Give me a Bond-Prather-Singleton commitment weekend and I'll consider this a homerun.
Leon Bond committed
- Thread starter ZmillaTLK
- Start date
I feel like Johnson is probably the next most likely, to me - he seems like an absolutely great fit (quick, tough, high steals, low turnovers).
I think Singleton is the most important get. Happy to get Bond. Would be happy to get Johnson and/or Prather, but Singleton, or someone similar, not yet identified, is critical IMO.
Bond, Singleton and Johnson would feel like a decent flip for the outgoing seniors, at least from the role's we lost. After that, it really just depends on Milan. If you were to bring him back, that's not far off of the last two years. Would be a preseason top 10 team.
demoncore1031
Well-Known Member
Dude had 9 steals in a game this year and three 30+ point games. I don't care how short he is, sign him up!
Bond was 4 stars, 2nd best high school player out of Wisconsin.
I have zero concerns about Bond at all. TJ would have gotten the full scoop on him from Tony Bennett. If he didn't think he would buy into the effort to be on a TJ team, they would have never considered him.
Potentially hidden offensive upside. With his athleticism, what happens if he goes from the slowest temp in the country to a team who needs to force steals and score in transition? Maybe it's a flop offensively and slow temp is the right scheme for him. Or Iowa State's pace of play fits him better and he explodes. I didn't watch much UNI, but I did see a few times where they isolated him on offense. It's possible (not probable) that he could become a guy who can create his own offense.
If Milan comes back, it's possible Bond the starting PF. Not likely, but possible. If Milan. Goes to the NBA, I would say it's extremely likely he starts.
I would assume that money was his deciding factor between ISU and Utah State. If he somehow makes a lean and could score 14-15pts a game then he likely gets on NBA radars. 6-5 strong solid D with a decent 3 point percentage? If he's got a big wingspan, he may fit perfectly into an NBA 3 and D role.
Potentially hidden offensive upside. With his athleticism, what happens if he goes from the slowest temp in the country to a team who needs to force steals and score in transition? Maybe it's a flop offensively and slow temp is the right scheme for him. Or Iowa State's pace of play fits him better and he explodes. I didn't watch much UNI, but I did see a few times where they isolated him on offense. It's possible (not probable) that he could become a guy who can create his own offense.
If Milan comes back, it's possible Bond the starting PF. Not likely, but possible. If Milan. Goes to the NBA, I would say it's extremely likely he starts.
I would assume that money was his deciding factor between ISU and Utah State. If he somehow makes a lean and could score 14-15pts a game then he likely gets on NBA radars. 6-5 strong solid D with a decent 3 point percentage? If he's got a big wingspan, he may fit perfectly into an NBA 3 and D role.
Not sure I'd ask Tony Bennett about him since he asked him to leave but that was almost 3 years ago at this point
He absolutely can't play the 4. He's a true wing.
I'm struggling with the Taj Manning position. If you get him that 3 guys at the 4 position with Singleton, Manning, Kiss and then 3 guys at the 5 position with Buchanon, Pleta, DR-K.
DR-K is good enough and athletic enough that you don't want him not playing. I really feel like him or Pleta need to play the hybrid 4/5 but lean into the 4 position more with the other being the backup 5. If you do that then there's 2 guys deep not playing at the 4 and that just doesn't seem plausible or you go 3 deep at each position and then the freshman don't play most likely.
It's looking like we'll be 6'5" and below in the 1-3 positions so it would be nice to have a couple 6'10" guys on the floor at the same time.
DR-K is good enough and athletic enough that you don't want him not playing. I really feel like him or Pleta need to play the hybrid 4/5 but lean into the 4 position more with the other being the backup 5. If you do that then there's 2 guys deep not playing at the 4 and that just doesn't seem plausible or you go 3 deep at each position and then the freshman don't play most likely.
It's looking like we'll be 6'5" and below in the 1-3 positions so it would be nice to have a couple 6'10" guys on the floor at the same time.
Interesting....asked to leave because recruited over or attitude? Based on what I've read, he played lots of post in high school so his 3 point shooting is a work in progress so perhaps that was the reasoning? Maybe not the skill set they were looking for
Different offensive player than Heise it would appear but that's not a bad thing. Just don't look for him to be a proficient 3 point shooter...more of a slasher / mid range guy. I like the length and athleticism for sure.
It took Leon a while to realize how hard you have to work outside of practice to play at a Division I level. He and Tony butted heads with that and he and Jake did as well early.
He's matured. He gets it now. He's going to fit in the defensive scheme really well. I'm interested to see how his offensive game translates.
He's an awesome kid so I hope that he just kills it!
So do you think it was a money difference between him choosing ISU over following Jake to Utah?
I would guess the Manning position is primarily a “give us 5 minutes of balls to the wall effort” or have him come in if we have someone in foul trouble.
He’s a very elite get for the role he’s going to serve. And he’s willing to serve that role.
MWC was a one bid league last year. Big 12 is a massive step up.
He shot over 36% from 3 last season so I don't see why he wouldn't improve his shot in the off season. Batemon shot 37% so Bond would have been the third best 3-pt shooter last season and barely missing being #2 behind Milan.
Even 36% is good enough for defenses to respect his shot which opens it up to him driving to the hoop with athleticism.
the athleticism and size of bond, toure ,and batemon terrorizing backcourts with ball pressure has me really excited for next year. this could be a top 2 or 3 defense.
johnson is no defensive slouch either even though he lacks size. hope we can get him to sign this weekend and then the backcourt is pretty much set. any other pieces added would be spot minute and practice bodies.
johnson is no defensive slouch either even though he lacks size. hope we can get him to sign this weekend and then the backcourt is pretty much set. any other pieces added would be spot minute and practice bodies.
