David Kyle's Atleticism

[WSUwatcher]

Without an offensive game, EO will be of limited effectiveness; does he have the potential to hit a "sky hook" or a 5-10 foot jump shot?

As a freshman, he may well be of limited offensive effectiveness. But Cliff Levingston couldn't shoot either as a freshman, and he turned out okay; and Orukpe's value, especially early on, is more likely to be on the defensive end anyway. Personally, I'm much more interested in whether he can play defense without leaving his feet and biting on every fake someone throws at him.

[SpanglerFan316]

Thanks Sub. I'll try to add to your contribution. I'm not sure that inexperience is the answer to every question. Either the team has holes (that I don't see) or they should be good in March of 2009. I agree that they might be better in March of 2010. Some people are saying, in effect, we'll be bad in 2009 and good in 2010. I think we could be good in 2009 and I would like people to explain (with more than "inexperience") why you expect to finish 6-10 in the MVC this year.

Remember:
2 7'0" (approximately) centers who have skills
1 Ramon Clemente
5 3 star players (Aaron Ellis, Garrett Stutz, Toure Murry, David Kyles, A.J. Hawkins) <corrected - thanks Sub>
Depth, transfer A.J. Hawkins, a great coach, etc.

http://saintbonaventure.scout.com/a.z?s=438&p=8&c=1&nid=1648454

[SubGod22]

Lets not forget that Kyles is also a 3 star.

I agree that WSU could be very good this year. The youth will cause some problems at some points. I don't expect a lower half finish and am not planning on being in STL before Friday. I do think that the 09-10 season will bring a better team as experience never hurts. As well as even more, young, GM recruits.

[Denny Crane]

If we play a ten man rotation what three sit?

[SubGod22]

If we play a ten man rotation what three sit?

Great question. Who knows. But it's a good problem to have.

My guesses would be Hatch and Durley. Right now we only have 12 scholarship players. But those two would still have a shot depending on how things play out.

[ShockRef]

DK will make us all smile many many times. He and Murry together are going to be quite a combination in the future. I can't wait!

Give it up Sub.
Who first informed you of his athleticism... 8)

[Snapshot9]

As far as perimeter shooting, we are set better this coming year than we have ever been. These guys can all hit the 3:

Hannah (streaky though)
Reggie (may be best out of the gate on 3's)
Kyles (more slasher and pull up shooter though)
Murry (best potential 3 shooter)

AJ (has good form and shot from 3)
Hatch (good 3 shooter)
Gris (still need proof of his shot to date)
Ellis (nice form and shot - needs to be on target)

Stutz (Can step out for a 3 if needed)
Durley (On and off 3 shooter)

When is the last time we had that many guys that can hit the 3? Instead of relying on 1 or 2 guys for a 3 this coming year, we have guys that can pick it up for others when they aren't hitting. Bottom line, we will be more dangerous on Offense and well rounded.

Combine that with our added height under the basket, and it reads for a more potential Offense. Actually, I am worried a little more about perimeter defense, and guarding against screens.

[Maggie]

Thanks Sub. I'll try to add to your contribution. I'm not sure that inexperience is the answer to every question. Either the team has holes (that I don't see) or they should be good in March of 2009. I agree that they might be better in March of 2010. Some people are saying, in effect, we'll be bad in 2009 and good in 2010. I think we could be good in 2009 and I would like people to explain (with more than "inexperience") why you expect to finish 6-10 in the MVC this year.

Remember:
2 7'0" (approximately) centers who have skills
1 Ramon Clemente
5 3 star players (Aaron Ellis, Garrett Stutz, Toure Murry, David Kyles, A.J. Hawkins) <corrected - thanks Sub>
Depth, transfer A.J. Hawkins, a great coach, etc.

http://saintbonaventure.scout.com/a....=1&nid=1648454

The problem with your query is that nearly every question about this team stems from inexperience. Until they prove otherwise, I expect this team to be in the middle of the pack in the Valley this year. I do not expect an NCAA at-large bid; however, I do hope that they become a serious threat in St. Louis.

I'll start with the two centers Stutz and Ourkpe. Both will bring different things to the table initially; however, I don't expect either to have an immediate impact. While I think one may start – that is little like being tossed out of the frying pan and into the fire. We should be patient with these two. Unfortunately, we could see Durley, Clemente and even Griskenas at the five spot from time to time this year.

AJ Hawkins – I love this kid. I am one who questions his outside shooting but regardless Hawkins can flat out score. He also has the ability to play great defense – but we need to see that on the court. Hawkins is one player I am not worried about at all.

