TJ, or anyone... any info on Stanford's Ebuka Okorie? I have to think with the freshman season he's had, that he'll portal. He played for Brewster Academy, and is from Massachusetts. So staying on the west coast, because its home, isn't a factor. Do Rod Clark or Kenny Johnson have any connections here with Brewster, or whatever AAU program he played for.
This is the type of 2-3 million dollar guard we should be very, very aggressively targeting.
No thanks on Catchings
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn - one year left - UNLV Rebels - 6'1" originally from Lafayette, IN. He played two seasons at Illinois and has exploded at UNLV this season. I'd be really surprised if IU was interested OR if DGL was interested in IU but I feel compelled to include him. He is now averaging 21 points per game with a really good usage rate but his shooting efficiency has skyrocketed this season. He is neutral at best on defense and he won't contribute on the glass but the young man can fill it up. His mother was a major issue and distraction throughout his winding journey but he cut ties with her and has blossomed since
If Mother was that big of an issue, she could reappear at any time. Be cautious. Parents who think they can still manage their college-age athlete like a 5th grader are best avoided.
What about Cupps from OSU?
- DGL was originally committed to Purdue, wasn’t he? That would be interesting. I’d heard his mom was a huge head case. Sad.
@tjinman1987 I can’t imagine Catchings is a good locker room guy. The way he handled his Purdue commitment and other things I’ve heard lead me to believe he wouldn’t be worth it. One of the things Cig has been so good at, getting good players with great attitude.
All true! I'm from Lafayette, know the father and kid - he committed to Purdue, then Illinois, now UNLV - same for HS - was at McCutcheon, left for a prep school in Utah, where is dad was made and asst coach, ended up at Montverde I think? Kid is talented, but a lot of red flags.
- DGL was originally committed to Purdue, wasn’t he? That would be interesting. I’d heard his mom was a huge head case. Sad.
All true! I'm from Lafayette, know the father and kid - he committed to Purdue, then Illinois, now UNLV - same for HS - was at McCutcheon, left for a prep school in Utah, where is dad was made and asst coach, ended up at Montverde I think? Kid is talented, but a lot of red flags.
- DGL was originally committed to Purdue, wasn’t he? That would be interesting. I’d heard his mom was a huge head case. Sad.
Definitely shouldn't be of any priority. He has no loyalty or allegiance. Let other coaches deal with negative possibilities.
@iunorth Okorie, if he transfers, will be a huge target. I think he's a fantastic prospect and he'll be at or near the top of most team's lists. I don't know of any connection that IU has to him or to Brewster and I imagine the list of schools that would be in front of IU would be quite long.
@ams66 Some of the things she posted on social media (let alone said in person to people in the stands or to coaches) are really bad. I don't think IU should pursue DGL and there's really no reason he'd feel pulled to play in the state of Indiana. After all, he hasn't called Indiana "home" for a while now. I'm guessing he'll end up at a high-major program (Colorado, Utah, etc.) where he can put up a lot of shots with a high usage rate but I did want to include him for a couple of reasons: previous Big Ten experience, in-state "tie" and he actually does deserve some praise for a really nice season at UNLV.
@tjinman1987 Well, with that type of thinking... ha ha. I'm sure he'll end up at UConn or somewhere like that if he portals. But he's the type of guy we need to throw some huge bags at, in my opinion. 2 to 3 guys that caliber, and build around them.
I literally just spoke with his dad. Dad says he is hoping to re-sign w UNLV and play there his sr yr- we will see!@ams66 Some of the things she posted on social media (let alone said in person to people in the stands or to coaches) are really bad. I don't think IU should pursue DGL and there's really no reason he'd feel pulled to play in the state of Indiana. After all, he hasn't called Indiana "home" for a while now. I'm guessing he'll end up at a high-major program (Colorado, Utah, etc.) where he can put up a lot of shots with a high usage rate but I did want to include him for a couple of reasons: previous Big Ten experience, in-state "tie" and he actually does deserve some praise for a really nice season at UNLV.
In regards to the upcoming portal, my hope is that along with better talent, Indiana doesn't focus heavily on a senior dominated class. As an example, Dusty May completed slayed the portal last year with roster construction. Three of the current starters are portal guys which will be key players on next years Wolverine squad. Morez Johnson is a sophomore and Eliot Cadeau and Andy Mara are juniors. With the talent Dusty has on the bench, he doesn't need to do much work in the April portal.
The senior dominated structure of the initial DeVries portal class has resulted in another rebuilding of the roster.