Qudus Wahab

[Lynyrd]

I only want a team of guys that are 6’ or shorter ... these big guys are not worth it ... take too long to develop and their highlight videos are not as fun to watch. Besides, if KU, UK, and Duke don’t want them how good can they be?

 

[Stainmaster]

Seems like a lot of preemptive rationalization that, if Cockburn goes elsewhere and we settle for Wahab, it's somehow a better outcome for us.

Despite the platitudes and romanticizing about "lunch-pail 4-year guys", what's going to get our program back to relevance nationally is, in fact, landing the big fish who make an impact right away, get drafted in the NBA, and signal to other top recruits that UConn is a destination program.

How long will your temper tantrum if we have to settle for Wahab instead last?

 

[superjohn]

Do you think we need more than one big in this class?

I want as many bigs as we can get since we currently don't have any. Akok is a great start and his strengths mesh perfectly with Kofi's strengths. I think we end up with Kofi.

 

[Chief00]

Absolutely.

 

[UConnStats]

Wahab is all defense right now. He wouldn’t be ready to start until his junior year most likely. Cockburn would instantly become the best center on the team. We want to become good again ASAP so the good recruits start flowing in regularly. Wahab is good, but there’s a bunch of Wahabs in every class.

Cockburn is college ready and has been a very good rim protector so far in Oak Hill’s scheme himself. Wahab is a really solid long term prospect, but there is really no comparison IMO.

 

[businesslawyer]

You can make this case for sure. But you could also argue that:

1. Kofi's just a better player, and
2. It sends an important long-term recruiting message to get a 7-foot, 300lb top 30 player from NYC

Also, bear in mind that college game & NBA are increasingly diverging. Kofi will be a monster in college even if he no longer projects all that well to the pros.

Could we stop with all these posts about your second reason. Yes, everything being equal doing something to help recruiting is great, but everything is not ever equal. YOU DON'T RECRUIT FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUTURE RECRUITING. YOU RECRUIT TO BUILD ROSTERS SO YOU CAN WIN BASKETBALL GAMES.

 

[Scrutineer]

Man, a lot of people say this, and I just do not understand it. What you are saying is, you don't want to put the best talent you can on the floor because you are worried they won't fit together. Or worried they'll leave.

Not every kid is the same. Not every kid has a monstrous ego and absolutely requires being the man.

Hurley is paid to put the best talent on the floor and get them to work together. We want the best guys we can get, that fit our program profile. Obviously, you pass on a guy who might be talented, but you don't think you can work with.

But you don't grab guys of lesser talent, simply because you want them to stick around. That's a recipe for mediocrity.

Kofi would be a perfect fit for our team. A banger down low is our MOST glaring need. He's the perfect piece and I'm personally desperate to land him.

Thanks. The fitting together part is the one I was focused on but, as you say, the staff is being paid to find the right guys that fit together so I'll say a couple Hail Mary's that they can get the right guys and the right number of guys.

 

[I Bleed Blue]

I like Wahab and would totally keep him in my back pocket but I’m all in on Kofi. From everything the insiders have been saying, the coaching staff is too. We need that interior toughness!!

 

[AntG168]

Could we stop with all these posts about your second reason. Yes, everything being equal doing something to help recruiting is great, but everything is not ever equal. YOU DON'T RECRUIT FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUTURE RECRUITING. YOU RECRUIT TO BUILD ROSTERS SO YOU CAN WIN BASKETBALL GAMES.

Your point is weird. You recruit the best talent for future recruiting. Because recruiting the best talent wins you games..... Kofi is a better talent

 

[husky429]

Wahab is all defense right now. He wouldn’t be ready to start until his junior year most likely. Cockburn would instantly become the best center on the team. We want to become good again ASAP so the good recruits start flowing in regularly. Wahab is good, but there’s a bunch of Wahabs in every class.

Cockburn is college ready and has been a very good rim protector so far in Oak Hill’s scheme himself. Wahab is a really solid long term prospect, but there is really no comparison IMO.

How does oak hill play? I haven't watched them this year. Are they a fast team? Pressure D like we play? I have no idea

 

[CL82]

All I can say is we are doing the grind on Wahab.

