NBA honestly doesn’t care how well a 24 year old plays against 18 year olds. Playing a COVID senior year is not going to change your NBA stock.
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You’re right about Francis. Probably in there somewhere. I hope we get Queen, tho!
As far as the others they’re gone imo. Especially if they make a deep run.
If Queen selects UH, I would not be surprised if Lath and Francis transfer. Lath is raw and does not seem to have a high BB IQ, and Francis is a role player and could be a full time player if dropped down a level.
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If Francis’ lightbulb doesn’t come on soon he needs to transfer we have to upgrade if possible
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Just this year, Kevin McCullar, Terrence Shannon Jr & Jason Ledee have used their Covid year and have gone from undrafted to probable 1st rders. But not too common, tho!
I was asking similar questions to a number of NBA scouts in Charleston.
The only draft pick we have on our team is TA. That is if he can develop the three ball consistently - that was consistent with every scout I spoke with. This is not my opinion.
“He is potentially the best big in the nation if he can take the next step”
How do you figure? What steps does he need to take?
I like Francis and I know he works hard but he has a ton to improve on to even be mentioned in that class.
He has not improved as much as I thought he would……but if this is his limit that’s okay.
Not everyone is Hakeem.
I’d be tickled pink with same ballpark as Bo.
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TA is a draft pick without a consistent three.
Of course he is a higher pick if he is more polished but the physical makeup and athleticism will get him drafted.
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Not Cryer? Sure seems like he is a draft pick over TA, I just don’t see the hype in TA, raw talent yes but still hasn’t really shown me much, his rebounding has really improved though
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Cryer is too small to play the 2 and not a natural pg. If he does make it in the pros it will be an instant offense scorer off the bench.
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@MRCoog good point. Jaime Jacquez Jr, for UCLA, stayed all 4 years. 1st round pick in 2023 draft
The 3 you pointed out, 6’ 5", 6’ 6", and 6’9".
Prospects with size. So guys like TA, Dunn have a better shot at the NBA than
Unfortunately Shead and Cryer. Not many 6’1" guards in the league. Unless you’re like a Trae Young scorer, creator
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A Bo or Craig Upchurch production (not same scoring as Upchurch or Bo, but same presence - I want to see Francis Starting dunking and man handling opponents like Craig did and block like Bo) is what I kind of expect from Francis.
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That would be great….the team would have another dimension and be that much tougher to defend.
I’m just less optimistic that he will reach that level of play….i hope I am wrong.
I hope we are wrong too! But after 3 years I am beginning to think Francis isn’t going to get much better.
Not going to bash the young man because you can tell he hustles and wants to do good but he just doesn’t have basketball instincts to go with his athleticism.
I think he ends up coming off the bench while TA becomes a starter and young Tugler gets increased minutes.
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I think his slow feet are most likely always going to be slow. If nothing changes from this point forward I’m not sure Francis would retain the starting job through the end of the season let alone next season. It would be great to see his feet miraculously speed up though.
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3 seniors in the lower third of the first round sounds about right.
Terrance Shannon would have probably been drafted after 2022 (projected as #60 by Bleacher Report) or 2023. I dont see Ledee being projected as a 1st rounder by anyone. But I agree 10% of the first round, all around picks 20-30 sounds reasonable.
If you think you will improve your 3 pt shot as much as McCullar in the offseason (30% to 38%), then yes, certainly give it a shot!
Jacquez was probably a first rounder as a junior too
It baffles me that a PF or C recruit wouldn’t be chomping at the bit to have an opportunity to work with Hakeem (along with all the other great things that UH offers). With Big E as well.
He would come here to play. What happens after he arrives will happen the way it should.
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Hakeem and Big E are just YouTube highlights to most of these guys. Unless they know basketball history that’s a nice to have. Grimes, Jarace, Sasser, etc will be the new names to draw kids
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