He was just waiting until I asked about him. He's probably a pipe dream or us, but I hope we're after him anyway.
It’ll be like a Point Center.To be honest, even with the evolution of the game and big men stepping out and playing more on the perimeter - you do not see a lot of teams really using big guys like we do. Have to think the ability to queue up the tape of Grant, TJ, Geriot, etc and say this is how we use our big men is a huge advantage. Our center must be in the very top for touches and some type of usage percentage across college basketball. Would think we could get a long look from a skilled big man.
from my leather chair watching highlights ... he's big, strong and a heck of a perimeter shooter.Don't really know of Stephens...he seems legit. Anyone seen him play?
Thanks...I'll check those highlightsfrom my leather chair watching highlights ... he's big, strong and a heck of a perimeter shooter.
he's not a run/jump athlete. in fact, he makes Grant look like a high flyer. but he's a great fit for our offense.
and he seems like a really nice kid. I have a soft spot for kids who weren't "The Natural" growing up, and who were told repetitively what they can't do or can't be. what a great life motto: "nobody cares ... work harder"!
Rumor has it that Grants shoe size was a big number than his verticalfrom my leather chair watching highlights ... he's big, strong and a heck of a perimeter shooter.
he's not a run/jump athlete. in fact, he makes Grant look like a high flyer. but he's a great fit for our offense.
and he seems like a really nice kid. I have a soft spot for kids who weren't "The Natural" growing up, and who were told repetitively what they can't do or can't be. what a great life motto: "nobody cares ... work harder"!
here are highlights vs Wofford.Thanks...I'll check those highlights
Aren't all VMI players?He was just waiting until I asked about him. He's probably a pipe dream or us, but I hope we're after him anyway.
Yeah sounds like SLU/Mizzou are going to be fighting for him again .. who would rather go to college in St. Louis or Columbia, MO versus Richmond?Ouch, he was their only incoming signee. Had other offers from SLU, Mizzou, and Indiana State.
Agreed. Jake definitely looks like a good fit for the Spiders, but wonder if the one year of eligibility is a factor for the staff. The VMI coach went to Chattanooga, right? I would think that would be the most likely landing spot.To be honest, even with the evolution of the game and big men stepping out and playing more on the perimeter - you do not see a lot of teams really using big guys like we do. Have to think the ability to queue up the tape of Grant, TJ, Geriot, etc and say this is how we use our big men is a huge advantage. Our center must be in the very top for touches and some type of usage percentage across college basketball. Would think we could get a long look from a skilled big man.
Seriously. I've been calling all these guys all week and telling them Mike Rhoades is willing to offer them $50,000 apiece if they sign with vcu. It's really cutting into my work schedule.I hope our coaching staff puts at least half the effort into these transfers as we do.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say VCU was offering money to players yet. That’s a big step from their usual offer of no academic admission requirements and the promise of not attending classes. Maybe look the other way for an iPhone or two.Seriously. I've been calling all these guys all week and telling them Mike Rhoades is willing to offer them $50,000 apiece if they sign with vcu. It's really cutting into my work schedule.
Not bad work if you can find it.Seriously. I've been calling all these guys all week and telling them Mike Rhoades is willing to offer them $50,000 apiece if they sign with vcu. It's really cutting into my work schedule.
Hardly seems like an upgrade…tourney this year and in 2016 but back to 2009 before that. Other reasons to go there of course but tournament potential isn’t notably better.He may follow his coach to the Mocs.
Haven't seen Stephens play but his shooting stats are insane. He averaged 5.3 3pt attempts per game and made exactly 50%. He also shot 59% from 2 (7.3 attempts per game) and 80% from the FT line (5.1 attempts per game). According to this site he shoots 50% from mid-range https://hoop-math.com/VMI2022.php. Those percentages on that volume from everywhere on the floor is incredible. He seems to also be a pretty good passer, and has decent block and rebounding numbers for his size.Don't really know of Stephens...he seems legit. Anyone seen him play?
Don't think you want to bring up history of NCAA tournament participation as a deciding factor to anyone.Hardly seems like an upgrade…tourney this year and in 2016 but back to 2009 before that. Other reasons to go there of course but tournament potential isn’t notably better.
"Things change and you have to readjust and rethink," Stephens said. "Everybody was pretty surprised [by Earl leaving], … but no hard feelings in any way. … We're all proud of him."
So Stephens plans to graduate in May and play for a new team next season as a graduate student.
"I feel I can benefit from another year of college," he said. "I'm excited to start a new chapter."
Stephens declined to say which schools had contacted him so far, but he should have plenty of suitors.
OK, so this gives credibility to the idea we have discussed before about players just remaining undergrads for another year instead of graduating and having to go to a grad program somewhere. Makes you wonder why Davidson doesn't have a five-year undergrad track for its players, for example.Interesting...Stephens was considering not graduating and staying at VMI as a fifth-year undergrad to run it back. But once Earl left, the option became less appealing to him, and four Keydet starters are now in the portal.
He also considered going pro, but his late-season ankle injury means he's not at 100% for scouts.
Four VMI basketball starters enter transfer portal
Jake Stephens, Kamdyn Curfman, Trey Bonham and Honor Huff entered the portal in the wake of coach Dan Earl's exit.roanoke.com
Sure nice if we can keep the trend going in the years ahead of not being pillaged in the portal each year like at least half of the conference teams seem to facing.Mitchell twins to Arkansas...
Mitchell Twins Pick Arkansas Basketball
Makhel (6-10, 245) and Makhi (6-9, 230) Mitchell, twins who played at Rhode Island last season, have signed with the Arkansas men’s basketball program, Razorback head coach Eric Musselman announcedarkansasrazorbacks.com
Great - Go younger Goose and hopefully he will get a few D1 offers as well.
Since I Iove Boulder and can't really make any intelligent way to disparage Santa Clara guess he will need to choose us on bball merits alone .. but RVA does trump State College, PA and New Brunswick.We made a list of top 5 pushing hardest for Wright, along with Santa Clara, Colorado, Penn State, and Rutgers.
Pillaged? Or are our feathers being plucked…Sure nice if we can keep the trend going in the years ahead of not being plummaged in the portal each year like at least half of the conference teams seem to facing.