AJax already in a 2022 mock NBA draft! | Page 3 | The Boneyard

AJax already in a 2022 mock NBA draft!

The NBA is about potential and confidence in their staff(s) to develop talent.

Ajax has obvious talent. Needs to show the dividends from his hard work this summer in games this season. Is finally healthy and will be given the "green light" from Dan Hurley/staff for the first time in his UConn career.

Enjoy him while he's here.
 
He can jump over the moon and see an open player, is that NBA talent? At this point to say he does is a guess without shot improvement.
 
JonnyRI said:
Three. I think you are both right, and pray you are wrong. If he makes the jump we are a legit final 4 threat.

it just scares me that the consensus is he goes to the NBA if he just learns to shoot, defend, not foul every 2 minutes, and have confidence. Ummmmm……. Those are kind of like big, relatively important things for a basketball player. Unless I am missing something.
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there are so many guys who can’t make the league cause they don’t have his physician gifts.

plus he can be a playmaker.

but you can’t shoot that poorly as a guard/wing and make it.

the light should go on for him with more reps and experience.

but yes, he is basically a lump of clay to be molded at this point.
 
XLCenterFan said:
I was seriously unimpressed with him. In my opinion, there's no way he makes it to the association.

He can't defend without fouling. He can't shoot. He doesn't exactly have handle. So he rebounds and dunks.
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You are aware he was a freshmen in a year of injury and covid delays. Really cost him a lot of development time. I fully expect to see a totally different player this season.
 
nomar said:
Obviously he needs to learn how to shoot and he needs to work on his defense, but those are teachable skills.
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i’m not in the camp that great shooting is teachable. someone can improve their shooting through work, but you can’t teach everyone up to greatness. If it was doable everyone would be over 90% from the line. I see a nice feel from AJ from the line. If he can translate that stroke out to the 3 point line he may one of a small group to make a huge leap in shooting accuracy. I remember watching Neils take a ton of shots after practice. If you put in the time you can get better.
 
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Andre has a long ways to go but you certainly can see the potential. For what I would consider a heady player he committed plenty of stupid fouls but I do think that will be improved. He has great vision and his handle is good could be very good. Let’s be honest the only way he improves in a huge way will be finding ways to make shots. I’m not as worried about his percentage behind the arc as much as just being able to make some mid range shots because he can take his defender off the dribble most often.

Exciting player and I’m sure he put the work in seems like that kind of kid lets see what happens.
 
Stinger92860 said:
i’m not in the camp that great shooting is teachable. someone can improve their shooting through work, but you can’t teach everyone up to greatness. If it was doable everyone would be over 90% from the line. I see a nice feel from AJ from the line. If he can translate that stroke out to the 3 point line he may one of a small group to make a huge leap in shooting accuracy. I remember watching Neils take a ton of shots after practice. If you put in the time you can get better.
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So I’m trying to remember a UCONN player that we had high hopes for who had eye popping shooting improvement over an offseason. Someone who shot crap and then was almost a different player the next year. Only have 1. Neils Giffey shooting 3’s senior year. that’s it.
 
jibsey said:
So I’m trying to remember a UCONN player that we had high hopes for who had eye popping shooting improvement over an offseason. Someone who shot crap and then was almost a different player the next year. Only have 1. Neils Giffey shooting 3’s senior year. that’s it.
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Off the top of my head DeAndre Daniels is one, went from 24% from 3 as a freshman to 31% as a sophomore to 42% as a junior (on increasing 3PA each year). Obviously Andre is starting from a much lower bar with his shooting numbers, so I wouldn't expect to see that substantial of an improvement like with DeAndre

I think a more realistic expectation is someone like Sid Wilson or Alterique Gilbert who both shot 22% from 3 their freshman years (and sophomore year for Gilbert) to shooting 32-33% after that. Still not a great percentage but just enough to make the defense respect the shot. That's the type of improvement I think Andre needs, not becoming a knockdown shooter like DeAndre but just getting his shot to the point where the defense has to think about stepping out on him.
 
navery12 said:
Off the top of my head DeAndre Daniels is one, went from 24% from 3 as a freshman to 31% as a sophomore to 42% as a junior (on increasing 3PA each year). Obviously Andre is starting from a much lower bar with his shooting numbers, so I wouldn't expect to see that substantial of an improvement like with DeAndre

