Yakwe & Bright SJU Future

[Sherman Sheridan & Grant]

For the guys lucky enough to witness Walter Berry while at sju; (a) is Yakwe reminding you more of him as he continues to improve and (b) do you think he become that type of player?

I never saw him play at sju and I realize his numbers were o u t s t a n d i n g, but at least characteristically there are comparisons. Undersized pf, lefty, unorthodox release, freak athlete.

You are not the first to make that comparison as I've heard it from others. A "poor man's" version of Walter Berry and I consider that a compliment. Walter's offensive game was unbelievable. He invented shots in mid move. Just uncanny. And he was a great rebounder because he was a "quick jumper" which helped blocking shots. This is where Yawke has that same ability but jumps higher and is a better athlete than Walter was ( and Berry was athletic).

Yawke has gotten better and could put up some real nice numbers but overall, Walter was a Wooden Award winner and I don't see Yawke reaching that level but he could be damn good if he keeps improving.

Thanks SJU 85
The proverbial bottom line:
We were very fortunate to have Walter Berry and we are very fortunate to have Mr. Yawke!
Two distinct players; two with amazing talent, Walters proven, Yawke's unfolding before our eyes.

all the best

 

[beast of the east]

For the guys lucky enough to witness Walter Berry while at sju; (a) is Yakwe reminding you more of him as he continues to improve and (b) do you think he become that type of player?

I never saw him play at sju and I realize his numbers were o u t s t a n d i n g, but at least characteristically there are comparisons. Undersized pf, lefty, unorthodox release, freak athlete.

You are not the first to make that comparison as I've heard it from others. A "poor man's" version of Walter Berry and I consider that a compliment. Walter's offensive game was unbelievable. He invented shots in mid move. Just uncanny. And he was a great rebounder because he was a "quick jumper" which helped blocking shots. This is where Yawke has that same ability but jumps higher and is a better athlete than Walter was ( and Berry was athletic).

Yawke has gotten better and could put up some real nice numbers but overall, Walter was a Wooden Award winner and I don't see Yawke reaching that level but he could be damn good if he keeps improving.

Really good description of Berry - creating shots in mid air, He had a knack of finding open air space by controlling his body once aloft.

I also loved LJSA's Freudenberg - Shrempf comparison. If only it works out as well.

 

[beast of the east]

For the guys lucky enough to witness Walter Berry while at sju; (a) is Yakwe reminding you more of him as he continues to improve and (b) do you think he become that type of player?

I never saw him play at sju and I realize his numbers were o u t s t a n d i n g, but at least characteristically there are comparisons. Undersized pf, lefty, unorthodox release, freak athlete.

You are not the first to make that comparison as I've heard it from others. A "poor man's" version of Walter Berry and I consider that a compliment. Walter's offensive game was unbelievable. He invented shots in mid move. Just uncanny. And he was a great rebounder because he was a "quick jumper" which helped blocking shots. This is where Yawke has that same ability but jumps higher and is a better athlete than Walter was ( and Berry was athletic).

Yawke has gotten better and could put up some real nice numbers but overall, Walter was a Wooden Award winner and I don't see Yawke reaching that level but he could be damn good if he keeps improving.

Thanks SJU 85
The proverbial bottom line:
We were very fortunate to have Walter Berry and we are very fortunate to have Mr. Yawke!
Two distinct players; two with amazing talent, Walters proven, Yawke's unfolding before our eyes.

all the best

Help me out here - It is Yakwe, correct? Unless he is going to morph into the former owner of the Red Sox. Not a cheap shot - there are some names I simply cannot remember how to spell - like 1/2 of our teams first names, and Matt A's last name.

 

[RedmanMike]

We spend a lot of time allocating minutes for next year. I'm not sure why we do that, especially since my guess is that most of us have never seen Lovett, Ahmed, Ponds or Freudenberg play.

Barring something crazy, it is probably safe to say the Sima and Yakwe will be starters next year -- and I firmly believe that Yakwe will have a big year for us and be an All-Big East type of player.

