Who is the best pro prospect on the team?
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So Felton I think is the obvious choice...but just for fun I'll throw another out...Garrison Brooks could develop a Hicks-type game and be a pro in a few years. I think he could be a monster by next season.
Felton is the only guy on our team that will have more than a cup of coffee in the NBA. And even he's not a sure bet.
My previous poast might be overstating it a bit but I stand by that sentiment. Who are you thinking has a long sustained career in the NBA?
Funny how a guy who earlier today said my "opinions on Carolina basketball must not be very interesting" could make such a ridiculous statement. But that's neither here nor there...
To answer the OP-
It really depends on where certain players land. Marcus could've found a home in Brooklyn or Orlando, but landed on a PG heavy team in Utah. This Charlotte contract could prove successful but the Hornets star player is a PG and everyone knows nothing is guaranteed in a two way...
So here's my breakdown-
JB2 can certainly, and should certainly, find his way in the league. He's undersized to ever be an NBA starting PG and I see him being no more than a spot minute guy, but if JMM can make it for a few years on the roster that touted the best record in NBA history, I see no reason why JB2 can't play backup to the backup on an NBA team that is thin at guard. I think he plays his way into mid-2nd round this season, will last on an NBA team for a few years before dissolving into a two way contract, play that game for a couple of years, and move overseas around the age of 27 or so.
Theo unfortunately has no shot at the NBA, mainly due to his injury history. If he was healthy for his entire career the conversation may be different. He could also break out this year and play his way into an UDFA contract, but it would have to be a really impressive senior campaign. I think Theo is overseas bound, and that's probably the best decision for him anyway.
Not enough known about the freshman bigs to know who is going to be what- but I do agree that if any one of them have a chance it's Garrison. He could play his way into a Brice like career. He could also play his way into a Byron Sanders like career. We have no clue what his chances are to get to the league at this juncture and it won't become clear until his senior year most likely.
Jalek is sure fire. Top 15 pick. Will have a long career in the NBA like Uncle Ray. Might be a journeyman like Uncle Ray, but he'll make his money in the league.
Sleeper is Cam, good size and shooting ability, needs work on D but obviously it's not a defensive league. The thing he's missing is the ability to drive and float like JJax had. If he can develop that, he can play his way into the first round. But I doubt it. He would need to play for two years here to do so, but I also don't think he'll do that. Expect CJ to be on his way overseas a year from now.
The wildcard for me at this juncture is Seventh. I think if it clicks and he ever has the keys to our kingdom, which is likely, he'll make the league. He has the gifts. His athleticism is through the roof. There's no reason he can't be a first round draft pick. He's just got to figure it out.
Best Prospect- Jalek
Biggest Sleeper- Cam
Wait And See- Garrison
Hope For The Most- JB2
To answer the OP-
It really depends on where certain players land. Marcus could've found a home in Brooklyn or Orlando, but landed on a PG heavy team in Utah. This Charlotte contract could prove successful but the Hornets star player is a PG and everyone knows nothing is guaranteed in a two way...
So here's my breakdown-
JB2 can certainly, and should certainly, find his way in the league. He's undersized to ever be an NBA starting PG and I see him being no more than a spot minute guy, but if JMM can make it for a few years on the roster that touted the best record in NBA history, I see no reason why JB2 can't play backup to the backup on an NBA team that is thin at guard. I think he plays his way into mid-2nd round this season, will last on an NBA team for a few years before dissolving into a two way contract, play that game for a couple of years, and move overseas around the age of 27 or so.
Theo unfortunately has no shot at the NBA, mainly due to his injury history. If he was healthy for his entire career the conversation may be different. He could also break out this year and play his way into an UDFA contract, but it would have to be a really impressive senior campaign. I think Theo is overseas bound, and that's probably the best decision for him anyway.
Not enough known about the freshman bigs to know who is going to be what- but I do agree that if any one of them have a chance it's Garrison. He could play his way into a Brice like career. He could also play his way into a Byron Sanders like career. We have no clue what his chances are to get to the league at this juncture and it won't become clear until his senior year most likely.
Jalek is sure fire. Top 15 pick. Will have a long career in the NBA like Uncle Ray. Might be a journeyman like Uncle Ray, but he'll make his money in the league.
Sleeper is Cam, good size and shooting ability, needs work on D but obviously it's not a defensive league. The thing he's missing is the ability to drive and float like JJax had. If he can develop that, he can play his way into the first round. But I doubt it. He would need to play for two years here to do so, but I also don't think he'll do that. Expect CJ to be on his way overseas a year from now.
