Darius Adams Decommits from UConn

[pj]

I feel like this system devalues coaching. If you can become the same player anywhere whats the point in picking a school because of coaching and development?

Either you're a 1 and done these days or your development is being pushed to the side for the sake of winning instantly. Its such an unhealthy system.

Agreed, the incentive for college coaches to invest in long-term player development is no longer there.

What this means is that players are going to have to invest some of that NIL money in hiring private coaches/trainers who will do the long-term player development, while coaches focus on 6-month development of a team.

The new system can work but it puts more responsibility on the players to take a long-term view.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Agreed, the incentive for college coaches to invest in long-term player development is no longer there.

What this means is that players are going to have to invest some of that NIL money in hiring private coaches/trainers who will do the long-term player development, while coaches focus on 6-month development of a team.

The new system can work but it puts more responsibility on the players to take a long-term view.

I personally don't trust those private coaches/trainers to be as good.

In the old college basketball there were entire playstyles predicated by who you played for.

Tom Izzo’s players played a certain way.

Jay Wright players played a certain way.

Calhoun players played a certain way.

Coach K’s played a certain way.

Etc.

College coaches are suppose to be the top tier experts in player development. If players can't expect that and have to get it from the next tier, its not good for the game.

 

[uconndogs]

I feel like this system devalues coaching. If you can become the same player anywhere whats the point in picking a school because of coaching and development?

Either you're a 1 and done these days or your development is being pushed to the side for the sake of winning instantly. Its such an unhealthy system.

Completely valid perspective in my mind. Coaches still need to be able to evaluate talent and coach season to season. But, without the money there's no hope for national championships. It would seem to me that a good NBA coach wiht access to the money to attract and retain talent fits the bill.

 

[Inyatkin]

I think the question is whether it will be formalized in some sense. As in, don't come to Blue Blood program as a freshman, but spend a year at whatever lower-level school and Blue Blood will consider taking you as a sophomore.
It would lead to many teams being glorified minor league programs, which maybe they already are. But you could see a system where it is more or less the expected path forward for everyone who's not a lottery pick freshman year.

 

[boog204]

I think the question is whether it will be formalized in some sense. As in, don't come to Blue Blood program as a freshman, but spend a year at whatever lower-level school and Blue Blood will consider taking you as a sophomore.
It would lead to many teams being glorified minor league programs, which maybe they already are. But you could see a system where it is more or less the expected path forward for everyone who's not a lottery pick freshman year.

Was going to post something similar. If you are a top 50-75 player who is not a 1 or 2 and done guy, there is no point in going to a traditional power team. You will probably not get much, if any, PT because the system necessitates bringing in players who are better at that point from the portal. So you go to a "lower" team, get tons of run, prove you can play, and then bounce. The Ball, Ross, Stew three-year development plan is probably a thing of the past.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Was going to post something similar. If you are a top 50-75 player who is not a 1 or 2 and done guy, there is no point in going to a traditional power team. You will probably not get much, if any, PT because the system necessitates bringing in players who are better at that point from the portal. So you go to a "lower" team, get tons of run, prove you can play, and then bounce. The Ball, Ross, Stew three-year development plan is probably a thing of the past.

This narrative is a UConn centric view and not one based in facts.

More players than not, even outside of the top 100, played big roles for their teams (whether their teams were good or bad).

Guys outside the top 100 who played roles on tournament teams include Christian Anderson (Texas Tech) and Del Jones (Clemson, not a big role but consistent role).

https://247sports.com/season/2024-basketball/RecruitRankings/?InstitutionGroup=highschool&Position=PG

These are just the guards, but more guards (Id say 60-70% or more) had roles on their teams. This narrative of guys needing to play way down in order to have a role is overblown.

Adams may go to MSU, not VCU. Acaden may go to St Johns, not St Boneventure.

