EtomicB
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 14,818
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Post by EtomicB on Sept 11, 2018 19:32:41 GMT -5
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lucky
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 575
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Post by lucky on Sept 12, 2018 8:36:14 GMT -5
I wonder how many of our staff make the trip to his home today.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2018 9:35:38 GMT -5
The player I hope proves us right, and he's not too high is ...
Evans: Will Baker made the move up into the top 15 of the 2019 class rankings, and rightfully so. One of the top - if not the best - performers from start to finish in July, Baker showed dimensions to his game that I had never seen.
I had previously thought the big man was more of a 10-foot and in center, but he led the break like a point-forward, hit shots to the perimeter and played with a motor and purpose. Sure, he has moved up the rankings and surpassed some that had tremendous summers in their own right, but Baker more than backed up his claim that he is one of the very best frontline prospects in America. He proved his value in July on the travel circuit, and I am hoping that he proves it even further in the months ahead as the 15th best prospect in the 2019 class.
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Post by HoyaRejuveNation85 on Sept 12, 2018 9:46:05 GMT -5
Wishing Patrick and staff much luck with the Baker visit. Will be tough to get him out of Texas, but let's hope that Baker and family realize what an incredible resource Patrick is. The kid is a serious talent, who would benefit a lot from Patrick's tutelage. He should be reading Y7's comments about how Patrick is helping him. The recruits we've landed and players we have ensure that Baker isn't limited to the low post. The offense Patrick will run will accentuate Baker's offensive talents. A very important thing for Baker at the next level will be his defense, and who better than Patrick to help him with that.
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Post by Ranch Dressing on Sept 12, 2018 9:52:53 GMT -5
The word from a reliable source in Austin is that there is tremendous pressure on Will Baker to stay close to home and attend UT.
Not saying Patrick can't get it done, just relaying some of the dynamics involved. This is definitely an uphill battle. We are aided by the fact that the UT basketball program has largely underperformed post-Durant.
This type of "stay local" pressure dynamic is relevant for a lot of top-flight high school athletes, but the Austin/Westlake/UT relationship is uniquely intertwined.
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Post by HoyaRejuveNation85 on Sept 12, 2018 9:58:38 GMT -5
Makes a lot of sense, Ranch. Your point about the local "pressure" is a good one, but could work against Texas.
If Texas doesn't do very well this year, the Shaka haters will be out in force, so that's even more pressure to do well. If I'm Baker and the Baker family, I might think the distance to Georgetown would be a good thing. Who better to share a similar perspective on that than Patrick himself, who spurned the Boston programs (and others including UNC) for Georgetown! Look where it led him.
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bostonfan
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 2,502
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Post by bostonfan on Sept 12, 2018 10:01:23 GMT -5
The word from a reliable source in Austin is that there is tremendous pressure on Will Baker to stay close to home and attend UT. Not saying Patrick can't get it done, just relaying some of the dynamics involved. This is definitely an uphill battle. We are aided by the fact that the UT basketball program has largely underperformed post-Durant. This type of "stay local" pressure dynamic is relevant for a lot of top-flight high school athletes, but the Austin/Westlake/UT relationship is uniquely intertwined. I have never felt the Hoyas had a real chance with Baker. I always felt he was a strong Texas or UCLA lean, but Coach Ewing has stayed in the fight and is still very engaged with this recruit. You have to believe Coach thinks he has a real chance or he would have moved on to someone he thinks there is more realistic chance of landing. I hope it works out for coach Ewing and the staff, they have put in some real hard work on this player.
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dense
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 4,995
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Post by dense on Sept 12, 2018 10:20:27 GMT -5
he is alot like Monroe, has great skills but no vert. he is as good a shooter as Monroe was a passer.
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bostonfan
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 2,502
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Post by bostonfan on Sept 12, 2018 10:45:45 GMT -5
he is alot like Monroe, has great skills but no vert. he is as good a shooter as Monroe was a passer. Yeah, not the most athletic looking player, but highly skilled. If he can be coached up to move his feet well enough on defense to cover power forwards in college I think he would be a very good stretch 4, which I assume is what he would want to be if he has any dreams of playing in the NBA
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2018 10:47:46 GMT -5
He's a matchup nightmare in College at the center position, not so much at F imo... Don't think he can defend the position either..
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Post by veilside21 on Sept 12, 2018 11:03:47 GMT -5
He's a matchup nightmare in College at the center position, not so much at F imo... Don't think he can defend the position either.. Tim and lehblanc will help us on the defensive side ... plus mackinjo pickett could be real gem too. Baker still has some room for improvement on defense.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2018 11:18:54 GMT -5
He's a matchup nightmare in College at the center position, not so much at F imo... Don't think he can defend the position either.. Tim and lehblanc will help us on the defensive side ... plus mackinjo pickett could be real gem too. Baker still has some room for improvement on defense. Well hopefully we get an opportunity to try and make it work..
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Post by ewingitrust on Sept 12, 2018 11:23:36 GMT -5
This feels very real and possible maybe...keep in mind he's already been out to ucla twice already and the fact that he hasn't committed to texas right up the road...shows we are very much in play....even if we play the "pressure to stay home angle"...you think ppl in austin are gonna be too upset because he wants to be coached by an nba hall of fame big man?
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dense
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 4,995
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Post by dense on Sept 12, 2018 12:50:08 GMT -5
This feels very real and possible maybe...keep in mind he's already been out to ucla twice already and the fact that he hasn't committed to texas right up the road...shows we are very much in play....even if we play the "pressure to stay home angle"...you think ppl in austin are gonna be too upset because he wants to be coached by an nba hall of fame big man? I hope he considers here because he is not a one and done to me. Shaka may not be the coach of Texas if they have a bad year this year.
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IDenj
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 2,526
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Post by IDenj on Sept 12, 2018 13:09:13 GMT -5
This feels very real and possible maybe...keep in mind he's already been out to ucla twice already and the fact that he hasn't committed to texas right up the road...shows we are very much in play....even if we play the "pressure to stay home angle"...you think ppl in austin are gonna be too upset because he wants to be coached by an nba hall of fame big man? I think they will. They will see it as turning his back on the local school regardless. It’s something he will have to wear the rest of his days, especially if basketball doesn’t work out. Hard to say if it’s something that weighs on his mind while deciding. I’m willing to take that chance.
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Post by FrazierFanatic on Sept 12, 2018 13:09:36 GMT -5
Remaining hopeful.
Now if Will schedules an official visit for October 5 . . . 😉
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EasyEd
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by EasyEd on Sept 12, 2018 13:52:33 GMT -5
Austin prople only care about football.
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guhoyas32
Century (over 100 posts)
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Post by guhoyas32 on Sept 12, 2018 22:02:19 GMT -5
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Post by FrazierFanatic on Sept 12, 2018 22:06:15 GMT -5
Doing everything we can. If we get an official visit we definitely have a shot.
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Post by blazers44 on Sept 12, 2018 22:29:10 GMT -5
Nice
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