Bigs"R"Us
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by Bigs"R"Us on Jan 26, 2020 9:13:07 GMT -5
The kid may need to work on outside shooting, but he slashes to the hoop like Peak and can defend like LeBlanc.
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wnyhoya
Bulldog (over 250 posts)
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Post by wnyhoya on Jan 26, 2020 9:21:08 GMT -5
Not a pretty article, folks can take it fwiw since the writer covers UK... theathletic.com/1560243/2020/01/24/tucker-kahlil-whitney-is-stunningly-leaving-kentucky-but-for-where/If you thought the Quade Green transfer in the middle of last season was sudden … When freshman wing Kahlil Whitney told his Kentucky coaches and teammates on Friday he was leaving the program, an announcement that came just hours before the Wildcats departed for a Top 25 meeting at Texas Tech on Saturday, everyone involved was stunned. Maybe not at the decision, given Whitney’s plummeting playing time, but certainly at the timing.
Just 10 days earlier, assistant coach Kenny Payne said, “I feel confident he’s going to fight through.”To be clear, this was not an issue of opportunity. Whitney got plenty of chances to prove he could play. He started the first seven games of the season, averaging 20 minutes and 5.5 shot attempts per game. Even after it became clear he wasn’t cutting it and headed to the bench, Whitney got several more shots at earning playing time. Kentucky has been desperate for a fifth reliable option to emerge. With Ashton Hagans, Tyrese Maxey, Immanuel Quickley and Nick Richards all playing consistently well, Calipari made it clear that whoever else could contribute positively — especially through defense and rebounding — would earn major minutes.
Truth be told, Calipari badly wanted that to be Whitney. The coach pleaded with him to block out whatever noise was rushing in from the outside and embrace a role as defensive stopper and glass cleaner. But it was no secret around the program that his father, former Seton Hall star Kelly Whitney, was unhappy with that idea. And whether it was because Dad didn’t like it or because Whitney wasn’t feeling it, the former top-15 recruit would not accept his new identity as a role player. He and his father saw Whitney as a big-time playmaker instead.
So he launched long, contested jump shots at every opportunity and turned the ball over at a high rate when he tried to put it on the floor. He shot 37 percent from the field, made just 4 of 16 3-pointers and was a dreadful 10-of-23 at the free-throw line. He produced almost twice as many turnovers (15) as assists (8) and in his final 69 minutes, Whitney managed just six rebounds, one block and no steals. He is, according to Synergy Sports, the team’s lowest-rated offensive and defensive player. In simpler terms, he just refused to accept the role Calipari offered him.Wonder if this gives Seton Hall the inside track? I don't think it can be a positive that his dad is Seton Hall. Believe I read somewhere that Seton Hall is out of scholarships...
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hoyazeke
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by hoyazeke on Jan 26, 2020 12:17:15 GMT -5
The kid may need to work on outside shooting, but he slashes to the hoop like Peak and can defend like LeBlanc. Outside shooting is one of the easiest skills to develop as a hs/college player....Otto went from a midrange shooter to having one of the best 3pt shots over 1 off-season...also people questioned Peak's range before coming to The Hilltop....
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kbones17
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by kbones17 on Jan 26, 2020 12:44:40 GMT -5
The kid may need to work on outside shooting, but he slashes to the hoop like Peak and can defend like LeBlanc. Outside shooting is one of the easiest skills to develop as a hs/college player....Otto went from a midrange shooter to having one of the best 3pt shots over 1 off-season...also people questioned Peak's range before coming to The Hilltop.... He shot 37 percent from 3 on high volume in EYBL (mac irvin fire) last year. The more concerning thing is that he averaged 1.5 asst to 4 TO so lends credence to “showcasing offensive ability angle” vs playing team ball. But it’s EYBL so who knows? Kid is clearly talented, but the question is whether he can be committed to doing what it takes to contribute to a winning team.
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EtomicB
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by EtomicB on Jan 26, 2020 12:47:01 GMT -5
The kid may need to work on outside shooting, but he slashes to the hoop like Peak and can defend like LeBlanc. Outside shooting is one of the easiest skills to develop as a hs/college player....Otto went from a midrange shooter to having one of the best 3pt shots over 1 off-season...also people questioned Peak's range before coming to The Hilltop.... I could not disagree more, developing a consistent outside shot is very hard to do... Otto is Otto obviously but Peak only shot well from 3 one year at Gtown.
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Post by professorhoya on Jan 26, 2020 14:03:18 GMT -5
The kid may need to work on outside shooting, but he slashes to the hoop like Peak and can defend like LeBlanc. Outside shooting is one of the easiest skills to develop as a hs/college player....Otto went from a midrange shooter to having one of the best 3pt shots over 1 off-season...also people questioned Peak's range before coming to The Hilltop.... Tell that to Nate Lubbuck and Jeremiah Rivers
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Bigs"R"Us
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by Bigs"R"Us on Jan 26, 2020 15:18:01 GMT -5
Kid would start day one. He could guard the PF position, he’s developed.
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hoyazeke
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by hoyazeke on Jan 26, 2020 17:44:27 GMT -5
Outside shooting is one of the easiest skills to develop as a hs/college player....Otto went from a midrange shooter to having one of the best 3pt shots over 1 off-season...also people questioned Peak's range before coming to The Hilltop.... Tell that to Nate Lubbuck and Jeremiah Rivers Nate never changed his form and then gave up and you can't convince me that Jeremiah ever really worked on it...even when he transferred he never shot from distance...everything was off the bounce....but we have evidence of Otto and Brilly putting in work and becoming really good to great shooters....not Curry level but improved....
