You guys can dislike my posts all you want, but it still doesn't chance the fact that for Iowa State purposes he's a total bust.
Along with Eli King, Dubar, Omaha, Kaden Fish most likely.....
I don't think there is any debate that he didn't contribute to our team directly on the floor. I think most of us had higher hopes that he would get a chance to contribute at some point. But the new reality of college basketball is that some freshman will hit and some will not, especially at power 6 schools. Does that mean we should stop recruiting freshmen entirely? Is the staff somehow incompetent for having recruited him? We have 13 scholarships to fill and there are worse things to do with those last scholarships than find a freshman with potential and see how he responds to coaching. If it does not work out quickly, him transferring out and opening a spot for a transfer or another freshman that might catch on quicker could be the best outcome.
As far as transferring down a level, to me, that is probably a smart move to get playing time and show what he can do. I think any high schooler getting recruited or really any young player needs to weigh how much they value being part of a high level team with perhaps a smaller role, versus having a bigger role down a level. Players that excel at a lower level can transfer up for bigger pay days after a year or two. Players that sit on the bench at Power 6 schools might get more $$ in year 1 as a freshman than they would at a lower level, but playing time and success on the floor is the best way to increase their value. Most kids think they can probably carve out a role on a Power 6 team right away. In reality, fewer freshman end up making that work.
To me, why waste energy being appalled or shocked that any freshman doesn't pan out? That's like being in sales and being disappointed that every call or appointment doesn't end in a sale. It is a numbers game and you just can't win them all. If we consistently bring in high level talent, the cream will rise to the top and we will have a great chance to be successful.