SF/PF Wenyen Gabriel (Kentucky Commit)

[DogMania]

@superjohn ill change my mind if he becomes a consistent outside threat and finisher in the paint . But I do get the feeling he wants his chance at the pros asap no doubt .

Yeah, he and a whole line of top 25 ranked or so recruits who think they're a few improvements away from being a first round NBA Pick. Let's just stop bashing the kid now that he's not coming here. Other than selling his soul to the devil by choosing UK and the squid, he seems like a good kid and talented baller.

 

[DogMania]

This makes a ton of sense for Gabriel.

PC never had a legit chance. Well not once he blew up.

UConn is pretty stacked at his position (or if not stacked at least has a potential 30 minute guy there in Larrier and even the four is pretty crowded with Durham/Facey/Diarra/Enoch, though some may put the last two at the five). I think he did Ollie a favor by announcing before his OV.

He was enamored with Duke but likely wasn't going to play the three for them. Heck he would be lucky to get many minutes as a freshman if they get who they want (Giles). He definitely wouldn't start.

Maryland had some potential but honestly who wouldn't chose UK over Maryland with the programs/coaches they both have. UK promised him time at the three and they will likely have time there for him. I mean who is there now that is going to stay?

I do think he is a tad overrated, but he's made such huge strides the past year, it's not hard to project really great things for him if he puts in the work.

Nice breakdown and likely awfully close to what his thought process was.

 

[DogMania]

He wouldn't be the first guy to transfer to UConn after Ollie was the second choice.

Interesting thought. Not to say it won't go well for him, but if it doesn't, we're close to home and it wouldn't be a stretch for him to land here if he decides to transfer. But I don't expect that to happen and think he's going to be a heck of a player, but a likely 2 to 3 year one before landing in the NBA.

 

[DogMania]

Yea, I know the "I'm not a boneyarder" posters are going to view our opinons as sour grapes, but with Durham and Diarra this isn't really a big deal, it would be very difficult to play Gabriel for long stretches at the 3. Jackson is the better fit because as long as his shooting carries up to this level you can pretty much utilize him the same way as Giffey on offense(defense might be another story, he looks slowfooted). If they miss on him then I would be upset because wing depth and perimeter shooting are both in need for 2016 and beyond.

One thing people forget about Giffey is he was a lot more than just a 3pt specialist. He was a very good athlete who learned to put it on the floor and take it to the basket. He was also a pretty good defender. Vance looked a tad less athletic, more in the Shad range who was a defensive liability though one h*ll of a winning time deep shooter. I'll gladly take a Shad type on my team. If Vance comes here, he'll be surrounded by enough athletes that if he's not a defensive savant it won't matter too much if he's knocking down daggers.

 

[DogMania]

Would've taken Gabriel in a heartbeat, but your comp is perfect. I think I made the same one on page 1-9 in this thread.

I'm pretty sure Fishy was kidding. Ajou and Wenyen couldn't be further appart. Wenyen is a big time athlete for his length. Ajou could barely get down the court without tripping over his feet. Remember how he could never stay healthy when he was at UConn and didn't exactly rip it up at a lesser level. In fact, he struggled to log PT at Fairfield.

 

[superjohn]

I'm pretty sure Fishy was kidding. Ajou and Wenyen couldn't be further appart. Wenyen is a big time athlete for his length. Ajou could barely get down the court without tripping over his feet. Remember how he could never stay healthy when he was at UConn and didn't exactly rip it up at a lesser level. In fact, he struggled to log PT at Fairfield.

I'm with Fishy but I do think Ajou was clearly the better athlete.

 

[DogMania]

Every time someone commits elsewhere it just gets embarrassing here.

I agree. Many of these posts make our fan base look bad. I understand having a little fun with this, but some I'm not so sure are doing that and are digging up some whoppers of why he's now overrated, or whatever negative way one wants to cast him in.

 

[superjohn]

I agree. Many of these posts make our fan base look bad. I understand having a little fun with this, but some I'm not so sure are doing that and are digging up some whoppers of why he's now overrated, or whatever negative way one wants to cast him in.

Was just trying to get a rise out of you, I don't really think Ajou is a better athlete than your boy Wenyen.

 

[DogMania]

Wenyen Gabriel shoots up out of nowhere in the rankings this summer, makes a huge name for himself and commits to Kentucky.

What CAN WE ALL AGREE that squid does well...Makes a huge name for his players and puts them in the NBA.

If you were WG... the promise of a fast track to the NBA compared to where you were 12 months ago, how do you not go to UK unless you're a diehard fan for any of the particular schools. But wait, Duke was his favorite school and it still didn't matter. UK has always been the logical choice.

I haven't read anything about why he chose UK. Did he say that? Maybe he believes there is more immediate PT for him and wants to be part of a program that year-in, year-out has a shot at -4. Now I don't think recruiting a lot of one-and-dones is the best way win it all, but it sure is a good way to win a load of games, be pre-season ranked top 5 or better, and have a great shot at making a deep NCAA run. If that's what he wanted, so be it. I like the earn-my-PT and prove them wrong Shabazz Napier type players that out play and out work their opponent.

