Jack Kohnen committed to Iowa State!!!

[MJ271]

Not going to lie, I came away from that video a little disappointed. He's not explosive at all and looks slow footed. I was expecting a little more athleticism. He has good size, but I don't see him being able to take a good Big 12 defender off the bounce. I guess I'll trust TJ and the recruiting rankings. You don't get that high without being really good at that position.

These other, more recent, highlights might be better for showing some explosion. Jack Kohnen is #3 in red in this video, and his younger brother is #1.

If we're assuming he fills a Momcilovic-type role (floor-spacing wing), I think we can confidently say he has more vertical explosion than Milan does. The quickness and ability to create for himself in a college context would be the bigger question and harder to tell against high school defenses.

 

[FinalFourCy]

Not going to lie, I came away from that video a little disappointed. He's not explosive at all and looks slow footed. I was expecting a little more athleticism. He has good size, but I don't see him being able to take a good Big 12 defender off the bounce. I guess I'll trust TJ and the recruiting rankings. You don't get that high without being really good at that position.

Blum mentioned he’s been one of the top shooters, if not the top in the EYBL. A Matt Thomas with a little more upside due to being bigger

Can always use elite shooting

But I’m surprised we prioritized him over a playmaker in Ann

 

[Klubber]

The thing that concerns me isn't the guard or wing play. We're swimming in pretty deep waters now. As in, we are shooting for Final Fours. When you get that deep into the tournament, you are going to run into elite size. Tennessee bodied us. Maybe we beat them with Jefferson, maybe not, but we were absolutely not beating Michigan. I guess my concern is if you are playing a team with a front line of 6'9, 7'0, 6'10 and your front line is 6'6, 6'10, 6'7, that's a problem. Tough situation to be in, because we need guys that are mobile enough to switch, bring the double, retreat to stop the lob. And big guys that can do those things are few and far between...especially guys that have some offensive skill.

Michigan's front line gave everyone problems. Tenn was definitely beatable if JJeff plays.

We definitely could've used another physical forward last year in the rotation. I think we'll be more physical upfront this season with the new guys and who's coming back.

But a team can win in multiple ways. You don't have to have an enormous front line to be FF caliber. Michigan had problems with Wisconsin last season. And that's because Wisconsin had outstanding guards who could light it up and draw the bigs out of the lane. Wisco's front line wasn't exceptional by any stretch though.

 

[Klubber]

The thing that concerns me isn't the guard or wing play. We're swimming in pretty deep waters now. As in, we are shooting for Final Fours. When you get that deep into the tournament, you are going to run into elite size. Tennessee bodied us. Maybe we beat them with Jefferson, maybe not, but we were absolutely not beating Michigan. I guess my concern is if you are playing a team with a front line of 6'9, 7'0, 6'10 and your front line is 6'6, 6'10, 6'7, that's a problem. Tough situation to be in, because we need guys that are mobile enough to switch, bring the double, retreat to stop the lob. And big guys that can do those things are few and far between...especially guys that have some offensive skill.

Michigan's front line gave everyone problems. Tenn was definitely beatable if JJeff plays.

We definitely could've used another physical forward last year in the rotation. I think we'll be more physical upfront this season with the new guys and who's coming back.

But a team can win in multiple ways. You don't have to have an enormous front line to be FF caliber. Michigan had problems with Wisconsin last season. And that's because Wisconsin had outstanding guards who could light it up and draw the bigs out of the lane. Wisco's front line wasn't exceptional by any stretch though.

 

[Letterkenny]

Naz was a freaking fantastic athlete. Laterally wasn't insane but he could jump out of the gym and his speed/burst was fantastic for his size.

Really? I mean, he was solid. I don't know if he had a single dunk in his career, as a 6'4" guy.

 

[Letterkenny]

Blum mentioned he’s been one of the top shooters, if not the top in the EYBL. A Matt Thomas with a little more upside due to being bigger

Can always use elite shooting

But I’m surprised we prioritized him over a playmaker in Ann

I'm guessing they feel we have enough playmakers with Harrington, Toure, Wiggins, Gray, Davis and made a shooter the priority.

 

[FinalFourCy]

I'm guessing they feel we have enough playmakers with Harrington, Toure, Wiggins, Gray, Davis and made a shooter the priority.

I meant guys that have the potential to be playmakers as primary ball handlers. Those types can always play off ball too. More flexibility if it turns out Gray and Wiggins are more off ball types

If we’re taking 3-4 HS per class, I’d think we’d average at least a combo per class

 

[heitclone]

Blum mentioned he’s been one of the top shooters, if not the top in the EYBL. A Matt Thomas with a little more upside due to being bigger

Can always use elite shooting

But I’m surprised we prioritized him over a playmaker in Ann

Did we have a choice with Ann? Kyle Green was our twin cities guy right? We seem to have lost steam with Ann after the coaching change. Not sure it was prioritizing as much as us being realistic.

 

[apiaryaviary1]

I believe the original report, at least, was that he was 19 and she was 15 when it actually happened, and there was some discussion of whether it was a one-time thing or something that went on for a longer period of time. Either of those would change the situation quite a bit. But again, in these types of situations, if there is not cooperation from those parties, it's hard for any investigation to do much (see the Chris Beard domestic violence case getting dropped).

Anyway, this'll be my last post on it. I'm sorry to derail the thread somewhat. I was just trying to make a joke that I didn't think would generate any type of discussion.

All good, I just see a lot of people that don't watch the NBA, catch one headline and run with it.