 

[UConnRock]

Was going to post something similar. If you are a top 50-75 player who is not a 1 or 2 and done guy, there is no point in going to a traditional power team. You will probably not get much, if any, PT because the system necessitates bringing in players who are better at that point from the portal. So you go to a "lower" team, get tons of run, prove you can play, and then bounce. The Ball, Ross, Stew three-year development plan is probably a thing of the past.

This is the trajectory of college basketball right now. There will be a core group of teams that attract the 1-2-and-dones. We used to get excited about developmental commitments from top 100 or top 50 guys, but now we just shrug our shoulders and wonder who will get PT, who will get recruited over from the portal, and who will transfer. I agree that many players are better off going to mid-tier teams to get playing time and exposure. Many college hoops teams will become minor league development camps for the top tier teams with the most NIL to hand out.

 

[jibsey]

if he stayed he would have played ZERO minutes next season???????????????? My God I wish he didn't leave and you bet your house on that ridiculous statement. Was there a player on the 24/25 team who recorded zero minutes the entire year? (Kidding, of course about the house)
The loss comes when considering the kid was/is deemed to be a McD AA and was recruited to UConn yet never wears the uniform. I'm wondering if that has happened more than maybe 5-6 times since the portal became the mode of operations in the NCAA

I think he meant zero meaningful minutes. Of course he was going to get in for a couple of minutes at the end of a 30 point blowout. We all know that.
Reminds me of Abraham’s minutes.

 

[UConniki]

It took Adams 5 months to realize this?

No. It’s more like it took Adams 2 weeks to realize that he had been recruited over.

 

[Mr. French]

Fears was top 25 before his reclass, at least in some of the rankings.

And is a 1st round pick and the only good creating guard on a bad OU team.

The examples given are just not that pertinent.

Imagine thinking Hurley wouldn’t have been playing Jeremy Fears if he was here? Or that Fears is comparable to Nowell?

 

[Deleted at users request]

And is a 1st round pick and the only good creating guard on a bad OU team.

The examples given are just not that pertinent.

Imagine thinking Hurley wouldn’t have been playing Jeremy Fears if he was here? Or that Fears is comparable to Nowell?

There's far more players than him French. I tried to start a thread about how freshmen fared overall this year to have a wider view, but unfortunately it's being prevented from posting.

 

[HooperScooper]

No. It’s more like it took Adams 2 weeks to realize that he had been recruited over.

I'll post this for the 3rd time in this thread. Last fall he was expected to be behind Mahaney and Nowell at the 1. They were both expected to be really good at UConn at that time. There were 2 other recruits at the 2/3 in his class and last fall you could say Ross at the 2/3 would also be ahead of him. So nothing really has changed since November when he signed on as far as expectations for the roster. I guess he finally realized he just can't compete as a freshman at UConn because there are always going to be good players here.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I just don't think that's going to be a thing anymore. Top 25 recruits are not going to go anywhere where they sit and wait for a season. I don't even think many top 100 players are going to sign up for that anymore. Unless there's a clear path to minutes they're going to go somewhere else to play, and then transfer as a sophomore or junior back to a high major if they're ready

And their playing time landing spot is going to be mid majors. As the power schools start getting 20 and 21 year old young men who have played a few seasons of CBB, HS kids who used to sit on the bench of power schools will go to mid majors and start.

 

[UCFan1513]

And their playing time landing spot is going to be mid majors. As the power schools start getting 20 and 21 year old young men who have played a few seasons of CBB, HS kids who used to sit on the bench of power schools will go to mid majors and start.

Could be better for parity. Because if mid majors keep getting stripped of veteran talent and don’t recruit at a higher level, then the tournament is about to become a real snooze fest (like it was this year)

 

[woodchuck68]

Was going to post something similar. If you are a top 50-75 player who is not a 1 or 2 and done guy, there is no point in going to a traditional power team. You will probably not get much, if any, PT because the system necessitates bringing in players who are better at that point from the portal. So you go to a "lower" team, get tons of run, prove you can play, and then bounce. The Ball, Ross, Stew three-year development plan is probably a thing of the past.

