MBB Recruits 2019

[ProudofPride]

Pretty sure it was Caleb Burgess
http://verbalcommits.com/players/caleb-burgess

[Cards]

Anyone have any progress report for Hal Hughes. I am very intrigued with him - knowing (based on pre-game warmups) that he can shoot the three pretty well, with a pretty soft touch. At 6'9", having him as a potential 4 could be quite beneficial given our recent woes in the paint. He certainly is not a small guy and appears to be adding weight (definitely not the ST type build). Does anyone know how he moves, defends, etc.? Could he even be the backup 5 to IK next season? its just tough to gauge all his skills (or lack thereof) based on warmups. Any insights??

[daHUPride]

Anyone have any progress report for Hal Hughes. I am very intrigued with him - knowing (based on pre-game warmups) that he can shoot the three pretty well, with a pretty soft touch. At 6'9", having him as a potential 4 could be quite beneficial given our recent woes in the paint. He certainly is not a small guy and appears to be adding weight (definitely not the ST type build). Does anyone know how he moves, defends, etc.? Could he even be the backup 5 to IK next season? its just tough to gauge all his skills (or lack thereof) based on warmups. Any insights??

I have nothing to add - I am equally as curious - and I agree in warmups certainly has a nice touch.

[triplec2195]

Anyone have any progress report for Hal Hughes. I am very intrigued with him - knowing (based on pre-game warmups) that he can shoot the three pretty well, with a pretty soft touch. At 6'9", having him as a potential 4 could be quite beneficial given our recent woes in the paint. He certainly is not a small guy and appears to be adding weight (definitely not the ST type build). Does anyone know how he moves, defends, etc.? Could he even be the backup 5 to IK next season? its just tough to gauge all his skills (or lack thereof) based on warmups. Any insights??

I have nothing to add - I am equally as curious - and I agree in warmups certainly has a nice touch.

I'm sure HUSID has seen him in practice. He has mentioned that he goes to practice once in a while.

[triplec2195]

Pretty sure it was Caleb Burgess
http://verbalcommits.com/players/caleb-burgess

Yes V/C SAYS HE VISITED BUT PLANS TO VISIT St Bonaventure on 3/9. I guess that means we're in the running at least for now. It's an important position for us to fill with the right player.

[HUSID74]

Anyone have any progress report for Hal Hughes. I am very intrigued with him - knowing (based on pre-game warmups) that he can shoot the three pretty well, with a pretty soft touch. At 6'9", having him as a potential 4 could be quite beneficial given our recent woes in the paint. He certainly is not a small guy and appears to be adding weight (definitely not the ST type build). Does anyone know how he moves, defends, etc.? Could he even be the backup 5 to IK next season? its just tough to gauge all his skills (or lack thereof) based on warmups. Any insights??

I have nothing to add - I am equally as curious - and I agree in warmups certainly has a nice touch.

I'm sure HUSID has seen him in practice. He has mentioned that he goes to practice once in a while.

The word on Hughes is pretty good...he is a Euro style big guy, ala Porzingas, has a soft shooting touch out to the three-point line and is BIG...I think 6-9 is conservative.

He needs to get stronger and gain more experience. What I hear is that in practice there are days/moments where he looks great and there are others where he looks a bit pedestrian.


Hopefully he makes a strong contribution next season.

[HUSID74]

Pretty sure it was Caleb Burgess
http://verbalcommits.com/players/caleb-burgess

Yes V/C SAYS HE VISITED BUT PLANS TO VISIT St Bonaventure on 3/9. I guess that means we're in the running at least for now. It's an important position for us to fill with the right player.

Hope there's a blizzard when he goes up there!

[triplec2195]

Pretty sure it was Caleb Burgess
http://verbalcommits.com/players/caleb-burgess

Yes V/C SAYS HE VISITED BUT PLANS TO VISIT St Bonaventure on 3/9. I guess that means we're in the running at least for now. It's an important position for us to fill with the right player.

Hope there's a blizzard when he goes up there!

Well in reality after the show we put on for him here packed house etc there should be no need for him to even go up there. It's too cold!!

[Cards]

The word on Hughes is pretty good...he is a Euro style big guy, ala Porzingas, has a soft shooting touch out to the three-point line and is BIG...I think 6-9 is conservative.He needs to get stronger and gain more experience. What I hear is that in practice there are days/moments where he looks great and there are others where he looks a bit pedestrian.Hopefully he makes a strong contribution next season.

