Welcome AJ WIlson

[p8triotfan4life]

congrats to AJ! to break George Evans' record is a huge accomplishment. George was my classmate and favorite GMU player of all time.

He has a chance to obliterate that record, with several more games left in the season. Hopefully he can reach 100.

 

[Jack Strop]

Seven regular season games remain and AJ averages 3+ blocks per game. That projects to 102 for the regular season with at least one A10 Tourney appearance. GOOOOO AJ!!

 

[Jack Strop]

And, last night at vcu, how 'bout that sweet baby hook shot that slid right through the nylon. Orgasmic!

 

[patriot2000]

He probably doesn't score enough, but he should get some nods for most improved player

I would hope he gets DPOY. He won't get most improved, but you're right, he deserves some attention. Maybe he doesn't score "enough" (but 12 ppg on a fairly balanced squad is nothing to sneeze at), but his offense has certainly IMPROVED enough to warrant a mention.

 

[gmujim92]

Most improved is either gonna be Fatts or AJ. Both have made incredible progress from last season and impact the game on both ends.

 

[Petey Buckets]

Anyone else get kinda tilted watching AJ hit 3s? He could be a transformational player if we made it a point of focus to get him two open looks per game.

Probably the wrong time to gripe about this, but the dude's skill set is legit and we should use all of it.

And congrats on the block record! Well deserved, it means a lot to him, and it won the game last night.

 

[smccart5]

Anyone else get kinda tilted watching AJ hit 3s? He could be a transformational player if we made it a point of focus to get him two open looks per game.

Probably the wrong time to gripe about this, but the dude's skill set is legit and we should use all of it.

And congrats on the block record! Well deserved, it means a lot to him, and it won the game last night.

I get tiled when he hits any jumper. WHEN he hits 3's, it looks like he's done it 1,000 times. And his mid-range jumper looks really nice- got a good stroke. When it goes in, looks perfect and like he could be transformation. As with anything, big key is consistency and making sure we have guys around him who are threats so he can get some room to work. ONE MORE YEAR!

 

[gmujim92]

Anyone else get kinda tilted watching AJ hit 3s? He could be a transformational player if we made it a point of focus to get him two open looks per game.

Probably the wrong time to gripe about this, but the dude's skill set is legit and we should use all of it.

And congrats on the block record! Well deserved, it means a lot to him, and it won the game last night.

With the confidence AJ has gained in his jumper this season, I see Dave using him extensively in pick and pop situations and playing high-low with Oduro. It should be a big part of the offseason program for both guys.

The next step for AJ offensively is to prove he can drive and finish consistently. Particularly in this offense, you have to be able to put the ball on the deck if the defense is crowding you.

He has a great chance to have an absolutely monster senior year.

 

[Herndon]

Anyone else get kinda tilted watching AJ hit 3s? He could be a transformational player if we made it a point of focus to get him two open looks per game.

Probably the wrong time to gripe about this, but the dude's skill set is legit and we should use all of it.

And congrats on the block record! Well deserved, it means a lot to him, and it won the game last night.

Not to be the turd in the punchbowl, but he's hitting like 27% from 3 for the season. I would actually prefer he doesn't shoot them at all.

I would actually prefer him lean into his strengths, than dilute his effectiveness doing things he's not as good at.

 

[gmujim92]

Not to be the turd in the punchbowl, but he's hitting like 27% from 3 for the season. I would actually prefer he doesn't shoot them at all.

I would actually prefer him lean into his strengths, than dilute his effectiveness doing things he's not as good at.

Normally I would agree, but AJ is developing from a guy who can make 3s consistently in practice to doing it in games. While he’s learning to pick his spots, I want to see him taking uncontested 3s because he can make that shot ... it’s all about confidence with him and you don’t get confident by second-guessing yourself.

 

[Herndon]

Normally I would agree, but AJ is developing from a guy who can make 3s consistently in practice to doing it in games. While he’s learning to pick his spots, I want to see him taking uncontested 3s because he can make that shot ... it’s all about confidence with him and you don’t get confident by second-guessing yourself.

I hear you, and I COMPLETELY understand the notion that you want a guy to shoot confidence. I also understand that you sometimes take bad results if it means good results later. That said, there's also something to be said for knowing what you can and cannot do in game situations.

AJ's a good player, and you're right that if he becomes a reliable 3-point shooter, he's hell on wheels.

I just don't want him to end up becoming a 6 instead of an 8 because he was trying to be a 10, if that makes any sense. (That is, I'd rather see him be Will Thomas, and destroy everybody with a few core competencies, than Louis Birdsong and never really figure out what his game was)

Also, I understand that he's already better than Lou birdsong, but you get what I'm saying

 

[gmujim92]

I hear you, and I COMPLETELY understand the notion that you want a guy to shoot confidence. I also understand that you sometimes take bad results if it means good results later. That said, there's also something to be said for knowing what you can and cannot do in game situations.

AJ's a good player, and you're right that if he becomes a reliable 3-point shooter, he's hell on wheels.

