Welcome back LJ Figueroa

[quote="adavis1" post=345987]I understand college basketball is a giant cesspool and being a fan means holding your nose to the grossness. But what Slater is implicating is that Hsu and LJ's handlers are going to have him go sit a year in Bowling Green, KY for no reason, in obvious detriment to his basketball career, just to gain leverage so Mike Anderson hires Hsu and the handler gets something under the table. That is child abuse. If that is what is really going on we should run from these people as fast as possible. I am honestly shocked by the brazenness of it all.[/quote]

A visit doesn't mean a commitment. This could all just be smoke and Hsu is the one behind it.
 
[quote="Knight" post=345988]I thought it was reported that Figgy's name was no longer in the transfer portal.[/quote]
Never rely on those sites Chi Fan referenced for complete accuracy.
 
[quote="Adam" post=345989]What exactly is Hsu's relationship with LJ?[/quote]

Recruited him to committ to NMSU when LJ was in High School. Over schools like Miami and Louisville. They got him to enroll in Spring Semester to try to get cleared earlier. Then Hsu and head coach bolted to UNM before LJ played. He went to JUCO and ended up at SJU last year.
 
Last edited:
A visit doesn't mean a commitment. This could all just be smoke and Hsu is the one behind it.[/quote]

That is definitely a possibility. But Mark Hsu is a grown man who makes a few hundred k a year. LJ Figueroa is a 21 year old who plays for free. Just the idea of using him in this situation for leverage is gross. If you don't hire me I am going to hurt this young man's career.
 
Well, the initial read was Figueroa would be checking out other schools. Clearly he is going through with it, so of course we should be concerned. The Andre Slater tweets were odd and seemed to take a shot at Anderson, while inferring Hsu has some kind of leverage. It is very strange and in fairness to Hsu, maybe we should not conclude anything yet.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I don’t think our coach is willing to play games like that. That’s the case, goodbye. Again though, SJU fans jumped to a ton of conclusions before during the coaching search. Let it shake out. Going on visits and doing due diligence isn’t a big deal. Let him see what’s out there. There’s no doubt that it’s not in his best interest to sit a year at his age without playing basketball. If LJ decides to leave it hurts him more than us honestly. Our prospects this season were already just fair and possibly decent if we land a few more players.

Maybe he has concerns about our roster, no PG, unfamiliar coach etc.. It’s on him. Frankly LJ’s style though, fits Anderson’s system well and vice versa. Anderson also develops kids. I can’t see Figueroa’s prospects getting better by leaving. Hopefully the kid is smart. I also hope we hire a few good recruiters so we are never in a Matty A situation again and reliant on only one guy.
 
[quote="Knight" post=345988]I thought it was reported that Figgy's name was no longer in the transfer portal.[/quote]

He was on there the last time Iooked.
 
Unless I read it wrong, the new transfer rule makes it unnecessary to sit out a year ,. Maybe I read it wrong.
 
[quote="Frank61" post=345997]Unless I read it wrong, the new transfer rule makes it unnecessary to sit out a year ,. Maybe I read it wrong.[/quote]
New rule applies to freshmen enrolled over summer and coaching change.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[quote="Knight" post=345988]I thought it was reported that Figgy's name was no longer in the transfer portal.[/quote]

He is not on 247sports's 2019 transfer portal list, but i noticed him on verbal commits list earlier and shortly after that the news broke.
Dunno...
 
Paultzman wrote: Well, the initial read was Figueroa would be checking out other schools. Clearly he is going through with it, so of course we should be concerned. The Andre Slater tweets were odd and seemed to take a shot at Anderson, while inferring Hsu has some kind of leverage. It is very strange and in fairness to Hsu, maybe we should not conclude anything yet. Strange though.

Good advice. Let's wait and see; hopefully no fire with this smoke.
 
[quote="Chicago Days" post=346000][quote="Knight" post=345988]I thought it was reported that Figgy's name was no longer in the transfer portal.[/quote]

He is not on 247sports's 2019 transfer portal list, but i noticed him on verbal commits list earlier and shortly after that the news broke.
Dunno...[/quote]

He is on the ESPN list.
 
I think he's our best player by far and he has a tremendous opportunity to show himself as a main option this year. If the previous staff was here, transferring and waiting a year might have been the best option, but with the current staff I think it would be a bad move for him to sit out a year.

Hsu has also proven himself to be a good recruiter. I don't see any reason why not bring him in with the type of players he's bringing in WKU. I don't mind if we hire other guys though.

No matter what happens with Hsu, I hope LJ decides to stay here, and we can build a strong team around him and Heron for this upcoming year. I trust what this staff can do with good players.
 
Last edited:
[quote="Making Plays" post=346003]I don't know much about Slater, is Hsu his friend or something, seems to be taking shots at CMA, he was also the first to report on LJ's visit. Very unprofessional to refer to CMA and TJ as the "ex-Arkansas coach and his nephew"

https://twitter.com/Andrew__Slater/status/1120800676626542592[/quote]

Agree. In addition, we have plenty of room for Hsu, and TJ Cleveland is a veteran assistant himself who is a very good recruiter and veteran in his own right. He’s familiar with the style and is plenty worthy of the AHC spot. Hsu shouldn’t be insulted at all with the next assistant spot should that be the one offered. I think Slater was just saying basically “what are you waiting for To hire Hsu”? It’s in Anderson’s court.
 
LJ is 21 years old, can't imagine sitting out a year is beneficial to him on any level. Could possibly be 1st team BE this year if he stays.
 
I thought all the drama would be over with hiring of a straight up professional like Mike Anderson. Guess not.
 
[quote="Mean Gene" post=346011]I thought all the drama would be over with hiring of a straight up professional like Mike Anderson. Guess not.[/quote]

The guy has to bring in his own coaches and players. Can’t always make everybody happy. We still need plenty of staff members as we only have a HC and Cleveland so I’d guess things are far from settled.
 
[quote="Making Plays" post=346003]I don't know much about Slater, is Hsu his friend or something, seems to be taking shots at CMA, he was also the first to report on LJ's visit. Very unprofessional to refer to CMA and TJ as the "ex-Arkansas coach and his nephew"

https://twitter.com/Andrew__Slater/status/1120800676626542592[/quote]

Another media member with an ego. Is there anyone legit who actually covers this program?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top