Jessie Govan and GiveNGoBasketball.com

[Dogbreath2U]

I just spent about 10 minutes of intense internet research and found that Jessie Govan, 6'10" 250 lb. center, was predicted to pick UConn on 247 Sports. I looked at who predicted this and it was predicted by a single "national recruiting analyst," Pat Lawless. He was linked to GiveNGoBasketball.com, so I looked on that site.

It turns out that this is his site. He is 18 years old. As I wondered whether he had any basis for making a prediction about Jessie Govan, I found that Jessie has written 5 blog articles for GiveNGoBasketball, including the latest one where he talked about visiting UConn for midnight madness.

So, I was surprised to find that Pat Lawless may actually have some basis for making a prediction for Jessie to come to UConn. It's interesting how high school kids are making themselves sports journalists by immersing themselves in twitter and connecting with high school players. I hope he has some good inside information on Jessie (not that I know anything about his game besides his being rated in the top 100.

 

[3uconn]

As of right now I would Crystal Ball him to UConn as well.

 

[Sportsman5]

serious question. is he related to Ryan Howard of the Phillies?

 

[Dogbreath2U]

As of right now I would Crystal Ball him to UConn as well.

3, can you describe what type of player he is? Strengths, weaknesses? Mobility?

 

[Chief00]

We could use a 6-10 250 guy who can play. I hope he commits. I like how the current team finds a way to win but I think the rebounding is going to hurt us at some point.

 

[3uconn]

3, can you describe what type of player he is? Strengths, weaknesses? Mobility?

From what I know if he's a large body. That helps him get rebounds and clear out space. He's not a great shot blocker but obviously will get some with his height. He's not an athletic specimen either. However, he's not a bad finisher around the rim and has a mid range jump shot to go along with some post moves.

 

[mauconnfan]

Big kid, not especially fast but is mobile and athletic nonetheless so plenty to work with. What stands out is he knows where the basket is, whether off a rebound or pass he doesn't waste time just flips it up quick at the rim and that's a good thing - no extra energy/dribbles..............good fit behind Nolan/Brimah

 

[Peacefrog]

I don't know if its the video but he looks like he's moving in slow motion. He appears to get almost no lift off the floor at all. Did they show him dunk even once against all those small guys? Good observation about the quick release. He does get the ball back up quickly and maybe that compensates for the lack of hops. I wouldn't mind having a space eater to keep the bad guys off the offensive glass.

 

[upstater]

He could be Roy Hibbert, he could be Jonathan Mandeldove. Likely something in between.

 

[Peacefrog]

He could be Roy Hibbert, he could be Jonathan Mandeldove. Likely something in between.

I was actually thinking about the Roy Hibbert comparison while I was typing my first post. If he came to UConn and developed into anything approaching Hibbert I think we'd be satisfied. Or how about an Aaron Gray type? He as a pretty plodding type center but you couldn't move him out of position down low.

 

[mauconnfan]

Like the Hibbert comparison a lot.......and he wasn't very good early.

 

[Zionn]

Like this thread ; )

 

[mauconnfan]

You're killing me Zionn.......

 

[Sportsman5]

athleticism should follow once his strength and coordination increases. A lot happens for a guy his size between the ages of 15/16 and 18/19. We have to remember that there is usually a trade off between body weight and athleticism. There's a big difference between being 6'10" 220 and 6'10" 260+. If we want to bring in some beef in the middle, than we will lose athleticism from the front court. If we have the luxury of front court depth, than it's great to have a beast in the middle who can play 20-25 minutes and dominate against certain opponents. I would take this kid in a heart beat.

 

[UConnCountry]

he's nothing like Roy Hibbert.

I watched him at EYBL Minnesota, worst comparison ever

 

[mauconnfan]

he's nothing like Roy Hibbert.

I watched him at EYBL Minnesota, worst comparison ever

You saw Roy Hibbert when he was 17-18 years old then huh?

 

[upstater]

Hibbert was big and moved as slow as molasses when he came into the BE. That's why I chose him as the top end of potential for a kid like Govan. There aren't many plodding 250 pound big men who excelled to compare him to.

 

[Mooch82]

serious question. is he related to Ryan Howard of the Phillies?

Ha - funny observation. First thing I thought of as well when I saw his pic. Looks exactly like him.

 

[Scot-e]

"plodding" who wants a plodding anything?

 

[upstater]

"plodding" who wants a plodding anything?

It depends. I would take Roy Hibbert on this team.

 

[mauconnfan]

It depends. I would take Roy Hibbert on this team.

Agreed......tell me we get a "plodding freshman" like Hibbert who turns into Hibbert his last couple of years and sign me up!

The small sample we see here isn't exactly the most unathletic kid I've ever seen rather a young big with decent hands and a nose for where the basket is.......and a reminder he's "big" something we are seriously missing. Sign me up for this kid, lots of potential.......

 

[ctchamps]

Agreed......tell me we get a "plodding freshman" like Hibbert who turns into Hibbert his last couple of years and sign me up!

The small sample we see here isn't exactly the most unathletic kid I've ever seen rather a young big with decent hands and a nose for where the basket is.......and a reminder he's "big" something we are seriously missing. Sign me up for this kid, lots of potential.......

Edit: I'm describing Rakim Lubin. Not sure UConn needs two similar players.

The team Rakim plays on has limited depth and outside of Lubin no height. Lubin and Justin Edwards are the primary scorers for the team and really the only talent. Rakim has to play the entire game and avoid foul trouble so part of his play is measured. None the less, I agree he appears to be a plodder and will have to play for short intervals. He's a space eater, has decent hands but he isn't Jeff A. by any stretch of the imagination. My guess is people should really temper expectations about his contributions next season. I see him playing the five and a backup to Nolan. He appears to be ahead of Brimah.

If he had Brimah's motor he would be the starter. But he doesn't.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

"plodding" who wants a plodding anything?

Good question....deserves some thought.....how about a plodding supermodel? No ones perfect, right?

 

[Dogbreath2U]

The team he plays on has limited depth and outside of Lubin no height. Lubin and Justin Edwards are the primary scorers for the team and really the only talent. Rakim has to play the entire game and avoid foul trouble so part of his play is measured. None the less, I agree he appears to be a plodder and will have to play for short intervals. He's a space eater, has decent hands but he isn't Jeff A. by any stretch of the imagination. My guess is people should really temper expectations about his contributions next season. I see him playing the five and a backup to Nolan. He appears to be ahead of Brimah.

If he had Brimah's motor he would be the starter. But he doesn't.

--"plodder" was in reference to Jessie Govan, recruit, not Lubin.

 

[ctchamps]

--"plodder" was in reference to Jessie Govan, recruit, not Lubin.

Yeah, caught it and edited my post. Still not sure UConn needs another plodder.