With the portal in place it really changes the recruiting game, great example is GG. Now yeah sure, we all, myself for sure included, were really excited to get the #1 rated player in his class (what he was when he committed to us). But Mr #1 went away and rather than have to deal with a GG reclass, we get a kid (Nance) MUCH more ready to play at this level and proven to be a player at this level. In other words, we traded GG for Nance and we won HUGE in that trade. GG Jackson as a college Jr would be a heck of a player, assuming expected development, but GG right now is a 6'9" 205 power forward that isn't what you expect if you think he is a stretch 4 today. He is not a inside banger right now and he isn't Brady Manek by any stretch, he is a guy that I don't think would have played much this coming season yet Nance not only will play a ton is expected to start for us.
My point is the portal gave us a better player than the recruiting did, a better player now today. Now down the line a few years very different story but I do wonder how many really expect GG to be in the college game as a college Jr? I actually do see him in college as a Jr because that body has to fil out and those natural gifts do have to be refined. Hubert has mined the portal for gold last 2 cycles by getting Manek and Nance, why would I not expect him to be able to do so after this coming season? The question with GG si wil he wait until his ability to play on the NBA level arises or is he one and done by plan? Telling you now, if that kid goes 1&D he will cost himself huge money and it seems he and his family are hell bent of getting him in to the next NBA draft, the game cocks can have that nonsense, tell me it was worth it in the end! Nance may not make it in the NBA either but the better player NEXT season IMO will not be a close call, it will be Nance all day. Portal wins!
