Back to Back Georgia State Champion Colben Landrew

[Scoe]

I'm excited to see him come off the bench, go wreak havoc on the opponent and we can deal with the freshman mistakes.

 

[superjohn]

Our 4 is not like other 4's - it's not a classic PF. LeJuan Watts and Darreon Williams are both 6'6" PF's, both players we looked at in the portal, both weigh less than Landrew and same height.

Cool, he calls himself a 2/3, he's listed as a shooting guard at the Jordan Brand Classic, scouts call him a 2/3, he's listed everywhere as a 2/3. Since Hurley revamped the offense AK has been our power forward averaging 33 minutes per game. Landrew doesn't play anything like him. He can hopefully play some 4 defensively because of his weight/strength but we would be playing him out of position as a power forward.

 

[Kenny11]

He looks really good. I imagine he’s immediately the 6th man and the first guy to start if someone gets injured or gets into an extended shooting slump.

 

[RuffRuff]

Cool, he calls himself a 2/3, he's listed as a shooting guard at the Jordan Brand Classic, scouts call him a 2/3, he's listed everywhere as a 2/3. Since Hurley revamped the offense AK has been our power forward averaging 33 minutes per game. Landrew doesn't play anything like him. He can hopefully play some 4 defensively because of his weight/strength but we would be playing him out of position as a power forward.

What does Khamenia list himself as? What is he coming here to play?

 

[kobebeanbryant]

If he has the length/mass to play minutes at the 4 that would be awesome and give us a lot more roster flexibility.

But I am very curious if the plan is to cover the 4 with two “tweeners” (Khamenia & Landrew), or if they will bring in a more pure 4.

Going with Khamenia/Landrew could leave us exposed against larger front courts. These are obviously rare in CBB, but if we get back to a national championship we will surely encounter some. However, the skills they offer at the 4 would also pose challenges for larger/slower front courts (as Karaban did).

Not doubting the staff, I just find these roster construction decisions fascinating. And considering how close we are getting to a “bulletproof” roster if a few gaps get addressed (front court depth / size, experienced backup ballhandler, playmaking).

 

[king conn]

Anybody see his wingspan listed anywhere? That would give a hint whether we could get away with him at the four.

 

[auror]

Anybody see his wingspan listed anywhere? That would give a hint whether we could get away with him at the four.

Nothing reliable, but soft reported 6'10.

 

[superjohn]

What does Khamenia list himself as? What is he coming here to play?

I've seen Khamenia listed as guard/small forward/power forward. He has 2 or 3 inches on Landrew.

 

[king conn]

Nothing reliable, but soft reported 6'10.

That would certainly be doable if true

 

[KillaCam]

Seems like he can do it all on the court:
Shoot
Pass
Rebound
Penetrate
Blocks shots
Defends with a strong frame
Competes with an edge

Both defense and rebounding of physically dominating high school senior over other high school players are not really that easily verifiable/comparable until tested against college players some 24 years old. Does CL position himself well for a rebound? Yes, but many rebounds are also against less physically advanced kids. That advantage will be diminished in college when he is a freshman. Watching many games, he will need to hassle more on defense especially coming back and stay ahead of his assigned offensive player without losing focus. Both things Danny will help improve on. Another aspect is a difference in physical conditioning he will need to work this summer on. What comes to mind is Ahmad Nowell who could dominate a game in high s hook with his athleticism but could not crack VCUs rotation as a sophomore. Not always physicality translates directly to college. Now, CL is a very good shooter especially at his size, he can run a fast brake and can dribble in doing so. Not the quickest beating his man off the dribble in set pieces, but does not shy away from contact so hopefully we will see some and-one (pending BE refs generosity lol). He will need to work on finishing plays that are not dunks in heavy traffic. He does have a decent vision and plays well in half court rotations with his current team depending on his outside shooting. The size will pull guarding big away from the paint opening some lanes to cutters and spots for shooters. Looking forward to see his impact.

 

[444JR]

Can he really play the 4 in high level D1 as a 6’6” freshman?

Seems like we have a lot of guys that are more natural 3s. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

We need legitimate size, length and rim protection from the the next center recruit

 

[444JR]

Excited to see how Landrew has built on his game and improved from this analysis from July 2025. Hopefully his strength, quick twitch leaping, and defensive foot speed pick up with more serious conditioning and he’s able to be a big time two way wing for UConn.

