Mohammad Keita is back in the portal. His name was kicked around on these pages last year when he left St John's and he ended up at Tulane, where he saw little time. The 7'1 Keita has 3 years of eligibility remaining and was a biomedical engineering major. Here's a video from 2 years ago of Keita playing in the Basketball Africa League. He's bulked up quite a bit since then.
I saw this post on X which reflected an issue that has been discussed on this board. The portal has improved the quality of play and the competition level of games but has done so at the price of loyalty from the fans and players. In particular, this quote: "Ultimately, [college sports] become unconnected to the university." I don't think the relatively low student attendance at Fairfield games is attributable to the portal. This is due to many different factors ranging from changing demographics to more options for students other than watching sports to poor teams for an extended length of time. However, losing popular players who have improved the team's success and consequently increased attendance and interest in the team will eventually have a direct impact on both. Students will withhold any emotional involvement in the teams and stop caring. If that happens I don't think future fans and alumni will be as connected to the Stags as we are. Instead, they will be more like the members of the local community who come to games as a nice way to spend some time with their kids. Fairfield will lose the passion of the fanbase.
I saw this post on X which reflected an issue that has been discussed on this board. The portal has improved the quality of play and the competition level of games but has done so at the price of loyalty from the fans and players. In particular, this quote: "Ultimately, [college sports] become unconnected to the university." I don't think the relatively low student attendance at Fairfield games is attributable to the portal. This is due to many different factors ranging from changing demographics to more options for students other than watching sports to poor teams for an extended length of time. However, losing popular players who have improved the team's success and consequently increased attendance and interest in the team will eventually have a direct impact on both. Students will withhold any emotional involvement in the teams and stop caring. If that happens I don't think future fans and alumni will be as connected to the Stags as we are. Instead, they will be more like the members of the local community who come to games as a nice way to spend some time with their kids. Fairfield will lose the passion of the fanbase.
If you can't open the link just check out Matt Brown @mattbrownep on X.
I consider myself to be as diehard as they come but my enthusiasm for College basketball right now is at a 40 year low. One of the great things about midmajor basketball is following players across their careers. That era seems to be over. I wonder if there will ever be another 2000 point scorer at Fairfield?
A couple more players in the portal whose names were on here last year; one a 2nd time transfer and one a first. Sam Alajiki (Rice) of Ireland is a 6'7 PF who played his prep school ball at St Benedict's in NJ. A true power forward at 6'7, 235, Alajiki has one year remaining. Here's his transfer tape from last season, when he left Cal.
Alfredo Boglio is a 6'3 PG from Italy who played his freshman year at Robert Morris and didn't see much playing time. Boglio has a ton of International experience, is 20 years old, and has 3 years eligibility remaining.
Jack Scott, 6'6 guard from Princeton is in the portal. Plays the 1, 2, and 3. Two years of eligibility left. Didn't get a lot of playing time at Princeton, but other than the starting 5, no one saw more than 15 MPG. Unless he's leaving to go play for his Dad, who is the head coach at Air Force, IMO, Scott is a fit at FF.
Tweet from 365 recruits lists us, along with many other schools, expressing interest in Wagner’s 6’1” sophomore guard Julian Bond. Bond played his prep ball at Bergen Catholic, hit 85% of his foul shots for the season. He played all 40 minutes in Wagner’s NCAAA loss to UNC, scoring 18 points including 4 of 8 on his 3s. Bond also played all 40 minutes in Wagner’s NCAA First Four 71-68 victory over Howard, scored 15 points and hit 3 of 4 beyond the arc.
Prophet gets on campus tomorrow for weekend. Would be a Greg’s guard to lock down.
Hes friends with this kid who would also be a great get:
Lastly Fairfield had a kid from Wednesday to tomorrow on campus from a high major. Hopefully some movement as we get to Sunday/Monday with commitments maybe!
^^^Why aren’t you naming the player from the high major who is currently on campus. Was one of the conditions of his visit be that it be kept secret? We knew Deon Perry visited. We know Prophet Johnson is coming for a visit so why the anonymity for the player now on a visit?
One heck of a vertical on the Prophet Johnson block in the video below. Would be reassuring if we get Prophet to commit on his visit, having two guards the coaches want at this point would be a great start to filling in our most glaring need.
Desmond Claude, son of Chris Rivers ‘01 is in the portal. Would probably have to take a monster pay cut to come play for us.
And on top of that he'd certainly have to take an ego cut too considering he averaged nearly 17 PPG for Xavier this past season. Rated as the 5th best player in New England scholastically two years ago, I don't think he'll ever show up in a Stag uniform. But I'd like for it to happen of course.
Last Edit: Apr 19, 2024 12:09:41 GMT -5 by nashvillestag
Sophomore wing Apostolos Roumoglou of UCONN just entered the portal. Not a lot of PT for him, but has the reputation of being a very good perimeter shooter. a 6'7 200 lb 2/3 would certainly be a fit.
^^^Why aren’t you naming the player from the high major who is currently on campus. Was one of the conditions of his visit be that it be kept secret? We knew Deon Perry visited. We know Prophet Johnson is coming for a visit so why the anonymity for the player now on a visit?
One heck of a vertical on the Prophet Johnson block in the video below. Would be reassuring if we get Prophet to commit on his visit, having two guards the coaches want at this point would be a great start to filling in our most glaring need.
Posted on another thread with info. Christian Wright from Oregon State, I’m fairly certain it’s who Chuck our GA was tweeting about.
Last Edit: Apr 19, 2024 23:46:39 GMT -5 by gostags13
...I don't think future fans and alumni will be as connected to the Stags as we are. Instead, they will be more like the members of the local community who come to games as a nice way to spend some time with their kids. Fairfield will lose the passion of the fanbase.
Exactly Tommy. I've been saying this for years well before the portal. Fan growth in game attendance relies on community engagement. As you point out, students will not fill Mahoney. And that pool is "seasonal" as there are holidays and recesses right in the middle of the season.
I think we have proven this year that the community will come out for a winning team and a fun environment. It's the best family entertainment value around. Kids have a ball, parents love to watch their happy kids (more than the game) and enjoy the Mahoney experience. Keep selling it as the preferred kids event for sports groups and birthdays. At the very best, students will fill 1,000 seats and that will be sporadic. The community fills the Arena. Make games the "go to" events in town, be it on a smaller scale, to the Fairfield fireworks and Memorial Day Parade. It's where families go for "value" entertainment.