The wildcard for me at this juncture is Seventh. I think if it clicks and he ever has the keys to our kingdom, which is likely, he'll make the league. He has the gifts. His athleticism is through the roof. There's no reason he can't be a first round draft pick. He's just got to figure it out.
Best Prospect- Jalek
Biggest Sleeper- Cam
Wait And See- Garrison
Hope For The Most- JB2
I said your opinions were "completely forgettable". If you're going start some shit with me, at least get the quote right.
I actually think it's Theo. The biggest barrier to entry to the NBA is size and athleticism, both of which he has. Jalek also has the requisite size and length.
Some of our guys: Joel, Seventh, Kenny, Andrew, Luke, Huffman, simply aren't big or athletic enough to play their position in the NBA.
Marginal NBA players (I doubt, but if they really exceed expectations): are guys like BRob, Cam, Garrison, Sterling.
Sterling in particular is interesting because I wouldn't be surprised if he became a true 7 footer, he has a good wingspan, and is at least moderately athletic. He's a low floor, high ceiling kind of guy.
But mostly I think it's Theo. If he could just shoot, he would get drafted, because of his defensive skills and passing ability. He adds a lot to a team without having to touch the ball.
Some of our guys: Joel, Seventh, Kenny, Andrew, Luke, Huffman, simply aren't big or athletic enough to play their position in the NBA.
Marginal NBA players (I doubt, but if they really exceed expectations): are guys like BRob, Cam, Garrison, Sterling.
Sterling in particular is interesting because I wouldn't be surprised if he became a true 7 footer, he has a good wingspan, and is at least moderately athletic. He's a low floor, high ceiling kind of guy.
But mostly I think it's Theo. If he could just shoot, he would get drafted, because of his defensive skills and passing ability. He adds a lot to a team without having to touch the ball.
JB is the obvious #1 choice, not sure why so many can't see that, but stay tuned.
2. Theo, if has the senior year I'm expecting.
3. Cam, great shooter with length.
4. All the freshman bigs!
Well, no one is ever going to accuse you of being a pessimist.
All of those things could indeed happen. And if they do, Roy should be regarded as the greatest developer of talent in the history of the game (especially if all 3 Bigs have careers in the NBA). But like @Hark_The_Sound_2010, I play the percentages. And the likelihood of what you wrote happening is astronomically low. The likelihood of even one of things you wrote happening is less than 50/50.
At least the freshman bigs are unknown/raw enough that it's possible. We already know Theo and Cam aren't NBA caliber players, and JB will be fortunate to have a career in the Marshall/Paige mold. He certainly won't be drafted as high as Marshall and he's an underdog to even get drafted at all like Paige did, but we'll see if he can improve on that this year.
Fortunately the non-freshmen of the group are good college players, which is what we need them to be.
Name the last three star big man to make it to the NBA.
Lord knows I want them to succeed and become successful players for us, but the only one I can see getting their is Garrison. And he's gotta turn into a stud similar to Brice. No small order.
So you already know exactly how each will play in the college game? That's AMAZING! smh
John Collins was a 3 star according to Rivals and Scout.
Indeed he was and he was the best big man in the conference last year.
I personally don't care if our bigs are pro material or not as long as they can play well at the college level.
We haven't even seen them in baby blue yet and some are blowing them up, while others are concerned that they're not ACC caliber players.
We shall see pretty soon. I can't wait for LNWR to see them for the first time. I always love watching the freshmen run out on the court in front of a crowd for the first time.
Lol, way to take what I said and blow it way out of proportion.
But apparently the genius known as 'FlaTarHeel' already knows they're future pros.
Gonna burn yourself with your obsession with star ratings cuz you're very wrong here...
Someone already mentioned John Collins...let's add
2017: Kyle Kuzma and Collins
2016: Jakob Polti wasn't recruited at all really, Taurean Prince, Pascal Siakam
I'm done looking since we've found 5 in the past two drafts. I'm sure it's littered with a few in every draft.
I want to play
2015:
Frank Kaminsky (3 star on 247, I don't even think he was ranked on Rivals?)
Cameron Payne
Delon Wright (2 star)
Larry Nance Jr (NR)
RJ Hunter (2 star)
That's five 3 stars or worse drafted in the 1st rd
I agree that JB and JF will definitely make a roster and stick. I would bet that at least 2 of our four bigs will have NBA careers and all 4 will get paid to play. I could see CJ and TP showing their potential this season and really tearing up the pre-draft meat market too! Outliers like BRob, KW, and 7th have potential, athleticism, and enough game if they finally reach their potential, but they are the longest shots!
