Aussie Guard coming to Pullman
https://www.sfexaminer.com/sports/usf-dons-point-guard-signee-ryan-rapp-flips-to-wazzu/
https://www.sfexaminer.com/sports/usf-dons-point-guard-signee-ryan-rapp-flips-to-wazzu/
Ryan Rapp flips to WSU
- Thread starter WACougFan
- Start date
From usfdons.com:
Rapp is 6-5 guard with an exceptional on-court presence who resides in Melbourne, Australia. He played for Mazenod College and helped guide the Nodders to a 2017 Associated Catholic College (ACC) league title for the first time in school history. He was the team captain for the Nodders his senior season and helped guide them to a second-straight ACC title, the first time his school won back-to-back titles. Rapp earned First Team All-ACC honors in 2017 and '18 and was the team MVP both seasons.
He also played club basketball for Dandenong Rangers in Victoria's Junior Basketball League. His squad won four state titles and three classic championships. He was on the 2018 Youth U23 starting point guard.
"Ryan is a big combo guard, and his best basketball is ahead of him," said Golden. "He already has a great understanding of how to play the lead guard position. He has great feel, and is very comfortable operating out of the pick-and-roll. He's made big strides in his all-around game over the past year, and we expect him to continue on that trajectory. He already has a great frame, and we expect him to continue to add strength as he develops in our program. We are excited to welcome Ryan to the Hilltop."
Rapp is 6-5 guard with an exceptional on-court presence who resides in Melbourne, Australia. He played for Mazenod College and helped guide the Nodders to a 2017 Associated Catholic College (ACC) league title for the first time in school history. He was the team captain for the Nodders his senior season and helped guide them to a second-straight ACC title, the first time his school won back-to-back titles. Rapp earned First Team All-ACC honors in 2017 and '18 and was the team MVP both seasons.
He also played club basketball for Dandenong Rangers in Victoria's Junior Basketball League. His squad won four state titles and three classic championships. He was on the 2018 Youth U23 starting point guard.
"Ryan is a big combo guard, and his best basketball is ahead of him," said Golden. "He already has a great understanding of how to play the lead guard position. He has great feel, and is very comfortable operating out of the pick-and-roll. He's made big strides in his all-around game over the past year, and we expect him to continue on that trajectory. He already has a great frame, and we expect him to continue to add strength as he develops in our program. We are excited to welcome Ryan to the Hilltop."
Rapp is the kind of freshman project I expect Smith to bring in as part of every recruiting class. Depending on how many players end up on the roster, I wouldn't be surprised if Rapp redshirts. But he has good size and probably no more of a reach than Jackie Davis or Trevor Dunbar was for Kent in his first recruiting class. Hopefully, he'll pan out and perhaps blossom.
Does this mean Noah Williams is off the board?
Glad Cougar
Does this mean Noah Williams is off the board?
Glad Cougar
A little more info on Rapp when he signed with SF and Smith:
Ryan Rapp, a late bloomer, is a 6-foot-5 point guard with roots in the Bay Area, and a deep basketball pedigree. Rapp was born in the United States — Glendora, California, to be precise — and his father Tim, a Bellarmine Prep product, still ranks as the No. 5 scorer all-time in UC San Diego men’s basketball history. He went on to play basketball professionally in Australia for the Albury Bandits.
Rapp’s aunt, Jessica Foley, played basketball for Duke, went to the Final Four and played in the national championship game twice. Foley’s 3-pointer in double-overtime on Jan. 3, 2004 against UCONN ended a 76-game regular-season winning streak for the Huskies. She, too, went on to play professionally in Australia in the WNBL, and represented Australia in the U22 World Championships.
Smith, before he departed for Washington State, described Rapp as a Steve Blake-type guard who is adept at passing. Long and rangey, he’s got more physical tools than departing senior point guard Frankie Ferrari, who used his quickness and basketball IQ to supplement his limited range on defense.
