2026 Recruiting: Dylan Mingo Official Visit this weekend!

[Waquoit]

Who are the five best lead guards in the country? I'll tell you: Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan.

And Mingo was his name-o!

 

[nomar]

Mechanics of the Jump Shot: The "Dip" Increases the Accuracy of Elite Basketball Shooters - PubMed

The present study assessed the mechanics of the basketball jump shot to determine whether or not the "dip" increased shot accuracy. There remained a debate between coaches who believed "dipping" was too slow and coaches who believed "dipping" increased accuracy. A mixed design was used for the...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

I can't tell from the abstract whether the test subjects were shooting unguarded or were being guarded, because that obviously makes a huge difference.

 

[PAHusky]

I love the mentality. Castle was a HS scorer that turned into lockdown defender with flashes of offensive brilliance. He had to do that because he was sharing a backcourt with 2 senior scorers. Key part of a dominant championship team, then was a top 5 draft pick and NBA ROY

If Mingo commits, he sees senior scorers Silas and Solo. He can come in and play a similar role if he is willing. I’m sure that’s what the staff is pitching to him and it seems to be interesting to him based on the post

I’ve been in the camp of “we won’t get a star PG (Mingo or Rippey) because our backcourt is set and the freshman will want minutes”, but if someone is willing to flex between guard and wing in a Castle-type role…changes everything

Don’t know if we see senior Solo. He adds even a bit more to his game and the NBA will come calling for that shot

 

[husky429]

I can't tell from the abstract whether the test subjects were shooting unguarded or were being guarded, because that obviously makes a huge difference.

I've given up on the dip debate because anyone thinking a dip is a bad thing in 2025 just aren't watching basketball critically enough.

But this is a good question and from what I saw it was both in the methods IIRC.

A shot without a dip is extremely high level stuff. You're not going to see it at the college level. Some of the best shooters never learn to (Ray, Steph). Klay Thompson was a guy who has mastered used both a dip and a no-dip shot. It's use is as a last-second way to get up a 3 to beat the clock.

I think the "no dip" folks miss two things.

1) a dip is naturally built into any shot off the dribble. Dribble, ball comes up, you lift amd elevate with it.

2) And Off the catch it's rare to catch with your feet at a complete standstill. If you're catching on the move--like on the first step of a 1-2 shot--you are low in an athletic stance. The ball comes dow as you catch and lifts as the legs and arms extend.

For these two reasons a shot with a dip isn't ACTUALLY slower. There are guys who have looked at 100s, maybe 1000s of shots in the NBA to prove this. Check out Mike Dunn. He probably did this study 3 or 4 years ago.

 

[ec33]

Don’t forget Bryson Howard. I think we like him a lot.

I could be wrong, but it seems to me that Cloer is the strongly preferred option at that spot.

 

[auror]

Don’t forget Bryson Howard. I think we like him a lot.

I think we do, but competition for Howard is intense. Home state schools with money and decent coaches (Houston, Texas, Texas A&M) and blue bloods (Duke, Kentucky, and UNC).

 

[djct1999]

Goes to show how strong our school culture is. Castle wasn't even the best player on that team.

I’d argue Steph was the best player on that team. He simply did what was asked of him to win. Spot on though about culture. It’s rare to have a kid as special and talented as Steph was to accept and embrace the role that he did. Equally rare is to have parents accept that same role. Special kid, special family.

 

[6&counting]

I could be wrong, but it seems to me that Cloer is the strongly preferred option at that spot.

Cloer is being recruited as an AK replacement. As of the Trey Thompson Iowa commitment a few months ago, Cloer is the only 2026 player we are actively recruiting for that spot. As for the long/athletic/attacking/defense-minded guard/wing we are recruiting in the Castle mold: Mingo, Howard, and Toure all fit that bill. Yes, they all do it differently. Mingo is a creative whiz, Howard is an insane shooter (look up his stats!) and Toure is an insane athlete. We like the first 2 A LOT, but it's so far unclear where Howard's head is at. In fact, all 3 of them are keeping things pretty close to the vest for now.
As mentioned above, County is a high priority as well - though will be a hard sell if Mingo commits.
We are actively recruiting so few players this cycle and it appears that we will take whoever commits first of that group.

 

[HooperScooper]

We are actively recruiting so few players this cycle and it appears that we will take whoever commits first of that group.

You are probably right. Pay attention to the schedule of official visits and their sequencing. That usually, but not always, is a good indicator.

 

[alexd]

At least Mingo won't think we're becoming a football school. Uggghhhh!!

 

[ec33]

Cloer is being recruited as an AK replacement. As of the Trey Thompson Iowa commitment a few months ago, Cloer is the only 2026 player we are actively recruiting for that spot. As for the long/athletic/attacking/defense-minded guard/wing we are recruiting in the Castle mold: Mingo, Howard, and Toure all fit that bill. Yes, they all do it differently. Mingo is a creative whiz, Howard is an insane shooter (look up his stats!) and Toure is an insane athlete. We like the first 2 A LOT, but it's so far unclear where Howard's head is at. In fact, all 3 of them are keeping things pretty close to the vest for now.
As mentioned above, County is a high priority as well - though will be a hard sell if Mingo commits.
We are actively recruiting so few players this cycle and it appears that we will take whoever commits first of that group.

I don't think you can parse between 3/4 and not recruit over guys. Which is why I think Cloer and Toure is a problem (as noted above and I think Howard falls into this same category). Only AK is leaving from that particular type of player (and Stewart muscling his way more heavily into that starting role as a senior).