Youre prob right. Tho if uconn is as good as we are hoping and those three really explode, then maybe theres a path to show other 4 stars going forward?

 

[Deleted at users request]

I'll post this for the 3rd time in this thread. Last fall he was expected to be behind Mahaney and Nowell at the 1. They were both expected to be really good at UConn at that time. There were 2 other recruits at the 2/3 in his class and last fall you could say Ross at the 2/3 would also be ahead of him. So nothing really has changed since November when he signed on as far as expectations for the roster. I guess he finally realized he just can't compete as a freshman at UConn because there are always going to be good players here.

The rumblings so far say Alabama may be a destination who aren't a low tier program.

I don't know if he's necessarily running away from competition as much as he may feel like this coaching staff made moves that showed they weren't trusting him to play much this year.

 

[businesslawyer]

I feel like this system devalues coaching. If you can become the same player anywhere whats the point in picking a school because of coaching and development?

Either you're a 1 and done these days or your development is being pushed to the side for the sake of winning instantly. Its such an unhealthy system.

The system absolutely devalues coaching and values MONEY.

 

[boog204]

This narrative is a UConn centric view and not one based in facts.

More players than not, even outside of the top 100, played big roles for their teams (whether their teams were good or bad).

Guys outside the top 100 who played roles on tournament teams include Christian Anderson (Texas Tech) and Del Jones (Clemson, not a big role but consistent role).

https://247sports.com/season/2024-basketball/RecruitRankings/?InstitutionGroup=highschool&Position=PG

These are just the guards, but more guards (Id say 60-70% or more) had roles on their teams. This narrative of guys needing to play way down in order to have a role is overblown.

Adams may go to MSU, not VCU. Acaden may go to St Johns, not St Boneventure.

Hence why I said top 50-100 guys - both Adams and Lewis are top 20- 30ish guys who both made headlines when they decommitted. And also why I said "traditional" power teams. I could've been more specific and said teams that are top ten types. Sure, there's going to be some non-McD AA type freshmen making impacts (hoping for Furphy), but I would expect to see more and more Nowell and Abraham situations when a guy in that middle to lower half of the top 100 recruit list tries to get time at a major, contending school. It's just not going to happen. I think Dan Hurley still values the idea of development and continuity, but I just think it's going to be rarer and rarer for teams like us. People on here at their usually Pitino trigger when he talked about not recruiting high school kids anymore, but I get it outside of your one or two and done types.

Look at Demary. He was a top 60 recruit. If he had gone to us or another natty contending type team out of high school, he's probably on the bench for a year or two and then transferring out. Instead, he goes to Georgia, proves he can play, and then jumps to the top.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

nomar is a lawyer so you'd figure he would stay away from fiction to prove his point. At least an experience retired attorney like yourself understands that.

He provided zero facts. He questioned whether I had proof. And what is the counter-narrative to what seems to be pretty freaking obvious to 90% of the guys here?

And as I said, I read Storrs Central. Not only is it for a good cause, but it’s great if you like facts rather than being unreasonably contrarian!

My comment was pure substance-free rhetoric, a notch up from gratuitous, drive-by, one-off ish-posting, with no greater purpose than to affirm my sense of marvel at the competitive mutually-exclusive speculations that fuel each off-season and here include the never before possible opportunity to weigh in on a 5-star decommitting.

Some time soon, we'll see where Darius Adams lands. Likely, some back story regarding the why and how will emerge with varying degrees of backup facts. And we'll ultimately learn who fills out the UConn roster, and later how well they play in the context of next year's schedule. We'll also see how well those who have transferred, decommitted, or are the result of other schools 'outrecruiting' UConn play. Certain aspects of the drama differ each year, but this is how it always plays out.

I unambiguously admit that I can't keep up, and do not mind that I can't.