Adam Finkelstein
247’s DIRECTOR OF SCOUTING

Landrew is a big-bodied wing with developing guard skills. Measuring in at 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, he has a powerful frame from head-to-toe rooted in his years spent on the football field. He brings that same physicality and toughness to the hardwood, but now that he’s focusing exclusively on basketball, his game is starting to blossom at a rapid rate.

He’s an ascending shooter with very soft natural touch. He made just under 34% of his attempts from three in 3SSB play, but knocked down 46% of his open catch-and-shoot threes, giving him extreme gravity as a floor-spacer. He still twists into a lower release, which may be why he’s not yet as consistent on the move and especially off the dribble (1-15 on dribble jumpers in 3SSB play). There’s clear confidence though and if he becomes a truly knockdown type shot-maker, it unlocks a lot of higher upside outcomes.

He's already a great blend player with a high floor because he’s smart, multi-positional, physical, can grab and go, and offer some secondary creation. He also has a very good left hand, is a terrific offensive rebounder (2.4 per game), starting to flash some off-ball cutting, and an efficient rim finisher (65%), despite not being a dynamic vertical athlete. Defensively, he has good hands (1.3 steals), great strength and balance in his lower body, but lacks ideal foot speed, so more switchable up the line-up than down.

 

[RuffRuff]

Excited to see how Landrew has built on his game and improved from this analysis from July 2025. Hopefully his strength, quick twitch leaping, and defensive foot speed pick up with more serious conditioning and he’s able to be a big time two way wing for UConn.

Adam Finkelstein
247’s DIRECTOR OF SCOUTING

Landrew is a big-bodied wing with developing guard skills. Measuring in at 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, he has a powerful frame from head-to-toe rooted in his years spent on the football field. He brings that same physicality and toughness to the hardwood, but now that he’s focusing exclusively on basketball, his game is starting to blossom at a rapid rate.

He’s an ascending shooter with very soft natural touch. He made just under 34% of his attempts from three in 3SSB play, but knocked down 46% of his open catch-and-shoot threes, giving him extreme gravity as a floor-spacer. He still twists into a lower release, which may be why he’s not yet as consistent on the move and especially off the dribble (1-15 on dribble jumpers in 3SSB play). There’s clear confidence though and if he becomes a truly knockdown type shot-maker, it unlocks a lot of higher upside outcomes.

He's already a great blend player with a high floor because he’s smart, multi-positional, physical, can grab and go, and offer some secondary creation. He also has a very good left hand, is a terrific offensive rebounder (2.4 per game), starting to flash some off-ball cutting, and an efficient rim finisher (65%), despite not being a dynamic vertical athlete. Defensively, he has good hands (1.3 steals), great strength and balance in his lower body, but lacks ideal foot speed, so more switchable up the line-up than down.

Sounds like a small 4. He’s doing to be stronger than many 4s. Kid is a beast.

 

[boog204]

The 2, 3, 4 only matters on the defensive side. Was Braylon our two or three on offense? Did it matter? AK was our four, but didn’t play like one offensively. People arguing about if Braylon or Ross is our 2/3 this year is strange.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Sounds like a small 4. He’s doing to be stronger than many 4s. Kid is a beast.

Stop. He's not a 4 at all. We will bring in a backup 4. Can he be an emergency 4, I suppose, but it's one thing to put a 6'8" PF against the 6'10"-6"11" monsters out there, he's just way too undersized. And for everyone who talks about our offense, who cares? The positions are about defense and defensive assignments. He's got nice size at the 3 and his strength will play well there. Braylon was undersized for a 3 in our defensive system and I don't think Hurley wanted to repeat that experiment.

 

[Samoo]

Both defense and rebounding of physically dominating high school senior over other high school players are not really that easily verifiable/comparable until tested against college players some 24 years old. Does CL position himself well for a rebound? Yes, but many rebounds are also against less physically advanced kids. That advantage will be diminished in college when he is a freshman. Watching many games, he will need to hassle more on defense especially coming back and stay ahead of his assigned offensive player without losing focus. Both things Danny will help improve on. Another aspect is a difference in physical conditioning he will need to work this summer on. What comes to mind is Ahmad Nowell who could dominate a game in high s hook with his athleticism but could not crack VCUs rotation as a sophomore. Not always physicality translates directly to college. Now, CL is a very good shooter especially at his size, he can run a fast brake and can dribble in doing so. Not the quickest beating his man off the dribble in set pieces, but does not shy away from contact so hopefully we will see some and-one (pending BE refs generosity lol). He will need to work on finishing plays that are not dunks in heavy traffic. He does have a decent vision and plays well in half court rotations with his current team depending on his outside shooting. The size will pull guarding big away from the paint opening some lanes to cutters and spots for shooters. Looking forward to see his impact.

