I’d be more surprised if we had two transfers than if we had zero.
I’ll also say- the fact that we are winning means that we are getting a lot of attention and next year can be similar and he will see more highlights of himself on sports center.
Winning brings the attention that he will need to get to the next level: Dunn, Beeks and iMac.
Not so sure this year. No out-of-state girlfriends, or anyone who looks unhappy. Now that Fresh has assured us that Gertrude is all-in, the only one I’m slightly worried about is Bond.
Murray is too close to graduation to think he’d leave.
Rohde has already transferred once, and would have to sit without a waiver.
Same with Harris, but the question mark with him is grad status. If he finishes in May he could go somewhere else and be eligible right away.
Wouldn’t imagine any of the 1st years (including the 2 RS’s) would leave, as all will have a role.
It’s 2024 and anything can happen re: the portal, but I think we already have a pretty good idea on next year’s roster. Pending what happens in the portal with a Dunn/Groves hybrid replacement.
And Bond is in line for a major minutes boost with Groves and (most likely) Dunn moving on.
We’ll see. I’m a huge Bond fan, and maybe he just needs more consistent PT to showcase what he can do, but I’m worried he’s too much of a tweener for P6. He doesn’t really give us any of the things Dunn or Groves do.
I think he could be a very good small-ball 4 at a level just below the ACC (A-10?), but I’m not sold on him being able to play 20+ mins per game against the better ACC teams. But I’d love to be wrong.
It’s all about the perimeter shot with him. His midrange game is solid and he has the athleticism to be an elite level defender, but it’s gonna have to be on the wing and ideally you want him playing alongside a 4 who has some guard skills for flexibility purposes.
Leon Bond + TJ Power = Peanut Butter and Jelly at the 3/4 spots.
Bond and Gertrude will both have minutes available if we can grab a stretch 4.
Ever since I heard Bond interviewed on a podcast when he arrived I was of the opinion that this is really smart guy who gets it. He knew coming in that he would have to totally transform his game if he wants to be a pro. It takes time, hard work and great coaching for him to get to his desired result. I just think he will be patient. He could go somewhere else and play more but is that going to help him improve his weaknesses? Jabri went to GA and played more by standing in the corner a jacking up 3’s but can’t do anything else and will never sniff the NBA.
Yeah Bond knew he was a 4-5 year player and on a development curve of transitioning from forward to win. He’s still my favorite (per my profile picture here)
My favorite also. He will be a team captain when he becomes a starter, I think he will be a great leader.
Bond as our stretch 4 portal pick up?
Leon is the spiritual successor to JA in terms of energy/personality.
I hope you guys are right, and I’m certainly pulling for him because I like watching him play and he seems like a great kid. If he could develop into someone similar to Justin A, I don’t think anyone would be unhappy with that.
It’s a gamble. Bond Cofie Buchanan Robinson as is could be a really good front court (and I think ELITE long term front court).
But its a gamble because that is such a low floor for next season. A lot of “Depend on if _______” situations need to materialize on the court.
(and if Reece comes back I aint wasting Reece + McKneely with a young low floor front court)
I don’t know what he will turn into and how long it will take. From my long distance observations I just don’t view him as a transfer risk. Assuming Fresh is correct about Gertrude I expect everyone back next year regardless of how things seem to work these days in college basketball.
This is from a Jeff White story last season:
They also spend extra time in the weight room with Mike Curtis, the team’s strength and conditioning coach, whom Bond delights in needling.
“What’s up, M.C.? You see this body? It’s a machine,” Bond said, flexing his muscles during a break in the morning workout in Tallahassee.
Curtis, for his part, declined to look up from his laptop, but he later said Bond’s buoyant’s personality reminds him of former Virginia standout Justin Anderson’s.
Gotta love that guy.
I thought the NCAA waived the white flag on this rule after Raequan Battle won his lawsuit. I’m pretty sure that we’re in a world where players can transfer as many times as they want without having to sit.
Chance that Dunn stays? Could he slip? But I also assume he’ll test the market
I am starting to think RD should stay