Mateo Bianchi Gambetta
- Thread starter 7ICoug
- Start date
Any potential targets still in the portal? I also wondered if we might go for a big? At this point I’m sure the pickings are pretty slim.
Need a BIG BIG, because lost 3 who could back up the 4 spot, and 2 who could back up the 5 spot, in Vova, AJ, Kim(3,4 spots)(4 spot).
Getting another 2,3, wing, that is a semi log jammed spot, does not, would not help, might cause to lose 1 of the 1,2,3, wings that already have.
Getting a BIG BIG would help, and probably wouldn't cause a departure if it's understood that the new BIG BIG would probably be a back up at best.
Slim or not, WSU/Smith needs a BACK UP BENCH BIG BIG to be a back up to the 4,5 spots.
Even if it's just a body, 5 fouls, it's needed. If Gueye is not ready to go, or gets injured, the 6-9 walk on and 6-6 Miller is not enough to back up the 4,5 spots.
Need 1 more 6-8 to 6-9 to 6-10 to 6-11 to 7 foot body with 5 fouls, to help back up the 4,5 spots, even if all they can do is foul 5 times.
Getting that is better then not having enough depth at 4,5 spots, and getting a unneeded wing to semi log jam the wing spot
I wonder what Gambetta is waiting on? Nice length at 6'9" but only shows offers from us and Pacific.
Ok thanks for the clarification Save.
71, when he said SF(Small Forward, 3 spot), and then compared him to 6-7 Rosario, it made me think he was a 6-5, 6-6, 6-7, 2,3,4, instead of a 6-9.
A 6-9 helps even if skinny, because the 6-9 height can help back up the 5,4 spots, and at least it's 5 more fouls to give at the 5,4 spots.
So since you say he is 6-9, that makes him better, then if he was a 6-4,6-5,6-6,6-7.
I can't see the kid choosing Pacific over WSU unless he is almost guaranteed to start or get LOTS of Playing time at Pacific.
If he gets a lot of starting, #1 back up, 6th man, playing time at Pacific, then I can see him choose that, since he probably won't get a lot of playing time at WSU, and would be a lot like the 6-9 walk on, a insurance option back up, bencher, in case Gueye, Efe, Jackson, Miller get hurt, etc.
Now that I know he is a 6-9 big, I hope he accepts WSU's offer, commits to WSU over Pacific.
I think that could be better long term for the kid, if the kid develops, gets coached up, pans out in the future.
But I'll understand if the kid wants PT now at Pacific
If he gets a lot of starting, #1 back up, 6th man, playing time at Pacific, then I can see him choose that, since he probably won't get a lot of playing time at WSU, and would be a lot like the 6-9 walk on, a insurance option back up, bencher, in case Gueye, Efe, Jackson, Miller get hurt, etc.
Now that I know he is a 6-9 big, I hope he accepts WSU's offer, commits to WSU over Pacific.
I think that could be better long term for the kid, if the kid develops, gets coached up, pans out in the future.
But I'll understand if the kid wants PT now at Pacific
Not sure we need another forward project and I would prefer we pocket the scholarship for next year, but I trust Coach Smith judgment if we do sign him.
Hoping we sign a transfer, but the picking are slim. One guy I have had my eye one since Aiken didn't get in is Andre Adams. Seen nothing linking him to WSU, but he is the only big I have seen in the portal with decent stats thats originally from the western USA (Arizona). Never watched him play just read a bit about him. He is listed at 6'9" 230 who was a 3 star in high school that originally signed with ASU. Red-shirted and sat on bench and transferred to Southern Utah. RSJR year average 9ppg 6.5 rpg and transferred to Boston College last year. Was injured and didn't play, but because of Covid get his 6th season. Not sure he would be a good fit, but seem like a guy we could use.
Hoping we sign a transfer, but the picking are slim. One guy I have had my eye one since Aiken didn't get in is Andre Adams. Seen nothing linking him to WSU, but he is the only big I have seen in the portal with decent stats thats originally from the western USA (Arizona). Never watched him play just read a bit about him. He is listed at 6'9" 230 who was a 3 star in high school that originally signed with ASU. Red-shirted and sat on bench and transferred to Southern Utah. RSJR year average 9ppg 6.5 rpg and transferred to Boston College last year. Was injured and didn't play, but because of Covid get his 6th season. Not sure he would be a good fit, but seem like a guy we could use.
