Men's Basketball Recruiting - Late Signing Period

[NowherePoke]

Well, now that we have two scholarships available this spring (will go with this until announced differently), what does everyone think we should do with those two schollies?

Here's my take:

1. Top Priority - C/PF that can play immediately at the MWC level...ok, so that makes the Pokes and 348 other D-1 programs looking for the same thing, but that's why Shyatt gets the big bucks (or, the moderate bucks I suppose). With Nance's injury there is a very real possibility that our interior rotation next year includes Cooke, Sellers, Barnes and Herndon. Two raw young guys with zero D-1 experience, a role player/weakside rebounder in Cooke, and...well, Matt Sellers. That's not going to get it done. Herndon is still skinny and Barnes is a developmental prospect. Need either a JC big man or 5th year transfer. The latter is very difficult, so best bet is probably JC.

2. Second Priority - G/F for the future. I am thinking a transfer wing that can step in and replace Hankerson is 15-16 alongside Josh Adams. We can probably afford to have this scholarship being used as a transfer redshirt next year if we can land a high major talent via this route.


We have 3 PG's on the roster already for next year (Grabau, Lieberman, Washington) and Adams can play the point in a pinch so I don't see that as much of a need. Really looking for long-term impact on the wing and immediate help down low.

 

[Cowboy Junky]

Shyatt said they're targeting 3/4 spots. That makes sense.

I think both Herndon and Barnes will end up as centers. We're solid at the point and at the two guard. Grabua/Liebermann and Adams/Washington looks like a pretty good rotation at guard.

It would nice if we could get both a SF and a PF that can get in the rotation next season.

I really like Trey's buddy: Hassan Thomas, but he's class of 2015.

 

[DVDA]

http://www.verbalcommits.com/transfers/2014" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Guys with immediate eligibility that are interesting:
G/F Austin Etherington 6'6" 206 Indiana
G/F Max Hooper 6'6" 202 St. John's
F Malcolm Rhett 6'8" 232 Tennessee State
G/F Desmond Simmons 6'7" 220 Washington

Rhett is a PF who looks like he could possibly play SF as well. The rest look like guards who would play SF here.

 

[fromolwyoming]

Either way, we need depth at the post position (PF or C, whichever), and depth at the G position. Grabau is consistent in at least one thing, and that's being a good ball handler and free throw shooter. I would have said outside shooting as well, but he vanished on that just before Nance went down. Adams did the exact opposite when Nance went down and became 1st team material (if he had played like that since the first part of the season, he would easily have been 1st team All Conference). Even though he'll now be technically a walk-on, Hankerson probably gets the 3rd spot. He's got the most experience out of anyone else returning at the Guard position (sans Bentz). Nance, should he be ready to go come next season, he should get right back to where he was before he went down. No problems there. After him we have Cooke, who at times can seem pretty damn good, and other times, its like he vanishes. If he could at least improve on his free throw shooting to about 60%, I'd be satisfied with him starting. After those 2, the only big we KNOW we'll have is the kid out of Colorado and a guy who redshirted. We need some experience there to back up Nance and Cook next season.

 

[carbonpoke]

Heres two names.

Josh cunningham, morgan park chicago ill.

And treyvon andres, thomas jefferson denver colorado.

Both big kids. And in our pipeline.

 

[NowherePoke]

Heres two names.

Josh cunningham, morgan park chicago ill.

And treyvon andres, thomas jefferson denver colorado.

Both big kids. And in our pipeline.

Andres is a good player, but has to go JC due to academics is my understanding. Verballed to Casper College. Someone to watch and keep in contact with for the 2016 class.

 

[DVDA]

Heres two names.

Josh cunningham, morgan park chicago ill.

And treyvon andres, thomas jefferson denver colorado.

Both big kids. And in our pipeline.

Andres looks pretty impressive physically. His shot is bad, but he can handle the ball and his athleticism looks good. Is there a reason he isn't getting much attention?

Edit: Looks like that question just got answered.

 

[PotatoCreekPete]

http://www.verbalcommits.com/transfers/2014

Guys with immediate eligibility that are interesting:
G/F Austin Etherington 6'6" 206 Indiana
G/F Max Hooper 6'6" 202 St. John's
F Malcolm Rhett 6'8" 232 Tennessee State
G/F Desmond Simmons 6'7" 220 Washington

Rhett is a PF who looks like he could possibly play SF as well. The rest look like guards who would play SF here.

I am not that familiar with any of these guys, but I think is that Wyoming needs to get some guys that play with "length". I feel that we have gotten too many "short" players. What I mean by these terms: a player with "length" is someone that has long arms and quick feet and is a good leaper and is able to move well in defensive positions as well as rebounding position. A player that plays "short" might very well be 6-6, but doesn't have the longest arms and doesn't have the quickest feet so plays well in one position but when he has to move he is at a disadvantage. I wouldn't have a problem if we sign a guy that say is 6-6 as long as he is a player that plays with "length".

