Willy Kouassi

Bernard Morena

Highlights

Highlights

Signing these two SEC-quality frontcourt players would be substantial additions to your squad. They would have 3 years of eligibility too, correct? Would they come as a package deal? I could see that being appealing to these two.

Would love to get these guys in Black and Gold. Bucfaithful, I would assume you are correct. Thanks for sharing Mike.

6'10" Kouassi played 25 games last year with modest production: 10.2 minutes, 1.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 0.7 blocks.
http://www.auburntigers.com/sports/m-bas...mcume.html
But it looks like the 6'8" Morena did not play at all. If he redshirted, wouldn't he have 4 years?

Both guys were rated 90 with 3 stars by ESPN Insiders coming out of highschool. They join 6'7" freshman recruit Brandon Williams, rated 88 by ESPN. The highlight reels cited by MIke Hunt are sick, albeit against little competition.

These guys may be a little raw, but add these 3 to Markeith and you would be fielding a frontline with the best combination of size and athleticism that the ASun has seen since we've been in the league. Assuming of course that they don't show up playing like Matt Heramb and Mirza Medinic, you should have an impressive team by year's end.

Now we'll see what Preston can do with talent.

(05-21-2012 11:58 AM)Mike_Hunt Wrote:  I think both would redshirt this year by NCAA transfer rules. WK would at least. Guessing morena would have four years. Both of these guys have only been playing for about 5-6 years...a redshirt year for both would be huge in terms of skill, muscle and learning.

You're right about the transfer rules, we probably won't be seeing them on the floor for awhile. And they are raw. A midmajor probably suits their current playing level better than Auburn did.

What potential, though! It's remarkable the way that 6'8" Morena can put the ball on the floor and shoot with range after so little basketball experience. 6'10" Kouassi is much more athletic and can get off the floor better than the 6'11" JUCO from Oakland that ETSU had visit several weeks back.

But, how certain is this? Is Kennesaw going to have to keep their fingers crossed and wait to see if these guys actually enroll in the fall? Hoping in the meantime that the majors who were after these kids before don't snap them up?

Wow. thats crazy if we can get those guys. Preston is recruiting his ass off.

(05-21-2012 12:54 PM)swvabucsfan Wrote:  And they are raw. A midmajor probably suits their current playing level better than Auburn did.

What potential, though! It's remarkable the way that 6'8" Morena can put the ball on the floor and shoot with range after so little basketball experience. 6'10" Kouassi is much more athletic and can get off the floor better than the 6'11" JUCO from Oakland that ETSU had visit several weeks back.

The scary thing for opponents is that while these guys basketball maturity is at the midmajor level now, in two years, or perhaps even with a redshirt year, they could be playing at a SEC level.

Yahtzee!!

Big guy looks real raw. Meh. I never trust these big men from africa. They are usually rail thin and have no offense game. But I guess a shotblocker is still better than Osehmen who cant do anything.

Owls had a big African guy back in the 90's....he was not skinny, about 270. Played hard, played defense and was a threat enough on offense to have to guard him everytime he had the ball. Saying that, I hear what you're saying. A lot of basketball players are skinny these days. For that matter, they always have been. To get a big guy with an all around game, we'd need to be a little more prominent. They go to the big schools...

If this comes to fruition, this will be a recruiting coup for you all.

Yes, I believe Mike. He has been very hesitant to provide us information. If he says it is happening, I would assume this to be the case Bucfaithful. Also, I also believe this was a heck of a recruiting class! Go Owls!

Rivals had the big man ranked as the number 7 center in the country!

wow...Preston is the man.

Agree w/Mike. Reality, is only 1 other coach to congratulate. Unless, new guy and these 2 were a package deal?!?

(05-25-2012 02:31 PM)Mike_Hunt Wrote:  From @FearlessandTrue on Twitter- "What kind of world are we living in where two dudes would rather play basketball for Kennesaw State than Auburn? Am I missing something?"

Let the sour grapes begin.

The arrogance of some fans. When we've signed some higher profile kids or beaten the big boys, I've seen remarks like this on every occasion. I've read things like "Are they [ETSU] even Division 1?"

(05-25-2012 12:31 PM)Mike_Hunt Wrote:  

(05-23-2012 11:37 PM)ilm2011 Wrote:  Big guy looks real raw. Meh. I never trust these big men from africa. They are usually rail thin and have no offense game. But I guess a shotblocker is still better than Osehmen who cant do anything.

His potential is sky high...especially with likely having to sit out a year. He can be a force...doesn't matter if he's skinny.

We will see.

http://www.ksuowls.com/news/2012/6/1/MBB...23811.aspx