seems in limbo.
 
Here's a couple of NBA draft blog comments on Prey.

  • Dominant rebounder with translatable offensive skills.
  • Good combination of length, coordination and agility.
  • Impressive nose for basketball.
  • Relentless on offensive glass; Averaged 7.5 orpg at U16s.
  • Grabbed 18 rebounds per game at U16s.
  • Skilled big with straight line ball handling potential.
  • Can attack closeouts in space.
Prey is a prototypical big man who does his work in the paint, rebounds, sets screens and scores in the lane. He’s got solid movement skills for a big body and shows good footwork in the post. Flashes some face-up skills and a good looking jumper and will likely expand his range in time. Has some ball handling ability and can take his man off the dribble. Has good length and a frame that will fill out well over the years. Is more of a strong/power player and not the most vertically explosive athlete.

Combine these comments with some of the video and the fact that he's already playing against men in the highest level spanish league and you can color me intrigued and hopeful he qualifies even if he doesn't bring along the stretch 4 shooting skills.
 
Since I deal with Jamir short of saying he was choosing shortly I tried to let the situation play itself out. When Trilly or Zach both of whom I respect immensely say it was a "weird recruitment" or "his camp was difficult" I think they are 99% right and 1% wrong. These kids now have teams... the ones coaches are used to dealing with ...family, extended family, family coming out of the weeds, AAU coaches ect......now it's SO much more. Agents, advisors, under the table local business men ect. Each kid, each circumstance is to be captain obvious SO SO different both socio-economically but also in respect to motives and values of these "teams". Ive dealt with kids who were top 20 recruits and didn't care what anybody around them said they knew where they wanted to go and BS around them be dammed. I had a kid this yr who STILL isn't signed bc his uncle told him he was worth 175K when we were literally fighting to get this kid a D1 ship. SO to not waste any of your time...Cliff is a good kid but I thought what he did was garbage. He wasn't honest with schools who were fair with him. Kadary was weird bc his camp had too many people in his ear who had his best interest but weren't qualified to properly advise him. Some stuff will come out about Jamir's most of which is false, but to be honest some will be true but pls know Jamir is a trusting kid which sadly these days isn't always the best thing to be. Not giving him a full pass just sayin. Going forward please don't be so quick to label this kids flakey, or trouble ...some are not good kids for certain but some are just being pulled and offered things, money that they don't have the life experience to deal with and sadly the adults they trust are simply using them
 
Wolfie said:
Zach said "Prey looks good but has to be cleared by the NCAA."
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Because it’s the NCAA and because it’s St. John’s, I expect this kid to be cleared to play sometime in late December if at all. Not getting to excited over this one.
 
sju79# said:
Since I deal with Jamir short of saying he was choosing shortly I tried to let the situation play itself out. When Trilly or Zach both of whom I respect immensely say it was a "weird recruitment" or "his camp was difficult" I think they are 99% right and 1% wrong. These kids now have teams... the ones coaches are used to dealing with ...family, extended family, family coming out of the weeds, AAU coaches ect......now it's SO much more. Agents, advisors, under the table local business men ect. Each kid, each circumstance is to be captain obvious SO SO different both socio-economically but also in respect to motives and values of these "teams". Ive dealt with kids who were top 20 recruits and didn't care what anybody around them said they knew where they wanted to go and BS around them be dammed. I had a kid this yr who STILL isn't signed bc his uncle told him he was worth 175K when we were literally fighting to get this kid a D1 ship. SO to not waste any of your time...Cliff is a good kid but I thought what he did was garbage. He wasn't honest with schools who were fair with him. Kadary was weird bc his camp had too many people in his ear who had his best interest but weren't qualified to properly advise him. Some stuff will come out about Jamir's most of which is false, but to be honest some will be true but pls know Jamir is a trusting kid which sadly these days isn't always the best thing to be. Not giving him a full pass just sayin. Going forward please don't be so quick to label this kids flakey, or trouble ...some are not good kids for certain but some are just being pulled and offered things, money that they don't have the life experience to deal with and sadly the adults they trust are simply using them
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How about we just label them kids. Am I right? And I'm also sure your point about socio-ecomic issues can't be overstated as a factor in driving indecisiveness and confusion within the camps and the process.
 
austour said:
Here's a couple of NBA draft blog comments on Prey.

