Lukas Kisunas Commits to UConn

[WinnersCircle]

7th ranked center ain't too shabby

 

[tcf15]

Huge issue (and Mau I know this is your arena) is how tall he really is... 6-8 with little lift/athleticism is quite different than 6-10 with little lift/athleticism.

 

[HooperScooper]

And here is the Insider scouting report, ICYWW:

ESPN Analyst
Updated 10/04/2017

Strengths:
Kisunas is a rugged and physical post presence who throws his body around and embraces contact on both ends of the floor. He's a very well-schooled and savvy screener and also a good passer who rewards cutters. He has good hands, polished footwork, and the ability to turn either shoulder when able to establish deep position in the post. Defensively, he is effective guarding the block and an enforcer of sorts in the lane who punishes drivers, makes good use of his fouls, and rebounds his area.

Weaknesses:
He doesn't have a ton of lift in the lane, isn't a floor spacer offensively, and probably most comfortable as a complimenting piece offensively. He's much more of an enforcer in the lane than rim protector on the defensive end. Offensively, he's not much of a scoring threat beyond six feet or so and isn't an overly quick or instinctive finisher either.

Bottom Line:
His physicality, toughness, screening, post defense, and even his ability to pass, can impact the game at any level and so he can definitely be a valuable role player. What he isn't though is a volume scorer or dynamic athlete around the rim.

Perfect. Exactly what we need. As I said a few pages back just surround him with a couple good ballhandlers and a couple good shooters and go to work.

 

[nomar]

I love that you drive certain people insane. Crazies gonna cray.

I'm pro-Chief. I'm going to write a movie called Dr. Strangepost: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Bunkey

 

[nomar]

Huge issue (and Mau I know this is your arena) is how tall he really is... 6-8 with little lift/athleticism is quite different than 6-10 with little lift/athleticism.

More importantly, what's his reach?

 

[pj]

More importantly, what's his reach?

Standing reach 8'9" from 3 posts up ... his arms are a bit short, expected standing reach for 6'10" would be about 9'.

 

[dennismenace]

And here is the Insider scouting report, ICYWW:

ESPN Analyst
Updated 10/04/2017

Strengths:
Kisunas is a rugged and physical post presence who throws his body around and embraces contact on both ends of the floor. He's a very well-schooled and savvy screener and also a good passer who rewards cutters. He has good hands, polished footwork, and the ability to turn either shoulder when able to establish deep position in the post. Defensively, he is effective guarding the block and an enforcer of sorts in the lane who punishes drivers, makes good use of his fouls, and rebounds his area.

Weaknesses:
He doesn't have a ton of lift in the lane, isn't a floor spacer offensively, and probably most comfortable as a complimenting piece offensively. He's much more of an enforcer in the lane than rim protector on the defensive end. Offensively, he's not much of a scoring threat beyond six feet or so and isn't an overly quick or instinctive finisher either.

Bottom Line:
His physicality, toughness, screening, post defense, and even his ability to pass, can impact the game at any level and so he can definitely be a valuable role player. What he isn't though is a volume scorer or dynamic athlete around the rim.

As far as not being a scoring threat "from more than 6 feet" that can be a bit misleading. Since he has "polished footwork" and can establish position deep in the post and can shoot/finish with either hand he might be quite a handful for anyone down low. If he is double teamed add the fact that he is a good passer and can kick out and it looks like a nice piece for an inside/outside offense. Based on this and the positive comments he looks like heaven sent to me. We did not recruit him as a three point threat. If he only gets to maybe the foul line for a mid range shot
that would be plenty given all the rest he has to offer. Think Jeff Adrien. Really excited about this young man and all the other talent the staff has put together. When Uconn is having a good, even if growing bb season, the winter is really exciting instead of a drag. Ends in March: Just in time for Spring!

 

[rip7774]

Maybe it's the former Beavis & Butt-Head fan in me but doesn't the photographer of Kisunas look like he's got a huge bo ner on that pic?

Regardless, it's fun to not be depressed looking at this site again. I think we are finally getting back to the toughness that is UConn Basketball like my message board signature says!!! UCONN TOUGH!!!

 

[awfuldan]

Love the 4* rating on ESPN.

 

[Ricker]

While he may not be a shooter, from his videos it seemed like he can be a viable option on the pick and roll, as he can screen, knows to move aggressively to the hoop, has good hands to catch the ball on his way to the hoop, and looked to be able to finish around the basket. With that and scoring after offensive rebounds and via free throws (if he can shoot free throws, and get defenders off balance to draw fouls), he'd be a good complement on offense who could open up room for the guards.

