James Bouknight is good at basketball

[Umami Zen]

Was always fun to watch AI go to the hoop vs bigger guards wondering how he was ever going to get a shot off. Let alone putting it in. Kemba's ability to create space to get shots off always reminded me of AI.

Quite a compliment to compare Bouk to AI at this stage in his CBB career but there are parallels in their game. Bouk's change of pace with the ball/off the dribble and vertical explosiveness gives him such an advantage to get his shot off.

To my eye. I think Bouk doesn't always have a premeditated move in mind once he's decided to score and it looks to me like he surprises himself sometimes with some of his crazy acrobatics.

Creativity for both was/is off the charts. Provocative call Chin. I like it.

 

[Lefty2one]

I'm not huge into ranking our players vs past greats but Bouk is in the same class as our great perimeter alumni. I don't watch a ton of non-UConn college hoops anymore besides highlights but I've yet to see a player his equal in terms of pure talent this season. He is by far the best player in the Big East.

He's going to be a steal in the 8-12 range. With the way he slithers through defenders and finishes around the rim he is going to be very good with a spaced floor at the next level. If his jumper continues to develop he'll be an All-Star. Though biased, I'd take him 5th or 6th in the draft. I think he'll be a better version of Jamal Murray.

 

[stevesancho]

Lamb didn’t just take over a game the way Bouknight can.

Lamb was honorable mention all American and averaged 18 a game but overall I agree. Just don't think Lamb should be left outside the conversation.

 

[stevesancho]

He's better than Lamb, probably better than Rudy too.

I agree better than Lamb...Idk if better than Rudy but we are splitting hairs here.

 

[stevesancho]

Most athletic/talented Soph wings:

1. Caron
2. Bouk
3. Rudy
4. Lamb

Idk how i did not mention Caron! Bouk and Rudy real close for me but I'm not fighting your list.

 

[ju6381]

I am constantly thinking about the fact that Rip came back for a third year. It’ll never happen but imagine this kid in his third year?

Would be the same final result that Rip had, a Big East and NCAA champion.

 

[BGesus4]

Idk how i did not mention Caron! Bouk and Rudy real close for me but I'm not fighting your list.

I find Rudy tough to rate. He had some physical tools that we’ve never seen combined in one player, size, athleticism, shooting touch... but he could never seem to quite put it all together (maybe needed a little better handle idk)... Bouk on the other hand looks like he came out of the womb with the game in the palm of his hand

 

[Com'rGordon]

Was curious about NBA comparisons for Bouk, thought these were pretty fair and there numbers stacked up pretty good.

Bouk's wingspan is right around 7'0 also so he has the longest of all of these guys.

 

[Waquoit]

I find Rudy tough to rate. )... Bouk on the other hand looks like he came out of the womb with the game in the palm of his hand

I think Rudy was a top athlete playing basketball. Bouk is an athletic basketball player.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Idk how i did not mention Caron! Bouk and Rudy real close for me but I'm not fighting your list.

Except Lamb, I don't really think those guys are even the right comparison. Bouk is a shooting guard. His best UConn comps are Ray and Ben. He has a comparatively much better handle than Rudy or Caron. Rudy is listed as a power forward in the NBA. Caron was 6'7 and built like a big NFL safety.

As for Lamb, better shooter than Bouk, nowhere near the hops or handle, not as crafty as Bouk.

 

[husky429]

Bouks 3PT%, assists, and turnovers are definitely a big concern for his potential in the league. He draws fouls at such a ridiculous rate though, and I wouldn't be surprised if he shot better in the league after a season with more coaching and better spacing on the floor.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Bouks 3PT%, assists, and turnovers are definitely a big concern for his potential in the league. He draws fouls at such a ridiculous rate though, and I wouldn't be surprised if he shot better in the league after a season with more coaching and better spacing on the floor.

I think his best attribute is awareness and an understanding of how players will move in response to other moves. It's fairly chess-like, or perhaps like football. He reads the defense. He is starting, just starting, to apply that on the defensive end, which leads to steals. I think he's a player who will benefit more than most from playing with better talent around him. His shooting and assists should go up in the league.

 

[jibsey]

Bouk is crafty around the hoop but Kemba was stronger. Still concerned about Bouk's overall strength and durability because he really lays himself out there. Can he stay next year?

 

[auror]

Bouks 3PT%, assists, and turnovers are definitely a big concern for his potential in the league. He draws fouls at such a ridiculous rate though, and I wouldn't be surprised if he shot better in the league after a season with more coaching and better spacing on the floor.

His FT% should ease concerns about 3pt%. He takes a lot of off the dribble, somewhat contested 3's for us. FT% is more predictive anyways.

His overall turnover % is fine, but he needs to revert his recent play which has definitely been turnover heavy.

I agree that passing remains an area of improvement for him. I think he's got the ability, just has to do it more.

 

[UconnU]

Was curious about NBA comparisons for Bouk, thought these were pretty fair and there numbers stacked up pretty good.

Bouk's wingspan is right around 7'0 also so he has the longest of all of these guys.

This is not true. Bouk’s wingspan is about 6’8(UConn S&C number). His slender build gives him the appearance of a longer wingspan. He’s likely an NBA combo guard, maybe a microwave scorer off the bench early in his career.

 

[UconnU]

He’s also electric in post game pressers