Alright you've made a good point. Make no mistake I'm not trying to damn our freshman bigs before they've played a game. But it is harder finding diamonds in the rough than it is developing top 20 big men. I'm worried that's going to catch up to us.
Yeah, just look at what Coach K did with Jeter and Bolden .......................... OH WAIT!
What does that have to do with anything?
We are known for having excellent big men, they aren't.
Edit: I do stand corrected on that. Duke has had success with big guys in the past. But they've always relied more on jumpshots and outside shooting as their main gameplan. That's what I was getting at.
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Yeah but the other side of that is Okafor, McRoberts, Plumblee x3, Battier, Boozer, Brand, Lateneer, Parks, Randolph, Sheldon Williams.
K doesn't have big men in the NBA and 3 star bigs don't make it to the NBA are both crap arguments. You're both wrong.
Agree Felton is prolly best pro prospect, but JB will play a few years I am sure, Theo and Cam will at least get some coffee.
Under estimating UNC pedigree, that gets you a try out in the NBA!
It is absolutely easier to have top 20 recruits succeed than 3star kids, I would hope no one would argue counter to that point. But in todays game those top 20 recruits and especially the big men are going one & done. I would suggest a coach can do little development work with 1&D kids as compared to the 3 star kid. When you take a 3 or 4 star and get him drafted 1st round then he has developed in to a 5 star, you really do have to look at the coach and credit that development to the kid and the coach.
For me, I really don't even care for the star ratings deal, I watch the kid and how his game improved and that improvement is more year to year than game to game. Just because a kid is rated a 5 star coming in does not mean he is an amazing for sure NBA guy. Look at JMM and Anthony Davis, 2 5star players yet not nearly same level players, look at Jeter and Tatum as another example.
I just find it a bit hollow for coaches of 1&D players to be credited with such a masterful job of developing the kid?
If we only look at experienced players, I'd put Theo at the top of my list.
Why? Because he has the easiest improvement to make to be good at the next level. He's big enough, fast enough, plenty athletic enough, passes well, defends well, has an acceptable handle, and rebounds well.
Where he struggles is scoring. If he can improve there - outside shooting, finishing at the rim, and foul shooting - he's not just a pro, he could be a starter.
Joel is a solider, more consistent player than Theo, with the mental focus and grit that Theo sometimes lacks, plus being strong, a decent shooter, and more. But he lacks size. And to overcome that lack, he needs to up his game on many measures. Compare Joel's junior year with Frank Mason's senior year to get an idea of what Joel needs to do. He may be able to do it, but it won't be easy.
So, in other words, both Theo and Joel are potential pros, but I think what Theo needs to do to get there is easier than what Joel needs to do to get there.
It's also possible that it will be easier for Theo to improve on this team than for Joel to improve. We don't know yet, but our green bigs are unlikely to be as good targets as Kennedy, Isaiah and Tony were. Since one of the things Joel needs to do is up his assist numbers, that could hurt him. Whereas if those bigs can just learn to set a decent screen, Theo may have more opportunities to drive.
Why? Because he has the easiest improvement to make to be good at the next level. He's big enough, fast enough, plenty athletic enough, passes well, defends well, has an acceptable handle, and rebounds well.
Where he struggles is scoring. If he can improve there - outside shooting, finishing at the rim, and foul shooting - he's not just a pro, he could be a starter.
Joel is a solider, more consistent player than Theo, with the mental focus and grit that Theo sometimes lacks, plus being strong, a decent shooter, and more. But he lacks size. And to overcome that lack, he needs to up his game on many measures. Compare Joel's junior year with Frank Mason's senior year to get an idea of what Joel needs to do. He may be able to do it, but it won't be easy.
So, in other words, both Theo and Joel are potential pros, but I think what Theo needs to do to get there is easier than what Joel needs to do to get there.
It's also possible that it will be easier for Theo to improve on this team than for Joel to improve. We don't know yet, but our green bigs are unlikely to be as good targets as Kennedy, Isaiah and Tony were. Since one of the things Joel needs to do is up his assist numbers, that could hurt him. Whereas if those bigs can just learn to set a decent screen, Theo may have more opportunities to drive.
Add to the fact that the guys who just won the last 2 NBA mvps curry and Russell westbrook was 3 star recruits.
You sure Westbrook was a 3 star. Kind of remember hype behind him. He was right after Kevin Love right?