But we don't know how much time Ellison or Mussini or Jones will get. My guess is each of them will play more than we think.

 

[OLV72]

Walter Berry was among the best players ever for the Redmen but, played only 2 great years. was he better than Mullin? NO! was he better than Sonny Dove? That may be a pick em !

Yakwe is still a kid growing in the Game. Lots of potential, Berry was already at the NBA level when he played for us as a JUCO transfer.

Berry and Yakwe are very different types of players
Berry was more of a free flowing, finesse type of player
Yakwe is a more of a power type of player
Yakwe is more like David Russell than Walter Berry
They are both very athletic and excellent rebounders with inconsistent jump shots
Yakwe is already a better defender and shot blocker IMO

I loved Walter as much as anyone, but he was a lazy defender. Although he did come up with one of the biggest blocks in the history of the program.

I remember watching an interview with Red auerbach just before the nba draft that year where he said exactly the same thung when asked about the POY Berry. He also said there was no place on the Celtics for Berry because of that. Berry slipped to 14 in the draft I believe, which kind 9f shocked me.

There must have been a lot of poor offensive players in those days for his team to have won almost every single college game he played.

 

[sirvoo]

Yakwe=Cornerstone.

Just another prime example of this staff's ability in constructing a consistently good product on the floor (under less than ideal circumstances in year 1). They'll build on Yakwe and Sima with 3, potentially 4 more cornerstone players in Ponds, Lovett, Bashir and RF. Love the idea of KY and Sima patrolling the paint as sophs next year. Skilled players with high basketball IQ, what else could we ask for my friends?

 

[Jack Williams]

Yakwe=Cornerstone.

Just another prime example of this staff's ability in constructing a consistently good product on the floor (under less than ideal circumstances in year 1). They'll build on Yakwe and Sima with 3, potentially 4 more cornerstone players in Ponds, Lovett, Bashir and RF. Love the idea of KY and Sima patrolling the paint as sophs next year. Skilled players with high basketball IQ, what else could we ask for my friends?

Agree. There's a reason there's so much optimism around here despite a poor record. Sima and Yakwe have performed well above expectations. Yakwe is already a beast competing well with big east front courts, and he should be a senior in high school!

Ellison and Mussini have looked like to me, solid four year contributors that every top program has.

 

[salty dog]

Walter Berry was among the best players ever for the Redmen but, played only 2 great years. was he better than Mullin? NO! was he better than Sonny Dove? That may be a pick em !

Yakwe is still a kid growing in the Game. Lots of potential, Berry was already at the NBA level when he played for us as a JUCO transfer.

Berry and Yakwe are very different types of players
Berry was more of a free flowing, finesse type of player
Yakwe is a more of a power type of player
Yakwe is more like David Russell than Walter Berry
They are both very athletic and excellent rebounders with inconsistent jump shots
Yakwe is already a better defender and shot blocker IMO

I loved Walter as much as anyone, but he was a lazy defender. Although he did come up with one of the biggest blocks in the history of the program.

I remember watching an interview with Red auerbach just before the nba draft that year where he said exactly the same thung when asked about the POY Berry. He also said there was no place on the Celtics for Berry because of that. Berry slipped to 14 in the draft I believe, which kind 9f shocked me.

Ironically -- or rather, sadly -- Auerbach drafted Len Bias with the No. 2 pick, and we all know what happened a day or two later. Meanwhile, the Knicks, who had the No. 5 pick, passed on Berry and selected UK's Kenny Walker. Aside from winning the 1989 Slam Dunk contest, Walker had a brief, forgettable NBA career.

Right Redken, Knick drafts have been abysmal, not the first time they passed on a Johnnie, they also let Artest slip from their grasp. That is why it is foolish to trade Melo because you get a first round pick. You would not know what to do with it. Got lucky with KP.