I've been looking for something to like about Gambetta and not finding it. If he were to sign I'd be in the "gotta trust the coach" camp, much like I am with Kyra Gardner on the women's side.
With the high volatility of rosters these days (thanks to the transfer portal), I don't have a problem with giving out that last scholarship this year and this late, even if the player looks like a project– as long as the staff believes he has a lot of potential. Gambetta may fit that description.
It's interesting that a year ago, the 4/5 positions seemed to have some depth, even though a lot of it was inexperienced. But with the transfers of Kunc, Vova, and even the walk-on Chatfield....we could use another player. Maybe the Ivy League grad student walkon will be useful.
Glad Cougar
It's interesting that a year ago, the 4/5 positions seemed to have some depth, even though a lot of it was inexperienced. But with the transfers of Kunc, Vova, and even the walk-on Chatfield....we could use another player. Maybe the Ivy League grad student walkon will be useful.
Glad Cougar
I would always defer to Coach Smith if he found a project player that he offered. But, I think the Cougars have moved beyond having to settle for a project this late date. Yes they lost Kunc and Vova, but the players that are available this year that didn't play at all or very little because of injuries, in addition to the new recruits, are better players. I think Miller, Koulibaly, and Gueye are just better. Plus, Bamba should get more minutes. I do think the Ivy League walkon is better than Chatfield. He was a starter, so he has experience and is intelligent, which will help in practice.
I agree with you.....the guys coming in are a step up from the guys going out (although I still wish AJ was coming back....I have a hunch he's going to develop into a big time player). If Coach Smith fills that vacant scholarship, it's not likely to be an immediate impact player, given the lateness in the recruiting season. The best of the portal is probably picked over by now. That's why even bringing in a project/lottery ticket at this point won't bother me too much. A player like Gambetta may be redshirting anyway. WSU reportedly offered the kid, so there must be something they like about him.
Glad Cougar
'90 makes a good point on having the extra spot Miller provides. While we offered when Gueye reclassified and signed maybe that took the spot? In general though I don't believe it's a great idea to leave spots open because of the reason you stated above. If there is a fit I think we will use it.
WSU lost Kunc, Vova, AJ, Chatfield, Kim, thats a lot of Depth at the 4,5 spots lost.
Efe, Jackson, Gueye are great, but if anything happen to them, or if Gueye is not ready to play or Gueye gets injured, then WSU in a World of Hurt at the 5,4 spots, because 6 foot 5.5 inch Miller is not enough to back up the 4,5 spots, and Neither is the 6-9 Walk On.
Thats why FOR INSURANCE, WSU needs another 6-9 BODY to help back up at the 4,5 spots, that at least can foul 5 times at the least.
Kim coming looking like a pretty much done deal, helping to cause Vova, AJ to leave, and then leaving himself at theclast possibke second, leaving no time to find a replacement, etc, really helped WRECK the depth at the 5 spot.
Because of that, it would be great if that 6-9 kid came to WSU to back up at tbe 4,5 spots.
Unfortunately Koulibaly, Bamba cant back up the 4,5 spots, provide Depth at the 4,5 spots.
Lack of Depth at the 4,5 spots is the real issue here, not guard depth.
Miller averaged 9 points and almost 5 rebounds a game in the PAC 12 season before last. I feel that is a very solid back up at the 4 if his personal issues are behind him. If Gueye is not ready for PAC 12 play how will he be a first round draft pick? Dewolf was a D-1 starter I’m sure even as a walk-on he is capable of giving some fouls. It would be nice to get another player who would instantly provide help, but we are in reality probably talking about a player at the very bottom of the rotation who will not make much if any impact.
This is largely why I think the team should pocket the scholarship for next season. This late, you are not likely able to find a young player that is going to contribute next season. They would have a hard time finding playing time the season after that as well. They only lose one scholarship player after this season (Flowers, not counting Miller, as his is an extra this season), so they only will have one scholarship available.
Now I know, there are ways of opening up roster spots (bye Vova, Kunc, and Jamovski). But, why play roster games when you do not have to? The way this staff recruits, I want them to have scholarships available next recruiting season. Especially, if the team has a good year, it may open up even better players.