He's dominating Georgia the way Steph did his senior year. That translated pretty well to college. Kid has a bright future and will see plenty of playing time if he picks up his defensive intensity.

 

[RuffRuff]

Stop. He's not a 4 at all. We will bring in a backup 4. Can he be an emergency 4, I suppose, but it's one thing to put a 6'8" PF against the 6'10"-6"11" monsters out there, he's just way too undersized. And for everyone who talks about our offense, who cares? The positions are about defense and defensive assignments. He's got nice size at the 3 and his strength will play well there. Braylon was undersized for a 3 in our defensive system and I don't think Hurley wanted to repeat that experiment.

Let me ask you this, when Karaban considering draft last year and we were in on LeJuan Watts & Derion Williams, what position do you think Hurley was intending on playing them? Go look at their size and get back to me.

Tell me how many teams are rolling the 6'11" PF out there. Florida & Michigan? You can make a choice as the 4 - you can go power or spacing. Clearly Hurley chooses the latter. If we are having issues with a 6'11" PF, we can swing Hines out there.

 

[Samoo]

Stop. He's not a 4 at all. We will bring in a backup 4. Can he be an emergency 4, I suppose, but it's one thing to put a 6'8" PF against the 6'10"-6"11" monsters out there, he's just way too undersized. And for everyone who talks about our offense, who cares? The positions are about defense and defensive assignments. He's got nice size at the 3 and his strength will play well there. Braylon was undersized for a 3 in our defensive system and I don't think Hurley wanted to repeat that experiment.

How many college teams actually have a skilled 6'10" power forward that weighs north of 230lbs? How many of those players are on our schedule? The kid will match up on defense with whoever works out best for the team but he has the physical traits - 235lbs, 6'10" reach, enough speed/quickness to be recruited at receiver by Alabama - to defend 90% of college PFs, and the offensive game to have an advantage at the other end.

 

[HuskyHawk]

How many college teams actually have a skilled 6'10" power forward that weighs north of 230lbs? How many of those players are on our schedule? The kid will match up on defense with whoever works out best for the team but he has the physical traits - 235lbs, 6'10" reach, enough speed/quickness to be recruited at receiver by Alabama - to defend 90% of college PFs, and the offensive game to have an advantage at the other end.

Most of the good ones. St. Johns has Prey. I think Landrew will be great, I'm very high on him. He's not here to be a 4. He's here to be a 3. His size will still pay huge dividends in that role, because yes, lots of teams have big 3s as well but more importantly because both our 3 and 4 cover the paint when we hedge. His inside scoring is going to benefit more against 3s than 4s. He creates mismatches as a 3. He doesn't as a 4.

I'm not sure why this is being debated. Nik is the 4 and Ross/Landrew the 3. We'll add another 5, 4 and a guard. Plus practice players/developmental players.

 

[RuffRuff]

Most of the good ones. St. Johns has Prey. I think Landrew will be great, I'm very high on him. He's not here to be a 4. He's here to be a 3. His size will still pay huge dividends in that role, because yes, lots of teams have big 3s as well but more importantly because both our 3 and 4 cover the paint when we hedge. His inside scoring is going to benefit more against 3s than 4s. He creates mismatches as a 3. He doesn't as a 4.

I'm not sure why this is being debated. Nik is the 4 and Ross/Landrew the 3. We'll add another 5, 4 and a guard. Plus practice players/developmental players.

Who is backing up the 4?

Hurley really hasn't recruited the Landrew profile to date. How is he different than Stew in your eyes?

 

[superjohn]

Who is backing up the 4?

Hurley really hasn't recruited the Landrew profile to date. How is he different than Stew in your eyes?

Probably this Oskar Giltay kid.

 

[RuffRuff]

Probably this Oskar Giltay kid.

Kid didn't shoot one three last year - not sure how that concept is any different.

 

[superjohn]

Kid didn't shoot one three last year - not sure how that concept is any different.

Well he doesn't look like he would be in the practice player role of our guys last season and we have major problems if he's the other guy in our two headed monster at center with Hines. Maybe he's another bench center but we desperately need to bring in a 7 foot center.

