Gator Basketball Basketball Offseason Thread: 7'7" Olivier Rioux, "World's Tallest Teenager", commits to Florida

[MertzJay26]

Yep yep. That's the plan

Who’s the other one you’re predicting?

 

[t-gator]

Big get. Talent won’t be an issue next year at all

We've got to get another guard. Preferably 2. Then I'll feel good about next year. If we get the perry kid then we're a top 10 team next year.

 

[MertzJay26]

We've got to get another guard. Preferably 2. Then I'll feel good about next year. If we get the perry kid then we're a top 10 team next year.

Hoping that’s the next domino to fall

 

[Egor's Assistant]

I still think golden is gonna end up being a really good hire. His talent acquisition efforts are certainly on par.

Makes you wonder if Golden hinted to Fudge that he should go pro. He faked interest from NBA GM's like Mullen faked interest from the NFL.

 

[LeeForThree]

Who’s the other one you’re predicting?

Perry, but its a battle. There isn't much behind him in terms of options if they don't get him, but I think there is a good chance he is a Gator

 

[maheo30]

As far as perimeter players go, we have...

Kugel
Clayton
Richard
Haugh
Aberdeen

We need another small forward. Did I miss anyone?

 

[Bernardo de la Paz]

As far as perimeter players go, we have...

Kugel
Clayton
Richard
Haugh
Aberdeen

We need another small forward. Did I miss anyone?

Haugh will play PF I believe.

If any of the bigs are sliding out to the wing, I would guess Jarvis.

 

[LeeForThree]

 

[MertzJay26]

Don’t know if this is a take based on name and appearance alone

 

[LeeForThree]

Don’t know if this is a take based on name and appearance alone

Both...and the skills are just an added bonus lol

 

[CGgater]

Don’t know if this is a take based on name and appearance alone

Gonna have to change his last name to Gator. Another good option would be Orange.

 

[Double Gator Dad]

Don’t know if this is a take based on name and appearance alone

Agreed

His look reminds me of the Appleby kid from the West Coast that Billy signed 10-12 years ago.
He was a slightly built, little white kid that looked like he was 12 years old. He had game but he just couldn’t handle the physical nature of basketball at this level.
He transferred back out west after one season.

 

[CGgater]

Both...and the skills are just an added bonus lol

Lee, since you're kinda like the cover2 of basketball, I have a request: I would appreciate a brief overview of each signee as an upgrade/downgrade/neutral to their position. Nothing elaborate, just a quick-hitter.

I watch Gator BB, but there's still a ton I don't understand about the game. Please dumb it down for me! I see these commits from smaller schools and I know that's not necessarily a bad thing, but it has that "diamond in the rough" feeling that we're just propping up a 3*. I just know there's a lot I don't know...

 

[t-gator]

Agreed

His look reminds me of the Appleby kid from the West Coast that Billy signed 10-12 years ago.
He was a slightly built, little white kid that looked like he was 12 years old. He had game but he just couldn’t handle the physical nature of basketball at this level.
He transferred back out west after one season.

I believe he actually had a decent career at Washington if I remember correctly

 

[Double Gator Dad]

I believe he actually had a decent career at Washington if I remember correctly

You are correct.
He started at the point for them for a couple of seasons and he did so without bulking up at all which led me to question the caliber of play in that league.

When he was at UF he couldn’t even get the ball across half court without it being stolen for a layup.
The guy had skills he just lacked the physicality to compete in the SEC at that time.

 

[gatordad3]

You are correct.
He started at the point for them for a couple of seasons and he did so without bulking up at all which led me to question the caliber of play in that league.

When he was at UF he couldn’t even get the ball across half court without it being stolen for a layup.
The guy had skills he just lacked the physicality to compete in the SEC at that time.

Wasn't he also a backup to Anthony Roberson(Peep, although some argued at the old GSMB that his nickname was Pete)?

 

[stephenPE]

love the name. Makes up for losing Kowacee

 

[LeeForThree]

Lee, since you're kinda like the cover2 of basketball, I have a request: I would appreciate a brief overview of each signee as an upgrade/downgrade/neutral to their position. Nothing elaborate, just a quick-hitter.

I watch Gator BB, but there's still a ton I don't understand about the game. Please dumb it down for me! I see these commits from smaller schools and I know that's not necessarily a bad thing, but it has that "diamond in the rough" feeling that we're just propping up a 3*. I just know there's a lot I don't know...

E.J Jarvis- 6'8, 200 lbs- SF/PF/C- Jarvis will be a backup most likely. He averaged 11.3 pts and 5.5 reb, along with 1.5 BLKs at Yale last season. Super athletic. Probably for sure a backup at PF. Can rebound, dunk, block shots. Can score with his back to the basket, 1 on 1, pick and roll, and driving. Basically he is a more experienced way less out of control Fudge. What everyone thought Fudge could do. Will be tougher vs higher competition, but a very good option as a backup

Status- Projected Backup PF, huge upgrade to Fudge



Walter Clayton Jr- 6'2, 195- G- Should be a starting G. He averaged 16.8 pts, 4.3 reb, 3.2 assists, 43% 3pt%, 95% FT%. Clayton will be a lead guard. Whether as the point or a combo, the ball will be in his hands a lot. Big time scorer at all 3 levels. Amazing 3pt % and FT% was the best in the country...helped lead Pitino to the NCAAT. He has great body control and loves to drive and score inside against contact or draw fouls as well. Right now next to Kugel we could have 2 of the best guards in the SEC

