Solo Ball BACK!!!

[tzznandrew]

My favorite thing about Ball: I thought he’d be a non-factor his sophomore year but he proved me wrong and was arguably our best player last season. Psyched he’s back!

In the Oklahoma game he was the only one really angry it seemed. Took a lead and then kind of sucked most of the game, but part of that was Solo in foul trouble. Really felt like it was the type of game they had blown a bunch of times during this year. When OU took the lead, it was Ball who hit the big 3, and his energy and passion—his refusal to lose—seemed to help Karaban find his footing.

 

[HooperScooper]

I'm more new to the boneyard so correct me if I'm wrong. Has there always been "return" announcements like this for non nba prospects? I guess I always assume everyone that isn't an obvious 1st around pick will be back unless they specifically say they are transferring.

Not flaming, just curious. I never even thought there was a chance Solo might leave. I havent even thought Reed might leave until people here started talking about it.

This was almost never done before, but now with everyone and their brother transferring these days it seems to be the norm to announce you're staying.

 

[tzznandrew]

He went from unplayable the back half of the season to shooting 40+% and scoring 15 a game. That kind of improvement is absurd. Another jump like that and he might not be human any more

His defense even got better. Most of that improvement was on ball—he had some big blocks—but he was not the liability he was earlier in the season.

 

[gsmooth]

I'm more new to the boneyard so correct me if I'm wrong. Has there always been "return" announcements like this for non nba prospects? I guess I always assume everyone that isn't an obvious 1st around pick will be back unless they specifically say they are transferring.

Not flaming, just curious. I never even thought there was a chance Solo might leave. I havent even thought Reed might leave until people here started talking about it.

There is always a chance a player can leave, until they full commit to returning.

In this day and age, recruiting means getting other players outside of the program and re-recruiting players currently on the team to stay.

 

[husky99]

This was almost never done before, but now with everyone and their brother transferring these days it seems to be the norm to announce you're staying.

This is new

 

[alphasigko]

This is good news for the offense... He needs to work on his defense this off season, all summer.

 

[QDOG5]

For the most part the portal has been bad for college sports. The portal has been ten times worse for comments on the Yard. There have been some all time bad takes in the last two weeks.

 

[JMick]

He really has a chance to be a national star next year. This is great news.

 

[Icehawk]

Yeah! This is a big one, he was already a top shooter last year... Solo is definitely a key element if we want them to hang another banner.

 

[HCCForever]

As Casey jacobsen declared, Solo has the sweetest left-handed shot since Chris Mullin. Looking forward to more consistent shooting and constantly improving defense. I didn't think he would leave but happy he is back.

 

[nomar]

I'm more new to the boneyard so correct me if I'm wrong. Has there always been "return" announcements like this for non nba prospects? I guess I always assume everyone that isn't an obvious 1st around pick will be back unless they specifically say they are transferring.

Not flaming, just curious. I never even thought there was a chance Solo might leave. I havent even thought Reed might leave until people here started talking about it.

I think there was a possibility he could try to test the waters. I don’t think anybody expected him to declare and stay in the draft. Nor do i think anyone expected him to transfer.

As someone else pointed out, with so many players portaling or testing the NBA waters, unless you’re a nobody, people want to hear you say you’re returning.

 

[Huskyforlife]

In this day and age it's never a given. Welcome back first team all conference SG Solo Ball!

Tarris, you are next.

 

[ET7774]

I'm more new to the boneyard so correct me if I'm wrong. Has there always been "return" announcements like this for non nba prospects? I guess I always assume everyone that isn't an obvious 1st around pick will be back unless they specifically say they are transferring.

Not flaming, just curious. I never even thought there was a chance Solo might leave. I havent even thought Reed might leave until people here started talking about it.

I think it's an indication that the NIL negotiations are complete and a $ agreement has been met

 

[87Xfer]

Love it.

Stew, Solo, Reibe, Mullins, Adams, Furphy
? Ross, ? Reed - hoping both are back.

Those eight would be solid, but we need two guards (at least one being a pure primary ball handler who can break the D), a center and another forward.

Portal needs to be kind to the Huskies.

https://247sports.com/player/silas-demary-jr-46127714/

 

[Ewekon]

Love It ! Lets Go.. This kid bleeds Husky Blue.

Yes he does

 

[TheShot1990]

I'm more new to the boneyard so correct me if I'm wrong. Has there always been "return" announcements like this for non nba prospects? I guess I always assume everyone that isn't an obvious 1st around pick will be back unless they specifically say they are transferring.

Not flaming, just curious. I never even thought there was a chance Solo might leave. I havent even thought Reed might leave until people here started talking about it.

Let’s say somebody offered you $1 million a year to become a duke fan for two years. How quickly would you log off of the boneyard?

 

[Ewekon]

Yeah! This is a big one, he was already a top shooter last year... Solo is definitely a key element if we want them to hang another banner.

Completely believe he will work off season to max+

 

[Stasher599]

So I think Solo was thinking of or at least looking very hard at the draft. I did see him on a couple mocks and wasn’t worried about him transferring. Did others think that might have been a legit option? He is going to be the face of the team next year.

 

[MuchoDogYears]

Let’s say somebody offered you $1 million a year to become a duke fan for two years. How quickly would you log off of the boneyard?

No chance. I’d stay on the boneyard for $500,000, its about the culture when you get to this level.

 

[JesusAllen11]

I came in this season expecting him to be a better scorer but with speed and getting to the rack. But he did the opposite and set to join uconns legendary shooters pantheon.

I expect his ball skills and lead guard ability to flourish this year. Solo will be getting to the line , it will be amazing

 

[Jaydumo20]

And just like that everything feels good again. This portal stuff, it's challenging, but it definitely makes for a much more engaged fanbase in the off season.

 

[cullaville]

I'm more new to the boneyard so correct me if I'm wrong. Has there always been "return" announcements like this for non nba prospects? I guess I always assume everyone that isn't an obvious 1st around pick will be back unless they specifically say they are transferring.

Not flaming, just curious. I never even thought there was a chance Solo might leave. I havent even thought Reed might leave until people here started talking about it.

Lets Go Mets

 

[jibsey]

Solo is already a great player but next year even better.

 

[Dove]

I just want to thank the Lord. Lord of Lords. My sweet, sweet Lord.

And God. He Cool, too.

 

[bendm]

Ball and Mullins could be the best 3 pt shooting duo in the country

 

[caw]

So, since it's been almost exactly one announcement a day, who announces tomorrow? Three announcements to go right? Reed, Karaban, Ross.

 

[3rdbass]

So, since it's been almost exactly one announcement a day, who announces tomorrow? Three announcements to go right? Reed, Karaban, Ross.

Well maybe an incoming transfer trickled in between.

 

[Kolumbo]

 

[lateralous]

I absolutely love it. In the current climate, with everyone running on one year contracts, i love the continuity we’re seeing. It may be old fashioned but I love watching the jump our players make from one year to the next. I’m not blind to the advantages of the portal, so we clearly shouldn’t follow the Dabo Sweeney model but building around as many of Stewart, Ball, Reed and Ross as we can keep should be the way IMO.

 

[cp176]

I’m glad that our boys are coming back but this portal concept is sad. Legit question - Is the concept of the student athlete nearing extinction? Do eligibility requirements still exist? With the growth of AAU programs and rampant gambling in all things sports related, what is happening shouldn’t surprise anyone. Personally, I think that there will be major changes ahead or college athletics will take a huge hit going forward.