My take is that Herndon is a player that plays with "length" but he needs to get much stronger and bigger so he can establish position. I am not sure about Barnes but I get the feeling that he is somewhat of the same player. Nance is a player that is a great example of a player that plays with "length" and this is what makes him to be such an effective shot blocker.

My hope is that Shyatt is able to sign a 6-6 player that plays with "length" and a 6-8 or 6-9 guy that is a smart player that is already physically ready to play at this level, probably from a JC, that can come in and be a rebounding and defending force next season.

 

[kansasCowboy]

My list of transfers and JCs that we may look at:

Kyle Davis (SF) 6-7, 175 SO from Utah State. The guy averaged 9.1ppg and 7.6 rpg. Would be a quality get and is avail for next year.
Jeremy Hollowell (SF) 6-8, 217 SO from Indiana. Has to sit a year, but avged 5.7 ppg and 3.5 rpg last year. He was also a 4 star recruit.
Desmond Simmons (SF) 6-7, 220 RS JR from Washington. Avgd 5.2ppg ant 4.6 rpg last year. Was a 3 star recruit and can play next year.
Jordan Stone (C) 6-10, 270 JR from Utah State. avgd 2.7 ppg and 2.8 rpg during limited playing time last year. Would also have to sit a year.

JC Bigs I've been following:
Ivan Uceda (C) 6-10 So from Harcum College. Lead the team in both ppg 14.7 and rpg 10.2
Marvin Jones (PF) 6-10 So from Highland CC. Avgd 9.0 ppg and 7.7 rpg.
John Zuppanrdo (PF) 6-9 So from Jones CC. avgd 14.5 ppg and 6.9 rpg.
Ja'Mill Powell (SF) 6-7 So from NE Okla A&M. Avgd 15.1 ppg and 4.6 rpg.
Igor Ibaka (F/C) 6-9 So from NE Okla A&M. Avgd 13.6 ppg and 9.8 rpg.
Kevin Allen (C) 6-10 So from Pratt CC. Avgd 12.8 ppg and 8.1 rpg.
Neal Monson (C) 6-11 So from SLC CC. Avgd 14.3 ppg and 8.5 rpg.
Ryan Martin (F) 6-8 So from South Plains Col. avgd 13.0 ppg and 7.5 rpg.
Octavius Ellis (C) 6-9 So from Trinity Vall CC. avgd 14.9 ppg and 9.2 rpg.
Keith Thomas (F) 6-8 So from Western CC. Avgd 15.4 ppg and 8.5 rpg.

And am I the only one to think that maybe we should try and grab UNLV's leading scorer in DeJean-Jones? He would also be avail to play next year.

 

[NowherePoke]

My list of transfers and JCs that we may look at:

Kyle Davis (SF) 6-7, 175 SO from Utah State. The guy averaged 9.1ppg and 7.6 rpg. Would be a quality get and is avail for next year.
Jeremy Hollowell (SF) 6-8, 217 SO from Indiana. Has to sit a year, but avged 5.7 ppg and 3.5 rpg last year. He was also a 4 star recruit.
Desmond Simmons (SF) 6-7, 220 RS JR from Washington. Avgd 5.2ppg ant 4.6 rpg last year. Was a 3 star recruit and can play next year.
Jordan Stone (C) 6-10, 270 JR from Utah State. avgd 2.7 ppg and 2.8 rpg during limited playing time last year. Would also have to sit a year.

JC Bigs I've been following:
Ivan Uceda (C) 6-10 So from Harcum College. Lead the team in both ppg 14.7 and rpg 10.2
Marvin Jones (PF) 6-10 So from Highland CC. Avgd 9.0 ppg and 7.7 rpg.
John Zuppanrdo (PF) 6-9 So from Jones CC. avgd 14.5 ppg and 6.9 rpg.
Ja'Mill Powell (SF) 6-7 So from NE Okla A&M. Avgd 15.1 ppg and 4.6 rpg.
Igor Ibaka (F/C) 6-9 So from NE Okla A&M. Avgd 13.6 ppg and 9.8 rpg.
Kevin Allen (C) 6-10 So from Pratt CC. Avgd 12.8 ppg and 8.1 rpg.
Neal Monson (C) 6-11 So from SLC CC. Avgd 14.3 ppg and 8.5 rpg.
Ryan Martin (F) 6-8 So from South Plains Col. avgd 13.0 ppg and 7.5 rpg.
Octavius Ellis (C) 6-9 So from Trinity Vall CC. avgd 14.9 ppg and 9.2 rpg.
Keith Thomas (F) 6-8 So from Western CC. Avgd 15.4 ppg and 8.5 rpg.