I'm fussy & cranky regarding the wide variety in the signal-to-noise ratios of the competing voices; busy with multiple interests elsewhere; still delighted by fun videos related to the WBB Natty; and spending more time outside in the milder temperatures that accompany springtime, including coaching a three-year old in how to transition from a full-containment swing to a strap fastened to chains.

Last night, I watched and loved this:



350 posts and counting...keep agoin'

 

[alexd]

My comment was pure substance-free rhetoric, a notch up from gratuitous, drive-by, one-off ish-posting, with no greater purpose than to affirm my sense of marvel at the competitive mutually-exclusive speculations that fuel each off-season and here include the never before possible opportunity to weigh in on a 5-star decommitting.

Some time soon, we'll see where Darius Adams lands. Likely, some back story regarding the why and how will emerge with varying degrees of backup facts. And we'll ultimately learn who fills out the UConn roster, and later how well they play in the context of next year's schedule. We'll also see how well those who have transferred, decommitted, or are the result of other schools 'outrecruiting' UConn play. Certain aspects of the drama differ each year, but this is how it always plays out.

I unambiguously admit that I can't keep up, and do not mind that I can't.

I'm fussy & cranky regarding the wide variety in the signal-to-noise ratios of the competing voices; busy with multiple interests elsewhere; still delighted by fun videos related to the WBB Natty; and spending more time outside in the milder temperatures that accompany springtime, including coaching a three-year old in how to transition from a full-containment swing to a strap fastened to chains.

Last night, I watched and loved this:



350 posts and counting...keep agoin'

Thanks. I know what I'm doing tonight.

 

[StllH8L8ner]

My comment was pure substance-free rhetoric, a notch up from gratuitous, drive-by, one-off ish-posting, with no greater purpose than to affirm my sense of marvel at the competitive mutually-exclusive speculations that fuel each off-season and here include the never before possible opportunity to weigh in on a 5-star decommitting.

Some time soon, we'll see where Darius Adams lands. Likely, some back story regarding the why and how will emerge with varying degrees of backup facts. And we'll ultimately learn who fills out the UConn roster, and later how well they play in the context of next year's schedule. We'll also see how well those who have transferred, decommitted, or are the result of other schools 'outrecruiting' UConn play. Certain aspects of the drama differ each year, but this is how it always plays out.

I unambiguously admit that I can't keep up, and do not mind that I can't.

I'm fussy & cranky regarding the wide variety in the signal-to-noise ratios of the competing voices; busy with multiple interests elsewhere; still delighted by fun videos related to the WBB Natty; and spending more time outside in the milder temperatures that accompany springtime, including coaching a three-year old in how to transition from a full-containment swing to a strap fastened to chains.

Last night, I watched and loved this:



350 posts and counting...keep agoin'

 

[Deleted at users request]

Hence why I said top 50-100 guys - both Adams and Lewis are top 20- 30ish guys who both made headlines when they decommitted. And also why I said "traditional" power teams. I could've been more specific and said teams that are top ten types. Sure, there's going to be some non-McD AA type freshmen making impacts (hoping for Furphy), but I would expect to see more and more Nowell and Abraham situations when a guy in that middle to lower half of the top 100 recruit list tries to get time at a major, contending school. It's just not going to happen. I think Dan Hurley still values the idea of development and continuity, but I just think it's going to be rarer and rarer for teams like us. People on here at their usually Pitino trigger when he talked about not recruiting high school kids anymore, but I get it outside of your one or two and done types.

Look at Demary. He was a top 60 recruit. If he had gone to us or another natty contending type team out of high school, he's probably on the bench for a year or two and then transferring out. Instead, he goes to Georgia, proves he can play, and then jumps to the top.

I actually started a thread that looks at the recruits as a whole. The Nowell and Abraham situation was pretty uncommon in CBB this year no matter where you were it seemed. I'll let you get your own ideas from the information here though.

How did Freshman around CBB fare last year?

