James Akinjo Announcing today 9/11/17 at 5 PM Eastern Time

[Kembacity]

good read here:

North Richmond basketball prodigy gets surprise gift from city agency – East Bay Times

Wow is all I can say, I had no idea we were talking about another Shabazz in this manner. I've got my Jonathan shirt on all day mojo

Should fans tweeting themselves geared out for an announcement at the kids' circle be a thing?

 

[InKembaITrust]

good read here:

North Richmond basketball prodigy gets surprise gift from city agency – East Bay Times

Love this. Assuming he signs with us later today we're getting a gritty well raised kid.

Sign em' up

 

[Dove]

Let's get some more tuna on this boat!!!!!!!

 

[UCDaveD]

FWIW

 

[Chief00]

Since Blaze nothing but wins.

 

[KembaStepback]

What are the thoughts? Do we feel good about 5pm? Not so good? Unsure?

 

[Huskyforlife]

What are the thoughts? Do we feel good about 5pm? Not so good? Unsure?

look up

 

[businesslawyer]

I am really trying not to be the wet blanket, but with the way the last 6 months have gone, that means he's probably going to Kentucky or LSU.

Try harder.

 

[CL82]

I can't even imagine how this place would handle him committing to Cal

 

[DonaldDraper]

An 11 at old says about Chris Paul "he's a floor general that makes everyone around him better". That's Bazz like.

His game looks a little Bazz-like as well. The video below from the Peach Jam is pretty good. He's not Kemba or AG quick, but he's got a good handle and enough shake and bake to find space for a shot. He doesn't look 6 ft tall so he's gonna need that floater coming down main street.

The one thing that stuck out in the video is that he is not afraid to shoot it from a couple of feet beyond the arc. During Shabazz's freshman year, I was shocked he had the manlihood to pull up 24ish footers early in the shot clock. Calhoun did not take kindly to a freshman hoisting those and I was impressed that Bazz had the stones to take the shot, knowing that he was going to ride the pine if it didn't fall.

Everyone is looking for a big splash/top 15ish kid, and I think putting together a good class helps create gravity for the top recruits to come our way. I hope Akinjo plays for UCONN and I hope he helps our plans for attracting more talent.

 

[businesslawyer]

Age is the determining factor. He will be 23 if he stays fro his sr. year. Being a 23 year old senior and being compared to 19-20 year olds is a big draft negative. His numbers last year given the injuries to Gilbert and Larrier were quite impressive (14.4 points, 6.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds). Any improvement and decrease in turnovers will move him well up the draft board.

Jalen had a great year at UConn, and has the desire and attitude, but he excelled as a combo guard who turned the ball over too much. In the NBA, he will have to be a pure point. He needs to show he can play point at the NCAA level without turning the rock over. I am not at all convinced he will be ready to be drafted at the end of this year. Hopefully, he plays like Jr. year Kemba and I'm dead wrong, but he has to show me.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Definitely has some Shabazz in his game.

We've played two small PGs together in Bazz and Boat, but it seems like Akinjo and Gilbert would take it to a whole other level. Is this a concern?

 

[DonaldDraper]

Definitely has some Shabazz in his game.

We've played two small PGs together in Bazz and Boat, but it seems like Akinjo and Gilbert would take it to a whole other level. Is this a concern?

Certainly is a concern, but as you pointed out it can work in the college game. They have to be able to play shut down defense on players 4-5 inches taller and not take possessions off. Just saying that makes me want to watch replays of Bazz and Boat shutting down Wilbekin and the Harrison twins tonight....

 

[StunningSteve]

LOVE THIS MANS GAME!!

He would fit the UCONN mold perfectly

 

[the Q]

Jalen had a great year at UConn, and has the desire and attitude, but he excelled as a combo guard who turned the ball over too much. In the NBA, he will have to be a pure point. He needs to show he can play point at the NCAA level without turning the rock over. I am not at all convinced he will be ready to be drafted at the end of this year. Hopefully, he plays like Jr. year Kemba and I'm dead wrong, but he has to show me.

Exactly. Plus, he's not the kind of athlete that a guy like Kemba was.

 

[KingAG]

Exactly. Plus, he's not the kind of athlete that a guy like Kemba was.

You are either drunk, high or both. Jalen isnt the athlete kemba was? Really??

 

[Doginaus]

Just talked to his Dad - he still wants us!

those voices have returned...

 

[ctchamps]

You are either drunk, high or both. Jalen isnt the athlete kemba was? Really??

Jalen is quite athletic but does not come close to Kemba's stamina. What Kemba did in the BE tournament was Herculean.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Exactly. Plus, he's not the kind of athlete that a guy like Kemba was.

He's more athletic than kemba. Jalen also has size. The first half of last year jalen was sloppy. Second half he was very good even if he wasn't healthy. You don't need to be a pure pg in the league

 

[UConnSwag11]

Jalen is quite athletic but does not come close to Kemba's stamina. What Kemba did in the BE tournament was Herculean.

That's not athleticism. That's conditioning

 

[KingAG]

Jalen is quite athletic but does not come close to Kemba's stamina. What Kemba did in the BE tournament was Herculean.

When I think of athletic ability stamina doesn't come into play.

 

[HooperScooper]

good read here:

North Richmond basketball prodigy gets surprise gift from city agency – East Bay Times

Nice article. Certainly didn't speak like a normal 11 year old. I hope he has some of the same attitudes today.

 

[Dove]

Confirmed:
It's already made

Chief...keepin' it brief !!

 

[aceboon]

He's more athletic than kemba. Jalen also has size. The first half of last year jalen was sloppy. Second half he was very good even if he wasn't healthy. You don't need to be a pure pg in the league

Kemba is faster and probably has just as good a vertical but Jalen obviously has better size. Jalen is a damn good athlete though, not sure what angle that guy is coming from.

 

[Matrim55]

He's more athletic than kemba.

He's longer and has better hangtime, but Kemba's quickness was/is on a different level. Quickness is part of athleticism.

Both are elite athletes, but in different ways.

 

[pj]

What are the thoughts? Do we feel good about 5pm? Not so good? Unsure?

I feel really good about 5:20 pm.

 

[pj]

It takes a lot of strength to make the quick change of direction moves Kemba made to free himself -- e.g. the winner against Pitt, where he goes forward hard enough to convince the defender, then stops his momentum and jumps backward far enough in one push on the floor to get 4-5 feet of separation. Stephan Curry has that kind of strength. Jalen is nowhere close.

Jalen needs to improve strength and conditioning, but he has the size and athleticism to go to the NBA. Having more talent around him will help reduce turnovers. Team success and ability to build chemistry with strong teammates will persuade the NBA scouts that he can play there.

 

[Kauffmak10]

y

Jalen is quite athletic but does not come close to Kemba's stamina. What Kemba did in the BE tournament was Herculean.

It might be overlooked by many, but it could be said the amount of time/energy that Jalen gave us last year when we decimated by injury could be considered Herculean as well. (unfortunately the team just didn't have the same results)

 

[UConnKev]

So, can we get back on topic with this thread. Keep it about Akinjo.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Is Jalen an AAC caliber athlete?