KF is expected to not only be a lottery pick, but a good chance at going in the top 4-6 of this draft. He would be a little foolish to risk coming back honestly. Cenac's situation is potentially a little more complicated. Based on the hot push for Gillespie, I don't think Cenac comes back. He could work his way into the back end of the lottery or go as low as the top of round 2.
Cenac needs another year but he’s going pro. Gonna miss the soft jumper and his nose for rebounds. He has a better jump shot than any Coog big in a long time. (Fabian was not a big)
You will like Delrecco Gillespie if he officially signs. He is only like 6'7" or 6'8", but he uses his body very well, he is strong --- elite rebounder, and has developed into a solid shot blocker and can hit mid range shots.
I am more concerned about the player he is now, not several years ago. It obviously took him several years to master the Kent State level. His production and the fact Sampson wants him is why I am comfortable with it.
Fair enough on Sampson but he won’t produce like that in the big 12. Hoping he can be like Justin Gorham’s 2nd season.
Honestly, I don't know how he will produce. He was very productive at Kent State, and he will be in his 5th season - which bodes well for him. He will be stronger and more experienced than most of the 19–20-year-olds he comes across. At the same time, he will be playing more gifted athletes in the Big XII. I expect him to be similar to Roberts or Gorham from a production standpoint. He and Jojo will be a good rotation. Sampson today said that he will have 4 bigs at the 4/5 that are good enough to start on a deep tournament team. I like the experience that these guys will bring.
Yeah, his numbers will come way down from his last kent st year. We relied too heavily on Roberts to score down low and he was not a scorer.
This will be interesting if Sampson gets this guy in terms of how he's going to use Alozie who I'm not sure is a PG, SG, CG, or what.
https://247sports.com/player/dedan-thomas-jr-46116819/ Seems we're out of the Burton chase and on to Dedan Thomas Only played 16 games last season. Would be another Vegas guard just like UH legends Milos Uzan and Pop Isaacs
Get them here and let the culture grind them into 1st or 2nd team Big XII players. Need another big and more shooting.
Dedan Thomas over Burton because of defense. Thomas gets another chance at UH. He promised to come here as a freshman and backed out. Went to UNLV and LSU. Very talented player that brings size in the backcourt but also a talented offensive player. UH fans can thank his mom for him returning home. A really big get. Gillespie is a vet, hard worker, mans body at this point and a great rebounder. They aren’t done. They just wanted to wrap up the guard spot and post guys very early to not lose them. Expect two more good veterans added.
Thomas is good but obviously a downgrade from Kingston plus he’s only 6’1 so outside of being slightly thick at 185, I wouldn’t say he “brings size”. Kingston and Uzan, last years pg’s, were 6’4 and 6’7 respectively. I also worry about Thomas’ foot injury. I am not complaining though, looks like 2 good players. You’re not gonna have a Kingston Flemings every year. Hope 2 more are coming like you said.
Thomas is bigger and stronger than the two other lead guards they were interested in. I wasn’t comparing them to Kingston or Uzan. Thomas is also a very good rebounder and a positive defender. Burton isn’t a good defender. Kingston was special, but also a freshman. Thomas will be in his 4th season and that experience can make a difference in the tournament. No promises but Thomas is a good athlete and isn’t considered topped out. He was a 16/6/6/1 guy last year with a 4:1 ass/to ratio. The only thing he struggled with was 3’s but was solid there in prior seasons. He is a plug and play point guard that does well what Sampson wants done.