 

[monte]

Walter Berry was among the best players ever for the Redmen but, played only 2 great years. was he better than Mullin? NO! was he better than Sonny Dove? That may be a pick em !

Yakwe is still a kid growing in the Game. Lots of potential, Berry was already at the NBA level when he played for us as a JUCO transfer.

Berry and Yakwe are very different types of players
Berry was more of a free flowing, finesse type of player
Yakwe is a more of a power type of player
Yakwe is more like David Russell than Walter Berry
They are both very athletic and excellent rebounders with inconsistent jump shots
Yakwe is already a better defender and shot blocker IMO

I loved Walter as much as anyone, but he was a lazy defender. Although he did come up with one of the biggest blocks in the history of the program.

I remember watching an interview with Red auerbach just before the nba draft that year where he said exactly the same thung when asked about the POY Berry. He also said there was no place on the Celtics for Berry because of that. Berry slipped to 14 in the draft I believe, which kind 9f shocked me.

There must have been a lot of poor offensive players in those days for his team to have won almost every single college game he played.

Hard to compare the two since Yakwe is an unfinished product. But having watched pretty much every single one of both Berry and Yakwe's games here, IMO the differance in thier levels of defense is that Yakwe plays at a far higher level of intensity and energy on the defensive end. Yakwe more athletically gifted(not that Walter was a slouch), but Berry a few inches taller. So from a purely physical standpoint I'll call it a wash. To me if boils down to effort. Yakwe is always going 100%, where as Berry had his moments.

 

[we are sju]

Walter Berry was among the best players ever for the Redmen but, played only 2 great years. was he better than Mullin? NO! was he better than Sonny Dove? That may be a pick em !

Yakwe is still a kid growing in the Game. Lots of potential, Berry was already at the NBA level when he played for us as a JUCO transfer.

Berry and Yakwe are very different types of players
Berry was more of a free flowing, finesse type of player
Yakwe is a more of a power type of player
Yakwe is more like David Russell than Walter Berry
They are both very athletic and excellent rebounders with inconsistent jump shots
Yakwe is already a better defender and shot blocker IMO

I loved Walter as much as anyone, but he was a lazy defender. Although he did come up with one of the biggest blocks in the history of the program.

Was a good help defender in College. Got Ewing the game we won and was I believe the cover of the Month's SI

 

[MainMan]

Walter Berry was among the best players ever for the Redmen but, played only 2 great years. was he better than Mullin? NO! was he better than Sonny Dove? That may be a pick em !

Yakwe is still a kid growing in the Game. Lots of potential, Berry was already at the NBA level when he played for us as a JUCO transfer.

Berry and Yakwe are very different types of players
Berry was more of a free flowing, finesse type of player
Yakwe is a more of a power type of player
Yakwe is more like David Russell than Walter Berry
They are both very athletic and excellent rebounders with inconsistent jump shots
Yakwe is already a better defender and shot blocker IMO

I loved Walter as much as anyone, but he was a lazy defender. Although he did come up with one of the biggest blocks in the history of the program.

I remember watching an interview with Red auerbach just before the nba draft that year where he said exactly the same thung when asked about the POY Berry. He also said there was no place on the Celtics for Berry because of that. Berry slipped to 14 in the draft I believe, which kind 9f shocked me.

Ironically -- or rather, sadly -- Auerbach drafted Len Bias with the No. 2 pick, and we all know what happened a day or two later. Meanwhile, the Knicks, who had the No. 5 pick, passed on Berry and selected UK's Kenny Walker. Aside from winning the 1989 Slam Dunk contest, Walker had a brief, forgettable NBA career.

Right Redken, Knick drafts have been abysmal, not the first time they passed on a Johnnie, they also let Artest slip from their grasp. That is why it is foolish to trade Melo because you get a first round pick. You would not know what to do with it. Got lucky with KP.

'86 first round was one of the worst of all time. But one of the best 2nd rounds of all time.

