Kaba article

[B02]

Its nice to see that Bonas is after several big men this spring. Here is an article from scout...


Just where Lounceny Kaba attends college next year will very likely be decided over the next week.

Kaba, a bouncy 6-8, 210 pound power forward/center from Monroe College in the Bronx, N.Y., is taking a pair of official visits this week.

Monroe Asst. Coach Steve Hobbs told hsnewyork.scout.com that Kaba is currently on the campus of UC-Santa Barbara (Apr. 24-26). He'll piggyback that trip with a visit to St. Bonaventure (Apr. 27-29).

Programs such as Dayton, Maryland-Eastern Shore and Lipscomb have also expressed interest in Kaba, but the recruiting battle appears to be shaping up as a two-horse race.

"It's pretty much down to UCSB and St. Bonaventure," Hobbs said. "Both schools have done a good job recruiting him."

A native of Guinea, Kaba's recruitment picked up significantly after the Mustangs placed eighth at last month's NJCAA Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan.

Prior to the NJCAA Tourney, Kaba had scholarship offers from programs such as Central Connecticut State, Maryland-Eastern Shore and St. Peter's College.

"Lounceny picked up some new interest due to his play out at Hutch," said Hobbs, who is in his second year at the junior college. "He did what gets him recruited -- he blocked shots and he rebounded."

Kaba's 2005-2006 season stats appear modest -- he averaged six points, 5.2 rebounds and blocked 1.6 shots per contest. But he's agile, athletic and possesses significant upside if he can continue to make strides in his offensive game.

"He has to be worked with more on an individual basis," Hobbs explained. "He has decent touch and hands, it's just a matter of him getting more reps and polishing up his offensive skills."

[Chuck]

b02 said:

Prior to the NJCAA Tourney, Kaba had scholarship offers from programs such as Central Connecticut State, Maryland-Eastern Shore and St. Peter's College.

"Lounceny picked up some new interest due to his play out at Hutch," said Hobbs, who is in his second year at the junior college. "He did what gets him recruited -- he blocked shots and he rebounded."

Kaba's 2005-2006 season stats appear modest -- he averaged six points, 5.2 rebounds and blocked 1.6 shots per contest. But he's agile, athletic and possesses significant upside if he can continue to make strides in his offensive game.

B02 thanks for the article. I question the above statement from Kaba's coach. In 4 games at the tournament he scored 25 points, 18 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. These stats are similar to his season stats. In fact Kaba averaged less rebounds and block shots in the tournament than he had during the season. Kaba has potential, but he is another role player.

www.monroecollege.edu/athletics/mb_season_05_06.html

[DemBonnies]

chuck said:

Kaba has potential, but he is another role player.

On Frantz:
I wonder why he can be a star in one game and be invisible in others.

Just realized it can't be Frantz, especially when you consider Solomon's past history of recruiting JUCO's. I've never known Solomon to recruit the leading scorer or leading rebounder of a JUCO team.

Frantz gave a verbal committment to Rutgers, but had academic concerns.

Jeeeshh Chuck...between slamming this guy and Frantz and almost every other recent recruit before they have even put on a Bonnie jersey, I'm thinking that staff and administration would be better served if they were to run 'em all by you first to see if they pass muster.

I'm betting that you would've given thumbs down down to folks like Essie Hollis, Earl Belcher, Barry Mungar and JR Bremer too for not being highly ranked by the recruiting rags that you peruse. Do you really think that these recruiting gurus know these kids and their games intimately. They are fed PR both good and bad from folks trying to promote a certain agenda.

I do think your potshots at all of our recruits dovetails with your desire to have Coach Anthony flushed...so whatever floats your boat.

[FriendsofAN44]

Will be a great weekend for a recruit to visit. Bona baseball vs Xavier all 3 days; softball plays UB today and St. Louis on the weekend; Spring Weekend activities, including a 64-team softball tournament, and all the other (ahem) activities associated with this party weekend; bright sunny weather forecast all weekend with temp's around 70, and Thursday is 25-cent draft night at Younger's in Olean, which is fast becoming a very popular hangout.

Olean is no Santa Barbara, but we will be close to it this weekend. I know I'll be planted in a lawn chair at McGraw-Jennings with a cooler enjoying the sites. Don't know how much baseball I'll actually see, but I'll definitely enjoy the sites

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Kaba was playing hurt during the last two games of the NJCAA tourney.

[cosmonautlaunchpad]

They should bring all recruits in on Spring Weekend. I hope the weather is nice so the sites will be even better.

