Recruiting
- Thread starter 7ICoug
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Maybe Eric Gaines, 2020 PG from Atlanta, who recently named us in his top 5. He'd be a great get.
Broader question is how many current players hit the portal after the season. It's become an epidemic in recent years. Pollard, James, Shead, and Robinson have exhausted eligibility. Those scholarships have already been filled.
Hensen, Cannon, and Elleby are on departure watch. If Kunc and Rapp were American born, I could see them bolting. Probably not though.
Why do you think Kunc and Rapp might leave had they been US born? What does their nationality have to do with anything? And have you heard anything that indicates they aren't happy at WSU? I don't have any connections to the program so maybe I'm just not in the know.
Glad Cougar
To be blunt, American born players have grown up on the AAU circuit with folks telling them how great they are, they bounce from AAU team to AAU team looking for a better fit, switching high schools is common, and they've watched LeBron mercenary his way around the league for the past decade. American born kids get the transfer itch more frequently the foreign born players who haven't been told their whole lives they should seek better opportunities the second a situation becomes suboptimal.
In terms of Kunc and Rapp specifically, neither is in line for an obvious increase in usage next year. The incoming guards will probably take Robinson's minutes. Bonton is going to play as much next year. Cannon, Williams, and Rodman should play the rest of the minutes at the guard/wing. I don't see Rapp forcing his way into the rotation.
Volvo, Miller, and Agobidi should get first crack at the post, with Kunc in a similar role to this year. His role could easily be reduced if the 6-10 walk-on finds his way into the mix for more size.
Both players have skills, but neither have obvious roles.
I think you may be underselling Rapp. Coach Smith obviously loves him as he signed him to a scholarship at two different schools. He didn't have a pre-season due to him being injured into the season. I could see him in line for significant minutes next season, especially with an off season to get stronger.
Maybe. I see Rapp as a three and D guy. Same for Kunc. The question is more of who does Rapp take minutes from? Same with Kunc.
Smith seems to want two guards who can be ball dominant on the floor at the same time. Rapp hasn't shown it yet and we're bringing in Bamba, a combo guard, and Koulibaly who is in the mold of Westbrook/Lillard.
1.Bonton, 2. Williams(2/3), 3.Cannon, 4.Bamba, 5.Jefferson, 6. Jervae, 7. Ryan Rapp.
Rapp is 7th on the depth chart at any of the guard positions.
At the 3, there is:
1. Elleby(If he stays), 2. Williams(2/3). 3. Cannon(To get him playing time(he is normally a 2), 4. Rodman. 5. Kunc(to get him playing time(he is a 4), when want to go big. 6. Rapp(Maybe 7 if Smith recruits a Sean Elliot, Malik Sealy type of 6 ft 7 hybrid 3/4)
Yes Rapp is good, great. But there is a lot of even better then him on the team at his stacked positions, at the 2,3 spots..
Like what was said. Who is he going to take minutes from? Jefferson, Bamba, Jervae? I just dont see it happening.
Rapp gets about 5 to 9 to 13 minutes per game, as a semi clutch, Tim Leggler, Kerr type, 3 point shooter.
Thats what his role will probably be.
And if he is ok with that. There is nothing wrong with that, and its nothing to snide at.
Somebody has to fill that role, and that somebody is Rapp.
Rapp is 7th on the depth chart at any of the guard positions.
At the 3, there is:
1. Elleby(If he stays), 2. Williams(2/3). 3. Cannon(To get him playing time(he is normally a 2), 4. Rodman. 5. Kunc(to get him playing time(he is a 4), when want to go big. 6. Rapp(Maybe 7 if Smith recruits a Sean Elliot, Malik Sealy type of 6 ft 7 hybrid 3/4)
Yes Rapp is good, great. But there is a lot of even better then him on the team at his stacked positions, at the 2,3 spots..
Like what was said. Who is he going to take minutes from? Jefferson, Bamba, Jervae? I just dont see it happening.
Rapp gets about 5 to 9 to 13 minutes per game, as a semi clutch, Tim Leggler, Kerr type, 3 point shooter.
Thats what his role will probably be.
And if he is ok with that. There is nothing wrong with that, and its nothing to snide at.
Somebody has to fill that role, and that somebody is Rapp.
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I generally don't try to project a player's value or standing when they are a freshman....even less so when they missed most of the pre-season. It's way, way too early to know how Rapp will play as he gains physical strength, completely recovers from his injuries, and develops under this coaching staff. I know they played different positions and were completely different players, but I remember Brock Motum not amounting to much as a freshman only to emerge as he gained more experience. Same with Abe Lodwick, Robert Franks, and probably many more players who blossomed as they got older.
Glad Cougar
Glad Cougar
Hard to say how the chips/ playing time will fall. Rapp seems to have the skills needed but might be a tad less athletic than some, but a year in the weight room with professional trainers can do wonders. Kunc impressed coach enough do be a starter for a large part of the season but has been slowed by injury, he is playing again but is he 100%? Maybe not. He must have impressed coach early on enough to be a starter.
Having watched the USF team a couple weeks ago on TV vs. Gonzaga, they were long and athletic. One big beast but the rest were pretty well interchangeable parts.
I think we are going to see far more Noah Williams kind of guys who can play and defend multiple positions. And make plays out of structure.
I think we are going to see far more Noah Williams kind of guys who can play and defend multiple positions. And make plays out of structure.
The player I hope commits is Daniel Batcho. French player, 6'8" 220 PF double double guy. Play more around the basket then a strech. Has a nice offer sheet which includes the cougs. Busted his knee cap a year ago and had to sit out for the year. Said it allowed him to seen the game and life differently and has had a strong season.
