Official: Leonard to redshirt

[hamrucker]

It had been said on here before, but here's the official statement of Lewis Leonard red shirting from Schmidt.

gobonnies.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/010609aac.html

[tomangelone]

Jan 6, 2009 19:19:54 GMT -5 wadedunston said:

Love it when the Bona Sports Info Staff releases information a good 4 weeks after everyone in the world knows about it.

Well, Wade, that is called covering one's tracks prior to making an official announcement. It's very possible that we were waiting to make sure Leonard would be eligible for a redshirt through the NCAA prior to announcing it to the public.

[ddsmugs]

Next years new faces Simmons, Leonard, Housenect and Connger add a dynamite point guard,not to shabby .

[tomangelone]

Jan 6, 2009 20:04:39 GMT -5 ddsmugs said:

Next years new faces Simmons, Leonard, Housenect and Connger add a dynamite point guard,not to shabby .

I couldn't agree more. Schmidt has compiled tremendous length and athleticism reminiscent of some of the strong GW teams of the past few years (Mensah-Bonsu, Hall, Elliot, Williams, etc.). Also, all of the incoming players (Simmons, Houseknecht, Conger, and Leonard) can play multiple positions--something that will come in handy with the fast-paced, multi-faceted lineups we tend to use.

[magnusbu]

So basically our roster looks like this:

Year --------Yrs Left
Sr (2):--------- 0: Benson, Carter
Jr (4): --------- 1: Blackburn, Matthews, Thomas, Hall
RSSo (1):------ 2: Leonard
Soph (1):------ 2: Eleby
RSFr (1):------- 3: Cook
Fr (2):---------- 3: Davenport, Nicholson
RS (2): -------- 4: Simmons, Houseknecht
HS (1):--------- 4: Conger

1 year left: 4 Players
2 years left: 2 Players
3 years left: 3 Players
4 years left: 3 Players

Now thats pretty balanced. Gives us a lot of options for the last scholarship. Could go JUCO, Transfer or a HS kid. Take the best available for what we need right away. I say a pure shooter or a HS Pt. guard that can develop for a year or two behind Eleby and Blackburn.

[bartmitchell]

I'll preface this by saying that I like Eleby and Blackburn. Malcolm has the limitations to his game that have been discussed here, but by all accounts gives 100% of himself. You can't ask a man to do more than that. Ray brings energy, attitude, penetration and defense.

But I think for this team to take the next step we need an "A" point guard next year, whether it be a freshman or juco. With Nicholson and the supporting cast that we have in place for his remaining 3 years, we have a window of opportunity. Malcolm has improved since last year and Ray is more effective of late as he has brought his game under control. But the improvement in their games and the corresponding improvement in the team overall will be in small increments. To make a big leap, and maybe get us swiftly to that ' top 50 ' program ballpark we would like to be playing in, we need the "A" point guard - Winn, Green, Smith. If we don't get that player for next year, the following year we will be without Blackburn and may be looking to a freshman point guard, and it is the rare first year point guard who makes a real impact. And of course success begets success on the recruiting trail. A kid who otherwise might overlook us might jump at the chance to play alongside Andrew and a stud point guard. Without that point guard, I don't think we maximize the opportunity this program has with Andrew.

I know, none of this is a revelation. There's never a time we wouldn't take an "A" point guard IF we could get him. But it appears as if there is 1 schollie for next year and we are apparently in the mix with some real quality kids who are not point guards. (Murphy is the 1st that jumps to mind.) So, assuming another ride doesn't open up for next year, do you take a kid like Murphy who might have high major potential, or go for the point guard and maybe even take a chance on a kid whose eligibility may come down to the wire in the late spring or summer ? What say you ?

And quick questions for those in the know : Has Simmons shown up on campus ? And how does 'House look ? Is he going to help next year ? I sure hope they're feeding him a lot. Bonas may have to get fans in he first 10 rows around the opponent's basket to sign a liability waiver - if we can get Andrew and Jake on the floor at the same time fans down there may get bruised by a volley of rejected shots. : )

Thanks all. Go Bonas !!

[tomangelone]

I agree, Bart. There is absolutely no question that our last scholarship needs to be a point guard. It isn't every day a program lands a kid like Nicholson and he needs a so-called engine running the show for his prime years. We really could have something special going on if we can get that point man, as the other pieces seem to be in place (Nicholson, Cook, Davenport, Simmons, Houseknecht, Conger).

[mh05]

Obviously, if an A-10 caliber point guard is still out there and interested, the staff will be beating down his door with a scholarship. That is priority #1.

If that PG is not out there, Im still of the belief at this point that we continue to go after the best player available. We need to offer an impact player at another position (like Khalil Murphy) and just not settle on some point guard just because it fills a need. (Not that I think the staff will bring in just any PG)

[Bonnies76]

After witnessing the Niagara game, I strongly agree with the need for impovement in our guard play. We do have a window of opportunity with Nicholson here, so I would also bring up that with Carter's graduation after this year we will need another tough big man to go with Andrew. I don't think any of us expect "House" to fill that role.

[wgt]

bartmitchell.... Here are some quick answers to your questions: Simmons is on campus & set for the spring term. House is not downing the enormous number of calories consumed by “The Professor.” I believe the coaching staff is looking for a backup to Nicholson because House will not be able to provide that next season as he adjusts to Div I. There is always a vigilant watch for the right PG.

bart, please check your personal messages on the BW. I responded your question about Tuckahoe HS back in October.

[B02]

Our team could be real special next year with a legit impact PG, that is why I would go the JUCO route. That way Bonas could make a run at the post-season and get a great recruiting class in with the 4 scholarships open after next year.

[cook]

I don't know of a great PG that we are close with. That being said, we need the best available player, it looks like either Okoloji or Murphy fit the bill or both if another becomes available.

[tomangelone]

Jan 7, 2009 13:36:52 GMT -5 cook said:

I don't know of a great PG that we are close with. That being said, we need the best available player, it looks like either Okoloji or Murphy fit the bill or both if another becomes available.

We are in with point guards. As far as the other two, those are sort of old names. I haven't heard Bona mentioned with Okoloji in a while, but Murphy is still a possibility. Rutgers isn't too interested in him, though, so one wonders why the top basketball program in Jersey wouldn't be all over a big kid like this. Keep your eyes peeled for a point.