  • Dominant rebounder with translatable offensive skills.
  • Good combination of length, coordination and agility.
  • Impressive nose for basketball.
  • Relentless on offensive glass; Averaged 7.5 orpg at U16s.
  • Grabbed 18 rebounds per game at U16s.
  • Skilled big with straight line ball handling potential.
  • Can attack closeouts in space.
Prey is a prototypical big man who does his work in the paint, rebounds, sets screens and scores in the lane. He’s got solid movement skills for a big body and shows good footwork in the post. Flashes some face-up skills and a good looking jumper and will likely expand his range in time. Has some ball handling ability and can take his man off the dribble. Has good length and a frame that will fill out well over the years. Is more of a strong/power player and not the most vertically explosive athlete.

Combine these comments with some of the video and the fact that he's already playing against men in the highest level spanish league and you can color me intrigued and hopeful he qualifies even if he doesn't bring along the stretch 4 shooting skills.
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Yeah I think the Portuguse Nick Collison would be a nice piece.
 
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Here is my take on all of this: NCAA should just stop pretending to be amateur organization. With new NIL and portal just compete against NBA. Sign free agents. Think about it Lebron could be our power forward next year. Though Marillac states he would actually be a stretch 4.
 
dk423 said:
Omier, Mitchell, and Watkins were sure-fire things. Mitchell had some clear weaknesses in his game, but you know that you're getting someone elite at other things. Omier and Watkins were bonafide studs who have proven to play at the BE level. Pryor was a little more TBD, but I liked him and his roster fit.

Prey, who knows. Maybe I look foolish and the guy is the BE Freshman of the Year. But I find it very hard to count on any foreign player to contribute in their first year for a multitude of reasons. I'd also say that what makes someone a good NBA prospect doesn't make them necessarily a good college player. He could be a prime candidate for a "draft and stash" since he's young/tall/athletic, while Watkins is older and shows less of the raw abilities.
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+1000
 
I think a lot of posters need to find a new hobby. There is more to this world than SJU basketball or any college basketball for that matter. Especially when it comes to this Portal/NIL world. Chill, relax. Go for a walk, play some golf or pickleball. Twitter is fun but its not the something to live and die by.
 
Moose said:
I think a lot of posters need to find a new hobby. There is more to this world than SJU basketball or any college basketball for that matter. Especially when it comes to this Portal/NIL world. Chill, relax. Go for a walk, play some golf or pickleball. Twitter is fun but its not the something to live and die by.
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Exactly. If you want something to be apoplectic about try the NY Mets 🤪
 
I've seen reports Watkins is withdrawing from the portal and returning to Florida state. Do we have another target in sight?
 
Moose said:
I think a lot of posters need to find a new hobby. There is more to this world than SJU basketball or any college basketball for that matter. Especially when it comes to this Portal/NIL world. Chill, relax. Go for a walk, play some golf or pickleball. Twitter is fun but its not the something to live and die by.
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Thank you, Moose, for this helpful public service announcement. Speaking only for myself, I did not know that there was anything other than SJU hoops and drinking out there for me. Now I have renewed hope in the world and optimism for the future.

I can't imagine why Paultz hates you so! 😇
 
There’s an international scout on the discord who said this about Prey:

He’s interested in college basketball, has a 300k buyout and will likely be expensive to get

Great length and athleticism. Just isn’t too skilled yet.

He moves like Grant Nelson. Good burst off the bounce.

I asked him if he was a day one guy, and he replied “upside”
 
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