 

[Ray Morgan]

I wouldn't waste too much effort trying to say who Yakwe reminds you of. Especially from a pool as small as SJU left handed forwards. Yakwe has a unique game at this point, primarily because he is a work in progress. He is more athlete than basketball player, and therefore is still figuring things out on both ends of the floor. It is obvious he has come a long way in half a season, even hitting mid range jumpers 3 games in a row. His athleticism, timing, and effort are all off the charts. Other than Ed Searcy, I never saw a Redmen player get off the ground that guick and that high from a flat footed position. He has the highest ceiling of any of our freshman.

 

[fuchsia]

How about Chris Obekpa in terms of quick leaping ability and defensive timing but with much more heart and brain and much less ganja.

 

[beast of the east]

Walter Berry was among the best players ever for the Redmen but, played only 2 great years. was he better than Mullin? NO! was he better than Sonny Dove? That may be a pick em !

Yakwe is still a kid growing in the Game. Lots of potential, Berry was already at the NBA level when he played for us as a JUCO transfer.

Berry and Yakwe are very different types of players
Berry was more of a free flowing, finesse type of player
Yakwe is a more of a power type of player
Yakwe is more like David Russell than Walter Berry
They are both very athletic and excellent rebounders with inconsistent jump shots
Yakwe is already a better defender and shot blocker IMO

I loved Walter as much as anyone, but he was a lazy defender. Although he did come up with one of the biggest blocks in the history of the program.

I remember watching an interview with Red auerbach just before the nba draft that year where he said exactly the same thung when asked about the POY Berry. He also said there was no place on the Celtics for Berry because of that. Berry slipped to 14 in the draft I believe, which kind 9f shocked me.

There must have been a lot of poor offensive players in those days for his team to have won almost every single college game he played.

Hard to compare the two since Yakwe is an unfinished product. But having watched pretty much every single one of both Berry and Yakwe's games here, IMO the differance in thier levels of defense is that Yakwe plays at a far higher level of intensity and energy on the defensive end. Yakwe more athletically gifted(not that Walter was a slouch), but Berry a few inches taller. So from a purely physical standpoint I'll call it a wash. To me if boils down to effort. Yakwe is always going 100%, where as Berry had his moments.

Largest different is Berry was just about a finished product when he stepped foot on campus, and within a couple of games we knew exactly what we were getting. My guess is that if he took instruction a little better he'd have had a long and productive NBA career.

Yakwe has miles of room for improvement, and no one can say with certainty that he will be an All Big East player or just someone very solid. What we always do around here is re-evaluate someone immediately based on a great game or a really crappy game.

Week to week Ellison either gets high marks for improvement or gets bashed. after a couple of not so great games. Mussini is lost right now and getting written off but I think that his star may rise again.

 

[OLV72]

Walter Berry was among the best players ever for the Redmen but, played only 2 great years. was he better than Mullin? NO! was he better than Sonny Dove? That may be a pick em !

Yakwe is still a kid growing in the Game. Lots of potential, Berry was already at the NBA level when he played for us as a JUCO transfer.

Berry and Yakwe are very different types of players
Berry was more of a free flowing, finesse type of player
Yakwe is a more of a power type of player
Yakwe is more like David Russell than Walter Berry
They are both very athletic and excellent rebounders with inconsistent jump shots
Yakwe is already a better defender and shot blocker IMO

I loved Walter as much as anyone, but he was a lazy defender. Although he did come up with one of the biggest blocks in the history of the program.

I remember watching an interview with Red auerbach just before the nba draft that year where he said exactly the same thung when asked about the POY Berry. He also said there was no place on the Celtics for Berry because of that. Berry slipped to 14 in the draft I believe, which kind 9f shocked me.

There must have been a lot of poor offensive players in those days for his team to have won almost every single college game he played.

Hard to compare the two since Yakwe is an unfinished product. But having watched pretty much every single one of both Berry and Yakwe's games here, IMO the differance in thier levels of defense is that Yakwe plays at a far higher level of intensity and energy on the defensive end. Yakwe more athletically gifted(not that Walter was a slouch), but Berry a few inches taller. So from a purely physical standpoint I'll call it a wash. To me if boils down to effort. Yakwe is always going 100%, where as Berry had his moments.