Uh I'd rather that you didn't say it quite that way.

 

[UConnStats]

How does oak hill play? I haven't watched them this year. Are they a fast team? Pressure D like we play? I have no idea

They play 3 guards and while it’s not Dan Hurley pressure, it’s plenty for HS and enough where drives get funneled to the center when the other team gets the guard on their hip. Rens played much differently so Cockburn really was more of a space clogger over the summer. He’s never going to be Wahab as a shot blocker but he’ll be like a bigger Carlton probably.

 

[Chief00]

They play 3 guards and while it’s not Dan Hurley pressure, it’s plenty for HS and enough where drives get funneled to the center when the other team gets the guard on their hip. Rens played much differently so Cockburn really was more of a space clogger over the summer. He’s never going to be Wahab as a shot blocker but he’ll be like a bigger Carlton probably.

He’s more athletic with better hands than Josh and lots stronger. True he’s not a length type shot blocker but guys can’t back him down.

 

[Rico444]

Uh I'd rather that you didn't say it quite that way.

At least he wasn't talking about Akok.

 

[yukonfan4]

i 100% want wahab. or kofi. or mitchell. or a 4th mystery center we may or may not be recruiting. any of them should/will be an upgrade at the position and the missing piece for a 2020 tourney selection!

 

[Ewekon]

Granted they probably wouldnt start together, but both would see 20-25 mins next year as freshmen which would be equivalent as any other program that is recruiting them.

There are 80 minutes for Ak, Whab and kofi. (And whaley, carlton and diarra ... Oh well). Whab would be a program guy so 25 for Ak ,and kofi and whab is great for all involved. They could mix and match and make each better. The NBA doesnt care if one and doners play 25 or 30 minuted at all.

 

[gtcam]

Wahab is all defense right now. He wouldn’t be ready to start until his junior year most likely. Cockburn would instantly become the best center on the team. We want to become good again ASAP so the good recruits start flowing in regularly. Wahab is good, but there’s a bunch of Wahabs in every class.

Cockburn is college ready and has been a very good rim protector so far in Oak Hill’s scheme himself. Wahab is a really solid long term prospect, but there is really no comparison IMO.

The difference is that most everyone wants Cockburn while Wahab is not as highly desired
Where UConn stands right now, Wahab is a lot more realistic than Cockburn
But, that being said, I hope we get Cockburn and Wahab

 

[BFieldHusky]

The difference is that most everyone wants Cockburn while Wahab is not as highly desired
Where UConn stands right now, Wahab is a lot more realistic than Cockburn
But, that being said, I hope we get Cockburn and Wahab

You don't know what you are talking about regarding where we stand with Cockburn.

 

[imno1]

The difference is that most everyone wants Cockburn while Wahab is not as highly desired
Where UConn stands right now, Wahab is a lot more realistic than Cockburn
But, that being said, I hope we get Cockburn and Wahab

Not sure why you think Wahab is more realistic. Staff has shown they can close on desired targets and Cockburn himself posted in Husky blue. I like our chances landing Kofi.

 

[BNich]

At least he wasn't talking about Akok.

Not sure anyone else picked up on this lol.

 

[kansashusky]

I have a feeling we will have a pretty significant update with Kofi after his Illinois visit this week.

We are in a great spot, but do not count out Orlando Antigua. He is a good recruiter with NYC ties as well.

 

[djct1999]

I have a feeling we will have a pretty significant update with Kofi after his Illinois visit this week.

We are in a great spot, but do not count out Orlando Antigua. He is a good recruiter with NYC ties as well.

Is he as good without that WWW money? OA was one of the dirtiest recruiters.

 

[kansashusky]

Is he as good without that WWW money? OA was one of the dirtiest recruiters.

It seems like Underwood has reeled him in a little bit, but yeah, he isnt squeaky clean.

 

[CL82]

I have a feeling we will have a pretty significant update with Kofi after his Illinois visit this week.

We are in a great spot, but do not count out Orlando Antigua. He is a good recruiter with NYC ties as well.