Valdir Manuel (JUCO)

[intlzncster]

I want him just to see BY posters screw up spelling his first name for the next three years.

Why wait? This would have been my first guess: 2019 Recruiting: - Khadim Sy article

 

[UconnU]

His last like on twitter... Hurley-Jalen at the garden gif. I wonder why we weren’t involved earlier. He’s everything we’re looking for in a center. Physical yet mobile enough to play in an uptempo system, rebounds, blocks shots. Really good system fit.

 

[NJHoops]

March, 2018- commits to Seton Hall (reportedly over Syracuse, Illinois, Temple)
July, 2018- decommits from Seton Hall, commits to St. Joe’s
September, 2018- decommits from St. Joe’s because of academic issues, enrolls at Harcum
December, 2018- commits to St. John’s
April, 2019- decommits from St. John’s because of coaching change

It’s been a ride. URI’s offer came in May of 2017 during his junior year of high school.

It’s a lot of change, but I don’t see any red flags. Academics and a coaching change led to the decisions, and they would absolutely make sure he would be immediately eligible before accepting his commitment. He’s from a great high school program and is a big fan of Hurley (players talk and his former teammate Langevine is a Hurley guy).

 

[BFieldHusky]

Word is we are trying to get him in for a visit asap.

 

[ToolzieFan]

Keeping in mind that I am not an Insider, and just a Casual Fan, I think we will end up with Manuel and Ntambwe. I view that as a great way to round out an already strong class.

 

[UConnStats]

Keeping in mind that I am not an Insider, and just a Casual Fan, I think we will end up with Manuel and Ntambwe. I view that as a great way to round out an already strong class.

I was wondering when people here would make “insider” and “casual fan” proper nouns.

 

[mauconnfan]

Keeping in mind that I am not an Insider, and just a Casual Fan, I think we will end up with Manuel and Ntambwe. I view that as a great way to round out an already strong class.

As a casual non-insider but does hear things, I like that prediction as it works for now and the future very well. Who knows on Ntambwe maybe they let him play immediately. (oh I forgot if he comes to UConn no shot)

 

[HuskyHawk]

He is tall. He appears to have muscles on his shoulders and arms. This is a good thing. It seems he can even play a little. He can also play next year. Seems a perfect fit, with some upside if his coach is correct.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

I am pretty new the culture aspects of the boneyard. Big E and I were scheduled to meet in Santa Barbara for a quick tutorial but he had an unexpected beach excursion with a brunette spinner.

So I am embarrassed to ask but...what is a "casual fan" that everyone references on the BY? At the risk of hijacking this thread... being schooled on this concept of the "casual fan" as it relates to the University of Connecticut basketball program would be greatly appreciated. I contemplated a separate Off Topic subject heading post to open this issue up for discussion but decided the powers that be might either ban me or throw water balloons at me.

Thanks & Sincerely Always,
BDH

 

[NowInStorrs]

Thanks & Sincerely Always,
BDH

I'm pretty sure it's just anyone who's not Chief, but you'd have to ask him for his official definition.

 

[UConnStats]

I am pretty new the culture aspects of the boneyard. Big E and I were scheduled to meet in Santa Barbara for a quick tutorial but he had an unexpected beach excursion with a brunette spinner.

So I am embarrassed to ask but...what is a "casual fan" that everyone references on the BY? At the risk of hijacking this thread... being schooled on this concept of the "casual fan" as it relates to the University of Connecticut basketball program would be greatly appreciated. I contemplated a separate Off Topic subject heading post to open this issue up for discussion but decided the powers that be might either ban me or throw water balloons at me.

Thanks & Sincerely Always,
BDH

It’s a quasi inside joke because chief uses that term all the time, and much like everything he says, there is zero substance to it.

 

[RipCity]

His last like on twitter... Hurley-Jalen at the garden gif. I wonder why we weren’t involved earlier. He’s everything we’re looking for in a center. Physical yet mobile enough to play in an uptempo system, rebounds, blocks shots. Really good system fit.

He announced he was transferring on the 10th and within a week he and the HC were following each other on twitter. We probably did reach out right away by that rate. How quickly do you expect things to come together?

Agreed about the physicality and fluidity mix. Looks like a good prospect and the year of eligibility lost probably doesn’t hurt at all.