I think a more realistic expectation is someone like Sid Wilson or Alterique Gilbert who both shot 22% from 3 their freshman years (and sophomore year for Gilbert) to shooting 32-33% after that. Still not a great percentage but just enough to make the defense respect the shot. That's the type of improvement I think Andre needs, not becoming a knockdown shooter like DeAndre but just getting his shot to the point where the defense has to think about stepping out on him.
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It also isn't the biggest sample size, he took 17 threes in an injury shortened season where he missed the whole preseason. The shot is ugly looking but he only took more than 1 three in 2 of the games.
 
navery12 said:
Off the top of my head DeAndre Daniels is one, went from 24% from 3 as a freshman to 31% as a sophomore to 42% as a junior (on increasing 3PA each year). Obviously Andre is starting from a much lower bar with his shooting numbers, so I wouldn't expect to see that substantial of an improvement like with DeAndre

I think a more realistic expectation is someone like Sid Wilson or Alterique Gilbert who both shot 22% from 3 their freshman years (and sophomore year for Gilbert) to shooting 32-33% after that. Still not a great percentage but just enough to make the defense respect the shot. That's the type of improvement I think Andre needs, not becoming a knockdown shooter like DeAndre but just getting his shot to the point where the defense has to think about stepping out on him.
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Well they’re talking about the lottery so 31% isn't going to open many eyes. The NBA is very athletic for guards, that's almost a prerequisite. But if he were to take a bunch of attempts and make 35% I wluld agree with lottery talk.
 
jibsey said:
Well they’re talking about the lottery so 31% isn't going to open many eyes. The NBA is very athletic for guards, that's almost a prerequisite. But if he were to take a bunch of attempts and make 35% I wluld agree with lottery talk.
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31% gets him drafted

But yeah probably needs to be up near 35 or become Ben Simmons on defense to make up for it if not to get into the lottery
 
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jibsey said:
Well they’re talking about the lottery so 31% isn't going to open many eyes. The NBA is very athletic for guards, that's almost a prerequisite. But if he were to take a bunch of attempts and make 35% I wluld agree with lottery talk.
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I agree he'd need to shoot really well to be in the lottery conversation, but I also think really well with his other skills is getting to 30%.

Either way, that's not what your question was, you asked for examples of guys who we had high hopes for who showed substantial improvement in their shooting
 
jibsey said:
Well they’re talking about the lottery so 31% isn't going to open many eyes. The NBA is very athletic for guards, that's almost a prerequisite. But if he were to take a bunch of attempts and make 35% I wluld agree with lottery talk.
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He's uncommonly athletic even by NBA standards, he's a Zach LaVine type of athlete. His vision/passing is also uncommon. It's a big if but if he just shoots threes over 30% and if he shows he can put it on the deck and finish in the lane NBA front offices will be salivating over him. His athleticism and vision are made for the wide open NBA game.
 
The floor of this team is pretty solid, they’ll win games based off their defense and a solid core of RJ, Adama, Tyrese, and Whaley. The ceiling of this team really comes down to two players IMO: AJax & Gaffney. We sort of know what to expect from everyone else, but how big of a jump can these two make? They both flash and have talent. If either or both can make a significant jump, they’ll contend for top 3 in the Big East again.
 
the gyms and courts are were (everrthing is screwed up now, including pickup) filled with guys who jump out of the gym and can see the floor, but can't actually score. tuned in to that truth, the common response is 'just box him out, but iffn he's outside, help with someone else.'
will he score? idk, but im hoping.
mark jackson could see an assist in the cab on the way to the game, but his shooting? let's just say his sidearm was a mason's trowel. a pass is not a shot.
mean streets.
 
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Fatroony5 said:
The floor of this team is pretty solid, they’ll win games based off their defense and a solid core of RJ, Adama, Tyrese, and Whaley. The ceiling of this team really comes down to two players IMO: AJax & Gaffney. We sort of know what to expect from everyone else, but how big of a jump can these two make? They both flash and have talent. If either or both can make a significant jump, they’ll contend for top 3 in the Big East again.
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Our floor is top 3 in the Big East, if those things happen we can dethrone Nova. Everyone has us #2 in the Big East.
 