I just don't want him to end up becoming a 6 instead of an 8 because he was trying to be a 10, if that makes any sense. (That is, I'd rather see him be Will Thomas, and destroy everybody with a few core competencies, than Louis Birdsong and never really figure out what his game was)

Also, I understand that he's already better than Lou birdsong, but you get what I'm saying

I think AJ’s offensive game right now is closer to Ryan Pearson, a legit inside-outside threat who can bury a 3 if you give him space and time. If AJ’s handle improves to the point that he can start beating people off the dribble, look out below.

 

[Herndon]

I think AJ’s offensive game right now is closer to Ryan Pearson, a legit inside-outside threat who can bury a 3 if you give him space and time. If AJ’s handle improves to the point that he can start beating people off the dribble, look out below.

I would never have come up with Ryan Pearson, because piercings game was so instinctive and crafty, and Wilson is much more straight lines and explosion, but I catch your meaning.

I don't know that Wilson's ever going to be a guy that can just break down a set defender off the dribble, but if he can be a guy that can attack a closeout with two dribbles, that will be plenty.

I'll further allow that being a credible outside shooter we'll make those closeouts faster and less controlled.

We shall see. If he shoots 35% from 3 next season that will be a roaring success and he will be a 17-point a game scorer, and vie for all-conference honors.

 

[GMUgemini]

I would say AJ taking 3s depends on the nature of the shot selection. So if he’s popping out for an open corner three or it’s a catch and shoot situation like he’s trailing the play and wide open and it’s a kick out scenario (think Marko) he should have the green light.

 

[Petey Buckets]

AJ started the season 1-10 but is 5-12 since Richmond. Not saying I want him to become a volume shooter, but a big part of our problems on offense are that we lack guys that need to be defended at multiple levels. Think it would open things up a little if AJ's man couldn't drop on screens because he's worried about AJ sticking 3s?

His stroke has always looked good, my gripe is that as an undersized 4/5 we should have done more to cultivate this. Also, to be clear, I don't want him taking the same kind of shots as Hartwell or Javon. Just a couple plays a game to get him a nice set shot from 3 is all.

 

[patriot2000]

a big part of our problems on offense are that we lack guys that need to be defended at multiple levels. Think it would open things up a little if AJ's man couldn't drop on screens because he's worried about AJ sticking 3s?

Exactly this. We're worried about a kid shooting 3s who has attempted a grand total of 22 3s through what, 23 games? If we are missing out on other scoring opportunities because our freakishly athletic forward is taking dumb shots, we have a problem. If he's taking those shots in smart spots, and a semi-respectable amount of them are going in, that's enough to eff up the opponent's defensive planning.

5 for 12 is something. And it speaks to ALLOWING him to get through the 1-10 period rather than saying, "hey, you're not hitting these shots, stop taking them"

 

[Patriot8]

Anyone else get kinda tilted watching AJ hit 3s? He could be a transformational player if we made it a point of focus to get him two open looks per game.

Probably the wrong time to gripe about this, but the dude's skill set is legit and we should use all of it.

And congrats on the block record! Well deserved, it means a lot to him, and it won the game last night.

For the record, I want it to be known that I much prefer the term “tilted” as opposed to the word “cised” when it comes to expressing excitement. Carry on..

 

[patriot2000]

Damn right he's excited! As are we! Direct quote from AJ, " I'm glad to be a part of a great and historic program! I can't wait to come in and try to make an impact." When asked of how he can make an immediate impact, "Defense, rebounding and energy! I take pride on getting stops and playing at a high level with passion and emotion."

Love the new energy in Fairfax! Can you feel it?

Random deep dive to the beginning of tue thread while taking a dump...Has AJ delivered? Defense, rebounding, energy? I'd say so. And, not to completely beat that poor, dead horse, but imagine if he had been used or developed properly his first 2 years.

(Edit: I do acknowledge the possibility that he was not mature enough or any other number of reasons this was not Coach's fault. But we must also acknowledge how many players have not developed or have not followed a "normal" trajectory of development.)

 

[GMUgemini]

I would never have come up with Ryan Pearson, because piercings game was so instinctive and crafty, and Wilson is much more straight lines and explosion, but I catch your meaning.

I don't know that Wilson's ever going to be a guy that can just break down a set defender off the dribble, but if he can be a guy that can attack a closeout with two dribbles, that will be plenty.

I'll further allow that being a credible outside shooter we'll make those closeouts faster and less controlled.

We shall see. If he shoots 35% from 3 next season that will be a roaring success and he will be a 17-point a game scorer, and vie for all-conference honors.

He would have probably been closer to Kevin Foster had Kevin Foster stuck around here and developed.

As for most improved player, who would you give it to if not AJ? Fatts Russel as a consolation prize for being the best player in the league had Obi Toppin not been playing?

 

[gmujim92]

He would have probably been closer to Kevin Foster had Kevin Foster stuck around here and developed.

As for most improved player, who would you give it to if not AJ? Fatts Russel as a consolation prize for being the best player in the league had Obi Toppin not been playing?

I think AJ clearly has come further — from barely used human highlight reel to our team MVP, nearly averaging a double-double with 3 blocks per game — but Russell’s improvement also has been remarkable. He completely sucked last year and is now among the leading scorers in the league while also wreaking havoc on defense.