Just announced on Verbal commits. I hope he lands somewhere he can play. Seemed like a really good kid and if his size can impact the game.
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Vova’ to portal
- Thread starter SaveFerris
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I wish him well. I really like Vova and thought he could still develop into a productive player...you can't teach size.....but it appears we've recruited above him. Surprised he waited this long, as I assume the coaches had informed Vova that the roster was full. (I'll be disappointed if they waited until now to inform him).
Glad Cougar
Glad Cougar
As far as I can tell Flowers was never officially announced (official site, twitter, etc.) so he may have had work to officially sign. Maybe Vova' was informed if everyone else was in order he wouldn't be asked back? If they do finally speak to Flowers maybe that provides some confirmation.
Could be something totally different but that's where I have landed over the past month.
I dont think the coaches informed Vova to try to get him to transfer. I think the coaches wanted either Rapp or one of the LOG JAMMED 3 spot players to transfer(Either Rapp(Rapp is a better 3 spot then PG), or one of the other 5, 6,7,8,9, 3 spot players).
The Center Spot is not as deep as some think.
Dischon and Vova(If he had stayed), would have been the Centers.
And Efe, Gueye, would habe been the main ones at the 4 spot, joined by 3 spotters: Miller(6ft 5 in), Kim(6 ft 6.85 in(6ft 7 in), 6-9 Walk on, Rodman(6-6)
Now maybe Gueye and Efe can play the 5 center spot, when Dischon the starting 5, center is out.
But I would have much rather have had Vova go into the game at the 5, center spot when Dischon the starting 5, Center, comes out.
If nothing else Vova was a 7-2 with about a 7-6 WINGSPAN that can play defense, rebound, blkck shots, alter shots, INTIMIDATE, EAT UP SPACE, 5 Fouls to give when you have to play HACK A SHAQ.
I also think that if Vova had stayed that eother this coming season or the next season after this coming season would have developed into a good player, as australian, Euro, foreign players like Motum, etc, sometimes takes awhile to develop.
I think the staff also wanted Vova to stay, and tbat even tho they probably also wanted Rapp, others to stay, that if they had to choose, probably prefered Rapp, or a 3 spot to transfer over Vova Transfering.
But what probably happened is the coaches preference like Rapp, etc, was probably STUBBORN, didnt transfer, combined with Vova, wanting to transfer, because he Vova probably thinks he is not going to get playing time, even tho he is probably wrong that he woukd probably get more playing time at the 5, center spot, then he thinks.
This was probably not a case of coaches informing, encouraging Vova to transfer.
I wouldnt buy that at all.
Coaches made their decision and Volvo was the odd man out. Liked him and he could have fillies a role but really not a viable option at the PAC 12 level especially with our recent recruiting success. If the coaches wanted Rapp gone Rapp would be gone. It’s not up to the player, every scholarship is renewed every year. You don’t like Rapp for some reason but coach likes him enough to bring him with him from San Francisco and play him 20 minutes a game as a sophomore.
Its Finalized. In another thread, was a posted, linked Tweet bu Theo.
Theo Said, Tweeted a list of who is on WSU's Team. He said the list only included those on scholly, and did NOT include walk on's etc. One of the scholly players listed as being on the team, was Michael Flowers. So according to Theo Lawson, Michael Flowers is now a OFFICIAL Scholly player on WSU's team.
So its finalized.
We have lost a few starters and and far more talent from this team thru the portal, than the total talent we had on the entire team just a few years ago, and yet, I firmly believe this team will be much better next year. Smith has done an amazing job of bringing in the players, excited to see what he can do with them next year.
Your not going to convince me that Smith wanted Jakimovski the 4 star, the one who turned down a PAID PRO CONTRACT, one of the highest rated WSU recruits, in all of the entire WSU history, the one who played more minutes, averaged more points, then either Rapp or Rosario or some other LOG JAMMED 3 spot, etc, to transfer more then Rapp or Rosario or some other 3 spotter.
