Updated Bona roster

[78francis302]

Jun 1, 2024 9:50:51 GMT -5 Chuck said:

Will Schmidt sign another player? In an interview Schmidt stated he doesn’t like having a lot of players on the bench, as 12th and 13th players get frustrated with lack of playing time. Looking at roster Schmidt could use another "big" and another guard with a solid 3 point stroke.
-- The 2 bigs at PF are 6’8” Duane Thompson a very slender 205 pounds and 6’9” Kaba who is described as being rail thin. His game is mentioned as being a small forward or an extremely tall shooting guard.
-- Jonah Hinton is the only guard, who has solid shooting stats from behind the arc.

17 years at Bona, Schmidt has used all 13 scholarships just once. It is doubtful Schmidt will use all 13 scholarships. Difficult to decide, which is the bigger need another big or another guard with a solid 3 point stroke?

The solution is simple! Sign a big who can play guard and shoots 40% from triple range! There must be one out there who we could entice with enough $ to come to bonas. 

[OceanStateBonnie]

^^^^ Does Magic Johnson have any eligibility left?

[Chuck]

6’9” 225 pound Xander Wedlow appears to be another solid late signing from Schmidt, such as Dion Wright, Izaiah Brockington, Matthew Wright and Charlon Kloof. Unlike these players none had a P-6 offer (DePaul) and very impressive credentials like Xander.
— 2 time All State Player from Michigan.
— As a junior averaged 18 points, 12 rebounds and 8 blocked shots per game.
— Was double teamed in every game as a senior and still averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds and 8 blocks per game.
— 247 Sports #6 recruit in Michigan.
— Free Press high school guru Mick McCabe #9 player from Michigan.
— Prep Hoops Jonathan Gilbert has Xander among the top 3 bigs from Michigan.
— Just after early signing period Gilbert calls Xander “possibly the best unsigned senior in the state.”
— Schmidt's comment "Xander is a long, athletic big man who can score with his back to the basket and facing up. He runs the court really well. On the other end, he will make an impact with his ability to block shots and protect the rim. We believe Xander has tremendous upside and his best basketball is ahead of him. Xander is a great kid and good student, he fits the type of person we want in the program. We are excited to get him on campus this summer.”

Has Schmidt every used the words “tremendous upside” in describing a new recruit?

Bonnies most athletic duo at center? It might very well be Michael Folarin and Xander. Michael has incredible 38” vertical and set school record running 100 meter hurdles. While Xander has 8th fastest 400 meter run in school history.

[Chuck]

Jun 18, 2024 16:03:43 GMT -5 ddsmugs said:

Most underrated player on current roster?

Jaxon Edwards

[bigcat]

Current roster is night/day different than the last few seasons…

Size: four players 6-9 or taller (Noel, Folarin, Kaba and Wedlow), plus 6-8 Thompson. It’s an athletic group to support Noel’s brute force. Depth here seems to have a much higher ceiling than Martinez, Coulibaly, Max, Duro etc. Florarin likely will be the main backup.

Guards/wings: Also have decent size, experience, athleticism and depth … Rose 6-4, Council 6-4, Jones 6-7, Hinton 6-3, Bowen 6-2, Edwards 6-5. These guys will get after it hard in practice and the weight room because minutes will be up for grabs. Great competition.

Stretch/floor spacers: Thompson, Kaba 6-9 and Jones have been decent shooters from deep — all could see time at the 4? You don’t know how they will translate to D1/A10. Schmidt has played smaller shooters at this position in recent seasons. Assa and Adaway were more wings than fours but they were excellent rebounders … this could be a new look for us.

Overall: Consistency was a main issue last season. Never knew who would show up game to game — sometimes no one. Sometimes everyone. That is hard to coach.

Let’s hope for great chemistry with this group… egos get pushed aside and they buy into Schmidt’s vision fully. Talent, athleticism and depth certainly are an upgrade over last season.

[kccgold]

Two types of players we havent had here in a long while that I am excited to see. A 6'9 "guard" sharpshooter in Ebrahim Kaba. And a "point-forward" type in Lajae Jones. Interested to see how they make it work.

I think Kaba is being overlooked because he committed early!