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(03-19-2021 09:51 AM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  I'd probably be excited about the potential two weeks ago. Not sure I want to see this guy start on day 1 though...

If he doesn’t add 20+ lbs pronto, Rob Banks might be a better option. He’s built like jack the pumpkin king.

I’m looking forward to moving on from the drama and a new commit is a great start. Linked is a pretty good interview from Bryson Spell, he looks like a solid pickup.

https://youtu.be/VkhPBxy0NUA

(03-19-2021 09:57 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  

(03-19-2021 09:51 AM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  I'd probably be excited about the potential two weeks ago. Not sure I want to see this guy start on day 1 though...

If he doesn’t add 20+ lbs pronto, Rob Banks might be a better option. He’s built like jack the pumpkin king.

Man, we've been on a tear with referential humor on here lately...I'm loving it.

Incredible amount of shade from the quote he gave 247:

"Bearcat fans can expect a kid who will always be about team wins before personal victories."

I think Spell has a lot of potential as a stretch 4. Don't think he's the kind of guy you want to count on being a starter on day 1. But he would pair well with a rim protector/enforcer at the 5. Not sure if he will be a good fit with Lakhin... hopefully that doesn't end up being another Rap/Vogt mismatch. But if those two are the future at the 4 and 5, we'll now need to find 2 upperclassmen who can come in and start right away.

(03-19-2021 09:52 AM)bearcatdp Wrote:  He's committed. Here's the 247 story

Good article on Spell; thanks for sharing. Somewhere else there was an extended interview with him that was linked. I didn't watch it in its entirety, but from the few minutes I saw I had two takeaways.

First, he's an intelligent, articulate young man which is a great starting place--along with being 6'9" and able to shoot the ball. Second, he describes his skill set as being more that of a wing player. If that's the plan for him I think we'd all be pretty happy with a wing who can extend defenses and shoot over almost any opponent's player guarding him.

I don't think this is the inside banger that most of us know is needed, nor was it supposed to be. This is simply the first piece in the recruiting jigsaw puzzle for next year and until we have the context of that full class it's too soon to evaluate the Fall '21 group. But UC was in on him in the Fall of '19, before he had other high major interest. That speaks well for this staff's ability to evaluate talent early which will be a key to winning some of these recruiting battles.

Yeah, I think this is something to be happy with. Problem is we have such desperation for immediate contributors so it's hard to get excited about a good developmental prospect until you know you don't have to throw him to the fire immediately.

(03-19-2021 10:28 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(03-19-2021 09:52 AM)bearcatdp Wrote:  He's committed. Here's the 247 story

Good article on Spell; thanks for sharing. Somewhere else there was an extended interview with him that was linked. I didn't watch it in its entirety, but from the few minutes I saw I had two takeaways.

First, he's an intelligent, articulate young man which is a great starting place--along with being 6'9" and able to shoot the ball. Second, he describes his skill set as being more that of a wing player. If that's the plan for him I think we'd all be pretty happy with a wing who can extend defenses and shoot over almost any opponent's player guarding him.

I don't think this is the inside banger that most of us know is needed, nor was it supposed to be. This is simply the first piece in the recruiting jigsaw puzzle for next year and until we have the context of that full class it's too soon to evaluate the Fall '21 group. But UC was in on him in the Fall of '19, before he had other high major interest. That speaks well for this staff's ability to evaluate talent early which will be a key to winning some of these recruiting battles.

Yeah, I could see him being used similarly to Davenport as a combo forward. He's kind of a tweener, which isn't a bad thing as long as he can defend. He has enough length to not need to be super quick to be an effective perimeter defender, but obviously he can't be a plodder either. He doesn't look explosive on tape, but he also doesn't look slow or heavy on his feet. I consider him a project, but he's a different kind of project than what we were used to under Cronin. This guy is already coming in with plenty of offensive skill, but will need to work on his body/strength.

(03-19-2021 09:57 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  [quote='Cataclysmo' pid='17336687' dateline='1616165477']
I'd probably be excited about the potential two weeks ago. Not sure I want to see this guy start on day 1 though...

If he doesn’t add 20+ lbs pronto, Rob Banks might be a better option. He’s built like jack the pumpkin king.

...appreciate the warm welcome for a young man who wants to be a Bearcat

(03-19-2021 09:46 AM)dsquare Wrote:  

(03-19-2021 09:23 AM)cinbinsportsfan Wrote:  

(03-19-2021 07:36 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  Word was Va Tech had him pretty far down their conditional offer list and he was waiting on some of the other ACC schools to offer but they didn’t. We probably beat out places like ODU and App State for him...Elon, too. Apparently that is where his dad played.

Good offensive tools but could get pushed around mercilessly for a while.

Doesn’t look like he played AAU ball so perhaps he really is an under the radar gem.

