Rick Issanza (C, 7'1", 225) to visit

[pj]

If we can get a guard (e.g. Bones) or wing (e.g. Achiuwa) and a center (e.g. Issanza) this year then we'll be in good shape.

The following year there will be two scholarships for sure (Vital and the self-imposed penalty scholarship). Also, Alterique may be ready to go pro. Moreover, the sophomores will be finishing their junior year and assuming they've met academic progress, will be able to get a degree and grad transfer without having to sit. **Admin Edit - you can't do this.** So you could imagine up to 5 scholarships being available for next year, even if we fill the remaining two this year.

 

[SeattleHoop]

If we can get a guard (e.g. Bones) or wing (e.g. Achiuwa) and a center (e.g. Issanza) this year then we'll be in good shape.

The following year there will be two scholarships for sure (Vital and the self-imposed penalty scholarship). Also, Alterique may be ready to go pro. Moreover, the sophomores will be finishing their junior year and assuming they've met academic progress, will be able to get a degree and grad transfer without having to sit. **Admin Edit - you can't do this.** . So you could imagine up to 5 scholarships being available for next year, even if we fill the remaining two this year.

Good post up until the transfer speculation. If he’s not pushing **redacted** out this year then what makes you think he is going to do that next year?? Not in the mood for dumb schit* today

 

[HooperScooper]

Moreover, the sophomores will be finishing their junior year and assuming they've met academic progress, will be able to get a degree and grad transfer without having to sit. **Admin Edit - you can't do this.** .

I'm confused. Unless they are graduating after 3 years at UConn (highly doubtful) they aren't grad transfers and wouldn't be able to play immediately.

Grad transfers are typically kids who have been in school for 4 years but only played 3 years because they redshirted (for injury or otherwise) so they are graduating but still have another year of playing eligibility left.

 

[SeattleHoop]

I’m so sick of posters speculating on transfers. Just stop!

 

[jleves]

I’m so sick of posters speculating on transfers. Just stop!

Fixed

 

[UConnStats]

Singing another guard/wing and a grad transfer center and focusing on 2020 bigs is a hell of a lot better than settling for whoever’s left.

Forget about a grad transfer center. There’s none left

 

[UconnU]

Forget about a grad transfer center. There’s none left

Well... could be seeing a lot of Akok at the 5 next year, which isn’t ideal. But If I had to bet I think we do bring on center for 2019. Likely Issanza or Manuel. Landing Issanza and Bones would be ideal at this point. I don’t share the 2020 scholarship concern some have we know we’re going to have 2, likely 3 scholarships for 2020. More than enough to bring on the athletic wing type piece they’re looking for and another big.

 

[JimHurley]

Well... could be seeing a lot of Akok at the 5 next year, which isn’t ideal. But If I had to bet I think we do bring on center for 2019. Likely Issanza or Manuel. Landing Issanza and Bones would be ideal at this point. I don’t share the 2020 scholarship concern some have we know we’re going to have 2, likely 3 scholarships for 2020. More than enough to bring on the athletic wing type piece they’re looking for and another big.

Yeah as much as I love Akok, playing him at the 5 is not preferable. I think he's a pure 4. Issanza might not be an instant impact guy, but I think he can backup Carlton for 10-15 minutes a night and hopefully develop into a role player after Carlton graduates. At the very least, he's a body that can clog the lane and give us 5 fouls. In my ideal scenario, I'd take Cole and Issanza for 2019 but I'd also be fine with Hyland.

 

[auror]

Forget about a grad transfer center. There’s none left

We got a bit unlucky with the crop this year. There were like 4 total centers in the top 50 grad transfers and we were never getting 2 of them (Blackshear/Sestina). So pretty much just Jayce Johnson who went to Marquette and Derrik Smits who went to Butler.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

We got a bit unlucky with the crop this year. There were like 4 total centers in the top 50 grad transfers and we were never getting 2 of them (Blackshear/Sestina). So pretty much just Jayce Johnson who went to Marquette and Derrik Smits who went to Butler.