Mingo is PG that would be thrown into a Castle role if Demary stayed. If Demary goes to the NBA, Mingo is the starting PG (but he would -- in a way -- be the Smith replacement as far as expiring eligibility goes).

You can add another ball-handling guard type (County) on the assumption that one of Ball, Mullins, and Demary goes pro (along with Smith losing eligibility). Which is why I think the discussion is still for a potential for 3 (otherwise with C off the table, it will only be a two person class).

Or I don't know what I am talking about or have misconceived the prospects abilities. For example, I think many here are miscasting County as a PG-type and Toure as a SG, but -- again -- perhaps I am the one doing the miscasting.

 

[Ricker]

Mingo and Kieta are difference makers. (Rippey and Diane were also). Everyone else IMO is just a piece. I'd like Toure for the local connection, but Toure, Samuels, and Howard, are all equivalent in my eyes. Moreover, none are better than what can be expected to be in the portal. I'm not on the County train. I will be happy to have Cloer on board but I could also wait for the portal for the Alex replacement. I hope we are going 'all in' for Mingo. (and wish we were pursuing Tristan Reed)

 

[navery12]

Mingo and Kieta are difference makers. (Rippey and Diane were also). Everyone else IMO is just a piece. I'd like Toure for the local connection, but Toure, Samuels, and Howard, are all equivalent in my eyes. Moreover, none are better than what can be expected to be in the portal. I'm not on the County train. I will be happy to have Cloer on board but I could also wait for the portal for the Alex replacement. I hope we are going 'all in' for Mingo. (and wish we were pursuing Tristan Reed)

Curious why you want Reed. You hand wave all the other recruits ranked much higher as just a piece but want Reed that badly?

 

[Dove]

Who are the five best lead guards in the country? I'll tell you: Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan. I've heard this kid spits hot fire.

And shoots lightning bolts out of his arse.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

And shoots lightning bolts out of his arse.

Dove, I fully expected you to having snuck onto campus to stealthily see how the recruitment is going.

 

[karstenkibbe]

Dove, I fully expected you to having snuck onto campus to stealthily see how the recruitment is going.

View attachment 111472

@Dove is a Faber College transfer!?

 

[FfldCntyFan]

@Dove is a Faber College transfer!?

I don't be;ieve he officially transferred, he just sneaks on campus from time to time.

They have caught him before'

 

[TheHorde]

@Dove is a Faber College transfer!?

Knowledge Is Good

 

[Ricker]

Curious why you want Reed. You hand wave all the other recruits ranked much higher as just a piece but want Reed that badly?

Not a question of badly in the sense that he is a difference maker like Mingo. I just prefer to have a strength player in the front court like Sanogo, Tarris, Kirk King. Jeff Adrien, Toraino Walker, that can enforce his will in the paint. Tristan seems like that type of player to me. I've seen him be very effective, and I would think we would be well positioned to successfully recruit him.

 

[navery12]

Not a question of badly in the sense that he is a difference maker like Mingo. I just prefer to have a strength player in the front court like Sanogo, Tarris, Kirk King. Jeff Adrien, Toraino Walker, that can enforce his will in the paint. Tristan seems like that type of player to me. I've seen him be very effective, and I would think we would be well positioned to successfully recruit him.

That's fair, definitely would like a guy like that next season. I just think the portal is where that's coming from, especially when we'll only have sophomore Reibe as a returning big man.

I'm not expecting UConn to really target anyone in Reed's range outside of very unique circumstances. Those 40-80 range recruits are a tough sell in that they're good enough to think they deserve minutes, but not good enough to actually get minutes as a freshman at UConn. Which leads to a lot of wasted development and transfers

 

[UConNick]

That's fair, definitely would like a guy like that next season. I just think the portal is where that's coming from, especially when we'll only have sophomore Reibe as a returning big man.

I'm not expecting UConn to really target anyone in Reed's range outside of very unique circumstances. Those 40-80 range recruits are a tough sell in that they're good enough to think they deserve minutes, but not good enough to actually get minutes as a freshman at UConn. Which leads to a lot of wasted development and transfers

I don’t disagree, but it’s funny how that’s become our (high school, at least) recruiting philosophy. Not 3 years ago, most here would agree that our sweet spot was 30-70 or so, find the high four stars that were either underranked or OK waiting their turn.

Now, if you’re not a borderline five star at least, you wonder whether it’s even worth the time and effort for us to get involved.

My my how two titles, NIL, and portal chaos have changed the calculus.

 

[Kitaman]

Depends how you look at it.

He was the best NBA player on that team. And he was the best comp for Mingo to compare himself.

I’d argue Steph was the best player on that team. He simply did what was asked of him to win. Spot on though about culture. It’s rare to have a kid as special and talented as Steph was to accept and embrace the role that he did. Equally rare is to have parents accept that same role. Special kid, special family.

Newton was a 1st team AA.

 

[ucp990411]

Newton was a 1st team AA.

And won the Bob Cousy award as the country’s best point guard. And MVP of the final 4. And yet some people here tend to overlook all this. I say his number should be retired. Ray Allen was a great player and a tremendous pro but Tristen had a better college career

 

[HW611]

Newton was a 1st team AA.

If Hurley decided to hand the keys to Steph he would've been the best freshman PG we've seen in college since John Wall

 

[CL82]

@Dove is a Faber College transfer!?

He didn't want to let seven years of college go to waste.