And am I the only one to think that maybe we should try and grab UNLV's leading scorer in DeJean-Jones? He would also be avail to play next year.

The MWC has pretty prohibitive rules discouraging transfers between MWC institutions. The student-athlete would have to sit out a year paying their own way. So, no to the USU/UNLV players. Stone won't be continuing his career anyway and Jones is a cancer. Davis is a nice player that will find a quality D-1 landing spot.

 

[Cowboy Junky]

Picking a random guy off a list of potential transfers is like picking a random problem from a grab bag of character issues. There's a reason why most of them are transferring that runs from ball hog(unhappy about minutes), drinking/drug problems, violent(gets in fights/beats girlfriends), doesn't attend class, and lastly petty criminal.

Personally, I would rather see us go the j.c. route, but if we do get a transfer hopefully it's a graduate transfer. All the rest of them are going to have character flaws. I guess that's why the j.c.'s and the graduate transfers are in high demand.

Here's an article on Shyatt preferring to stay away from the quick fix. After reading this we might end up with a transfer, but don't expect many transfers under Shyatt. He hates the transfer system.

http://trib.com/sports/college/wyoming/wyoming-s-shyatt-determined-to-build-depth-from-the-ground/article_5b38ff84-d693-50ef-9284-6e0a9a562a45.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[WYCowboy]

Picking a random guy off a list of potential transfers is like picking a random problem from a grab bag of character issues. There's a reason why most of them are transferring that runs from ball hog(unhappy about minutes), drinking/drug problems, violent(gets in fights/beats girlfriends), doesn't attend class, and lastly petty criminal.

Personally, I would rather see us go the j.c. route, but if we do get a transfer hopefully it's a graduate transfer. All the rest of them are going to have character flaws. I guess that's why the j.c.'s and the graduate transfers are in high demand.

Here's an article on Shyatt preferring to stay away from the quick fix. After reading this we might end up with a transfer, but don't expect many transfers under Shyatt. He hates the transfer system.

http://trib.com/sports/college/wyoming/wyoming-s-shyatt-determined-to-build-depth-from-the-ground/article_5b38ff84-d693-50ef-9284-6e0a9a562a45.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I was just getting ready to post that link Junky. I don't have a good feeling about where college sports is headed - thanks mainly to the big time (b-s) greedy schools (and the ncaa).

 

[Cowboy Junky]

Here's a link to a MWCboard discussion on transfers.

http://www.mwcboard.com/index.php?showtopic=53245" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[kansasCowboy]

Picking a random guy off a list of potential transfers is like picking a random problem from a grab bag of character issues. There's a reason why most of them are transferring that runs from ball hog(unhappy about minutes), drinking/drug problems, violent(gets in fights/beats girlfriends), doesn't attend class, and lastly petty criminal.

Personally, I would rather see us go the j.c. route, but if we do get a transfer hopefully it's a graduate transfer. All the rest of them are going to have character flaws. I guess that's why the j.c.'s and the graduate transfers are in high demand.

Here's an article on Shyatt preferring to stay away from the quick fix. After reading this we might end up with a transfer, but don't expect many transfers under Shyatt. He hates the transfer system.

http://trib.com/sports/college/wyoming/wyoming-s-shyatt-determined-to-build-depth-from-the-ground/article_5b38ff84-d693-50ef-9284-6e0a9a562a45.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Well that's all good. But I'm not just picking and choosing off the list. There were other bigs on the transfer list with as good if not better numbers that I did not place on my list. And the only Jones I listed was from the JC level, how is he a cancer. His team leaned heavy on him this last year in the Championship tourney. I didn't know there were any stipulations about going after other players from the conference. If that's the case, I'd say the guy from Indiana and Washington are okay fits, and one gets to play next year. Both are leaving due to lack of playing time. I'm fine with that. I'm also fine with going after a player from an equal or above program. I liked Granberry, but I said it last year when we picked him up that I didn't think his level of play at the A-Sun was going to transfer over well to the MWC. And quite honestly, it didn't. He was nothing like anyone thought he'd be. Everyone thought with his numbers he'd be the next Sharp shooting Martinez. It didn't work out, he became part of a seven man rotation. So let's go after someone at our talent level or above.

 

[kansasCowboy]

Stupid phone. Posting before I finish. I agree with this as well in the JC ranks. Go after the top rated bigs at the more dominant programs in the JC level. Then you have a better chance at bringing in the diamond in the rough type player. The players I posted I believe would transition nicely into our program.

 

[NowherePoke]

Picking a random guy off a list of potential transfers is like picking a random problem from a grab bag of character issues. There's a reason why most of them are transferring that runs from ball hog(unhappy about minutes), drinking/drug problems, violent(gets in fights/beats girlfriends), doesn't attend class, and lastly petty criminal.

