Now that we seem to be gathering some momentum with regard to 2026 offers, I figured we needed a thread to post your hopes.
Offers are early so your preferences can be subject to future revision.
I think the lead guards we are interested in would all be great additions. I don't get the impression Jordan Smith is really in play for us.
I like Rippey, then Mingo, then Kinney, with Smith 4th even though he is higher rated. Really want 1 of these guys. I probably should want Mingo with his size listed at 6'5.
Toure I prioritize to be the jewel of the class.
Based on the offers, we clearly want a skilled 6'8 ish forward to replace Alex. Each of the recent offers looks solid to me. We pulled Mullins from Indiana's back yard, but hard to be confident we would pull kids from the NC triangle or Tenn if the local schools go hard.
I'd love a center but the top 200 pickings aren't loaded. A top 100 kid like #68 6'11 328lbs Marcis Ponder from Orlando intrigues me but I've never seen him or his agility. I love having a space eating power big on the team and frequently these guys can get down in the 290lb area and be impactful, (see NC St run to final 4). At #68 I suspect he has something to offer. We need a power guy to replace Tarris
After watching 2-3 hours of top 100 camp and just jumping in and out of games, I'm confident the talent in this 2026 class could keep us in the championship chase if we can reel it in with the heavy financial competition it takes to get top kids.
In May I had Rippey then Mingo. I'll flip that now, but both of these guys are top of the top shelf with the ball in their hands, and both get to the basket. Mingo has hesitation moves in his game which at 6'5 just make it happen. Castle came in when we had Newton on board and then Spencer in the mix. Mingo and Demary could easily coexist with Ball and Mullins/Furphy from deep. I'm drooling on my keyboard. Mingo also has Castle's mature unselfish disposition, but can turn on offense when needed. I like Mingo as much as I liked Castle.
In May I had Toure alone as the jewel of the class adding 6'6 offense. Now I see that Samuels has that same offensive punch. Either of these guys please.
I still haven't got a favorite for the 6'8 Karaban replacement. Based on our offers we are looking for that. Cloer & Thompson are good players but I haven't seen the difference maker type of player yet. Costello that we haven't offered is another one of those 'good' players. I did like Costello's mobility.
Diane is exactly the big big I love. Excellent power and hands. Competition for him will be tough. I loved what I saw from 7'1 Ibe and I hope we can and want to get involved with him. Either of these 2 guys are good enough to be centers on a championship chasing team. I still haven't seen Ponder and I suspect he could be a third. There were other guys at center that would be very adequate to hold their own for a top team, but not necessarily guys that will carry a team to victory on their backs. I hope we expand our offers at center to hedge not getting Diane.
I don't really have an opinion yet on Tristan Reed. I've seen him but not his game. He's powerfully built and I suspect he could have a great role for us as a third center and a second power forward when we need interior defense and rebounding against power teams. I don't know if he can play defense in space, or what he offers as a shooter. With Alex, our 4 man has been a facilitator, shooter, who opens up the paint and back cuts. My early read on Reed is that he is more Kirk King. I like having that type of player on the team, and, just going into his senior year of high school, maybe he grows another inch or two. I think Reed would offer Danny front court options.
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