I don't recall him at the line much last year at Brewster, but 16 of 24 from the line in the 7 game Euro championships including a 6 for 6 in one game and 5 of 7 in another. Suggests more that he doesn't shoot vs he can't shoot. I also love the intangibles of anchoring the middle on a 33-0 National Champion, and playing important minutes in the post for teams that advanced to high finishes in Euro play. Coupling his team achievements, with his statements admiring UConn Championships, and his statements oriented to winning, I think we have added a great foundational piece to the program. With Sid we have 2 of the 5 starters on that 33-0 team, (down from 3 of the 5). With all our wing athletes, I hadn't been thinking about Carlton and Lucas on the court at the same time until somebody posted that thought. I find that intriguing. Also amusing that a ESPN 4* ranking will influence how some posters will view this signing vs a couple days ago.

 

[3rdbass]

I don't recall him at the line much last year at Brewster, but 16 of 24 from the line in the 7 game Euro championships including a 6 for 6 in one game and 5 of 7 in another. Suggests more that he doesn't shoot vs he can't shoot. I also love the intangibles of anchoring the middle on a 33-0 National Champion, and playing important minutes in the post for teams that advanced to high finishes in Euro play. Coupling his team achievements, with his statements admiring UConn Championships, and his statements oriented to winning, I think we have added a great foundational piece to the program. With Sid we have 2 of the 5 starters on that 33-0 team, (down from 3 of the 5). With all our wing athletes, I hadn't been thinking about Carlton and Lucas on the court at the same time until somebody posted that thought. I find that intriguing. Also amusing that a ESPN 4* ranking will influence how some posters will view this signing vs a couple days ago.

Nope still think of it as a reach, actually slipped from 303 to 305 since the commit on 247 sports Composite rankings, but this is who we presently can recruit up front. We aren't getting any center that is very good because of lack of development of our big men the last few years and our present standing in college basketball. As the ESPN summary mentions he will be a good role player and not the person that the offense will flow through. I personally see him as a backup to Josh Carlton who i prefer at center presently.

 

[Storrsbred]

Nope still think of it as a reach but this is who we presently can recruit up front. We aren't getting any center that is very good because of lack of development of big men the last few years and our present standing in college basketball. As the ESPN summary mentions he will be a good role player and not the person that the offense will flow through. I personally see him as a backup to Josh Carlton who i prefer at center presently.

Since you’ve seen both of them play, what is it about ones game over the other?

 

[3rdbass]

Since you’ve seen both of them play, what is it about ones game over the other?

From the videos I have seen I see a more athletic player who has some quicker post moves. He also seems to be a better shot blocker. I see both players of having good fundamentals especially passing. JC doesn't have the muscle that Kisunas has but I believe with a year under under his belt with our strength coach he will be able to battle down low.

 

[Waquoit]

Spinzone: chief is actually KO

No, he was around when KO was still in the league. I remember his going ballistic when a report out came saying they were going to build a parking garage at The Rent. It was never built so maybe he does have some influence.

 

[JonnyRI]

Perfect. Exactly what we need. As I said a few pages back just surround him with a couple good ballhandlers and a couple good shooters and go to work.

That was one of the worst issues he last few years. Bigs with terrible hands who could not finish near the hoop. Sounds like we are getting the opposite. P

 

[auror]

Nope still think of it as a reach, actually slipped from 303 to 305 since the commit on 247 sports Composite rankings,

247 only has rankings on him from 2 of the 4 services. Ignore the composite.

 

[3rdbass]

247 only has rankings on him from 2 of the 4 services. Ignore the composite.

Even with ignoring the ranking I noticed that he seems to be a solid but not a spectacular player. I'm a lot higher on Josh Carlton than this kid but understand why people are happy with the pickup. Either way if KO doesn't do well this year this could be the normal type of recruit we see on the team going forward.

 

[Huskybass]

Even with ignoring the ranking I noticed that he seems to be a solid but not a spectacular player. I'm a lot higher on Josh Carlton than this kid but understand why people are happy with the pickup. Either way if KO doesn't do well this year this could be the normal type of recruit we see on the team going forward.

I think you are underating what this kid brings to the table. He is smart, passes out of the post well, has a legit low post game, isn't afraid to bang.

The rankings favor lots of things that don't necessarily translate to winning. Although very different players, I see some of the same impact that a Neils Giffey had. He just plays winning basketball.

 

[3rdbass]

I think you are underating what this kid brings to the table. He is smart, passes out of the post well, has a legit low post game, isn't afraid to bang.

The rankings favor lots of things that don't necessarily translate to winning. Although very different players, I see some of the same impact that a Neils Giffey had. He just plays winning basketball.