My exact thoughts as well. Basically a smaller version of Chris Vogt who can dribble-drive more. I guess it depends on 1) if UC will have a strength and conditioning coach to add some bulk this summer and 2) if John can define a role for him early that that makes sense for his skillset and one that he can focus on over his career. Both are very TBD.

He shoots the ball a lot better than Vogt.

I shoot the ball a lot better than Vogt.

(03-19-2021 09:57 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  

(03-19-2021 09:51 AM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  I'd probably be excited about the potential two weeks ago. Not sure I want to see this guy start on day 1 though...

If he doesn’t add 20+ lbs pronto, Rob Banks might be a better option. He’s built like jack the pumpkin king.

He's got a decent build for a kid coming out of high school, and I like his film. He isn't the athletic lane stuffer who will help us compete with Houston, though.

Spell is a good start to this rebuilding project. He's no banger but he could bring a lot of versatility to the 4. Next up I'd like to see a wing, a long center prospect, and like a JUCO banger 4/5 in the Steve Toyloy mold.

I get the feeling from Brannen's recruitment of bigs to this point that he is trying to find his next Drew MacDonald. Hopefully he has with this one.

(03-19-2021 11:46 AM)chatcat Wrote:  

(03-19-2021 09:46 AM)dsquare Wrote:  

(03-19-2021 09:23 AM)cinbinsportsfan Wrote:  

(03-19-2021 07:36 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  Word was Va Tech had him pretty far down their conditional offer list and he was waiting on some of the other ACC schools to offer but they didn’t. We probably beat out places like ODU and App State for him...Elon, too. Apparently that is where his dad played.

Good offensive tools but could get pushed around mercilessly for a while.

Doesn’t look like he played AAU ball so perhaps he really is an under the radar gem.

My exact thoughts as well. Basically a smaller version of Chris Vogt who can dribble-drive more. I guess it depends on 1) if UC will have a strength and conditioning coach to add some bulk this summer and 2) if John can define a role for him early that that makes sense for his skillset and one that he can focus on over his career. Both are very TBD.

He shoots the ball a lot better than Vogt.

I shoot the ball a lot better than Vogt.

So you could make 40% on FT's and make 5 ft hook shots!

Love seeing JD bleed Red and Black!!!! With DDJ, MAW and JD back, add 3-5 solid players and we might surprise a bit next season.

(03-19-2021 10:11 AM)UCbball21 Wrote:  I’m looking forward to moving on from the drama and a new commit is a great start. Linked is a pretty good interview from Bryson Spell, he looks like a solid pickup.

https://youtu.be/VkhPBxy0NUA

Based on the teams UC was battling for his services he looks much better than I expected. He's more athletic and a better shooter than Vogt. He looks like a nice role player that could develop into a good asset over time.

(03-19-2021 12:40 PM)SeniorBearcat Wrote:  Love seeing JD bleed Red and Black!!!! With DDJ, MAW and JD back, add 3-5 solid players and we might surprise a bit next season.

JD is quickly vaulting up the list of my all time favorite Bearcats.

Wow we beat out powerhouses Elon, GW, ODU and VT a #15 seed.

(03-19-2021 01:19 PM)doss2 Wrote:  Wow we beat out powerhouses Elon, GW, ODU and VT a #15 seed.

You should crawl out of your gilded hole, Doss, and check out the 10th seeded Hokies and Florida. It's a good one.

(03-19-2021 12:37 PM)doss2 Wrote:  

(03-19-2021 11:46 AM)chatcat Wrote:  

(03-19-2021 09:46 AM)dsquare Wrote:  

(03-19-2021 09:23 AM)cinbinsportsfan Wrote:  

(03-19-2021 07:36 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  Word was Va Tech had him pretty far down their conditional offer list and he was waiting on some of the other ACC schools to offer but they didn’t. We probably beat out places like ODU and App State for him...Elon, too. Apparently that is where his dad played.

Good offensive tools but could get pushed around mercilessly for a while.

Doesn’t look like he played AAU ball so perhaps he really is an under the radar gem.

My exact thoughts as well. Basically a smaller version of Chris Vogt who can dribble-drive more. I guess it depends on 1) if UC will have a strength and conditioning coach to add some bulk this summer and 2) if John can define a role for him early that that makes sense for his skillset and one that he can focus on over his career. Both are very TBD.

He shoots the ball a lot better than Vogt.

I shoot the ball a lot better than Vogt.

So you could make 40% on FT's and make 5 ft hook shots!

I think I could. Wonder if he needs a 5'10" post player.

(03-19-2021 01:19 PM)doss2 Wrote:  Wow we beat out powerhouses Elon, GW, ODU and VT a #15 seed.

VT is a 10 seed...regardless...better than us...the kid wants to be a Bearcat...welcome him to the Bearcat family...