Welcome TJ Gadsden

[Falco]

Hopefully we can get a center on the recruitment pipeline and land two of these guards paulsen offered. Would love to beat out someone a bit better than mt st Mary’s

IDK if Paulsen and staff are targeting true centers any more. DP said he wants to play position-less.

Or is that an excuse for never landing a good true center.

 

[tblack33]

IDK if Paulsen and staff are targeting true centers any more. DP said he wants to play position-less.

Or is that an excuse for never landing a good true center.

Yeah don’t buy that, if he could sign a good true center he absolutely would.

 

[gmujim92]

Yeah don’t buy that, if he could sign a good true center he absolutely would.

Look around basketball at all levels these days, there aren’t many “true centers” left. Even the 7-footers are facing up and shooting 3s.

 

[p8triotfan4life]

Welcome TJ!

What a perfect fit for our program. He will come in with a college-ready body with big broad shoulders and replace the void of AJ Wilson after next season.

I know for a fact the staff prioritized TJ many months ago and often watched him play during the season.

Love the fact that Darius Johnson retweeted it....perhaps those two guys are close?

If we loved our incoming recruits, I think this 2021 class can be even better...

If we land Darius Johnson, Erik Reynolds, Zaakir Williamson, or Markus Ilver or Rafael Castro....watch out!

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

I am definitely generally positive on the 2020-2021 work done by our staff.

A lot of headway in the local private school leagues, which I view as a positive even if the classes aren't homeruns.

With Darius and Garrett still targets I really like the strong local connection we've built up. Like the roster's local flavor, can only help with attendance.

These guys play each other, know each other, and with shot clocks come in ready to play.

 

[mkaufman1]

I am definitely generally positive on the 2020-2021 work done by our staff.

A lot of headway in the local private school leagues, which I view as a positive even if the classes aren't homeruns.

With Darius and Garrett still targets I really like the strong local connection we've built up. Like the roster's local flavor, can only help with attendance.

These guys play each other, know each other, and with shot clocks come in ready to play.

I agree. They’ve been working on this class for what seems like two years already.

I’m guessing they are out on Garrett Johnson now, although you said he’s still a target. Isn’t he the same type of player?

I really want Darius Erik Reynolds and Rafael Castro, but we’ll see.

 

[gmujim92]

I agree. They’ve been working on this class for what seems like two years already.

I’m guessing they are out on Garrett Johnson now, although you said he’s still a target. Isn’t he the same type of player?

I really want Darius Erik Reynolds and Rafael Castro, but we’ll see.

Can’t imagine they’d take another wing, but who knows?

 

[p8triotfan4life]

I saw that Gadsen transferred from Bishop O'Connell in Arlington....my assumption is that is where Simpkins and Paulsen first started scouting Gadsden...

 

[Patriotsince81]

I could only find one other video on him on You Tube.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJMoevEwflo

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

I agree. They’ve been working on this class for what seems like two years already.

I’m guessing they are out on Garrett Johnson now, although you said he’s still a target. Isn’t he the same type of player?

I really want Darius Erik Reynolds and Rafael Castro, but we’ll see.

I have no idea if anything has changed with our offer to Garrett Johnson but he's a 6'6" good shooter from long range who just got offered by Richmond...hard to believe we wouldn't find room for him.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

I saw that Gadsen transferred from Bishop O'Connell in Arlington....my assumption is that is where Simpkins and Paulsen first started scouting Gadsden...

That makes sense, I knew I had seen him somewhere before but couldn't remember where.

 

[mkaufman1]

I have no idea if anything has changed with our offer to Garrett Johnson but he's a 6'6" good shooter from long range who just got offered by Richmond...hard to believe we wouldn't find room for him.

understand. My guess is as much as we have a few 6’7 guys, they all have different games and qualities. Not sure if Frazier or Gadsden are shooters although Gadsden is a shooter per that highlight video.

 

[Herndon]

understand. My guess is as much as we have a few 6’7 guys, they all have different games and qualities. Not sure if Frazier or Gadsden are shooters although Gadsden is a shooter per that highlight video.

Re:different qualities, Watching the small amount of video we have of him, and knowing what we've been doing lately, my hunch is that Gadsden projects as a quick 4 more than a big wing.

 

[gmujim92]

Re:different qualities, Watching the small amount of video we have of him, and knowing what we've been doing lately, my hunch is that Gadsden projects as a quick 4 more than a big wing.

I think it was @tblack33 who compared him to Miller and I think that’s right. Gadsden seems like someone who will be able to swing between the 2 forward positions if necessary versus Frazier, who looks more like a big guard to me.

Either way, we’re adding versatility and that’s a great thing.

 

[mkaufman1]

Re:different qualities, Watching the small amount of video we have of him, and knowing what we've been doing lately, my hunch is that Gadsden projects as a quick 4 more than a big wing.

That sounds good to me. Just seems like they are building a long athletic lineup of versatile athletes.

 

[gmujim92]

Garrett Johnson just got an offer from Xavier. It may not be a question of whether Mason would take another wing in this class.

 

[Quentin Daniels]

Everyone wants to know when DJ3 will transfer....

Sadly never. No other program will take him.

 

[FreeGunston12]

I've been sitting on reacting to this committ for a few days. I hate to say it, but the highlights that I see out there don't really excite me all that much.

With that being said, I have an extrodinarily terrible track record with getting excited about commits that don't pan out and sleeping on ones that do. So we probably just secured a future 1st-teamer!

Besides, between Gadsden, Frazier, and Daddy, at least one of them has got to turn out to be a pretty good wing. Right?

And if the other two have spots in the rotation locked down when Gadsden arrives, maybe he redshirts? If he beats them out, maybe one transfers? I don't mind the quantity approach when it comes to athletic wing players even though it didn't work for Hewitt.

 

[GMUgemini]

I think one thing to keep in mind about his highlight tape is that he is a junior and has another entire year of working on his game before he gets here, as well as another year of growing into his body.

So yeah I wouldn’t try to make an assessment one way or another right now.

 

[mkaufman1]

I think one thing to keep in mind about his highlight tape is that he is a junior and has another entire year of working on his game before he gets here, as well as another year of growing into his body.

So yeah I wouldn’t try to make an assessment one way or another right now.

Definitely agree. 2021 is definitely a crucial class for Paulsen and co moving forward, from their future with the program to just replenishing a large class. A lot can also happen with him developing over the next 15 months before he hits the court for Mason.