You could add Joey Brunk to Indiana, Danny Dixon to NC State and recently Daniel Giddens, the guy I wanted, to Vermont. Speaking of Giddens, him to Vermont is a great fit. Great guy to play the 5 with Lamb at the four and the Duncan bros at the wings. Would have been a good defensive anchor to backup Carlton.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

You could add Joey Brunk to Indiana, Danny Dixon to NC State and recently Daniel Giddens, the guy I wanted, to Vermont. Speaking of Giddens, him to Vermont is a great fit. Great guy to play the 5 with Lamb at the four and the Duncan bros at the wings. Would have been a good defensive anchor to backup Carlton.

Giddens is awful

 

[auror]

Giddens is awful

So is Dixon. Brunk was a backup at Butler, but we probably would have taken him as a backup.

 

[FlyChigga]

I like this dude he seems very underrated as a 3 star. Tall, long, quick ups, blocks shots really well and with emphasis, moves decently and seems like a good athlete.

 

[uconnell]

Given the bigs we're recruiting for 2020 I'm not particularly excited about this

A bird in the hand.....etc.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I like this dude he seems very underrated as a 3 star. Tall, long, quick ups, blocks shots really well and with emphasis, moves decently and seems like a good athlete.

He's a project. But we'd give him minutes, and when you do, sometimes good things happen. Like Carlton for example. He was a 3*, and he's less athletic and shorter than this guy. Issanza has a lot of upside.

 

[navery12]

He's a project. But we'd give him minutes, and when you do, sometimes good things happen. Like Carlton for example. He was a 3*, and he's less athletic and shorter than this guy. Issanza has a lot of upside.

Sure, good things happen. But comparing the 2 is a reach, Carlton was ranked 190 composite, Issanza isn't in the 553 players ranked and doesn't even have a composite ranking

 

[GHSWolverines]

Sure, good things happen. But comparing the 2 is a reach, Carlton was ranked 190 composite, Issanza isn't in the 553 players ranked and doesn't even have a composite ranking

ouch!

 

[InKembaITrust]

Does Akok start next year? I feel you have to start him at the 4 next to Carlton.

If that's the case who do we have at the 3? Polley?

 

[husky429]

Does Akok start next year? I feel you have to start him at the 4 next to Carlton.

If that's the case who do we have at the 3? Polley?

Bouk unless sid improves dramatically

 

[Huskyforlife]

Does Akok start next year? I feel you have to start him at the 4 next to Carlton.

If that's the case who do we have at the 3? Polley?

Wilson/polley/bouknight

 

[Doctor Hoop]

Sure, good things happen. But comparing the 2 is a reach, Carlton was ranked 190 composite, Issanza isn't in the 553 players ranked and doesn't even have a composite ranking

Yes, all of that is true. But do your eyes tell you anything at all? You can't teach 7-1 with a 7-7 wingspan. That size isn't around every corner. He moves like an athlete, and that's already a good start.

 

[Kenny11]

Does Akok start next year? I feel you have to start him at the 4 next to Carlton.

If that's the case who do we have at the 3? Polley?

Yes. Its hard not to imagine Gilbert, Vital, Akok, and Carlton to be almost guaranteed as starters, at least in the beginning of the season. It depends who steps up at the small forward position to be the 5th starter.

 

[navery12]

Yes, all of that is true. But do your eyes tell you anything at all? You can't teach 7-1 with a 7-7 wingspan. That size isn't around every corner. He moves like an athlete, and that's already a good start.

I mean, like I said earlier in the thread. I watched the videos and came away very unimpressed. If he comes here I'll root for him to succeed, but I'd be lying if I said I'm hoping it happens

 

[Huskyforlife]

Yes, all of that is true. But do your eyes tell you anything at all? You can't teach 7-1 with a 7-7 wingspan. That size isn't around every corner. He moves like an athlete, and that's already a good start.

Then it must say something that he doesn't even have a composite rankings. Being tall doesn't mean you can play.

 

[InKembaITrust]

Wilson/polley/bouknight

Who's your starter & why?