Lukas Kisunas in Hoop hall today

[Whtdmd]

Just got back from Hoop hall in Springfield. Saw several of our players n targets.

Kisunas is very impressive. He has a vise-like grip with the ball. He got the ball at the top of the key 3 times and made assist like passes to open man for 2 layups and a shooting foul. He is not the quickest guy but was constantly beating his man down the floor. I was most impressed with his defense. He was always in the right position and did not foul once. He had 2 monster blocks. The thing about his defense is that he uses his big body to force the opposing players to take different angles that makes their shot difficult. His hands were always straight up. He will draw a bunch of charges ala Phil Nolan. He is miles ahead of Carlton now in the defensive n passing end. I briefly spoke to him after the game. He is legit 6'11' and is definitely UCONN bound. He shot 3-6 on the free throw line today. The form was good but they were not falling. Brewster has four high D1 players (West Virginia, Oregon, Nebraska and UCONN) who are 6'9" and taller. He is going to get a lot better practicing against those guys. The best overall player for Brewster is Isiah Mucious, he can shoot, drive and pass. A huge miss for UCONN. Shariff Keney- sorry but not impressed at all. He can't shoot or drive, not good for a shooting guard.

Bol Bol is a freak, never saw anyone that big with such a soft touch. He should be the best center in the NBA in 3 yrs. Jalen Carey is also good, he needs to improve his shot. His handle n passing is adequate to be a ACC point guard

FYI- Dan Hurley was there the whole day, so was Raphael Chillious. Calipari was there and saw Scottie Lewis only

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

A-

Well done.

 

[Chief00]

FYI- Dan Hurley was there the whole day, so was Raphael Chillious. Calipari was there and saw Scottie Lewis only

Chill doing the Blaze thing.

 

[HooperScooper]

He is legit 6'11' and is definitely UCONN bound.

6-11? Seriously? If he is a legit 6-11 then that changes everything. 6-11 vs. 6-8 is a huge difference.

 

[Whtdmd]

Chill doing the Blaze thing.

Strange, there was no interaction between them. They were sitting two rows apart. Danny boy Hurley had his whole entourage there

 

[Whtdmd]

6-11? If he is a legit 6-11 then he is under ranked for what he can do.

He is, I was standing next to him n watching the Vermont academy game when I got to ask a few questions. His ranking jump like 40 places this summer. The thing with a team of 5 guys 6'9" or above is that your minutes will be limited. I don't think that he will jump that much higher bcause of the limited exposure. He is the best big if he is on the Uconn team right now. He makes himself such a big target on the offensive and defensive end. His fundamentals are so sound with the hands and footwork. These things translate over in every level. He is good for 10 and 8 every game per his coach. If he plays 35 minutes every game. I have no doubt that he'll be a double digit re bounder

 

[huskyblooz]

I'm going tomorrow. Unfortunately no UCONN commits.

 

[Whtdmd]

Chill doing the Blaze thing.

BTW, heard several coaches talking about meeting in Champions sport bar ( Springfield) tonight after the games. U might want to go there and get us some inside info

 

[gtcam]

Thanks much for the update on Lukas - I am excited to see him in a UConn uniform
Can't believe he is 6'11" but if you say so - that's icing on the cake
A legit big guy with hands and skills - WOW

 

[Chief00]

He is, I was standing next to him n watching the Vermont academy game when I got to ask a few questions. His ranking jump like 40 places this summer. The thing with a team of 5 guys 6'9" or above is that your minutes will be limited. I don't think that he will jump that much higher bcause of the limited exposure. He is the best big if he is on the Uconn team right now. He makes himself such a big target on the offensive and defensive end. His fundamentals are so sound with the hands and footwork. These things translate over in every level. He is good for 10 and 8 every game per his coach. If he plays 35 minutes every game. I have no doubt that he'll be a double digit re bounder

Good report.

 

[Son of Robert]

He is, I was standing next to him n watching the Vermont academy game when I got to ask a few questions. His ranking jump like 40 places this summer. The thing with a team of 5 guys 6'9" or above is that your minutes will be limited. I don't think that he will jump that much higher bcause of the limited exposure. He is the best big if he is on the Uconn team right now. He makes himself such a big target on the offensive and defensive end. His fundamentals are so sound with the hands and footwork. These things translate over in every level. He is good for 10 and 8 every game per his coach. If he plays 35 minutes every game. I have no doubt that he'll be a double digit re bounder

Good solid information. Thank you very much for posting. More good feedback on Lukas.

 

[Chief00]

BTW, heard several coaches talking about meeting in Champions sport bar ( Springfield) tonight after the games. U might want to go there and get us some inside info

I will try to catch up with Chill. He’s a worker - New Orleans to Springfield to Memphis. I hope all the coaches are working that hard.

