Which incoming freshman will have the biggest impact next year?
- Thread starter ClonerJams
- Start date
There will be only 1 that emerges out of the 4. So which one will that be? Prediction, 3 of them will transfer after next year. I’m hoping Bateman is the guy
Op you forgot the option for None of the Above
Joking aside, the guards are the best choices in my opinion, and probably Batemon early on and eventually Toure getting worked in too as bodies start to wear down. Mitchell is really an exciting prospect but not sure who he'd take minutes away from. Plus he's been recruited over in the class of 26 already too, so would not be be surprised if he's a one and done in Ames. I'm super sketchy regarding pleta. He looks like a better prospect than Giorgos was 10 years ago, but could see them having a similar career arc.
Joking aside, the guards are the best choices in my opinion, and probably Batemon early on and eventually Toure getting worked in too as bodies start to wear down. Mitchell is really an exciting prospect but not sure who he'd take minutes away from. Plus he's been recruited over in the class of 26 already too, so would not be be surprised if he's a one and done in Ames. I'm super sketchy regarding pleta. He looks like a better prospect than Giorgos was 10 years ago, but could see them having a similar career arc.
This. As of now, there is only room for 1 freshman to play, and in this day and age of play or transfer, only one of these kids will still be here after next year. That’s the sad reality of modern day college athletics. All 4 look like they’ll be studs in college at some point, problem is for three of them, it won’t be at ISU. And if ISU gets two more transfers, none will see playing time unless T.J. goes deeper off the bench, which he has stated multiple times over the years, he only wants an 8 man rotation.
Especially for 2026-27 because the cupboard gets really bare after next year!
Has TJ actually said he only wants to go 8 deep?
starters-Tamin, Williams, Jefferson, Milan, transfer big.
back ups-Batemon, Heise, Mulder, Pleta
I think we use 9 next year unless Pleta is not ready to go.
If we land Rohde, he will start over Williams.
I think we can win with this group. I worry about the athletism with this roster. Hopefully there is enough skill there to compensate for that.
starters-Tamin, Williams, Jefferson, Milan, transfer big.
back ups-Batemon, Heise, Mulder, Pleta
I think we use 9 next year unless Pleta is not ready to go.
If we land Rohde, he will start over Williams.
I think we can win with this group. I worry about the athletism with this roster. Hopefully there is enough skill there to compensate for that.
FWIW, the moderator on another Cyclone site has predicted Toure may start next year given level of competition he’s faced and how fast he’s developed. Also lockdown defender.
That is exciting. I just watched his highlights. Looks athletic for sure. His release on his jump shot is slow, he will need to improve on that.
While portal season is exciting, I want to talk about the freshmen. It is hard these days it seems for freshmen to make an impact; under TJ its pretty much been Tamin and Milan. However, I do like the potential of these guys. Batemon is the highest rated and by all accounts can shoot the **** out of the ball. Toure is more under the radar, but a lot of people seem to think he may be the best of our recruits. Mitchell was the Wisconsin Gatorade player of the year. Pleta is not technically a freshman, but I included him as well. We'll see how his game translates.
Jamarion Batemon, Milwaukee Academy Of Science , Combo Guard
Jamarion Batemon is a 6-3, 170-pound Combo Guard from Milwaukee, WI.247sports.com
Killyan Toure, Brewster Academy Bobcats, Shooting Guard
Killyan Toure is a 6-3, 190-pound Shooting Guard from Wolfeboro, NH.
Xzavion Mitchell, North , Power Forward
Xzavion Mitchell is a 6-8, 210-pound Small Forward from Oshkosh, WI.
Dominykas Pleta, Germany , Power Forward
Dominykas Dominykas Pleta is a 6-9, 210-pound Power Forward from Germany, GERM.
Mitchell is more like 6’5” than 6’8”
My vote is Batemon, but Toure has the advantage of being able to spell Lipsey
Pleta is more like a sophomore or junior
Everyone pencils Mulder into the top 8 but my guess is he’s only in if foul trouble or injuries (like Watson). Great player for practice though.
I think Toure’s European background could give him a leg up on having transitioning to college ball.
Batemon’s recruiting rankings are on par with Hunter and Momcilovic. Hopefully he can be just good as those two, if not better in his freshman season.
Fingers crossed both can make an immediate impact.
Batemon’s recruiting rankings are on par with Hunter and Momcilovic. Hopefully he can be just good as those two, if not better in his freshman season.
Fingers crossed both can make an immediate impact.
At least a couple will need to have a long term future at ISU. We can't afford to build an entirely new team each year. We need backbone guys like Tamin and Momchilavic who stick around, both for the culture and because they're cheaper than bringing new guys in.
