for the few who care, here’s the latest.
Clingan declared for the draft, likely top 10 pick
Stephon Castle is expected to declare soon, possible top 5 pick
Alex Karaban declared today, early 2nd rounder is likely
Newton has no more eligibility, late 1st/early 2nd rounder
Spencer has no more eligibility, might get drafted at the end of round 2
No word yet on Diarra but he has 1 more year of eligibility
Center Tarris Reed from Michigan transferred to UConn, should be our starting Center splitting time with Samson Johnson.
Not many his size can move the way he does. If he’s a plus defender with a bit of scoring that’s a valuable player. I think he has more upside than Edey who seems way too slow for the NBA.
His size, speed, and ability to pass will be a great help to him at the next level. He has grown in basketball terms by leaps and bounds. He will end up a top 7 pick this year.
He's also a tough kid who had an old-fashioned basketball journey; star player on his (successful) local HS BB team, no prep. Won all that he could for UConn. He's got the grit. Wish him and all the players moving on the best of luck. Such a fun team to watch.
Offensively - well that’s the problem. He’s pretty coordinated so there’s a good chance he can develop a jumper.
I would take him around 12-15 but the fact he’s being considered top 3 is where I see the problem. But that’s not his fault. I just think this is a really really poor class.
Will he stick in the league? Probably, he’s 7’2 and does move fairly well for his size. Is he a future all star like you want from a top 10 pick? I don’t think so. I think he’s a 15-20 min role player.
He moves well, plays under control on defense and has a really good feel for rim protection - compare him to what we see from Sims who had zero feel when he entered the league. And DC is highly competitive and fucking loves to play. His offensive game is rough now and his FT and shooting need work. But he's a grinder who loves basketball. Fucking Thibs would love to get his hands on him.
I think he has big time rim protection potential and that will keep him in the league. Definitely will struggle with fouls early on, like Mitch did.
Will he stick in the league? Probably, he’s 7’2 and does move fairly well for his size. Is he a future all star like you want from a top 10 pick? I don’t think so. I think he’s a 15-20 min role player.
I think the same thing. I think in a normal draft, he's perfect after say the 15th pick, but I wouldn't take him in the lottery. I heard this is a weak draft, though so I suppose timing is everything.
I understand Castle going but man, he has no definable offensive game at this point. Profiles as a very good and switchable defensive player though. I think he will struggle to contribute early in the league because his offense will be bad. He would really have been helped by coming back and taking a bunch of the shots that Newton and Spencer took and gone into next year with a good idea who he is offensively.
He moves well, plays under control on defense and has a really good feel for rim protection - compare him to what we see from Sims who had zero feel when he entered the league. And DC is highly competitive and fucking loves to play. His offensive game is rough now and his FT and shooting need work. But he's a grinder who loves basketball. Fucking Thibs would love to get his hands on him.
I think he has big time rim protection potential and that will keep him in the league. Definitely will struggle with fouls early on, like Mitch did.
Have to remember though, he’s not playing against NBA size and offensive talent night in and night out in college. I don’t see elite rim protection from him in the NBA.
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He's just 20 and will continue to fill out his frame. Remember Mitch when he was drafted at 20? He was pushed around all over the place.
He moves well, plays under control on defense and has a really good feel for rim protection - compare him to what we see from Sims who had zero feel when he entered the league. And DC is highly competitive and fucking loves to play. His offensive game is rough now and his FT and shooting need work. But he's a grinder who loves basketball. Fucking Thibs would love to get his hands on him.
I think he has big time rim protection potential and that will keep him in the league. Definitely will struggle with fouls early on, like Mitch did.
Have to remember though, he’s not playing against NBA size and offensive talent night in and night out in college. I don’t see elite rim protection from him in the NBA.
Yeah but that’s every player coming out. And he had to hold back a lot due to foul trouble and us having a decent backup center, along with blowing teams out, so his minutes were low. He’s a 3/3.5 block per game player with 25/27 minutes in college. Give him 6 fouls and I like his odds to take the rim protection to the next level. Plus, he can move, this isn’t Thabeet.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed that Castle decides to stay another year, although it’s unlikely with being a top 5 pick. I know he really values UConn and their coaching, he may decide to stay and have Hurley build him into a star ready for the next level. He has a lot offensively he needs to works on which could stunt his development at next level. We’ll see.
Obviously they will take a big step back next year, but I still see them as one of the top teams in the Big East. Marquette and Creighton losing a ton of guys too so will be interesting to see the next wave of young guys come in.
I don’t think Clingan is going to be a great NBA player but he has really nice upside, is really young, and is a completely different player than he was in 2022/23. Speaks to his work ethic and how well he takes coaching. Popovich would be great for him IMO.
I don’t think Clingan is going to be a great NBA player but he has really nice upside, is really young, and is a completely different player than he was in 2022/23. Speaks to his work ethic and how well he takes coaching. Popovich would be great for him IMO.
Clingan’s growth from a year ago is amazing, it’s easy to see him with so much more untapped upside over the next couple years as he maxes out and refines his game. Certainly more upside than a C like Edey who has already peaked. Clingan has not peaked yet. I don’t see a star, but he can be a very valuable weapon and player at the next level if coached right.
Clingan - ( New Window )
Love this, honestly
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and adding Gonzaga, lol. Technically a good move but Big East out in Spokane? Lol
Love this, honestly
Yeah just makes the conference better. It is weird but they already have Creighton in out in Nebraska so…ha.
If this draft wasn't so historically bad, I wonder if Castle would have stayed in Storrs. Another year crafting his skills and improving his production probably gets Castle top 3-5 in 2025.
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If this draft wasn't so historically bad, I wonder if Castle would have stayed in Storrs. Another year crafting his skills and improving his production probably gets Castle top 3-5 in 2025.
He’s likely top 5 now. Staying would have been dumb IMO.
He may be a late first already. That’s basically $12m+ contract. 10 picks earlier is $15m+. Austin Jackson at 36 overall got a $7m contract. I don’t think it’s a mistake at all as I I don’t think theres that much upside to staying, maybe 10/15 slots. And if he gets injured or plateaus, then he falls. Lottery pick would be the only reason to return and that doesn’t seem likely.
He’s likely top 5 now. Staying would have been dumb IMO.
If that's right, then I am wrong. He should go.
But I wouldn't touch such an unfinished product in the top 15.