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hoyazeke
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by hoyazeke on Jan 26, 2020 17:50:19 GMT -5
Outside shooting is one of the easiest skills to develop as a hs/college player....Otto went from a midrange shooter to having one of the best 3pt shots over 1 off-season...also people questioned Peak's range before coming to The Hilltop.... I could not disagree more, developing a consistent outside shot is very hard to do... Otto is Otto obviously but Peak only shot well from 3 one year at Gtown. Maybe I didn't say it right. Of the major skills needed to play basketball(shooting, passing, dribbling and IQ) shooting is the easiest to improve....imo
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Post by centercourt400s on Jan 28, 2020 16:23:41 GMT -5
All the logic seems to point to the Hoyas being in a great position here but does anyone know if the staff is actively recruiting him?
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NCHoya
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by NCHoya on Jan 29, 2020 12:00:47 GMT -5
I would not be upset if we brought in Whitney, but I would not be critical of coaches if they passed. Everything you read about the situation describes a father that wants his kid to be a pro, and avoid college if possible. Given this explicit lack of commitment to being a college athlete and the red tape we would have to navigate to get him on the court; I can understand Ewing wanting to avoid another distraction. Either way this ends up I am fine with it. Personally, I would tell Whitney to pursue the G-league or a visible league overseas.
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Bigs"R"Us
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by Bigs"R"Us on Jan 29, 2020 13:30:13 GMT -5
He would be the best player on our team right now. The kid is a beast. Not every kid is good to go day one at Kentucky. They have no patience there. Look how long we’ve been patient with Pickett. 🤪
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hoyazeke
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by hoyazeke on Jan 29, 2020 15:50:05 GMT -5
He would be the best player on our team right now. The kid is a beast. Not every kid is good to go day one at Kentucky. They have no patience there. Look how long we’ve been patient with Pickett. 🤪 I think he would be the best wing on our team today....without a decent J he would still rank below Yurt and Mac....maybe Q....
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EtomicB
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by EtomicB on Jan 29, 2020 16:42:39 GMT -5
He would be the best player on our team right now. The kid is a beast. Not every kid is good to go day one at Kentucky. They have no patience there. Look how long we’ve been patient with Pickett. 🤪 Nick Richards who's in the running for SEC player of the year says hello..
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dchoya72
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by dchoya72 on Jan 30, 2020 7:42:04 GMT -5
Any news?
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Post by hoyasevenstill on Jan 30, 2020 9:10:29 GMT -5
this does not sound good but I do not have insider so I can't read the whole article
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birdman
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
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Post by birdman on Jan 30, 2020 9:40:47 GMT -5
this does not sound good but I do not have insider so I can't read the whole article The article says that he never specifically mentioned transferring in his social media post and reiterates that he hasn't entered the portal, then breaks down three "potential destinations" (without discussing likelihood): Georgetown (family relationship with Orr, in his final four school choices when he was in high school), Illinois (from Chicago, in his final four school choices when he was in high school), or going pro (projected in the lottery to start the season, now ranked 55 in ESPN draft rankings).
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prhoya
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Post by prhoya on Jan 30, 2020 9:42:41 GMT -5
this does not sound good but I do not have insider so I can't read the whole article The article says that he never specifically mentioned transferring in his social media post and reiterates that he hasn't entered the portal, then breaks down three "potential destinations" (without discussing likelihood): Georgetown (family relationship with Orr, in his final four school choices when he was in high school), Illinois (from Chicago, in his final four school choices when he was in high school), or going pro (projected in the lottery to start the season, now ranked 55 in ESPN draft rankings). I was looking forward more to some news on Seth Towns. What is that timeline?
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IDenj
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by IDenj on Jan 30, 2020 10:17:02 GMT -5
He may still enter the transfer portal but it sounds like he’s fishing to see if he can be a second round pick ( and then go to the D league ). That would be more favourable then signing as a FA in the league wouldn’t it? Zero chance he’s going first round. The worst thing that happened to him is being recruited by UK. Kid jumped in the rankings and started believing his clippings. Old man saw a lane to the league and went for it. Had he ended up at Georgetown or Illinois he’d have had a different development curve... but would he be much further ahead?
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SirSaxa
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Post by SirSaxa on Jan 30, 2020 10:30:26 GMT -5
I was looking forward more to some news on Seth Towns. What is that timeline? If you scroll down a little further, you will find: Excerpt The top immediately eligible transfer on the market right now is Harvard's Seth Towns, the former Ivy League Player of the Year who has missed the past two seasons with knee injuries. We don't know if he'll ever be 100% healthy again and return to the form that made him the best player in the league in 2017-18 (16.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 44.1 3PT%) -- but a healthy Towns with potentially two years to play is absolutely the best available graduate transfer.
"A lot more schools than I could expect [reached out]," Towns told ESPN. "Nothing tangible right now, just hearing everyone out."
One school that received immediate buzz is Ohio State. He's a Columbus, Ohio, native and chose the Crimson over Ohio State and others as an ESPN 100 prospect coming out of high school. The Buckeyes have just one senior on this year's team, Andre Wesson, and also have California transfer Justice Sueing sitting out, but Towns would undoubtedly be a boost on the wing for Chris Holtmann.
Towns confirmed the Buckeyes reached out to him, but downplayed any perceived edge for the hometown team.
"Nowhere close to making a decision," he said. "Plan on taking visits at the end of the season. Nothing scheduled yet."
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