[jh]

If Kaba's 'role' is rebounding and blocking shots....its an improvement...he's also supposed to be a fine student

[LumsdnA10Academc98]

I wonder what Frantz was doing that he couldn't have joined in on Spring Weekend. I'd almost rather have Magee for four than Kaba, but I'll take the guy, I suppose. His game sounds a bit like Terrell's, big, athletic, just needs work. The fact we're absolutly going after a big man here should speak volumes of just how little last year's 6-10 JC stiffs are worth.

Interesting that it's again down to SBU and UCSB. Here are the thoughts of Gaucho faithful two weeks ago after Fereti snubbed them of a visit and signed here. From their message board.

"if true, that is just brutal, losing out to the Bonnies, a troubled program (at least previously) and about as opposite a climate as you can get compared to Australia."
"If we lose a guy to UCLA or Notre Dame like Harden, that is trying. Losing guys to Bonnie or Belmont or fill in another mediocre at best mid major sucks. Something is wrong."
"Gee, Saint Bonnie or Santa Barbara? I don't care what conference they play in. The kid wants to be a Bonnie over a Gaucho. Save the reply where you tell me St. Bonnie is a solid program. It's fricking Saint Bonaventure."

Nice, intelligent, well-argued sound bites. Gotta love those Gauchos. I bet they rolled out the red carpet for Kaba these last few days. However, most here, including myself, can't get that excited over him, though I think it's the predictable (yawn) Chuck Pollack article I fear most.

[Chuck]

Dem you are going to have to point out the "pot shots" or "slamming" of Kaba and Frantz in my post. First of all I stated Kaba has potential, but is a role player. Is is not a slam, but an accurate description of his game. Other part you are alluding to is where I questioned a statement from his coach. According to Kaba's box scores, he did not perform better in rebounding and blocked shots in the post season. It is not taking a pot shot at Kaba, just stating a fact that was contrary to what his coach said.

Despite what you are inferring from my post, I think Frantz would be a good signing by Solomon and I've stated this on the board. He is an athletic big man, who led his team in rebounding and points. As for Frantz's inconsistency. It is a term used describing his game and his box scores support him "being a star in one game and invisible in others." I'll admit being disappointed by Solomon's decision to recruit the 3rd, 4th leading scorers or backups on a JUCO team. I'm thankful to see we are in the running for Frantz, who was a star for his team.

As for Barry Munger, you are correct I questioned his signing. He was ready to play at Houghton and if we had internet back then, I would have posted this fact. But like every recruit ever signed by the Bonnies I hope they turn into a star. Barry turned into this star and remains one of my favorite Bonnies of all time. I certainly hope Solomon found a Barry Munger. A hidden gem, who is better than his press clippings.

I'm sorry you do not like information that questions a recruits game. I remember last year when you and others were critical, when I questioned Hoopscoop ranking the Bonnies as having the 45th best class in the nation. What bothers me is posters, who hype our recruiting class and then next season they blame the Bonnies for not having any talent.

Dem your last statement is absolutely wrong. I hope Solomon succeeds, nothing would make me happier.

[GoPadres]

So if what I have read on this board is true, then it looks like we are down to 1 of 3 guys: 1) Frantz, 2) Kaba, or 3) some 6'10" ish skinny guy that visited last weekend. Any ideas on the identity of this 3rd big man?

[Sipowicz]

GO PADRES, to totally speculate on possibilities of the 6'10"ish skinny that are still available:

ATTILLA FARKAD 6'10" 205 md
Montrose Christian School
-if I remember correctly, the staff was involved with someone else from this school last year

JAMARI EDWARDS 6'-9" 188 NYC
Polp Prep Brooklyn, NY

CLIFF DIXON 6'9" 200 md
Played in same league with JOURDAN MORRIS
Academics would be a question.
Hair should be a little on the longer side

These are a few of the guys I think would fit the description of the mystery recruit from last weekend(it's probably none of them). Anyone who may have heard a first name or have a better description, please add.

[bartmitchell]

Whatever happened to Jermaine Bell ?

[GoPadres]

Thanks for the info Sip. I'm a bit surprised none of the students have heard a name floating around.

[portpasses]

Jermaine Bell applied for the NBA draft last year and was not selected. I believe that makes him ineligible for the NCAA, unless he applied for reinstatement.

Padre - I'll be in the Springs in a few weeks. I'll try to get a hold of you while I'm in town...

[LumsdnA10Academc98]

Sipo, for what it's worth, our staff was involved with a guy from Montrose Christian by the name of Jourdan Morris. He transferred back to Eleanor Roosevelt after a year at Montrose, one of the nation's top scholastic teams in '06.