Jaylin Stewart staying put at UConn

[80shusky]

Great news! Really happy Stew is back.

 

[businesslawyer]

So where does Mullins fit? He didn’t come here to not start and he’s not starting over Solo.

I doubt Karaban is coming back. But if he does, McNeeley coming in took what would have been Jalen’s spot, and it likely would happen again.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

My reasonable hope for him is a 3-and-D bench wing. He’s got all the physical tools to be a really good defender and has a reasonably good looking shot. It’s all the mental side and reps now. Could definitely see him as a solid rotation player but he’s got some work to do.

I’d be happy with this and think he can deliver on it. Average 10mpg, a few points a game, 1-2 stocks, shut down a big perimeter player. Any team with championship aspirations needs a guy like that. He’s put in 2 years in our system and he just needs to work on individual skills & mental game

 

[3rdbass]

This is one of the running BS narratives of the Yard.

Ross does not have a “horrible shot”.

I’m no shooting form savant, but I’ve played enough and watched enough hoops to be able to pick out a janky bad form shot and a shot that’s at least decent-looking.

Ross has a decent looking shot. Yes, I know what his shooting % for the year ended up being. But it was mainly driven by mental issues where you could see he lost confidence in his abilities.

He has the skills and size to make shots around the rim. We saw some very athletic finishes even against good competition.

Wherever he ends up playing next year, he is going to provide some valuable minutes. How many remains to be seen. I’ll go on record and say that he’ll shoot 32-35% from 3 next year.

OK we can agree to disagree. I saw a little Andre Jackson in his shot at times. He doesn't alway have consistent motion and tends to rush it and it looks like it has hitch in it.

 

[Icehawk]

Glad to hear this, I think he is going to have a great season!

 

[NewBlood]

Reed up next. Alex to round it out.

Bring in the fab 4

Is it confirmed Reed is staying?

I am not sure why he would leave, unless it was purely about money. He has taken the next step here and will be a force next year as our starter. This team will be a contender with him back. I am expecting Reed, Stew, Ball, and AK to all be here next year.

 

[Dogdeacon]

OK we can agree to disagree. I saw a little Andre Jackson in his shot at times. He doesn't alway have consistent motion and tends to rush it and it looks like it has hitch in it.

I don't see huge problems with form in Ross' shot but that's almost irrelevant as the results are the results. His misses were bad, he shoots a low % from 3 yet most of the 45 attempts this past year were open 3's off the catch. His role is a defensive stopper, guarding either Gs or small forwards and would hope that his athleticism attacking the rim improves.

 

[TheChamps990411]

No, if money is the only factor it makes it a really tough decision for him. If he leaves he could be making more money or less money than if he stays.

Ya dont say? I cant with some of you.

 

[TheChamps990411]

What if he can make more money staying at UConn?

If i offered you a gurantee of $4m over 3 years or $1.5m for one year which would you prefer?

 

[Deleted at users request]

Going from a guy who was phased out of the rotation and hardly played by the end of the year, to becoming an NBA prospect: never change boneyard!

I didn’t know NBA scouts were on the boneyard

 

[Deleted at users request]

Tyrese scored 20 in the NBA last night. How did Hawkins do?

This is some crazy irrelevant cherry picked stat that has nothing to do with my point.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

This is great news. I like Stewart's game a lot. He can shoot out to the arc. He sees the court, is a good passer, and doesn't over-penetrate. And I don't think he's anywhere near as bad a defender as some here. He needs to be better on D, but quickness isn't his forte. I don't think he was near as bad as some here think, particularly during the second half of the season. His PT was limited by Alex playing 39.5 minutes per game, so hard to get in a groove. I also think his lateral quickness can improve with work in the offseason. I also think he can be a guy who can drive the lane.

 

[uconnfan68]

He was excellent against Dixon in part because Stew had the clear quickness advantage. He tended to struggle quite a bit with most 3’s who were equal to or quicker than him.

I’m too lazy to do it, but it was pretty consistent that opposing twos and threes had big games against us because of Solo, Liam, and Stew.

I don’t see Stew as a 2 at all, and barely a 3. To me he’s 3-4. A little small for a 4, but quick enough to make a difference. Bigger than many 3s, and not a good enough handle.

 

[superjohn]

Ya dont say? I cant with some of you.

