Post by nashvillestag on Apr 22, 2014 0:23:48 GMT -5
NERR reporting that Sean Obi, a 6'10" physical monster who graduated from Greens Farms Academy last year and played at Rice this past season, and who was basically thought of as a low D-1 player at best in high school (as detailed in this report), unbelievably after leaving the Owls program is now transferring to DUKE. Wow! Only reason I put this up is that you never can tell what can happen to certain players (especially those who are not only tall but are built like granite) even if they played against low competition and were not that impressive on the scholastic level. And of course the other reason this should be noted is that our own new recruit Ami Lakoju from St. Luke's is coming out of the same league as the one that Obi played in, has the same type of build, and also has a similar (raw) game. Will Ami become a force for the Stags like Obi did for Rice (averaged close to a double/double as a freshman)? You never know of course, but from this I can see why Sydney is taking a chance on this kid.
And now we have 2 "big" projects. Hopefully our coaching staff has the skill set to develop these guys. I go back to watching Peanut's growth. It was a pleasure to watch. He developed both his floor game and his skills from the line.
I have to wonder if Sydney, as always, will have to take the whole season to figure what these guys have. His "system" sure defies any explanation. Sorry to be cynical, but I predict the same at the end of next season...talented guys leaving who have barely been given a chance. What evidence is there to prove me wrong? More than any player, I am looking for Sydney to up his game tremendously.
And now we have 2 "big" projects. Hopefully our coaching staff has the skill set to develop these guys. I go back to watching Peanut's growth. It was a pleasure to watch. He developed both his floor game and his skills from the line.
Paulie, great example in Peanut! Not only was his developement tremendous on the court, but so too was his matuaration in going from a shy kid to a man by the time he graduated. But that in itself suggests that he was a highly motivated person who worked extra hard to get to where he wanted to go. So I would hope Ami (and Malcolm) have this same trait. I would feel a bit better if we had one former "big" on our staff. Fact is we don't. Doesn't mean they can't relate however. If one or both of these players flourish it would certainly make the team a lot more dangerous for sure.
AJ started from day 1 and rarely missed a game outside of the scary blood clot he had in his lungs his jr year. But he came back his senior year and was one of the top big men in the MAAC. AJ had a tenacity and a drive unlike any other stag player except maybe needham.
AJ started from day 1 and rarely missed a game outside of the scary blood clot he had in his lungs his jr year. But he came back his senior year and was one of the top big men in the MAAC. AJ had a tenacity and a drive unlike any other stag player except maybe needham.
You're absolutely right 10, AJ did start from day one. Part of the reason he did however was because there were no experienced big guys on the team at that time. In fact it was he and Nero who became the foundation of the frontcourt as freshmen for Ed Cooley's first Stag team. Tanacity, drive, and also freakish athleticism were certainly his strengths. But he was extremely raw in the beginning, therefore in the end the finished product was certainly something to be proud of!
For big men, its usually takes some time for them to mature or grow into their body. For many of them, it is not a gradual improvement, it’s more of a step function that seems to happen overnight. Robbie Thomson, Pete Debisschop and AJ are certainly examples of that. Those are good examples of why I think that Malcolm still has a very good chance of reaching his potential of an impact player. And after he graduates, a player like Ami Lakoju will be waiting in the wings. Sidibe still has to make that jump, and I see him as a mini Anthony Johnson…. Not as Tall, Athletic, or strong as AJ, but certainly can finish as a 12 and 8 player.
I think backcourt players seem to mature more gradually. Barrow and Marcus certainly expanded their game each year, and made 2 of the bigger leaps. And I agree that Needham’s hard work resulted in much better Ballhandling, Decision Making and shooting. While Nickerson never improved his shooting, his Ballhandling and Overall Defense certainly improved a lot of time.