Status- Projected Starting G, monumentally huge upgrade to Jones or Lofton. Clayton can score with the best guards in the country, vs UCONN in the NCAAT had 15 pts, 4 reb, 4 assists



Micah Handlogten- 7'1, 235 lbs- C- Handlogten should be the starting C and will look a lot like one Joakim Noah out there if all goes as planned. He averaged 7.6 pts, 9.8 reb, 2.3 BLKs. He can run the floor with the best of them and protect the rim. Not much in the way of post moves, but the size, rebounding, and defense could be NBA talent level. Does a lot of pick and roll and put backs because of his size. Can shoot the 3, but was basically like Castleton there as a freshman. I dont expect that to be a big part, but it might if he gets better. He won't put up Casleton's offensive numbers, but defensively and rebounding could be as good or better when paired with Samuel. Should be a highly efficient scorer

Status- Projected Starting C, downgrade to Castleton numbers wise most likley. But will play a specific role and at a high rate while being efficient



Tyrese Samuel- PF/C- 6'10, 235 lbs- Should be the starting PF. He averaged 11 pts, 5.9 reb, 0.8 BLKs at Seton Hall. His game has been evolving each year. Played mostly C this year and played well in the Big East. Can score inside, has a little mid range shot, lots of pick and rolls, put backs, and can shoot a few 3pts though again not good at all. He is kind of the AL Horford imo to Handlogten's Joakim Noah. Similar size difference. Complementing games and abilities defensively as a big. Samuel should be more athletic and be able to cover PF and wants to show his ability to do so.

Status- Projected Starting PF, again just insanely big improvement in inside scoring and rebounding



Current lineup would be

Clayton
Kugel
Richard
Samuel
Handlogten

Backups:
Aberdeen
Jarvis
Haugh
Condon
Aleks

3 or so top targets still to go could put us as an amazing team on paper

 

[Egor's Assistant]

E.J Jarvis- 6'8, 200 lbs- SF/PF/C- Jarvis will be a backup most likely. He averaged 11.3 pts and 5.5 reb, along with 1.5 BLKs at Yale last season. Super athletic. Probably for sure a backup at PF. Can rebound, dunk, block shots. Can score with his back to the basket, 1 on 1, pick and roll, and driving. Basically he is a more experienced way less out of control Fudge. What everyone thought Fudge could do. Will be tougher vs higher competition, but a very good option as a backup

Status- Projected Backup PF, huge upgrade to Fudge



Walter Clayton Jr- 6'2, 195- G- Should be a starting G. He averaged 16.8 pts, 4.3 reb, 3.2 assists, 43% 3pt%, 95% FT%. Clayton will be a lead guard. Whether as the point or a combo, the ball will be in his hands a lot. Big time scorer at all 3 levels. Amazing 3pt % and FT% was the best in the country...helped lead Pitino to the NCAAT. He has great body control and loves to drive and score inside against contact or draw fouls as well. Right now next to Kugel we could have 2 of the best guards in the SEC

Status- Projected Starting G, monumentally huge upgrade to Jones or Lofton. Clayton can score with the best guards in the country, vs UCONN in the NCAAT had 15 pts, 4 reb, 4 assists



Micah Handlogten- 7'1, 235 lbs- C- Handlogten should be the starting C and will look a lot like one Joakim Noah out there if all goes as planned. He averaged 7.6 pts, 9.8 reb, 2.3 BLKs. He can run the floor with the best of them and protect the rim. Not much in the way of post moves, but the size, rebounding, and defense could be NBA talent level. Does a lot of pick and roll and put backs because of his size. Can shoot the 3, but was basically like Castleton there as a freshman. I dont expect that to be a big part, but it might if he gets better. He won't put up Casleton's offensive numbers, but defensively and rebounding could be as good or better when paired with Samuel. Should be a highly efficient scorer

Status- Projected Starting C, downgrade to Castleton numbers wise most likley. But will play a specific role and at a high rate while being efficient



Tyrese Samuel- PF/C- 6'10, 235 lbs- Should be the starting PF. He averaged 11 pts, 5.9 reb, 0.8 BLKs at Seton Hall. His game has been evolving each year. Played mostly C this year and played well in the Big East. Can score inside, has a little mid range shot, lots of pick and rolls, put backs, and can shoot a few 3pts though again not good at all. He is kind of the AL Horford imo to Handlogten's Joakim Noah. Similar size difference. Complementing games and abilities defensively as a big. Samuel should be more athletic and be able to cover PF and wants to show his ability to do so.

Status- Projected Starting PF, again just insanely big improvement in inside scoring and rebounding



Current lineup would be

Clayton
Kugel
Richard
Samuel
Handlogten

Backups:
Aberdeen
Jarvis
Haugh
Condon
Aleks

3 or so top targets still to go could put us as an amazing team on paper

Excellent write up, Lee. Given our Guard situation, would you want Kawacie back if you could? Just curious.

I hope we get Blue. Love the name.

 

[LeeForThree]

Excellent write up, Lee. Given our Guard situation, would you want Kawacie back if you could? Just curious.

I hope we get Blue. Love the name.

I would not. He just doesn't have the handle currently. If we get Tylor Perry and and Blue Cain I think we are far superior at G. Perry is key but Cain can probably do what Kowacie can, though with a much better 3pt shot, mid range shot, finishing at the rim against contact...and he can dribble without it bouncing over his head