Thanks HUSID - considering he's a redshirt with 4 full years left, thats a positive report. Can't remember anytime we had anyone at the 4 with that kind of size (I think Koons was 6'8"). I think we're all very much looking forward to see what he brings to the court next season.

[HUSID74]

The word on Hughes is pretty good...he is a Euro style big guy, ala Porzingas, has a soft shooting touch out to the three-point line and is BIG...I think 6-9 is conservative.He needs to get stronger and gain more experience. What I hear is that in practice there are days/moments where he looks great and there are others where he looks a bit pedestrian.Hopefully he makes a strong contribution next season.

Thanks HUSID - considering he's a redshirt with 4 full years left, thats a positive report. Can't remember anytime we had anyone at the 4 with that kind of size (I think Koons was 6'8"). I think we're all very much looking forward to see what he brings to the court next season.

Agreed, seems to have a significant upside...also hearing raves about Kante! Also bodes well for the future...wish we had him THIS YEAR!

[garyg]

I like what I have seen online regarding Caleb Burgess...google his name and a lot of positive stuff comes up...in addition to his athleticism and skills he is described as a tough gritty PG who is a vocal leader with a bit of dog in him...good defender as well...played very good against Oak Hill Academy and held his own against their 5 star PG...relatively speaking he is a late bloomer who may start to get some major offers in March and April...Cincinnati has been keeping in touch with him

[triplec2195]

I like what I have seen online regarding Caleb Burgess...google his name and a lot of positive stuff comes up...in addition to his athleticism and skills he is described as a tough gritty PG who is a vocal leader with a bit of dog in him...good defender as well...played very good against Oak Hill Academy and held his own against their 5 star PG...relatively speaking he is a late bloomer who may start to get some major offers in March and April...Cincinnati has been keeping in touch with him

We need to lock him up before that time that's all.

[triplec2195]

He also knows playing here he will be seeing a fair amount of playing time if he performs.

[triplec2195]

The PG that had been mentioned here in prior posts Tony Johnson Jr recruited by Speedy has committed to UCF PER V/C. So much for that dream!
Tony Johnson, Jr.


StatusVerbally Committed to UCF

Year2019 (HS SR)

PositionPG

Height6-4

Weight188

HometownEufaula, AL

High SchoolThe-Skill-Factory Prep

[Polito]

Burgess is a take ALL day long - land him, and he will be the starting point in '20-21 post Buie grad. Have loosely known/followed him for the past year, all that Gary said and more. Real floor general, leader, fearless, high motor, skilled, tenacious, can shoot drive defend dish and rebound, and all at 6'3. The Moravian / Oak Hill game became an instant classic, and legendary prep status this year. P5 D1's everywhere, including a couple of lottery pick locks. Also happened to be Caleb's national coming out party - kid can ball with the best. CAA ready, and with a year of DB and Speedy, would transition nicely into the starting spot his Soph year.

Can't believe I can say this, but the environment HU showed on Sat will compete very well with St Bon this time. They will sell the A10, as they should, but he is quoted as saying he is not enamored with level and name only, that he is more than willing to go to a lesser known school for the right fit. I never count out the Bonnies, both programs known for great guard play, but I believe HU should have a great shot here.

UCF having a nice hoops year... parlaying their football success well.

Nice to hear about Hughes, but I remain skeptical for a few reasons. 1) want to see him shoot like that live games against CAA defenses, 2) he's thin at that height for this league, 3) I'm going to go out on a limb here and wager he isn't a D1 defensive level player yet.

We shall see. Having a 6'9 4 that can shoot the lights out and can handle the full position in this league would be all-conf worthy so, yeah, I'm all for it, if it's reality

Have been high on Kante since his transfer, very excited to see him knocking elbows down low... hopefully splitting time with JT!!

[garyg]

Word we have been hearing Polito is that JT will not likely get the extra year...that's a bummer

[stuball888]

Spoke to Jaquils dad. While technically he is eligible I think he doesn’t need another year he is on pace to graduate over the summer

[Mikey77]

On JT's eligibility - can't we persuade him to get a PhD?

[triplec2195]

On JT's eligibility - can't we persuade him to get a PhD?

I'm for that yeah!!

[Mikey77]

Dr. Taylor has a nice ring to it.