But his moments on the defensive end were pretty big. In one memorable game (as cited above) he brought us our number one ranking. In another one it it gave us a BE title.

Hopefully, we'll see Yakwe do this for us in a couple of years.

 

[SJU14]

How about Chris Obekpa in terms of quick leaping ability and defensive timing but with much more heart and brain and much less ganja.

The big difference is CO bit on every pump fake and got in foul trouble. Yakwe doesn't jump until after the shooter because of his leaping ability, meaning he won't bite on the pump fakes as much.

 

[paultzman]

How about Chris Obekpa in terms of quick leaping ability and defensive timing but with much more heart and brain and much less ganja.

The big difference is CO bit on every pump fake and got in foul trouble. Yakwe doesn't jump until after the shooter because of his leaping ability, meaning he won't bite on the pump fakes as much.

Apparently Yakwe is a very humble, grounded kid who soaks up instruction. Obekpa beat to a different drum & appeared to have inflated sense of self. Enjoyed Obekpa's play often, but he was his own worst enemy.

 

[ras]

No body knows what the future will bring. But if you factor in he hasn't been playing BB that long, his age, his work ethic and how much he has improved this year. The future looks bright. Hes going to be scary his JR. year,IMO.

 

[SJU85]

For the guys lucky enough to witness Walter Berry while at sju; (a) is Yakwe reminding you more of him as he continues to improve and (b) do you think he become that type of player?

I never saw him play at sju and I realize his numbers were o u t s t a n d i n g, but at least characteristically there are comparisons. Undersized pf, lefty, unorthodox release, freak athlete.

You are not the first to make that comparison as I've heard it from others. A "poor man's" version of Walter Berry and I consider that a compliment. Walter's offensive game was unbelievable. He invented shots in mid move. Just uncanny. And he was a great rebounder because he was a "quick jumper" which helped blocking shots. This is where Yawke has that same ability but jumps higher and is a better athlete than Walter was ( and Berry was athletic).

Yawke has gotten better and could put up some real nice numbers but overall, Walter was a Wooden Award winner and I don't see Yawke reaching that level but he could be damn good if he keeps improving.

Thanks SJU 85
The proverbial bottom line:
We were very fortunate to have Walter Berry and we are very fortunate to have Mr. Yawke!
Two distinct players; two with amazing talent, Walters proven, Yawke's unfolding before our eyes.

all the best

Help me out here - It is Yakwe, correct? Unless he is going to morph into the former owner of the Red Sox. Not a cheap shot - there are some names I simply cannot remember how to spell - like 1/2 of our teams first names, and Matt A's last name.

My bad, and I don't take it as a cheap shot. Good speller I am not.

 

[redken]

I wouldn't waste too much effort trying to say who Yakwe reminds you of. Especially from a pool as small as SJU left handed forwards. Yakwe has a unique game at this point, primarily because he is a work in progress. He is more athlete than basketball player, and therefore is still figuring things out on both ends of the floor. It is obvious he has come a long way in half a season, even hitting mid range jumpers 3 games in a row. His athleticism, timing, and effort are all off the charts. Other than Ed Searcy, I never saw a Redmen player get off the ground that guick and that high from a flat footed position. He has the highest ceiling of any of our freshman.

Like the Searcy comparison a lot. Searcy was 6'6"; Yakwe 6'7". In his first year (soph), Searcy averaged 9.5 ppg & 7.7 rpg; Yakwe is averaging 7.7 & 5.7 (and on the upswing). Searcy went on to average 13.2 ppg & 13.7 rpg and 12.2 ppg & 12.2 rpg in his junior and senior years, respectively -- numbers I can see Yakwe matching. (Blocked shots was not a statistic in Searcy's days at St. John's.)