You seem to really be struggling with this. There is no guarantee he'll make more money leaving. He could possibly be an end of first round pick, I don't see it. He could be a second round pick and get a guaranteed contract like you mentioned, he could be a second round pick like Cam and make $570K, he could play in Europe. He knows what he would be getting if he stayed at UConn and it's a lot of money.

 

[Hunt for 7]

If i offered you a gurantee of $4m over 3 years or $1.5m for one year which would you prefer?

In that scenario clearly. Just wondering how you get to the $4M over 3 years number. More than likely 2nd rd pick. More than likely will be offered two way contract. It will be for three years but no money guaranteed after first year. So the base 2 way is in the $550K per year range. NBA minimum is like $1.2M so if he played half his games on an NBA roster that is $600K. Let’s just say the $550K is paid even when he is playing in the NBA so he makes maybe less than $1.5. There may be some signing bonus money that I am missing.

I did some research a few months back and will admit I may have the wrong take but remember Sanogo was released and he did not get the entire value for his second year.

You may have a better handle on the numbers. If you do can you provide an overview. If the top end NIL deals mean more money than a two way, clearly the math changes. I mentioned this is an earlier thread that the calculus on this particular decision for the college athlete is changing.

Let me add I think I read Louis Jr from St John is like 72 in the mocks or projected nba value. Are there even 72 picks? Anyway, Louis Jr IMO will be playing CBB again next year. I know it’s hard to fault Pitino because Louis was stinking up the joint in that game, but there is that theory ride with what brought you. But he will make at least $1.5M playing in college somewhere no doubt.

 

[MrJoe]

IMHO Ball should test nba waters but will probably be back ( his game better fit for UCONNs style . Alex gone ; Liam gone if top 20 ( Donavan was 20 but came back and got to 7) tough decision . Stew back . Tarris ‍♂️ could be a mentality issue . Two portal guys and 2 or 3 freshman make rotation. Welcome to the new normal of college bb.

 

[TheChamps990411]

In that scenario clearly. Just wondering how you get to the $4M over 3 years number. More than likely 2nd rd pick. More than likely will be offered two way contract. It will be for three years but no money guaranteed after first year. So the base 2 way is in the $550K per year range. NBA minimum is like $1.2M so if he played half his games on an NBA roster that is $600K. Let’s just say the $550K is paid even when he is playing in the NBA so he makes maybe less than $1.5. There may be some signing bonus money that I am missing.

I did some research a few months back and will admit I may have the wrong take but remember Sanogo was released and he did not get the entire value for his second year.

You may have a better handle on the numbers. If you do can you provide an overview. If the top end NIL deals mean more money than a two way, clearly the math changes. I mentioned this is an earlier thread that the calculus on this particular decision for the college athlete is changing.

Let me add I think I read Louis Jr from St John is like 72 in the mocks or projected nba value. Are there even 72 picks? Anyway, Louis Jr IMO will be playing CBB again next year. I know it’s hard to fault Pitino because Louis was stinking up the joint in that game, but there is that theory ride with what brought you. But he will make at least $1.5M playing in college somewhere no doubt.

You are correct and of course there is a chance he fails miserably but he can always go off to Europe and still make good money guranteed. IIRC Baylor Scheierman was the last pick of the 24 draft and signed 4y/$12m. So if AK impresses at work outs and can sneak into RD1 hes good to go. BS averaged 3ppg this season for the Celtics in about 10mpg. If he slips to the second but can stay on a roster and hit some 3s off the bench for a team hes going to get paid. I believe he can but it seems i have more confidence in AK than most. I used to think he wouldnt even be drafted but guys his size that can shoot off your bench are very valuable in the league right now.

 

[Hunt for 7]

IMHO Ball should test nba waters but will probably be back ( his game better fit for UCONNs style . Alex gone ; Liam gone if top 20 ( Donavan was 20 but came back and got to 7) tough decision . Stew back . Tarris ‍♂️ could be a mentality issue . Two portal guys and 2 or 3 freshman make rotation. Welcome to the new normal of college bb.

Ball has too many things to work on and he will benefit by doing it under pressure in college for one more year.

His defense was getting better and although he is not really quick his length is elite. We saw that late in the year when he kept his man in front of him and walked up. He is so long he can guard 6’5” players if he refines his technique and maximizes his lateral quickness. I really think he can be a plus defender.