 

[JMick]

Keeping in mind that I am not an Insider, and just a Casual Fan, I think we will end up with Manuel and Ntambwe. I view that as a great way to round out an already strong class.

Thats what I'm hoping for too. It would be a great class and could even be the starting five in 3 years

 

[McLovin]

Check out this guy dunk on a bunch of middle schoolers

 

[CTBasketball]

Similar body and inside playing style to Norvel Pelle, which would be a great backup addition to this squad.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Check out this guy dunk on a bunch of middle schoolers

That mix tape is worse than lay up line and folding chair mix tape.

 

[Mooch82]

Check out this guy dunk on a bunch of middle schoolers

I'm so confused by these highlights. Kids he's playing against literally look like they're in middle school, and honestly he looks EXTREMELY raw and not super athletic.

 

[Kemba15]

He has flipped commitments 3x. From St. Joe's to SHU to St. John's. Have heard that he is somewhat of a mess, has the wrong people in his year, and might have trouble with grades. Just passing along =)

 

[McLovin]

I'm so confused by these highlights. Kids he's playing against literally look like they're in middle school, and honestly he looks EXTREMELY raw and not super athletic.

Everyone keeps saying we need a "impact" center. This is pretty much what is left at this point... I think we'd be better off rolling Diara out there in a wheel chair.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I'll pass, he's gonna hold a scholarship for 3 years.

 

[ctchamps]

2018: Valdir's 247Sports Composite ranking was 3 stars with a composite score of 0.8948. His national ranking was 202 and he was considered the 24th best center prospect. Bol Bol and Charles Bassey were considered to be the 1 and 2 best centers for that class.

2019: Valdir's 247Sports Composite Juco ranking is 3 stars with a composite score of 0.8556. He is considered the 3rd best center prospect from the Juco ranks (behind Avery Diggs 3 star 0.8600 Juco composite rating who is going to UCF and Corbin Merritt) and 27th best Juco player. As of 4/17/2019 247Sports gave him a national ranking (all players in the 2019 class I'm guessing) of 443.

This compares to Eric Cobb:

2015: Eric's 247Sports Composite ranking was 3 stars with a composite score fo 0.8187. His national ranking was 392 and he was considered the 67th best PF prospect. Cheick Diallo, Ivan Rabb, Henry Ellenson, and Chase Jeter were the one thru four PFs that year.

Could not find the 2016 Juco rankings for Cobb.

 

[HawkHusky]

Can he play defense? That's really what matters most.

 

[auror]

His JUCO listed him at 6'9" 215. Hopefully he can put on a bit more muscle with Sal, especially if we want him to be a backup center. He hasn't had any problems rebounding in the past, which will help immediately, but I'm more concerned about defense longterm.

 

[UConnStats]

2018: Valdir's 247Sports Composite ranking was 3 stars with a composite score of 0.8948. His national ranking was 202 and he was considered the 24th best center prospect. Bol Bol and Charles Bassey were considered to be the 1 and 2 best centers for that class.

2019: Valdir's 247Sports Composite Juco ranking is 3 stars with a composite score of 0.8556. He is considered the 3rd best center prospect from the Juco ranks (behind Avery Diggs 3 star 0.8600 Juco composite rating who is going to UCF and Corbin Merritt) and 27th best Juco player. As of 4/17/2019 247Sports gave him a national ranking (all players in the 2019 class I'm guessing) of 443.

This compares to Eric Cobb:

2015: Eric's 247Sports Composite ranking was 3 stars with a composite score fo 0.8187. His national ranking was 392 and he was considered the 67th best PF prospect. Cheick Diallo, Ivan Rabb, Henry Ellenson, and Chase Jeter were the one thru four PFs that year.

Could not find the 2016 Juco rankings for Cobb.

Cobb was 52nd in the 2017 JUCO rankings: 2017 JUCO Top 100

 

[HuskyHawk]

His JUCO listed him at 6'9" 215. Hopefully he can put on a bit more muscle with Sal, especially if we want him to be a backup center. He hasn't had any problems rebounding in the past, which will help immediately, but I'm more concerned about defense longterm.

This is the right perspective. He's raw. I want a guy who can defend big physical players, box out big physical players, and rebound. He seems to know how to dunk, which is fine. I expect 4-6 ppg from guys like this, an offensive rebound or another dunk off a pass. Somebody like that has value on the roster as a backup.