Fatroony5 said:
The floor of this team is pretty solid, they’ll win games based off their defense and a solid core of RJ, Adama, Tyrese, and Whaley. The ceiling of this team really comes down to two players IMO: AJax & Gaffney. We sort of know what to expect from everyone else, but how big of a jump can these two make? They both flash and have talent. If either or both can make a significant jump, they’ll contend for top 3 in the Big East again.
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'We sort of know what to expect from everyone else'
we do?
i certainly don't, and i'd sure like to know,
will akok be 15ppg, or 7?
will jordan be 37% or 28%?
will ritchie be 6 rpg, or 2?
will samson bring swagger, or will he be a shrinking violet?
i am confident that mr diggins will demonstrate leadership ability, and mr floyd will be stout and bring it every game, yet.....
who is tyler polley? is he still going to the league?

cf, 'preseason mlb expert predictions,' or not. not safe for children, cuz u'll see things like 90+ wins for the mets, 70+ wins for the giants, the rays falling apart, minnesota wins the central, etc.
salvador perez is currently at 46 hrs and 115 rbis. who?
he just broke johnny bench's record for catcher hrs.

im not even sure that last years squad was 'better' than the 19-20 squad, and their awesome finishing stretch, but to be fair, things were kinda messed up last year.
and let's pretend that houston, they of last year's final four, didn't snatch up jarlton in like a nanosecond after he became available. yeah, let's pretend that didn't happen.
 
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superjohn said:
Our floor is top 3 in the Big East, if those things happen we can dethrone Nova. Everyone has us #2 in the Big East.
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The floor for this team is not top 3. Floor is saying if things don’t work out well, they’ll at least compete at that level. I’m hopeful for this team and think they finish at 3 but the concerns about scoring are still something to monitor. If they don’t work through that stuff, Xavier, Seton Hall, St John’s will all finish ahead of Uconn.
 
ClifSpliffy said:
'We sort of know what to expect from everyone else'
we do?
i certainly don't, and i'd sure like to know,
will akok be 15ppg, or 7?
will jordan be 37% or 28%?
will ritchie be 6 rpg, or 2?
will samson bring swagger, or will he be a shrinking violet?
i am confident that mr diggins will demonstrate leadership ability, and mr floyd will be stout and bring it every game, yet.....
who is tyler polley? is he still going to the league?

cf, 'preseason mlb expert predictions,' or not. not safe for children, cuz u'll see things like 90+ wins for the mets, 70+ wins for the giants, the rays falling apart, minnesota wins the central, etc.
salvador perez is currently at 46 hrs and 115 rbis. who?
he just broke johnny bench's record for catcher hrs.

im not even sure that last years squad was 'better' than the 19-20 squad, and their awesome finishing stretch, but to be fair, things were kinda messed up last year.
and let's pretend that houston, they of last year's final four, didn't snatch up jarlton in like a nanosecond after he became available. yeah, let's pretend that didn't happen.
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What I mean is, it’s easier to project some of the players for the upcoming season in terms of what they’ll be. We often overpoject players but when you look at it, things are starting to come into the pictue Cole leads the attack with Sanogo and Martin as the likely top 3 scorers. Whaley is a nice piece and maybe he gets to double digits but he won’t all of the sudden double his scoring output. Polley is what he is: one game hot, another game little output. Don’t think that really changes.

Springs, Johnson, Floyd (if he doesn’t redshirt) prolly get some burn but I’m not expecting much production there just based on the depth of the team. Diggins prolly has a similar impact that Gaff had his freshman year; won’t start but I can see him coming on towards end of the season. Hawkins looks like a nice piece, but it’s hard for a freshman to come in and be a consistent double digit scorer each night. Would love to see that happen but I’d be surprised if he puts up the numbers Bouk did as a freshman. If Akok can push Whaley to the bench, I’ll be happy, means he’s elevated his game a lot but either way I’d be shocked if he’s all of the sudden a 15 PPG player, I don’t see a path for that.

I’m not sure how to project AJax and Gaff for next season but they both have potential. If either or both can make a big leap, it’ll go a long way, the team needs it. I think they’re both wildcards in a sense.
 
