Also I am very intrigued if Seth Trimble portals. He had a really strong start to the season but then when UNC faltered Davis started doing weird lineups and sets that kinda saw his role and opportunities in the offense diminish in favor of Ian Jackson.
He is Bffs with Rohde. And he’s the kinda of guard that Byington would love. Byington loves guard and wings who can force steals and disrupt passing lanes.
Edit: announcers also mentioned that his play dropped after getting a concussion a few games ago? Also Trimble has mentioned Reece as a mentor and was also coached by Jerome at the NBPA top 100 camp
Trimble and Coleman with high upside. Nickel is a gamer and gets a buff playing for his home state. And Saunders with an actual pg who can get downhill would be really fun. That with Taylor Bowen literally being Mamadi 2.0 (I wanted us to try for him so bad out of HS)
The lineup would have something we never really had; players who have pride for the name on the front of the Jersey and what it means to play for your home state. And you’d have everyone on the floor being able to hit an open 3 and drive on close outs
edit: Bowen was one of the last HS recruits the UVA page followed back when they did that
Completely forgot the former Word of God HS coach is on the Louisville staff. Isaiah Coleman is probably headed there to fill in for Terrance Edwards Jr. Isaiah Coleman was also committed to Pat Kelsey at Charleston at one point. Im removing him from the list. RIP that dream
Removing Xavian Lee. He’s going pro. Adding Jalen Reed. LSU might be open this off season/he’s been out with knee tear injury.
Point guards/guards:
-Seth Trimble
-Christian Anderson Jr
-Jayden Reid
-Caleb Foster
-Markus Burton
-Kenyon Giles
-Silas Demary Jr
-Dedan Thomas Jr
-Soloman Ball (if Hurley leaves UConn)
-Blue Cain
Wings:
-Leon Bond
-Tyrell Ward
-Juke Harris
-Daniel Skillings Jr
Young DMV talent that might be available:
-Darren Harris
-Malcolm Thomas
-Isaiah Abrahm
-Donovan Freeman
-Daquan Davis
-Ben Hammond
-Bryson Tucker
Front Court:
-Maliq Brown
-Malik Reneau
-Taylor Bol Bowen (FSU)
-Thomas Sorber
-Al Amadou
-David Punch
-Ven Lubin
-Thomas Haugh
-Jalen Reed
Flippable high school kids sorta local regionally:
-Sadiq White
-Kareem Stagg
-Adrien Stevens
-Derek Dixon
-Keyshuan Tillery
-Chance Mallory
Nope. I started to have doubts when I watched more Belmont last year and saw that he was more of a 4/5 than a 4/3 and a little wonky movement wise. I remember messaging @DFresh11 about him in February last year and wanting his trained eye cause I started having those doubts.
Of course I woulda still gassed him up if he came here. Just like how I knew TJ Power was a 40 year old merchant beating up on 16 year olds in the Peach Jam NIT but I still gassed him up and even thought he could be a wing at the three. Moreso because I was in a dark place with last season and I needed a hit of dopamine from any commit LMAO. Pretty sure at one point I even tried to convince myself that Austin Nunez would be a solid add even though I was against offering him in HS. Desperate times, desperate measures
The one I wanted at the end when the portal actually kicked off was Yaxel Lendeborg. But he got paid to stay at UAB. Him and Ven Lubin
TJ Power looks like he should be playing basketball at William & Mary. And not even for the varsity team. He just looks like a normal William & Mary student who might happen to be playing pick up in the student gym.
Caleb Foster also falling out of the rotation despite showing flashes this year and being solid last year. Probably should have portaled like he almost did/needing a new change of scenery. (also realized Seth Trimble actually entered the portal last year but then went back to UNC)
We need bonafide pgs lead guards. Keep Rohde as a tertiary/bench guard, and find a way to get 2 of Foster Trimble or Jayden Reid. Get Chance Mallory back on board and maybe look at adding Kenyon Giles as a veteran guard for the rotation (and also hope Gertrude with 4 years left is able to develop long term). Or try and flip Derek Dixon which seems the most impossible of these asks.
Tobi Lawal on his conquest to play for every Virginia school (first two seasons season with VCU, this year with the hokies, next year with UVA, 4th year with Longwood?)
We can give him the best of both worlds: be close to his girlfriend in Virginia but not be in Blacksburg