In Australia, Rapp played for Mazenod College and helped guide the Nodders to a 2017 Associated Catholic College (ACC) league title for the first time in school history. He was the team captain for the Nodders his senior season, and helped guide them to a second-straight title. He earned First Team All-ACC honors in 2017 and 2018, and was named the team MVP both seasons.
On the club circuit, Rapp played for Dandenong Rangers in Victoria’s Junior Basketball League, where his team won four state titles and three classic championships. He was on the 2018 Youth U23 starting point guard.
Ryan Rapp, a late bloomer, is a 6-foot-5 point guard with roots in the Bay Area, and a deep basketball pedigree. Rapp was born in the United States — Glendora, California, to be precise — and his father Tim, a Bellarmine Prep product, still ranks as the No. 5 scorer all-time in UC San Diego men’s basketball history. He went on to play basketball professionally in Australia for the Albury Bandits.
Rapp’s aunt, Jessica Foley, played basketball for Duke, went to the Final Four and played in the national championship game twice. Foley’s 3-pointer in double-overtime on Jan. 3, 2004 against UCONN ended a 76-game regular-season winning streak for the Huskies. She, too, went on to play professionally in Australia in the WNBL, and represented Australia in the U22 World Championships.
Smith, before he departed for Washington State, described Rapp as a Steve Blake-type guard who is adept at passing. Long and rangey, he’s got more physical tools than departing senior point guard Frankie Ferrari, who used his quickness and basketball IQ to supplement his limited range on defense.
In Australia, Rapp played for Mazenod College and helped guide the Nodders to a 2017 Associated Catholic College (ACC) league title for the first time in school history. He was the team captain for the Nodders his senior season, and helped guide them to a second-straight title. He earned First Team All-ACC honors in 2017 and 2018, and was named the team MVP both seasons.
On the club circuit, Rapp played for Dandenong Rangers in Victoria’s Junior Basketball League, where his team won four state titles and three classic championships. He was on the 2018 Youth U23 starting point guard.
Not much out there on Rapp in terms of video. There's a video of him a couple years ago but from his photo it looks like he's bigger now. He seemed to have a big wingspan like a Robbie Cowgill (different positions of course). As BrentH posted maybe a redshirt. Great to open up Australia.
While looking for video on Rapp I was checking out the roster for the Dandenong Rangers. One noteable was DKD.
http://www.dandenongbasketball.com.au/Rangers/NBL1-Youth-Championship#NBL1-MEN-ROSTER-327
http://www.dandenongbasketball.com.au/Rangers/NBL1-Youth-Championship#NBL1-MEN-ROSTER-327
It looks like there is a WNBL team (DKD level) and Junior team and Rapp plays on both. On the WNBL team Rapp came off the bench in the game I found and played off the ball. On what I assume is the Junior team Rapp starts at point guard. He uses his length and wingspan to pass and score but mostly triggers the offense and is pass first. He does seem to have a good feel and IQ but it looks like he needs to improve his shooting release and shooting overall. Stays in front of his man for the most part but doesn't have great quickness or athleticism. His feet look huge for his body and along with the long arms I wonder whether he's done growing.
Full game below (Rapp is #23). Looks like better competition than what we saw with Kunc but not high level. Video was posted a few days ago but no idea when it was played.
Full game below (Rapp is #23). Looks like better competition than what we saw with Kunc but not high level. Video was posted a few days ago but no idea when it was played.
Thanks for the link Save.
Skimmed through a couple games from the upper division. He played >10 minutes a game and looked a little lost. Defensively he did fine, but was often pushed around by bigger player. Had a nice dribble drive move in one game, but didnt show a lot of offense.
If he can handle well enough to play some point at that height he adds real value. The description sounds a little like Kyle Weaver, though I don't expect the same level of defensive presence or passing ability. Smith emphasizes those things though, so we'd get what can be gotten out of Rapp in those facets of the game. I love this pickup. Even if he's never a starter this is the package you want from a utility bench player