Using his right hand. It is imo a poor reflection on how we was taught early. He really has no off (right). I was a middle of the bench high school player and I could make 5-10 FT with my off hand. Maybe not in a game but definitely in practice. He just has to spend a stupid amount of time in that this summer. With his length if he can figure out a way to develop a little hook shot layup move with his right hand he would be very hard to defend.

His passing got better almost every game.

His rebounding got better.

He could be a BEPOY level next year if he improves in those areas.

 

[UCan3]

This is great news. I like Stewart's game a lot. He can shoot out to the arc. He sees the court, is a good passer, and doesn't over-penetrate. And I don't think he's anywhere near as bad a defender as some here. He needs to be better on D, but quickness isn't his forte. I don't think he was near as bad as some here think, particularly during the second half of the season. His PT was limited by Alex playing 39.5 minutes per game, so hard to get in a groove. I also think his lateral quickness can improve with work in the offseason. I also think he can be a guy who can drive the lane.

He is the type of player that has a high ceiling!

But he’s needs to get “locked in” for each and every game - if he can learn to channel that “Castle” focus he could be one of the great ones.

I am so glad to see him staying - best news so far post loss in Tourney!

 

[Hunt for 7]

You are correct and of course there is a chance he fails miserably but he can always go off to Europe and still make good money guranteed. IIRC Baylor Scheierman was the last pick of the 24 draft and signed 4y/$12m. So if AK impresses at work outs and can sneak into RD1 hes good to go. BS averaged 3ppg this season for the Celtics in about 10mpg. If he slips to the second but can stay on a roster and hit some 3s off the bench for a team hes going to get paid. I believe he can but it seems i have more confidence in AK than most. I used to think he wouldnt even be drafted but guys his size that can shoot off your bench are very valuable in the league right now.

I believe Alex is a better shooter than he showed this year. Because the form is a bit unorthodox like Haliburton, I really think he could improve his stock value if he comes back and has a 50-40-90 year. If he levels up while still trying to find his shot that could be bad.

I think someone wrote it could go either way if he decides to go pro on the $$ front. On the total player front, I do think his value improves if he kills it next year at UConn.

 

[lavuuk153]

You are correct and of course there is a chance he fails miserably but he can always go off to Europe and still make good money guranteed. IIRC Baylor Scheierman was the last pick of the 24 draft and signed 4y/$12m. So if AK impresses at work outs and can sneak into RD1 hes good to go. BS averaged 3ppg this season for the Celtics in about 10mpg. If he slips to the second but can stay on a roster and hit some 3s off the bench for a team hes going to get paid. I believe he can but it seems i have more confidence in AK than most. I used to think he wouldnt even be drafted but guys his size that can shoot off your bench are very valuable in the league right now.

FYI years 3 and 4 are not guaranteed up front even for 1st round picks. 2nd round picks are a crap shoot. Some players get multiple guarantees others get 2 way contracts. Jackson for example only had 1.5 years guaranteed at signing which was about 2M total.

 

[Dove]

So where does Mullins fit? He didn’t come here to not start and he’s not starting over Solo.

Mullins will be fine. Nothing is given.

 

[boog204]

I don’t see Stew as a 2 at all, and barely a 3. To me he’s 3-4. A little small for a 4, but quick enough to make a difference. Bigger than many 3s, and not a good enough handle.

Didn’t say he was a two. He should be a three but he lacks quickness and I’m not sold on him as a four as he hasn’t shown he can rebound. My point is that all year our poor defense at the two and theee, which was primarily Solo, Aidan, Stew, and Liam, resulted in lots of opponents at those positions killing us.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Happy Stew is sticking around, he can develop into a really solid depth piece this year. Still hope we pursue a starting caliber wing, regardless of Karabans decision.

If not, the Stew/Mullins battle will be one to watch this off season.

 

[3rdbass]

I don't see huge problems with form in Ross' shot but that's almost irrelevant as the results are the results. His misses were bad, he shoots a low % from 3 yet most of the 45 attempts this past year were open 3's off the catch. His role is a defensive stopper, guarding either Gs or small forwards and would hope that his athleticism attacking the rim improves.

But he also has to improve his D. He fell for pump fakes too easily all season long.