Current Roster's NBA Potential

[DRBackup]

If Sanogo can't stick in the league I don't see how Reed has a chance.

He's bigger - a LOT bigger.

 

[DRBackup]

Furphy will be interesting in terms of how the staff sees him contributing next year. He’s hasn’t looked to what many thought and does look a tick below what we thought athletically.

Especially in the... three minutes he has played

 

[thekollieman]

Hope you are right. Potential is certainly there. But #1 typically goes to a one and done so I think you are reaching, but hey, why aim low?

I think I’m reaching too, but I’m dying to see UConn get a #1 overall pick under its belt so I’m latching onto it as an outside possibility.

 

[DogMania]

Stewart and Ross have next to no chance. Karaban has a fighting chance. What has Stewart and Ross showed us consistently that would make them NBA players? They are good role players here but probaly headed to Europe at best.

No chance? I'd like to see how they develop by the end of their senior season if they carve out a bigger role at some point. It's tough for them to develop at a faster rate when they're not getting the playing time due to playing behind Mullins and Ball.

Ross is one that seems to have a lot of untapped talent. No chance, seems a bit extreme. I hope you'll own up to this if he finds his way on some NBA roster.

 

[Jaydumo20]

Wait to comment? But isn't that the nature of discussion boards, you don't have to wait and you reserve the right to change your mind as things develop? Wouldn't we run out of things to talk about if we waited until we were sure about everything?

True.
However, last night I said to packers' fan friends "there is no way the bears are coming back, they look terrible!"
My comment was allowed but ill-fated

 

[Mike Honcho]

I would compare Jayden Ross to Tyrese Martin in terms of build, which explains why some see him as having NBA potential. But Ross has a long way to go to show he can do what Martin did at UConn. But with one more year after this, anything is possible. I'm not sure who a good former Husky comp for Jalyn Stewart would be. Maybe Tyler Polley? He plays in Europe which is where I imagine Stew ends up.

Tyrese had 20 pounds on Jayden. 215 to 195. They're not the same build.

 

[DogMania]

First of all, what are we considering an NBA player? If it's anyone who has played minutes in the NBA than I think we have 5 or 6 guys. Tristen already fits into that category (I expect him to turn into a full time NBA bench player.) Daniel Hamilton, Rodney Purvis, Jerome Dyson, Amida Brimah, Sanogo all fit into that category.

There's right around a dozen true 7'0 footers in the NBA, it isn't going to hurt Reibe when he measures less than 7'0 without shoes and it won't hurt Tarris when he measures less than his 6'11 listed height.

In my view-

Mullins is obviously going to be an NBA player.

Reibe is obviously going to be an NBA player.

Karaban- He'll be drafted late first round or early second round so he will get some minutes. If he can guard at all at the NBA level he will carve out a role as a bench player. If he can't he will play very little before he's out of the league.

Silas will be an NBA player. I see him as a backup point guard.

Tarris will get at least a cup of coffee in the league. At worst he's in that Purvis/Daniel Hamilton role of getting some NBA minutes and then out of the league.

Solo has a chance as a microwave scorer if he regains his three point shot and can guard, it's a slim chance. If he does it will be in that Purvis/Daniel Hamilton role of getting some NBA minutes and then out of the league.

I see Mullins as the only for sure high impact NBA player, a starter who makes a name for himself in the league. Reibe has a chance at being an NBA starter someday.

Yes, my questing was at a minimum getting some minutes in the NBA, and not necessarily getting drafted or playing a major role at the next level.

Now I'm not saying that I'm sure all seven of those players I mentioned will make it to the NBA, but thought there's a possibility it could happen. It's surprising how many undrafted and second round players are actually finding their way on the end of some of these benches and some turning into very good ones.

I'm sure many didn't think Spencer had any shot at playing a single minute in the NBA. It would be interesting if anyone can dig up some posts where some definitively said he wouldn't. It's a testament to how hard he worked and how skilled he is to have earned some solid minutes so early in his career.

I was surprised that Tyrese Martin, who was the 51st pick in 2022, found his way on an NBA roster. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think if you put senior Stewart or Ross in place of Martin, getting the playing time he got his final year, either could have done well and positioned themselves to at least find their way on the G-League roster with a chance of getting a 2-way contract and a possible call up. I'm pretty excited to see see how far these two will go, may it takes a few years or so to get there.

Solo is one that I'm a little concerned about due to his size and more 2G skills than lead guard. With that said, despite his struggles on the defensive end, he's starting to show he's a three level scorer and a deadly three-point shooter, albeit a bit streaky. If he can get back to shooting the three at a higher percentage, and continue to show he can score mid-range and driving to the basket, there are NBA teams that have instant offense type of players who aren't the best defenders.

As someone pointed out, it's more about perceived potential than it is numbers put up in college. The one challenge that Ross and Stuart have is their overlap, playing similar positions. Will they get enough playing time to further develop both this year and on next year's roster? They've both had some games where they've demonstrated some promising talent.

 

[DogMania]

I was thinking of Demary as a poor man's Tristan Newton. So if Tristan is having a hard time securing a spot in the NBA, I would think Demary would have an even harder time. But Demary has played so well the past 2 games, I could see reversing that if this continues. Newton becomes a poor man's Demary. But that is saying a lot since Newton was an All-American. But maybe by the time Demary finishes is career at UConn (in 2027!) he has a better chance in the NBA than Newton. But isn't Newton taller?

And everyone raves about Demary's defense, but it seems to me he is not that quick. Guys still get by him. His best trait is his strength. But won't that be negated at the next level?

I loved Newton's game and ability to consistently make plays during winning time, but his lack of athleticism is problematic at the NBA level. I haven't followed him since he left UConn so I'm not sure what his chances are to find his way on an NBA roster and get a few minutes.

As for Demary, I don't think he's as tall but he's a lot more athletic, is a better Defender and has started to show us what he's capable of doing on the offensive end. It's taking him a while to learn to lead UConn's complex motion offense and also learn when to assert his offensive game, which he's shown the past couple of games. I think people are going to begin to realize how talented and special a player he is and his potential at the next level. I remember watching some clips of his games down the stretch at Georgia last year and he was assertive and dominant.

There was a reason why Hurley went after him so hard and why Demery chose to come here. I'm sure for both a big part of it was winning, but also the chance to develop his skills for the next level. He's got two seasons to improve, and he's pretty damn good right now.

 

[Matrim55]

I loved Newton's game and ability to consistently make plays during winning time, but his lack of athleticism is problematic at the NBA level. I haven't followed him since he left UConn so I'm not sure what his chances are to find his way on an NBA roster and get a few minutes.

He's dominated in the G-League and got a two-way deal from Houston because of it. Hasn't played yet for the Rockets first team but it's coming, and hopefully when he gets the chance he makes it count.

I largely agree with you that Demery has a clearer path to a rotation spot because of his superior defense.

 

[DogMania]

He's dominated in the G-League and got a two-way deal from Houston because of it. Hasn't played yet for the Rockets first team but it's coming, and hopefully when he gets the chance he makes it count.

I largely agree with you that Demery has a clearer path to a rotation spot because of his superior defense.

Thanks for the report on Newton. He's one of my favorite former UConn players, and couldn't be happier for him to someday find some minutes in the NBA.