 

[aceboon]

Most of the good ones. St. Johns has Prey. I think Landrew will be great, I'm very high on him. He's not here to be a 4. He's here to be a 3. His size will still pay huge dividends in that role, because yes, lots of teams have big 3s as well but more importantly because both our 3 and 4 cover the paint when we hedge. His inside scoring is going to benefit more against 3s than 4s. He creates mismatches as a 3. He doesn't as a 4.

I'm not sure why this is being debated. Nik is the 4 and Ross/Landrew the 3. We'll add another 5, 4 and a guard. Plus practice players/developmental players.

What is Prey? He averaged 4pts and 2rebs, he needs to be feared?

 

[Samoo]

Most of the good ones. St. Johns has Prey. I think Landrew will be great, I'm very high on him. He's not here to be a 4. He's here to be a 3. His size will still pay huge dividends in that role, because yes, lots of teams have big 3s as well but more importantly because both our 3 and 4 cover the paint when we hedge. His inside scoring is going to benefit more against 3s than 4s. He creates mismatches as a 3. He doesn't as a 4.

I'm not sure why this is being debated. Nik is the 4 and Ross/Landrew the 3. We'll add another 5, 4 and a guard. Plus practice players/developmental players.

I see three guys of which two can play either position, with Ross also able to step up to PF in certain situations. My guess is we go into the season with a three player position-less forward rotation, with a back-up 4/5 portal get to defend against monsters like Prey.

 

[uchusky32]

Ross and Landrew are not the answer to the PF backup position. Certain games non quad 1 games, maybe. Did you all see the size M and Duke have?

 

[KillaCam]

He's dominating Georgia the way Steph did his senior year. That translated pretty well to college. Kid has a bright future and will see plenty of playing time if he picks up his defensive intensity.

He is dominant size wise and shooting wise. His football skills kick in when going up for the rebound. Unfair comparison to Steph who had incredible quickness and lateral speed which are way more more transferable to the next level than size and strength attributes. One can dominate physically being a large senior vs under class men and less physically developed seniors. He will play in extremely physical league vs grown up men. His shot and rebounding will translate well, but he needs to work on defense beyond blocking and defensive rebounding, but keeping the guy in front of him and/or not letting quicker 3s go around him. Steph dominated defensively fast guards and could shut down the best players 1-4. CL has ability to block, but in my opinion fast and physical 3s will go around him and he will get into foul trouble unless improves lateral movement. Do not take me wrong, he is a great shooter, great rebounder and has size and strength. He needs to improve his conditioning and defending quick college guards. Those GA games with him that I watched I was not overly impressed with the quality of his competition quite honestly. I am happy we got him but he is not Steph nor should anyone have those kind of expectations in UConn system from a freshman until tested in at least couple real games.

 

[Lafayette]

He is dominant size wise and shooting wise. His football skills kick in when going up for the rebound. Unfair comparison to Steph who had incredible quickness and lateral speed which are way more more transferable to the next level than size and strength attributes. One can dominate physically being a large senior vs under class men and less physically developed seniors. He will play in extremely physical league vs grown up men. His shot and rebounding will translate well, but he needs to work on defense beyond blocking and defensive rebounding, but keeping the guy in front of him and/or not letting quicker 3s go around him. Steph dominated defensively fast guards and could shut down the best players 1-4. CL has ability to block, but in my opinion fast and physical 3s will go around him and he will get into foul trouble unless improves lateral movement. Do not take me wrong, he is a great shooter, great rebounder and has size and strength. He needs to improve his conditioning and defending quick college guards. Those GA games with him that I watched I was not overly impressed with the quality of his competition quite honestly. I am happy we got him but he is not Steph nor should anyone have those kind of expectations in UConn system from a freshman until tested in at least couple real games.

And he was an Alabama football full ride as a possession receiver. In Madden terms "hands". I don't think this guy will get the oopses we've seen from others time to time.

 

[Mr. French]

Nothing reliable, but soft reported 6'10.

If y'all knew what I soft reported at ...

 

[Lafayette]

Ross and Landrew are not the answer to the PF backup position. Certain games non quad 1 games, maybe. Did you all see the size M and Duke have?

Neither will be the 4.

Khamenia has the size and just needs more muscle. I would take Landrew 3x over Ross to be a backup 4 though.

While I still think Hurley is getting another guard, for now it's Demary / Mullins / Khamenia / Landrew / Hines

Ross is super sub and 6th man. Now let's get some depth!