Kinda refreshing he admits it.
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Am also starting to feel like it may be more likely than not that we donāt land any of these targets (just gut feeling - I have less than zero intel). That said, Iām fairly comfortable with that. Mostly because the ā22 class has so many intriguing players that we have reason to believe we could have a decent chance at landing, and, as others have repeatedly noted, thereās no huge holes in our roster that need immediate filling. I do feel like Kaufman addresses the biggest current āneedā, but itās not absolutely critical. But happy he is the first one making his decision and weāll have his answer soon enough.
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Not that Iām giving up, know anything at all, or trying to rationalize, but when is the last time we were even involved seriously this late with three - let alone two - prospects rated as highly as these three?
The answer would be never, unless Iām blanking on someone in my old age of 48 (well, 49 next week!).
Whether you view that as positive development, regardless of its inherent risks, or feel we should stick to targeting āonlyā the Top 40-75 guys isnāt the question.
In the eyes of these Top15-25, weāre a serious player now, and itās only a matter of time. Hopefully thatās now for at least 1 of them, but I guess weāll all see at the same time!
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Thing is we were in great position with 2021 kids this time last year. Obviously Covid changed things but itās a lot easier to get early traction than it is to actually close on kids. For me itās fairly simple for the guards: land one of Keels or McKneely and I am thrilled. Land both and we are talking about an early 90ās Duke type of run. Miss on both and Iāll be disappointed.
For the front court itās more complicated with the way the game is transforming. Much more of a wait and see how everything shakes out there mindset.
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Think you mean Kaufman, not McKneely. 
Nah he was talking about future guards. Kaufman is part of the front court shake up.
Locking in Taine Murray was clutch. Anything else is icing on the cake (a player who is not a need but easily could create a role for themselves on the team/become a part of our core)
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Thanks!
Do we know how much Murray projects to play for the Breakers? Wondering if heāll get enough PT for the 2021 draft to be on the table for him.
From a recent interview with Duke recruit. Hope heās referring to Baldwin and not Keels.
āIām not gonna say too much, but weāve got more coming on the recruiting trail . . . so be excited" -Paolo Banchero
Just saw on Twitter a Purdue podcaster said several days ago Kaufman is deciding between UVa and IU. Not sure if heās tied in much but thought it was interesting coming from someone on the Purdue side of things. Could be nothing more than a guess.
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No idea on that end.
I think he meant more cash in white envelopes and million dollar one-and-done rentals. Itās just a heads up to any recruits who didnāt feel the first installment was enough.
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If Iām looking at the right stats, looks like Taine played over 32 mpg for the Auckland Huskies in New Zealand NBL, higher than any other player on their squad. Of course, now heās playing for the Breakers in the Australian NBL, which is a much higher level of competition. But given how much run he got in New Zealand, I guess Iād be surprised if he didnāt at least get some solid minutes, even if off the bench. But thatās just me guessing.
In terms of NBA, I donāt think anyone has spoken of him as being near that level yet. Maybe he goes wild in the NBL, but everyone has seemingly described him as at least a three year college player. But I could be misremembering.
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Seems like there is a McDonalds basketball camp in Dallas this weekend. Both McKneely and Kaufman going to be there. Unsure about others. Wonder if there is a stream for coaches to watch and scout.
He wonāt have to go crazy to get NBA attention. All he has to do is showcase a couple potential elite skills and/or measurable traits. If you look at the foreign kids taken outside of the lottery they often are averaging under 10 points a game in whichever pro league they play in. Guys that have actually produced as teenagers in their domestic league are harder to find.
Last year year RJ Hampton played around 20 mpg and averaged single digits for the Breakers and is projected as a first round pick. I think if Murray had a similar season this year he would come to school firmly on NBA radars and most likely be a 2 year player. If he plays 20 games and puts up 15 ppg while shooting above 40% from 3 he will probably go straight to the NBA. Iām assuming that scenario is unlikely or he wouldnāt be planning to go to college in the first place. But Iām curious where the line between ācollege is automaticā and āTaine has a decision to makeā falls.
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My son entire team laughed at Tre for posting that video.
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Seems like heās a development player for the Australian NBL level - Super positive, but sounds like how we would discuss someone like McCoy before his first yearā¦
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When people repeat the same thing, as all the 247 people have about Kaufman, it loses some credibility. Usually means itās all based on one scrap of shared intel. I would guess Indiana is the pick. Only because heās making such a big deal out of his announcement. You generally donāt rile up the mob if youāre not gonna give them what they want. But who knows, some kids will do it regardless I guess.
On Keels, I can tell you for sure UVA still feels theyāre right there with Duke, as in this week. But theyāre also confused about why itās taking so long. At this point, I assume he has some grand signing week announcement in mind
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Always the voice of reason HGN. my man
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Indianaās 247 writer gives an update. Of course there are still things they dont even know. But it seems the recent chatter regarding Purdue is picking up steam. which means heās headed to Indiana st. Inside The Locker Room for Oct. 23, 2020
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