I guarantee you that Smith wanted EITHER Rapp or Rosario or some other LOG JAMMED 3 spotter to transfer over both Jakimovski, and Vova, and that the only reason Jakimovski and Vova Transfered is because Either Rapp or Rosario, or some other LOG JAMMED 3 spotter GOT STUBBORN, REFUSED TO TRANSFER COMBINED COMBINED COMBINED with Jakimovski probably wanting to go play Pro Ball at home, and thinking he wasnt going to get a lot of playing time.
No way your going to convince me that Jakimovski was, is the worst, least productive, least athletic, least skilled, least etc, player on the team, over Rapp, etc.
Rapp had the WORST STATS, Least production. Least quick, least lateral quickness, least athleticness, least just about everything, except shooting accuracy percentage, and passing, on the team.
The only player who compares to Rapp is Vova, but at least even Vova has height, more quickness, more speed, more lateral quickness, more athleticism, more of everything except shooting, passing, ppg, then Rapp.
I can understand Rapp being preferred over Vova, if Vova was the only one transfering.
But Rapp being preferred to stay over Jakimovski doesnt make any sense.
And because Jakimovski transfered over Rapp, it was probably because of Rapps or somebody elses refusal to transfer.
And if thats the case between Rapp and or someone else and Jakimovski, then its also probably also the case between Rapp and someone else and Vova.
I get, understand that sometimes its not about who the best player is and more about fit, playing time, etc, but your not even saying that, as your saying that Smith prefers Rapp over Jakimovski, Vova, which is BS, that doesnt make sense.
No its rather a case of like others have said, that sometimes the best, better players transfer over the not as good players like Rapp, because of things like fit, playing time, kid wanting to go home, etc, and the lesser kid being stubborn, refusing to transfer.
Thats what probably happened here at WSU. Rapp or someone else refused to transfer COMBINED with Jakimovski, Vova transfering because of fit, playing time, wanting to go home, etc, whatever it is, and not because Smith preferred Rapp, or someone else to stay over Jakimovski, Vova, and so encouraged Jakimovski, Vova to transfer.
You arent gona convince me of that, and probably not going to convince some others as well.
I know you dont care. Just dont waste your time, since you dont care.
This team is way the hell more talented then the talent Ernie had his last years, an or Smith's first year.
This team will be amazing, awesome THIS COMING SEASON.
You and me both. Its part of the landscape to continually improve the team if possible. Looking forward to seeing the team play this year.
I do care and you simply don't have the facts. Clearly as the first one out. AJ wanted to leave because HE WANTED TO LEAVE.
Also the only starter WSU lost is Bonton, and Noah either is or will be better then Bonton either this coming season, or next season at worst.
There is a reason EVERYONE, Media, Experts, Rankers, Coaches, players, Pac 12, etc, is so high on Noah, saying he is going to makevthe all Pac 12 team, THIS COMING SEASON.
Jakimovski was a semi limited, occasional starter at the 3,4 spots once in a great while. And altho his loss is semi bad, etc, its not that bad because of Dischon, Efe, Gueye(NBADRAFTROOM.COM PROJECTED LOTTERY PICK), at the 4,5 spots, and Gueye, Kim, Rodman, Rosario, Bamba, at the 3 spots, Noah, Flowers, Tyrell Roberts at PG, and Koulibaly, at the 1,2 spots, occasionally moving Noah to 3 spot once in a super great while.
The only weakness on this team, is going to be trying to get playing time, development for all these kids.
This is kinda, sorta, a wee little tiny bit like the Dream Team Olympic team, where it was hard to get everybody playing time.
Or kinda, sorta, wee little tiny bit like what Duke, Kansas, North Carolina, etc, go through trying to get players enough playing, development time.
Also Yes CJ was a definite big time Loss, but despite that is easily getting replaced by Dischon, Efe, Gueye, Noah, Koulibaly, combined together.
This team would run circles around, destroy ANY of Kent's Teams, and Smith's 1st team, unless it made out like the Rabbit, Hare, vs the SLOW Turtle.
This team might lose in a upset, but 8 times out of 10 this team would beat Kent's teams, and Smith's 1st team
Pollard, and any of those bigs on Pollard's team under Kents last season, couldnt, wouldnt hold either a candle or Jockstrap compared to this team's bigs.
