Any news on Orukpe?

[vancedave56]

:yes:

[vbird53]

Solomon would do nothing but warm the bench for many years in the NBA.

All that says is money can buy tall.

The issue I seem to have with Orukpe, from all reports, is we spend 3-4-5 years courting him, developing him, to maybe getting 1 halfway decent year from him when he becomes a senior when the schollie could have been used to get a 6'9" or 6'10" guy that is much more athletic and possesses many more skills on the court, and would give you at least 3 good years on the court.

I have heard all the excuses for Orukpe, and other players as well, but like I said before, basketball is not Rocket Science, and any real good player can usually figure out what to do within a year, and continue from there. I don't have a lot of patience for someone that can not use their god given brain to figure something out that is not THAT hard.

I know what it takes in a sport, I played several sports when younger, and still play some, and have placed 9th in the world (International competition) in one of them.

Ask Bradley fans if they'd rather give back their short experience with Patrick O'Bryant. I'm guessing they'd rather keep that Sweet 16.

I know it's not an exact example (and I'm certainly not expecting the Big O to deliver a sweet 16), but you can't teach 7'0".

[Ricardo del Rio]

I wish I had a picture to post of EO in shorts and without a shirt. He has the look of a Greek god....er, Nigerian god.

He is not only 7-0, but he is an athletic, physical speciman.

Prospects like EO are not running around in abundance.

WSU is fortunate to have such a project.

[WuDrWu]

Mr. Hatch is appearing fit as well.


I now refer to him as Mr. Hatch, as I fear the more casual "Graham" could possibly induce as ass kicking that would send the Doctor back to pre-sterilization days.


My goodness the kid is put together. If Cold were still around there would be a serious man crush.

[SubGod22]

That's what I've been hearing. Can't wait to see these guys in action.

[WuDrWu]

That's what I've been hearing. Can't wait to see these guys in action.

Seriously, dude looks like he stole a barrel and is trying to carry and conceal.

[SubGod22]

Forget about Cold. I seriously have a man-crush on Mr. Hatch. How can you not love this guys work and dedication?

[tgcshock]

Mr. Hatch is appearing fit as well.


I now refer to him as Mr. Hatch, as I fear the more casual "Graham" could possibly induce as ass kicking that would send the Doctor back to pre-sterilization days.


My goodness the kid is put together. If Cold were still around there would be a serious man crush.

Of course when Cold was around he predicted that if Graham was ever a starter for us, it would mean we were in serious trouble as a program and no longer capable of getting "real" BCS type athletes as starters. I always thought Cold was wrong about Graham (as about so many other things ;-) ) but who knows, maybe he has changed his mind.

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

Well what Graham is a real spark plug for the team. Tons of heart and goes 100% all the time. That wasnt really prevalent his first year. While others on the team are better basketball players you do need a guy like that to balance everything out.

not saying I agree with Cold but seriously think about his first year for a second. Not so much him but the situation we were in etc. Overall grade for Mr Graham Hatch is A+

[Ricardo del Rio]

I believe Snap made an interesting point about Graham a few days ago.

Snap said Graham used to have a hitch in his 3 point shot and it has been smoothed out. I think Snap is right on.

I expect Graham to shoot better from 3 this year.

[newshock1234]

http://www.kansas.com/2010/07/11/1399238/orukpes-long-journey-finally-ends.html

[Txlen]

It is gratifying to read about someone who is true to his word no matter the other outside temptations.

[forevershockerfan]

EO will be a nice addition to our team and I think we all understand that his basketball development will be ongoing. There would have been a hullaballo right here on SN, if EO would have signed elsewhere. From what I hear about his genuine character, I felt strongly he would land here all along. It is great for EO to have Mr. Stutz to teach him the ropes and compete daily against each other in the endeavor to help each other to improve. EO will have a, willing and far beyond able, Coaching Staff to help him along as well. Look at the striking development of Mr. Stutz, and just know that each of our players will improve if they listen and work hard.

Mr. Hatch actually has been better as a Shock than advertized? There were those that seemed to think early on in his career that he could be easily replaced. Now we are all on the Hatch turnip truck, and understand his value as a team contributor. I concur that we have not seen the best of Graham's shooting accuracy until this, his Senior year. Hatch will be a leader and has a fierce competitive spirit. Hatch will have some serious competition from within the Shocker camp this Season. Ben Smith can score and has game. Now that IS groovy and I trust you can dig it.

Take a blast to the past back to the days of Carr, Cliff L. and X-Man. Now reflect back to our Sweet 16 team back around 2006. How will this Season's team perform versus those 2 thrilling teams? Will our beloved Shocks execute and come together to be a top 25 team as one Pre-Season-Publication predicted? Stay tuned. However, as RDR noted, from top to bottom, this could very well be our deepest quality depth team. Yes, I concur with that assertion. Thus, if we are accurate, then there should be lots of happy Shocker fans this very Season. No wonder we are struggling to fill in the blanks with teams to fill about 3 more slots. The countdown to the 2010-2011 Season draweth nigh. Tickets--get your tickets in order!!!!!!! Coach Marshall and his Staff are building it, and the Shocker zealots will come.

[Ashockalypse]

That made my day.

[Snapshot9]

That's all well and fine, FSF, but it seems to me that Orukpe is still working on the very things he was suppose to work on 3 years ago. I would think that after 3 years of working on those things, there would be some improvement. That's the proverbial question, where is the improvement in his game for the last 3 years?????

He's been playing the game since he was about 15, it's about time he learned how to play it, don't you think? I sincerely hope that Stutz and the Coaching staff make a lot of progress with him.