Here is the list of freshmen in the top 100 of the RSCI (Recruiting Services Consensus Index) Rankings on sports reference with their production this season available on the same page. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/awards/men/rsci-recruit-rankings-2024.html Just to have a solid view of...

the-boneyard.com

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

View attachment 108970

Took her one day to master hitting the rubber mat beneath with a two-step acceleration to keep it going, and get a chin-scrape when she fell off.

After I held her a bit while she cried, she declared the "need to go back and do it higher."

 

[boog204]

The rumblings so far say Alabama may be a destination who aren't a low tier program.

I don't know if he's necessarily running away from competition as much as he may feel like this coaching staff made moves that showed they weren't trusting him to play much this year.

It will be interesting if that's his choice. Bama has Holloway and Wrightsell (I think) returning, has Bethea coming in, and another top 50ish freshman combo guard as well. There's also the possibility that Philon returns, who declared for the draft. Where would Adams think the minutes are?

 

[SubbaBub]

There are a lot of top level programs where a player like Adams will get at least 15 mpg. He's good. Losing him is a real loss. I understand what Hurley is doing, he doesn't like to take chances. Adding the 2nd portal guard was likely the message to Adams that he wouldn't even be the backup PG. So he's going, as he probably should. He'll land at a good program.

To be fair, a McD AA 5 star should be able to compete with and beat out a kid from Dayton for the backup PG spot. It might take the first half of the season but by the tournament you should expect that to be the case.

It's also fair not to ask a McD AA 5-star with designs on entering the Draft in year 2 or 3 to potentially waste a year doing that.

The bloom on HS rankings has a short shelf life especially in the portal era. It's best for high ranking HS players to play as you can always transfer later.

Being a back up 10-15 minute player at a top program is one thing. Competing for that spot once all other options have been closed for the season is another entirely.

Hurley recognizes he still has a window with his current squad to win another title. Last year. He was a PG, depth and defense for 40 minutes away.

This year he needs another reliable 3 pt shooter, a PG, 10 more minutes of Reed and some rebounding and defense. Looks like he might get the first 3. Will have to wait on the other 2.

 

[SubbaBub]

Agreed, the incentive for college coaches to invest in long-term player development is no longer there.

What this means is that players are going to have to invest some of that NIL money in hiring private coaches/trainers who will do the long-term player development, while coaches focus on 6-month development of a team.

The new system can work but it puts more responsibility on the players to take a long-term view.

I'm sure there will still be kids that recognize they need development. Coaches need to realize that won't be thr default any longer and pick those kind of kids that have the character and upside potential to make that worthwhile.

Sanogo and Jackson are guys who developed enough to be drafted. Being on a winning team was part of what got them there.

 

[StllH8L8ner]

Took her one day to master hitting the rubber mat beneath with a two-step acceleration to keep it going, and get a chin-scrape when she fell off.

After I held her a bit while she cried, she declared the "need to go back and do it higher."

Good stuff. Wait a few years until she wants a mani/pedi…and you’re sitting right beside her with your shoes off and feet in the water.

 

[Deleted at users request]

It will be interesting if that's his choice. Bama has Holloway and Wrightsell (I think) returning, has Bethea coming in, and another top 50ish freshman combo guard as well. There's also the possibility that Philon returns, who declared for the draft. Where would Adams think the minutes are?

According to this roster the only returning guards would be Holloway and possibly Philon (unless one of the other SRs have an extra year available).

https://247sports.com/college/alabama/Team/Alabama-Crimson-Tide-Basketball-165/Roster/

If Philon heads to the draft it looks like Holloway and Bethea starting and then a lot of minutes available at the guard spots behind those guys.

 

[bendm]

I can’t imagine what this thread would be like if Mullins or Reibe had decommitted if everyone is so angsty about losing Adams

 

[superjohn]

I can’t imagine what this thread would be like if Mullins or Reibe had decommitted if everyone is so angsty about losing Adams

Everyone is so angsty about losing Adams?