Personally, I would rather see us go the j.c. route, but if we do get a transfer hopefully it's a graduate transfer. All the rest of them are going to have character flaws. I guess that's why the j.c.'s and the graduate transfers are in high demand.

Here's an article on Shyatt preferring to stay away from the quick fix. After reading this we might end up with a transfer, but don't expect many transfers under Shyatt. He hates the transfer system.

http://trib.com/sports/college/wyoming/wyoming-s-shyatt-determined-to-build-depth-from-the-ground/article_5b38ff84-d693-50ef-9284-6e0a9a562a45.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Well that's all good. But I'm not just picking and choosing off the list. There were other bigs on the transfer list with as good if not better numbers that I did not place on my list. And the only Jones I listed was from the JC level, how is he a cancer. His team leaned heavy on him this last year in the Championship tourney. I didn't know there were any stipulations about going after other players from the conference.

I was referring to Dejean-Jones, who as you are probably aware was basically kicked off UNLV after a physical altercation with a teammate (not his first).

 

[BeaverPoke]

I don't think Shyatt likes that kid. At halftime of the MWC Tourney, Shyatt had some words for him that most people didn't notice.

 

[Cowboy Junky]

Picking a random guy off a list of potential transfers is like picking a random problem from a grab bag of character issues. There's a reason why most of them are transferring that runs from ball hog(unhappy about minutes), drinking/drug problems, violent(gets in fights/beats girlfriends), doesn't attend class, and lastly petty criminal.

Personally, I would rather see us go the j.c. route, but if we do get a transfer hopefully it's a graduate transfer. All the rest of them are going to have character flaws. I guess that's why the j.c.'s and the graduate transfers are in high demand.

Here's an article on Shyatt preferring to stay away from the quick fix. After reading this we might end up with a transfer, but don't expect many transfers under Shyatt. He hates the transfer system.

http://trib.com/sports/college/wyoming/wyoming-s-shyatt-determined-to-build-depth-from-the-ground/article_5b38ff84-d693-50ef-9284-6e0a9a562a45.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Well that's all good. But I'm not just picking and choosing off the list. There were other bigs on the transfer list with as good if not better numbers that I did not place on my list. And the only Jones I listed was from the JC level, how is he a cancer. His team leaned heavy on him this last year in the Championship tourney. I didn't know there were any stipulations about going after other players from the conference. If that's the case, I'd say the guy from Indiana and Washington are okay fits, and one gets to play next year. Both are leaving due to lack of playing time. I'm fine with that. I'm also fine with going after a player from an equal or above program. I liked Granberry, but I said it last year when we picked him up that I didn't think his level of play at the A-Sun was going to transfer over well to the MWC. And quite honestly, it didn't. He was nothing like anyone thought he'd be. Everyone thought with his numbers he'd be the next Sharp shooting Martinez. It didn't work out, he became part of a seven man rotation. So let's go after someone at our talent level or above.

I wasn't talking about your post specifically, just transfers in general. You've obviously know some information about the guys you listed. I think a guy lacking playing time at a bigger school would be a great fit at the 3/4 spot for Wyoming. He would get playing time immediately if he's got skill. I'm just saying we have to be extremely careful with who we get and if it is a transfer, it has to be for the right reasons. We probably don't want any marijuana transfers with legal pot 60 minutes away from Laramie.

 

[Cowboy Junky]

Here are the graduate transfers that fit the 3/4 spots we're recruiting. These guys are grad transfers so they would be eligible to play next year.

Johnathan Arledge is transferring after recovering from a back injury at George Mason. He had pretty impressive stats his sophomore and junior years, but his playing time decreased this year and he decided to transfer.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/52310/jonathan-arledge" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Derrick Williams from Richmond is transferring for family reasons. It sounds like he wasn't happy with his playing time. He's another guy that had pretty solid stats his sophomore and junior years.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/51560/derrick-williams" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jeylani Dublin is another graduate transfer. He was a redshirt junior at Longwood.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/53106/jeylani-dublin" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

MJ Rhett is a graduate transfer, but schools like Tennessee are all over this kid.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/51895/mj-rhett" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Desmond Simmons looks like the guy we want.

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/huskymensbasketball/2014/03/28/desmond-simmons-leaving-washington/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Cowboy Junky]

Elijah Stewart is an ESPN top 100 recruit for the class of 2014. He's currenlty committed to Loyola Marymount, but is seeking his release.

He's 6'5", so he could probably play SF for Wyoming. He would be a huge get for Shyatt.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/varsity-times/la-sp-vi-boys-basketball-elijah-stewart-to-seek-release-from-letter-of-intent-20140327,0,3042937.story#axzz2xUTczHWr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;