REGARDLESS - if the comp is accurate, and this kid is Josh Giddey plus on offense, that comp is like prime Russell Westbrook or James Harden. I don't know if people have kept up with the numbers JG is putting up on the Bulls. Here's the list of other players that averaged 17/8/9 this season: Nikola Jokic. That's it, that's the list.

 

[Marcelason78]

Not going to lie, I came away from that video a little disappointed. He's not explosive at all and looks slow footed. I was expecting a little more athleticism. He has good size, but I don't see him being able to take a good Big 12 defender off the bounce. I guess I'll trust TJ and the recruiting rankings. You don't get that high without being really good at that position.

I came away from the video seeing Greg Gard mouthing- “Dammit, I wish Iowa State would quit coming in and signing all of these good in-state kids.”

 

[enisthemenace]

Really? I mean, he was solid. I don't know if he had a single dunk in his career, as a 6'4" guy.

Not many finished at the rim better than Naz his last couple of years.

 

[MJ271]

Really? I mean, he was solid. I don't know if he had a single dunk in his career, as a 6'4" guy.

Not many finished at the rim better than Naz his last couple of years.

Per Barttorvik, Naz had 6 dunks in his career (2 in his junior year, 4 in his redshirt senior year).

But he really did evolve his body and play style while he was out with his medical redshirt before his last season. He got a lot stronger, and it helped him double his attempts at the rim from 49 to 104 from his junior to redshirt senior year, while also improving his field goal percentage there. He didn't have that flashy athleticism of Burton, but he had a great first step and strong dribble.

 

[FinalFourCy]

Did we have a choice with Ann? Kyle Green was our twin cities guy right? We seem to have lost steam with Ann after the coaching change. Not sure it was prioritizing as much as us being realistic.

I think it was both. Kohnen has really played well this spring, and our ability to land Ann decreased

 

[FinalFourCy]

Per Barttorvik, Naz had 6 dunks in his career (2 in his junior year, 4 in his redshirt senior year).

But he really did evolve his body and play style while he was out with his medical redshirt before his last season. He got a lot stronger, and it helped him double his attempts at the rim from 49 to 104 from his junior to redshirt senior year, while also improving his field goal percentage there. He didn't have that flashy athleticism of Burton, but he had a great first step and strong dribble.

Agree.
Naz was a solid athlete that could guard multiple positions in backcourt and to get by guys and finish on offense.

 

[Frak]

How many teams have this kind of front line along with the athletes Michigan had?

That's going to be tough for about any program.

Not sure how they land one but imo ISU has missed having just one athletically elite guy with 'bounce' that can get about anywhere on both ends and find a bucket in a drought.

Not many, that's for sure. Maybe not quite as well-rounded, but Tennessee did. Florida did, Arizona did. All I'm saying is that we are going to have a team that can make a run...this year, next year, etc. You're going to run into these teams eventually. Do you have enough firepower to at least hold your own down low if your guard court isn't dominating like they do to bad teams? Or are you getting bullied and giving up every rebound like we saw against TN? I would not call anyone on our team last year an above the rim player. And that can lead to you getting killed on the boards.

 

[CyberJJJ]

I think it was both. Kohnen has really played well this spring, and our ability to land Ann decreased

Kohnen also has a recruitable younger brother that adds to his value.

 

[ForeverIowan]

Pretty certain Milan had 1 dunk in his entire career at Iowa State. The guy ended up being the #1 ranked transfer in the entire country and is playing at Kentucky next year for in excess of $6M.

Make no mistake Kohnen is a better athlete and passer and widely considered one of the best shooters in the 2027 class.

 

[madguy30]

Not many, that's for sure. Maybe not quite as well-rounded, but Tennessee did. Florida did, Arizona did. All I'm saying is that we are going to have a team that can make a run...this year, next year, etc. You're going to run into these teams eventually. Do you have enough firepower to at least hold your own down low if your guard court isn't dominating like they do to bad teams? Or are you getting bullied and giving up every rebound like we saw against TN? I would not call anyone on our team last year an above the rim player. And that can lead to you getting killed on the boards.

What was AZ'S front line like for size?

They looked dwarfed against Michigan iirc.

TN had some size but I thought their speed was a bigger problem.

Not only above the rim but I wouldn't call ISU exactly fleet of foot.

 

[Letterkenny]

What was AZ'S front line like for size?

They looked dwarfed against Michigan iirc.

TN had some size but I thought their speed was a bigger problem.

Not only above the rim but I wouldn't call ISU exactly fleet of foot.

7'-2", 6'-8", 6'-7", 6'-4", 6'-3".

We had decent size until Jefferson went out. Probably one of the biggest starting lineups we've ever had.

6'-10", 6'-9", 6'-8", 6'-3", 6'-1".

Michigan went 7'-3", 6'-9", 6'-9", 6'-5", 6'-1". They were so good because all 3 of those big guys could score, pass and shoot a little bit. Made them impossible to deal with.

 

[not-the-manager]

7'-2", 6'-8", 6'-7", 6'-4", 6'-3".

We had decent size until Jefferson went out. Probably one of the biggest starting lineups we've ever had.

6'-10", 6'-9", 6'-8", 6'-3", 6'-1".

Michigan went 7'-3", 6'-9", 6'-9", 6'-5", 6'-1". They were so good because all 3 of those big guys could score, pass and shoot a little bit. Made them impossible to deal with.

agreed. Lost in the race to now use Michigan's blueprint is that Lendeborgs and Maras don't grow on trees. Sure, with the transfer portal you have a pretty good idea of what you're bringing in, and if you have the cash you can bring in some talented bigs. But some skillsets are just scarce, and everything still has to jell, even if you find something similar to a blueprint