Fatroony5 said:
The floor for this team is not top 3. Floor is saying if things don’t work out well, they’ll at least compete at that level. I’m hopeful for this team and think they finish at 3 but the concerns about scoring are still something to monitor. If they don’t work through that stuff, Xavier, Seton Hall, St John’s will all finish ahead of Uconn.
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He's right, the floor is top 3 with this team. Even if things don't work out and no go to scorer emerges I don't see any scenario we're not top 3 at the end of the year. And I expect to have a much better season than that
 
navery12 said:
He's right, the floor is top 3 with this team. Even if things don't work out and no go to scorer emerges I don't see any scenario we're not top 3 at the end of the year. And I expect to have a much better season than that
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I’m happy to be wrong, I’m hoping they are in the top 3 and would pick them probably at 3. But Xavier, Seton Hall, and St John’s have all improved, it’s not going to be easy.
 
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Based on his athleticism, defense, court vision and potential he should get to the NBA. Even if he doesn’t pan out to be a star or even a role player a end of the bench player in the NBA can hang around for years as long as they work hard and hustle in practice and stay positive. Coaches love players like that because they are giving 100% and are happy to just be in the league.

I think Ajax can make a bigger impact in the league than just being that bench player. He kinda reminds me of a Paul Pressey type. Pressey had a ugly shot but also had the other skills that Jackson has. A very good defender, passer and someone who new what his role was. I think Jackson might be just an inch taller than Pressey but Pressey played mostly as a point forward who relied on his driving, slashing and posting up. He was not and didn’t have to be a big scorer because that was not his game.

I see him as a 2023 draft and am expecting much improvement over the next 2 years.
 
I'm obviously rooting for the kid, but I haven't seen too many kids go pro with stats like his as a freshman. It's going to take A LOT of work and many things to bounce his way. He's good for dunks and boards IMO. I just remember watching games and yelling at him to just pass the ball and not shoot every single time he touched it. I know the place will go nuts in a close game when we get a steal and break out dunk by AJax.

3 point % was .118
More fouls per game than points - 2.8/2.7
Almost as many turnovers as assists per game - 1.2/1.6
 
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TheChamps990411 said:
You are aware he was a freshmen in a year of injury and covid delays. Really cost him a lot of development time. I fully expect to see a totally different player this season.
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Fully aware. I watch every game and Dan Hurley presser. I hope he makes me eat my words.
 
XLCenterFan said:
I'm obviously rooting for the kid, but I haven't seen too many kids go pro with stats like his as a freshman. It's going to take A LOT of work and many things to bounce his way. He's good for dunks and boards IMO. I just remember watching games and yelling at him to just pass the ball and not shoot every single time he touched it. I know the place will go nuts in a close game when we get a steal and break out dunk by AJax.

3 point % was .118
More fouls per game than points - 2.8/2.7
Almost as many turnovers as assists per game - 1.2/1.6
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I'm not sure we watched the same games last year. If there was one part of his game that was a strength last year it was his passing, it's one of the biggest reasons he has next level potential
 
He needs to learn to shoot, score and defend. He had a ton of fouls last year, largely because he was out of position and tried to use his athleticm to recover. That is AAU ball. You can’t do that at the D1 level. The other guys are too good. I think you can learn to play really good defense but you have to want to do it Or have a coach who makes you do it. Most guys don‘t want it because a. it doesn’t get you into the nba, b. it is hard. So he needs to become a scorer. Which is also pretty difficult if it isn’t natural. I think he has great athletic ability, but I wonder whether he is just another AAU player. That’s my term for guys who got to where they got on athleticism but never really become great players because they always fall back on that. It works less and less well when your opponents have more talent.

He is the toughest guy to figure on the whole team, I think. He might be a star. He might be a back up/ situational sub. He absolutely is a highlight film waiting to happen.
 
navery12 said:
Saying he has zero chance of making the NBA is just flat out wrong. 1st round pick after his sophomore year is a steep hill to climb but if he shows even a half decent shot it'll happen. But I don't see any chance he's not in the NBA eventually, he has way too much talent and every team will think they have a star if they can fix his shooting
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He somewhat reminds me of Zach Levine if he can tighten his handle. His athleticism, vision, improvement in defense will get him to the league. How good of a piece he becomes is based on if he can improve his shot and handle
 
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