Thanks for making my point, the same point I made, that Jakimovski, and Vova left BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO LEAVE AND NOT BECAUSE SMITH SUPPOSEDLY PREFERRED RAPP OR SOMEBODY ELSE OVER THEM, AND SO ENCOURAGED THEM TO TRANSFER AS JOURDAND SUGGESTED.
You might work on your reading comprehension a bit and reread what me and Jourdand said.
That and I probably have to communicate better, more clearly.
Also Look up the word COMBINED. I all caps it, and used the word COMBINED 3 times.
Combined mean joining, combining 1,2, multiple reasons.
There are 2 reasons Jakimovski, and Vova Transfered.
1. THEY WANTED TO TRANSFER as you correctly said.
2. Rapp or Somebody else refused to Transfer.
These 2 reasons COMBINED is why Jakimovski, Vova Transfered
Jourdand, and others would have you and me believe that Smith PREFERRED RAPP or somebody else to stay over Jakimovski, Vova, and Preferred Jakimovski, Vova Transfer over Rapp, or someone else. THAT IS NOT THE CORRECT REASON WHY JAKIMOVSKI, VOVA transfered.
So 71, your right, and I'm right as well since I agree with you that they wanted to transfer, and Jourdand and others are logically incorrect, in illogically thinking that Smith preferred Rapp or someone else over Jakimovski, Vova.
AJ, that semi occasional starter started 19 games last year!! He struggled down the stretch and his body language was imo a telling sign of the transfer.
Volvo talked very highly of WSU and Pullman but who knows maybe he wanted to leave.
I personally don’t believe a NCAA Division 1 coach is making roster decisions based on what a player wants or doesn’t want. If coach Smith wanted Rapp gone he would be gone. It’s not up to the player to refuse to transfer, it’s up to the coach to renew the scholarship or not.
Volvo talked very highly of WSU and Pullman but who knows maybe he wanted to leave.
I personally don’t believe a NCAA Division 1 coach is making roster decisions based on what a player wants or doesn’t want. If coach Smith wanted Rapp gone he would be gone. It’s not up to the player to refuse to transfer, it’s up to the coach to renew the scholarship or not.
Always thought we would lose someone we would rather was still in Crimson from a talent perspective. Other than the somewhat cryptic social media posts from Bamba and Rapp I never thought they were leaving. In Rapp's case he sounds about as all-in as you can get. Wants to be a leader even in a secondary role. Just like Vova' there are things he needs to improve to continue to demand playing time but it's not the worst thing to have players like Rapp and Vova' that are willing to accept their role and still work. With 13 rides (this year 14) not everyone is going to have a significant role.
Look Jakimovski was neither great, awesome, OR bad, last year. He was average, above average, between bad and great and awesome.
Even tho he had 19 starts, I would not call those the traditional, normal, regular starts.
Whether he started or not, he usually got ABOUT 10 to 20 minutes per game that he played in(He played in most games, and didnt play in a couple, few, some games(And not because of only injuries)
There was some games he got 25 to 30 minutes, and some games that he only got 8 minutes, but those were not the norm. 10 to 20 minutes as a RANGE was the norm.
He started more after the beginning of the season, and started towards the middle of the season, and as you said faded down the stretch, didnt start much, if at all, down the stretch at the end of season.
I would have said ABOUT ABOUT 10 to 13 to 15 to 17 starts SPREAD OUT over the year, in a once in a while, semi occasional, semi limited way.
Some starts he got lots of minutes. Some starts he only got ABOUT 7 to 13 minutes.
And I dont really consider a about 7 minute start a start, even tho its a TECHNICAL start.
His REAL NON TECHNICAL starts where he plays 13 to 23+ minutes, instead of 7 to 14 minutes, was probably semi limited, semi occasional, etc, like I meant.
The point being he was good enough to where he should have stayed, somebody else transfer instead, but yet at the same time not a big loss, that is harder to replace, that not just fine without him.
I’m not sure we have a log jam at the 3 spot. Actually it imo is one of the biggest gray areas in the line up. We have a lot of players who can play the 3 but the only true 3 we have is Rodman, possibly Rosario but he was listed as a 4 coming in and we didn’t enough of him to truly know. Imo Rapp could play the 3, with Bamba and Noah but it’s not any of their natural position. Same with Aiken it’s possible but it is wait and see at this point. Ultimately I feel it will be Rodman and Aiken primarily but I could see Bamba getting significant minutes ate the 3 also
FYI AJ averaged 25 mins a game! Played less than 10 mins 3 times one of which was first game of the season and then the last two games of the season. You know how I know that? Google!!!!