Nothing against the kid I just prefer more athletic bigs in the style of play I like to watch. He looked really slow in his offensive moves in the raw tape which I don't want to see after having to watch AB for 4 years. LOL!

If this kid can come in and defensively rebound and set good picks than I'm fine with him on the bench. I just hope we can find a more talented starter is my hope.

 

[Huskybass]

Nothing against the kid I just prefer more athletic bigs in the style of play I like to watch. He looked really slow in his offensive moves in the raw tape which I don't want to see after having to watch AB for 4 years. LOL!

If this kid can come in and defensively rebound and set good picks than I'm fine with him on the bench. I just hope we can find a more talented starter is my hope.

I will grant you the raw tape was not overly impressive. But more recent tape shows a stronger, more explosive player. Read the quotes from the Brewster head coach. He directly attributes winning championships to this kid's contributions. Winning trumps sizzle for me.

When is the last time we had a kid who could bang down low, had a legit low post game AND could pass real well? I am excited to have this kid on the team.

 

[3rdbass]

I will grant you the raw tape was not overly impressive. But more recent tape shows a stronger, more explosive player. Read the quotes from the Brewster head coach. He directly attributes winning championships to this kid's contributions. Winning trumps sizzle for me.

Like I said I don't mind him on the team but prefer he would be a backup to a more talented guy. He could challenge the more talented guy to perform better by working hard in practice. It is sad we are missing on all the top guys we want at our positions of needs.

 

[David 76]

Are their rules for what you should and shouldn't say on a recruitment thread about a new, young commit?
I assume the kid will read it.

 

[Matrim55]

Like I said I don't mind him on the team but prefer he would be a backup to a more talented guy.

Do you think maybe you should watch him play first?

EDIT: Also, to be clear: As long as this guy is as great a screener as he's billed as, and as great a defensive rebounder as he's billed as, and as good a paint enforcer as he's billed as, IDGAF if he never blocks a shot or scores a bucket that's not a put-back.

Great screeners are so, so important and so, so underrated in the modern game.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Do you think maybe you should watch him play first?

EDIT: Also, to be clear: As long as this guy is as great a screener as he's billed as, and as great a defensive rebounder as he's billed as, and as good a paint enforcer as he's billed as, IDGAF if he never blocks a shot or scores a bucket that's not a put-back.

Great screeners are so, so important and so, so underrated in the modern game.

ollie wants to set screen after screen after screen. he also wants a guy who can pick and pop

 

[KingAG]

Nothing against the kid I just prefer more athletic bigs in the style of play I like to watch. He looked really slow in his offensive moves in the raw tape which I don't want to see after having to watch AB for 4 years. LOL!

If this kid can come in and defensively rebound and set good picks than I'm fine with him on the bench. I just hope we can find a more talented starter is my hope.

If Ollie's recruiting trends hold we wont need athletic, offensive juggernaut big men. This is the exact type of big man we need. One that doesn't need shots or touches but will do all the dirty work(set screens, rebound, be an enforcer, leadership)

 

[gtcam]

I have a feeling this kid will score more than most people think
It's in his blood
However the other intangibles he will bring are needed badly
He'll get his minutes from day 1

 

[jibsey]

ESPN has him as a 4 star and he is 6'10" 255 and hasn't met our trainer yet. He could be a 275 lb granite wall by the time he plays. A granite wall that can hold position and make a 1 foot layup. Have we had that anytime recently?

 

[Mr. French]

People get too enamored with athleticism and things like that. The kid has great size and a great feel for the game, from what I can tell.

He also has a skill set that shows he has/can develop important offensive skills and moves.

Being upset about this, in my honest opinion, reeks of not knowing enough about what makes good TEAMS.

Sometimes, our collection of talent doesn't meet those standards, and I think he and many others this offseason fit that bill.

 

[auror]

I have a feeling this kid will score more than most people think
It's in his blood

What?

 

[husky429]

I love the Brewster kids. Theyre getting some terrific coaching up there.

Looks to me like he's a bit awkward finishing outside on the pnr. Has the size, but not the touch. Definitely plays hard. My guess is the coaches want him at 250-ish but to tone up a bit and add muscle. He's a little pudgy and slow.

Nice screening, which will be SO important for the elite guards were bringing in.

I like the hustle, stance on D usually, and has obviously improved si he's working hard.

Also a few REALLY high level passes in there. Obviously has a good iq.

He will really important in those matchups with plodders who eat you alive with size and skill a la gonzaga. If he can develop some skill HE could be the nighmare for the athletic fliers instead of vice versa like weve been seeing lately.

Im still expecting pf and center ny committee, but he seems a decent puzzle piece to add.