 

[DogMania]

I don't think the reaction is that bad. A few dumb posts by a few dumb posters, a few unoriginal cracks about UK's academics, a few posts of Stairmaster appealing to a moral authority. Now if you want to imagine a bad reaction - picture Diallo choosing UK.

Don't even go there! The board will go into meltdown if that happens.

 

[DogMania]

Not even close. Taliek, followed by Dyson.

Add to them the last two 7+ footers we've had...and still have.

 

[DogMania]

Was just trying to get a rise out of you, I don't really think Ajou is a better athlete than your boy Wenyen.

You just never know if people really believe what they're posting. With that said, I didn't even remember who said what and haven't got worked up about any of this. The only thing that bring me pause is the way we look to any outsiders who might read this thread. Kidding or not, we reek of sour grapes on this one.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

Say Hamilton declares for the draft this year. Larrier will be eligible and Omar will have graduated, Rodney may be going pro after this year as well. Who else on the roster will be able to play the 3 besides maybe Durham (whom I see tending more towards the 4)?

Vance Jackson.

 

[DogMania]

We have a quality recruiting class that just needs icing on the cake. I coveted Powell & Jackson for their 3 pt shooting and Gabriel as an elite versatile talent in spite of our quality depth at his position. Kegler I have always viewed as a long shot. I hope we don't get skunked. We need a 4th guard and x-Bruce Brown there are only 7 guards left in the top 150 and 3 of them are 5'10 +/- and most are geographically where we have little history. There also doesn't seem to be much alternative uncommitted 3 pt talent at SF. Alpha Diallo would be a great warrior to get involved with but it doesn't seem like we will be adding to this class from many other 2016 prospects. It looks like any additions will have to be reclassifications from 2017, 5th year transfers in the spring, juco, overseas, or much less coveted seniors. Fingers crossed for Jackson.

Well put, Ricker. I wanted Gabriel mostly because I think he's going to be an exciting player to watch and has a ton of upside. It would have been fun to watch him develop his game here. But as you pointed out, he was in no way a need recruit due to the depth we have with other recruits and returning players who have similar skill sets. I don't think we have a dire need for a wing, but we could use another 2G, maybe another who can play the 5 at a high level and another deep shooter, thus Jackson fits the bill. I just wish he was a tad more athletic, but as I mentioned in another post, Jackson would be surrounded by plenty of good defenders that he'd be a nice piece to add to this class.

 

[Stainmaster]

Vance Jackson.

As much as my gut tells me we get Vance, I'm not going to operate under the assumption he's ours until he announces. I was merely arguing with the assertion that as it stands right now, an Alpha Diallo-type would not fit on our roster.

 

[DogMania]

As much as my gut tells me we get Vance, I'm not going to operate under the assumption he's ours until he announces. I was merely arguing with the assertion that as it stands right now, an Alpha Diallo-type would not fit on our roster.

I'm not saying AD would be a good fit, but I don't know why you think he'd be a bad one. I liked his game when I saw him play on TV along with Gabriel & Ham Diallo. He can put the ball on the floor, score from deep and in transition. Not nearly the athlete as the other two. Has an improving 3pt shot, but is not at the level of Jackson. He would not be a bad get if we don't land Jackson. I don't see as much upside as other recruits, but I think he can play at this level and give us minutes at the 3. I don't sense he's at the top of of KO's list. He certainly had a h*ll of a game in that battle for 3rd place in that game that was on TV. He put up some impressive #s during that entire tourney and was one of the leading scorers. Got some legit offers after it.

 

[ctchamps]

Because I own him and it hurts his fragile ego. Why else would he have to make up a strawman to create another pissing contest? You are the only rational person on this board. While I live among the irrational, I am one of the few that see that.

Rationality is a debatable subject. So how can I make a statement in which I believe I have "rational" and "irrational" moments? But I assure you there are things I do and say that I wish I didn't. I may prefer not believing I can be irrational. But if I believed I was above irrationality that would guarantee I'm irrational.

I hit you during an irrational moment. You corrected me. I was impressed then and I stand by my impression about you making a concerted effort since then not to flame against other posters. It's not easy and as y0u were taking hits in this thread all I could think of was the film "Clockwork Orange". Don't get me wrong I'm not sitting at my computer and profiling people. I can be making incorrect assumptions. But I do get thrilled when I think I'm seeing people trying to change their ways for their own benefit particularly when that action could have a positive impact on the community they are a part of.

We make comments and suggestions about players and how they can improve their game. Since we don't have contact with the players everything we discuss about the team is intellectually stimulating and enjoyable but will not have a bit of influence on outcomes. On the other hand since we do have contact with one another we can elevate our particular game with one another.

