Welcome Blake Jones

[Quentin Daniels]

Would be a pretty good get though could prove controversial in the Me Too era. Literally keeps a dude chained to his ride for sex.

If not Virtues kid hopefully Mirich's kid

Wait, what?? That's frowned upon now?

 

[Quentin Daniels]

At least he’s tall

Siced for size.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

Siced for size.

So I guess the rumors were true.

Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[Quentin Daniels]

Fingers crossed he isn’t the next Vlad Moldoveanu

Moldoveanu averaged 18 pts his Jr. year and 20 pts. his Sr. year. I kind of hope he is.

 

[Quentin Daniels]

6’9 wing from Australia

View: https://youtu.be/-hQIiqKnvzw

today is another great day to be a Patriot!

I'm not sure what the bad highlights talk is about. I really like what I saw here.

Not a PG but can handle the ball and drive to the basket, range out to the 3-pt line and doesn't hesitate to shoot, and a relatively aggressive rebounder. More of an inside player than I had immediately assumed.

He's rail thin and will need to bulk up but has long arms and can hopefully can develop some shot-blocking skills.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

I'm not sure what the bad highlights talk is about. I really like what I saw here.

Not a PG but can handle the ball and drive to the basket, range out to the 3-pt line and doesn't hesitate to shoot, and a relatively aggressive rebounder. More of an inside player than I had immediately assumed.

He's rail thin and will need to bulk up but has long arms and can hopefully can develop some shot-blocking skills.

Put some cheeseburgers in him, milkshakes and have him hit the weight room. My only concern is if we change his frame too much then we might take him off his shot.

 

[Patriot8]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1382310165580505096

View: https://twitter.com/gmurecruiting/status/1382310165580505096?s=21

 

[He15man]

He can obviously move with the ball, cut through the lane and score. Seems like he has good footwork and can score from mid-range. He clearly has the size and can play. Where he's a project is in the weight room. He's going to need to add like 30 pounds of good weight and muscle to be able to bang in the low post and make the most of his height closer into the basket. Handy has his work cut out for him with this kid.

 

[Quentin Daniels]

My only concern is if we change his frame too much then we might take him off his shot.

I just can see his overall frame ever changing as he's got that long-limbed lanky guy build. He can add weight and strength, but will never add bulk. He'll be more like a Nowitzki who got a lot stronger but his build between rookie and retirement didn't look all that dramatically different.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

I just can see his overall frame ever changing as he's got that long-limbed lanky guy build. He can add weight and strength, but will never add bulk. He'll be more like a Nowitzki who got a lot stronger but his build between rookie and retirement didn't look all that dramatically different.

I would agree with that.

 

[emjayar08]

Moldoveanu averaged 18 pts his Jr. year and 20 pts. his Sr. year. I kind of hope he is.

... In the Patriot League. He had glimpses of ability w us in the CAA, but couldn't consistently get the 3pt to fall for us.

 

[Mason32]

... In the Patriot League. He had glimpses of ability w us in the CAA, but couldn't consistently get the 3pt to fall for us.

This will end up being a debate that Coach L didn't use him correctly, which may have some merit

 

[GMUgemini]

This will end up being a debate that Coach L didn't use him correctly, which may have some merit

Expat Hoops asked him this question. The answer basically is L wanted him closer to the basket, American let him play on the perimeter.

I also think it’s one of those things where Pearson and Mike Moe come in and lock down those two spots at the 4 and 5 too.

 

[HoopsAdmin]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1382310165580505096

View: https://twitter.com/gmurecruiting/status/1382310165580505096?s=21

Seems like a great kid with a level head and good personality.

 

[gmujim92]

He can obviously move with the ball, cut through the lane and score. Seems like he has good footwork and can score from mid-range. He clearly has the size and can play. Where he's a project is in the weight room. He's going to need to add like 30 pounds of good weight and muscle to be able to bang in the low post and make the most of his height closer into the basket. Handy has his work cut out for him with this kid.

I know it’s a novel concept for Mason, but not all 6-9 guys are low post players. Jones is a natural wing, likely will grow into a stretch 4 in the A-10, while remaining a perimeter player. That’s a great thing because there is nobody in our league who will be able to block his shot or really even bother it.

 

[Mason32]

I know it’s a novel concept for Mason, but not all 6-9 guys are low post players. Jones is a natural wing, likely will grow into a stretch 4 in the A-10, while remaining a perimeter player. That’s a great thing because there is nobody in our league who will be able to block his shot or really even bother it.

If he doesn't really play up front then what do they have down there for this season? Just Oduro with Mbaye and Henry? I guess it matters less since KE has brought in 2 really good shooters but still seems like a glaring weakness

 

[gmujim92]

If he doesn't really play up front then what do they have down there for this season? Just Oduro with Mbaye and Henry? I guess it matters less since KE has brought in 2 really good shooters but still seems like a glaring weakness

Yes that’s your rotation at the 5. The way KE has said he wants to play, the other 4 spots are going to be perimeter-oriented.

 

[He15man]

I know it’s a novel concept for Mason, but not all 6-9 guys are low post players. Jones is a natural wing, likely will grow into a stretch 4 in the A-10, while remaining a perimeter player. That’s a great thing because there is nobody in our league who will be able to block his shot or really even bother it.

No, I understand this. What I'm saying is that when I watch those videos of him driving to the basket or making moves in or around the paint to shoot a 10 footer... if he wants to do that in college, he better put some weight and muscle on his bones. Because he's going to get knocked on his a** once he steps into the paint on his way to the rim. By no means am I suggesting we try to turn him into something he isn't, or expect him to be Karl Malone, but simply put some mass on his body so when he DOES drive from the perimeter, he can withstand the inevitable contact and have the strength to finish vs. just walk away a survivor.

 

[gmujim92]

No, I understand this. What I'm saying is that when I watch those videos of him driving to the basket or making moves in or around the paint to shoot a 10 footer... if he wants to do that in college, he better put some weight and muscle on his bones. Because he's going to get knocked on his a** once he steps into the paint on his way to the rim. By no means am I suggesting we try to turn him into something he isn't, or expect him to be Karl Malone, but simply put some mass on his body so when he DOES drive from the perimeter, he can withstand the inevitable contact and have the strength to finish vs. just walk away a survivor.

Ok well that’s different. In your original post you mentioned banging in the low post. I wouldn’t expect Jones to be doing much of that.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

No, I understand this. What I'm saying is that when I watch those videos of him driving to the basket or making moves in or around the paint to shoot a 10 footer... if he wants to do that in college, he better put some weight and muscle on his bones. Because he's going to get knocked on his a** once he steps into the paint on his way to the rim. By no means am I suggesting we try to turn him into something he isn't, or expect him to be Karl Malone, but simply put some mass on his body so when he DOES drive from the perimeter, he can withstand the inevitable contact and have the strength to finish vs. just walk away a survivor.

Would concur - I think this can be done with strength conditioning without "bulking him up[" - you can be strong and execute those moves without adding 20-25 pounds. I like the fact that despite his height - he can move well, has moves, and a solid shot. His size can help with defense - which we need - and he can also be an outside threat that would be hard to defend against.