Clemente – He is the other player I am not worried about. While he is undersized at the 4, we know what we can expect from Clemente. He will play hard and rebound. I assume he has worked on this offensive game over the summer as well. Even at this size he can be very effective inside. Clemente and Hawkins will probably be the leaders of this team next year; however, I see Clemente as more of a role player not a star. He will do the dirty work and set a good example for the younger players.

Ellis – As others have pointed out this kid has great potential. I know CGM says Ellis is more of a 4 but I hope he has worked on this game enough over the summer so that he can spell Hawkins at the three (I would like Hawkins to get some time at the 2 as well – provided he can knock down shots on a relatively consistent basis). As we know, Ellis is long and athletic. This kid also has shot blocking potential and if one or both of the seven footers pan out the front line could be scary.

Griskenas – I am not sure what to expect from him. I was really excited about Griskenas last year and was very disappointed (although he was coming on before he went down). We will have to see how his latest injury has affected him. I am sure he will back up Clemente at the four – provided Ellis does not take his minutes.

Durley – A very frustrating player. I hope he realizes that the PT he got last year was a gift – he didn't earn it. He needs to follow Clemente's lead and do the little things first – play defense and rebound. Do that and he has the potential to be on All-Conference player at some point during his career. Next year could be a coming out party for this kid or he could ride the bench and end up transferring.

Hatch – At this point, I just see Hatch as a practice player. Maybe he will prove me wrong; however, he had several chances last year and he was out played by a walk-on (Harris). It could be rust; he could be having a hard time adjusting to the speed of D-1 play – who knows? His positives are, obviously, he can shoot – probably the best shooter on the team – and he is a smart kid. He is not the quickest kid but there are things he can do to adjust for that. I am just not sure if he is a fit for CGM's system – we will see.

Hannah and Chamberlain – The PGs. By all accounts they are both solid players. I think it is just a question of who picks up CGM's system quicker. My bet is on Hannah. He is an unselfish player and once he gets to know his new teammates, I think he will be a great asset on the floor. I like Chamberlain as well and he shares many of the same qualities as Hannah. However, both of them will have to adjust to the speed of the D-1 game – give them some time and I think they will be solid floor leaders.

Kyles and Murry – Both will see time this year, they are along with the centers, the future of this program. However, as with Stutz and Orukpe – we have to be patient with these kids. By all accounts, they both have some tools to work with but to expect them to have an immediate impact is unrealistic.

In sum, the only players on this team I don't have questions about are Hawkins and Clemente. As a result, I am reluctant to pick them in the top half of the Valley.

[SubGod22]

DK will make us all smile many many times. He and Murry together are going to be quite a combination in the future. I can't wait!

Give it up Sub.
Who first informed you of his athleticism... 8)

:D

[wushock]

\What scares me is how do you guys know so much about what and whatnot they can do. Have you seen all of them play. Just wondering.

[SubGod22]

Most of these guys have been seen by at least a few people on here. All of them have been written about by scouts of some sort. Some have already witnessed some pickup games to get a feel.

Rivals and Scout and others do a pretty good job of telling you what a kid can and can't do. The coaches have been pretty up front about what they expect the kids can and can't do. When you put everything together you can get a pretty good understanding of what they're capable of.

[Maggie]

Obviously, we have all seen the returning players play. We know what a player like Clemente will bring to the table. As for players like Ellis, Durley, Griskenas and Hatch – I think people can reasonably expect certain things from them on the court.

I have seen Hawkins play in the A-10 and trust me – you will be very pleased.

As for Hannah, Chamberlain, Kyles, Murry, Stutz and Ourkpe – while some people have seen them play, listen to what the coaches say about them, etc. and use that knowledge to speculate about future performance in the end it is still speculation. Kinda fun but people are still making, in some cases, educated guesses.

In my opinion, on paper this is one of the strongest recruiting classes WSU has had in years. So I am optimistic about the future; however, I also don't want people to place to high of expectations on this group too early. They have proven nothing.

[SubGod22]

Many of us feel the same Maggie. This class could be something special and over the next four years could really help lift us to the next level on our way to the top!

[ShockRef]

\What scares me is how do you guys know so much about what and whatnot they can do. Have you seen all of them play. Just wondering.

Have either seen them or talked personally with people who have (and trust). 8)

[skyshocker30]

i've seen both hannah and chamberlain play in the same game. i'm sure many on here have seen a lot of these players.