That is easy to say and hard to apply. There are better and worse ways to do things. But that line is dynamic. Furthermore that line is defined differently by each and every one of us. I choose to be as flexible as possible about this. Insisting on a set of behaviors is dangerous imo. "ClockWork Orange" made a strong impression on me. But staying above the fray or out of it altogether doesn't guarantee the best outcome either. The only thing remaining is to give it our best effort and realize we have limitations.

 

[ctchamps]

I wouldn't jump to that conclusion. This kids like the glitz and attention they'll get by attending UK. Like it or not, they have a Big Show image that get's pimped by ESPN and other outlets. The Squid gets a bucket load of highly ranked recruits. If you're a top recruit and you go to UK your perceived value cast high.

Recruits who come in with a lot of pre-tapped talent will do fine there. Ones that don't might or might not fair so well. There have been a few not-as-highly heralded recruits that have improved at UK under Cal but there have been some that have not.

The kid is very talented but raw. He might do just fine there. Who knows? I do know that KO and his staff would have done a great job of developing Gabriel and preparing him for the next level. All this means is there's a spot for someone else for KO to groom into a great player and even better person. It's for that reason I love UConn and am happy I didn't sell my soul to the devil and root for a program like UK.

I wouldn't remove the option I offered because we are talking about many people and it may apply to someone. But I did not present this possibility which I think is very plausible.

I was looking for an example why I like these threads even as they are so often filled with negativity. There is no way anyone outside of you and @champs99and04 can touch on most everything. So all points should be presented and debated. But it would be nice if there could be a little less denigration of peoples opinions.

 

[Stainmaster]

I'm not saying AD would be a good fit, but I don't know why you think he'd be a bad one. I liked his game when I saw him play on TV along with Gabriel & Ham Diallo. He can put the ball on the floor, score from deep and in transition. Not nearly the athlete as the other two. Has an improving 3pt shot, but is not at the level of Jackson. He would not be a bad get if we don't land Jackson. I don't see as much upside as other recruits, but I think he can play at this level and give us minutes at the 3. I don't sense he's at the top of of KO's list. He certainly had a h*ll of a game in that battle for 3rd place in that game that was on TV. He put up some impressive #s during that entire tourney and was one of the leading scorers. Got some legit offers after it.

You misread my post. I said that another poster was posturing that A. Diallo would be a poor fit, and I was arguing against said poster -- I personally think there is definitely room for a kid like Alpha on our roster.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I like Gabriel and by all accounts he's a really good kid but I don't really buy the notion that he'd be much of a threat on the perimeter at the college level. We've had over-sized perimeter players better than him who've struggled to match up with smaller college swingmen. He seems like a kid who's not really coming into his own for several years. Like I said, I think he's going to get squeezed at UK and those people who are expecting him to be putting up 20 on day one are going to be disappointed.

Jackson's not the athlete Gabriel is, and who the h__ knows where he ends up, but I like the idea of a skilled 6-8 kid, even if he's slow afoot, who can put the ball on the deck and knock down jumpers.

 

[aceboon]

One thing people forget about Giffey is he was a lot more than just a 3pt specialist. He was a very good athlete who learned to put it on the floor and take it to the basket. He was also a pretty good defender. Vance looked a tad less athletic, more in the Shad range who was a defensive liability though one h*ll of a winning time deep shooter. I'll gladly take a Shad type on my team. If Vance comes here, he'll be surrounded by enough athletes that if he's not a defensive savant it won't matter too much if he's knocking down daggers.

Once Giffey became a scoring threat his senior year he was basically a jumpshooter, I don't think you would need 2 hands to count the number of times he took someone off the bounce and scored at the rim. Not really sure where you're getting that from because it didn't happen often.

 

[boog204]

Once Giffey became a scoring threat his senior year he was basically a jumpshooter, I don't think you would need 2 hands to count the number of times he took someone off the bounce and scored at the rim. Not really sure where you're getting that from because it didn't happen often.

Other than transition points, Giff was basically a jumpshooter... Theoretically, Jackson fills more of a need than Gabriel does. Not dissing Wenyen or going into "we didn't want him anyway" mode, Vance's skillset fits in better w/ the team we are putting together.

 

[tcf15]

Other than transition points, Giff was basically a jumpshooter... Theoretically, Jackson fills more of a need than Gabriel does. Not dissing Wenyen or going into "we didn't want him anyway" mode, Vance's skillset fits in better w/ the team we are putting together.

Felt the same way about Shonn Miller vs. Diamond Stone, as did many others on here. Sometimes, finding the best fit is more important than getting best player available.

 

[Paesano]

His older sister goes to BC and wants him to focus on academics as well, looks like parents may be pushing dook.

We were in on him early, we were said to be in a good position until "better" offers came in, his family wanted him to focus on academics, he was believed to be leaning toward puke and he picks.......kentucky. Nope, nothing to see here.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

We were in on him early, we were said to be in a good position until "better" offers came in, his family wanted him to focus on academics, he was believed to be leaning toward puke and he picks..kentucky. Nope, nothing to see here.

Break down the scheme for us.