 

[Chief00]

Strange, there was no interaction between them. They were sitting two rows apart. Danny boy Hurley had his whole entourage there

Did you get to talk to Tom Moore?

 

[jibsey]

Sounds like we’re in good shape with the bigs. Now we need a crack 3 point shooter or 2.

 

[Whtdmd]

Did you get to talk to Tom Moore?

Did not see him at all, there was another tall thin white guy with Hurley.

 

[intlzncster]

His fundamentals are so sound with the hands and footwork. These things translate over in every level. He is good for 10 and 8 every game per his coach.

This will be a freakin revelation.

 

[Towney007]

I was there, too.

Bol Bol was incredible. He really is a sight to see live.

I liked Kisunas. He's def. bigger than 6'8. And i'll echo Whtdmd's thoughts - the defense is good, offense is a work in progress. He can def. pass, reminds me of a more physical Cobb with just flat out more raw skill. I think he's more advanced than almost all of our bigs right now. He'll def. contribute in year-1. If he stays four years, he could be an outstanding senior.

 

[UConnStats]

Just got back from Hoop hall in Springfield. Saw several of our players n targets.

Kisunas is very impressive. He has a vise-like grip with the ball. He got the ball at the top of the key 3 times and made assist like passes to open man for 2 layups and a shooting foul. He is not the quickest guy but was constantly beating his man down the floor. I was most impressed with his defense. He was always in the right position and did not foul once. He had 2 monster blocks. The thing about his defense is that he uses his big body to force the opposing players to take different angles that makes their shot difficult. His hands were always straight up. He will draw a bunch of charges ala Phil Nolan. He is miles ahead of Carlton now in the defensive n passing end. I briefly spoke to him after the game. He is legit 6'11' and is definitely UCONN bound. He shot 3-6 on the free throw line today. The form was good but they were not falling. Brewster has four high D1 players (West Virginia, Oregon, Nebraska and UCONN) who are 6'9" and taller. He is going to get a lot better practicing against those guys. The best overall player for Brewster is Isiah Mucious, he can shoot, drive and pass. A huge miss for UCONN. Shariff Keney- sorry but not impressed at all. He can't shoot or drive, not good for a shooting guard.

Bol Bol is a freak, never saw anyone that big with such a soft touch. He should be the best center in the NBA in 3 yrs. Jalen Carey is also good, he needs to improve his shot. His handle n passing is adequate to be a ACC point guard

FYI- Dan Hurley was there the whole day, so was Raphael Chillious. Calipari was there and saw Scottie Lewis only

Hopefully just an off day for Kenney. It seems like we lead for him. Good to hear about Kisunas though.

I saw we offered Juwan Gary today. Did you watch him at all? Not positive he was there, just assuming because of the offer coming today.

 

[Lynyrd]

Sherif Kenney must have had an off day, he's definitely worth pursuing

 

[Whtdmd]

Hopefully just an off day for Kenney. It seems like we lead for him. Good to hear about Kisunas though.

I saw we offered Juwan Gary today. Did you watch him at all? Not positive he was there, just assuming because of the offer coming today.

Not sure what u r hoping for with him. If he cant shoot or beat his man one on one. He cant be a starting UCONN shooting guard. Shooting n foot speed r very difficult to improve. He actually remains me of Eric Ayala with slower footwork. Did not notice Juwan Gary. Might of seen him but too many games

 

[UConnStats]

Not sure what u r hoping for with him. If he cant shoot or beat his man one on one. He cant be a starting UCONN shooting guard. Shooting n foot speed r very difficult to improve. He actually remains me of Eric Ayala with slower footwork. Did not notice Juwan Gary. Might of seen him but too many games

I know what you mean, I always had that issue with Ayala’s game. Kenney has a bigger frame so I was thinking maybe a Marcus Smart style “power guard,” but seems like he’s got a ways to go.

 

[Scrutineer]

I know what you mean, I always had that issue with Ayala’s game. Kenney has a bigger frame so I was thinking maybe a Marcus Smart style “power guard,” but seems like he’s got a ways to go.

I saw Kenney and Kisunas at the Albertus Magnus tournament in November and have to say neither looked good that day. Kenney looked overweight and wasn't effective and Kisunas looked smaller than 6'11" and was scored over repeatedly by athletic forwards on the other team. He also couldn't make a shot, showing no touch. Moved his feet quickly and maybe tried to help on defense too much which lead to quick fouls both halve. His minutes were limited therefore.
Another big guy on his team is going to West Virginia and Huggins was there watching him. Huggins looked as if he shares Kenney's eating habits. Looks like he has a 60 inch waist, but he's getting an athletic big man from that team.

 

[Chief00]

I saw Kenney and Kisunas at the Albertus Magnus tournament in November and have to say neither looked good that day. Kenney looked overweight and wasn't effective and Kisunas looked smaller than 6'11" and was scored over repeatedly by athletic forwards on the other team. He also couldn't make a shot, showing no touch. Moved his feet quickly and maybe tried to help on defense too much which lead to quick fouls both halve. His minutes were limited therefore.
Another big guy on his team is going to West Virginia and Huggins was there watching him. Huggins looked as if he shares Kenney's eating habits. Looks like he has a 60 inch waist, but he's getting an athletic big man from that team.

Huggins can coach!

 

[jibsey]

I saw Kenney and Kisunas at the Albertus Magnus tournament in November and have to say neither looked good that day. Kenney looked overweight and wasn't effective and Kisunas looked smaller than 6'11" and was scored over repeatedly by athletic forwards on the other team. He also couldn't make a shot, showing no touch. Moved his feet quickly and maybe tried to help on defense too much which lead to quick fouls both halve. His minutes were limited therefore.
Another big guy on his team is going to West Virginia and Huggins was there watching him. Huggins looked as if he shares Kenney's eating habits. Looks like he has a 60 inch waist, but he's getting an athletic big man from that team.

Huggy has not looked healthy for several years. I’m reminded of Rick Majerus. Intervention time by his doc.

 

[HooperScooper]

UConn target Sherif Kenney draws comparisons Khalid El-Amin

Good article from David Borges of the New Haven Register who was there yesterday also and interviewed Kenney and Kisunas.

 

[mauconnfan]

UConn target Sherif Kenney draws comparisons Khalid El-Amin

Good article from David Borges of the New Haven Register who was there yesterday also and interviewed Kenney and Kisunas.

Great answer from Kisunas regarding playing time and having to "earn it". Why ask a question regarding the Balls? Really ignorant you had a nice run on UConn thoughts until then.

 

[Husky68]

Great answer from Kisunas regarding playing time and having to "earn it". Why ask a question regarding the Balls? Really ignorant you had a nice run on UConn thoughts until then.

Didn't see that question as out of context given kid is doing just about the opposite of the Balls. He is from Lithuania and came to the USA to play high school and college ball and the Balls (about his age, one younger and one a year older in grade terms) skip USA college ball to play in Lithuania. His comment on what being coached in and playing some "European" ball seems to be germane as this is what he gave up to come to USA. Not a necessary question but still ok.

 

[Scrutineer]

UConn target Sherif Kenney draws comparisons Khalid El-Amin

Good article from David Borges of the New Haven Register who was there yesterday also and interviewed Kenney and Kisunas.

With 5 points, 3 assists and 4 turnovers, Kenney looks like he could fit right in this year........with the turnovers at least.

Just trying to add some levity here, so don't anyone get their shorts in a wad. Interesting his coach commented on his weight though and he admitted he needs to work on it. When I mentioned it in a post last night it was because he didn't seem to have the quickness Ollie always
talks about wanting in his players.

Having said that, none of us know all that our coaches look for when recruiting a high school junior guard so I think we all need to be careful about hyping or criticizing the kids. I know how I felt when I saw we signed a 5'10", 220 pound, point guard from Minnesota. It was, "are you kidding me"? How's he going to be able to play in the Big East? Turned out to be one of the most important recruits in UConn history.

Showed how much I knew about an individual's heart and motivation. Taliek Brown and Shabazz Napier also proved a lot of people wrong.

 

[boog204]

With 5 points, 3 assists and 4 turnovers, Kenney looks like he could fit right in this year...with the turnovers at least.

Just trying to add some levity here, so don't anyone get their shorts in a wad. Interesting his coach commented on his weight though and he admitted he needs to work on it. When I mentioned it in a post last night it was because he didn't seem to have the quickness Ollie always
talks about wanting in his players.

Having said that, none of us know all that our coaches look for when recruiting a high school junior guard so I think we all need to be careful about hyping or criticizing the kids. I know how I felt when I saw we signed a 5'10", 220 pound, point guard from Minnesota. It was, "are you kidding me"? How's he going to be able to play in the Big East? Turned out to be one of the most important recruits in UConn history.

Showed how much I knew about an individual's heart and motivation. Taliek Brown and Shabazz Napier also proved a lot of people wrong.

You know that Khalid and Taliek were top 20 recruits in the country and McDonald's AA's, right? And Bazz was a top 75ish player, too? Certainly they all had huge heart, testiculos, etc. But it's not like they were these unknowns who overcame great odds.

 

[pj]

With two small point guards in the fold in Gilbert and Akinjo, they seem to be looking for a distributor with size. No idea if Kenney is good, seems to be a wide dispersion in ratings, he's #59 nationally on 247 but 118 in rivals and unranked in ESPN. This may be partly about continuing to build the Brewster pipeline.