FYI AJ averaged 25 mins a game! Played less than 10 mins 3 times one of which was first game of the season and then the last two games of the season. You know how I know that? Google!!!!
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Yeah the LOG JAM is more the players that can realistically play the 3 spot at least semi effectively, not the TRUE 3 SPOTS.
There is only ABOUT 1,2,3,4 TRUE 3 SPOT players.
Aiken, and Rodman will PLATOON at 3 spot, taking turns starting, backing up, until 1 of them wins, becomes the starter, and depending on situations, match ups.
Behind them, you have Rosario and Bamba. Rosario wont play the 4 IF, until, unless, IF Garbage time blowouts. Otherwise Rosario will be a back up at the 3 spot.
Bamba will split time as either back up at 3 spot, and back up at the 2 spot, or both.
Rapp is better at the 3 spot then PG spot. PG may be his more comfortable, normal, semi natural position, but Rapp just does not have the lateral speed, quickness to guard the Allen Iverson types at PG. Rapp will, would be more effective at 3 spot, where he is just barely quick enough, fast enough to, has good enough positioning, work ethic, technique, long arms, length, height, etc, to guard the 3 spot at the 3 spot. Now whether Smith will agree with that, I dont know. But if Smith agrees with that, Rapp will back up behind Rodman, Kim, Rosario, Bamba.
On limited, situational Occasions, Noah will slide over to start at the 3 spot ahead of all the other 3 spotters, so that Koulibaly can get more minutes, an or maybe even start at the 2, SG spot, if he doesnt get enough minutes at PG, because of Flowers, Tyrell Roberts at PG. If Koulibaly gets a lot of minutes, an or starts at PG, then Noah stays at the 2 spot, because only Flowers, out of Flowers, Tyrell Roberts, Rice, might play limited minutes at the 2 spot, but probably not. But Koulibaly, is the only PG that might, maybe even might probably, might probably see a lot of minutes at both, either PG, SG, 1, 2 spots. Flowers might see a little tiny bit of time at 2 spot, but almost all his time will be getting a lot of minutes at PG spot, as either Starter at PG(Likely), or as #1 back up, 6th man type at the PG spot.
The 1,2,3 Guard Spots are so Fluid, Gray, about the only near certain, guaranteed things at the 1,2,3 spots is that Noah will be a starter and get lots of minutes, and Noah, Flowers, Koulibaly, Tyrell Roberts, Rodman, Kim will get some decent to a semi lot of minutes at the 1,2,3 spots.
Its going to be hard for smith to sort all that out.
But having so many awesome players needing minutes is a good problem to have.
WSU EASILY goes with a effective 9,10,11 man effective rotation.
The PG spot is deep enough with Flowers, Koulibaly, Tyrell Roberts, Rice, that Rapp wont see a lot of minutes at PG. Rapps only chance at minutes is at the back up 3 and 2 spots.
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I have only seen Rosario listed as a three. He was a 6'7" 170lb small forward in high school that played out on the wing and could drive when given space.
Thats what I thought I saw too. Only way he would play at the 4 spot, is if he was on 6-6 LODWICKS team.
Correction he is listed as small forward /3
Pretty good clip of Rosario I hadn’t seen befor
Pretty good clip of Rosario I hadn’t seen befor
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Hadn't seen that before either. Thanks for posting it. The base talent is there but he's definitely raw and needs to build some strength.
Vova has more speed, lateral quickness, more athleticism than Rapp? Seriously?
At this point, the roster is settled and I'm ready to root for all 13 scholarship players. Each one deserves our 100% support.
Glad Cougar
I know we had to have a guy transfer, but losing a 7 footer who was serviceable and physical is a tough hit. Bigs get in foul trouble, so he would have been nice to have.
I think it says a lot about how they intend to play. He would have never seen the court under any circumstances. ?!
Good for him. I hope he does well there. He already knows the system, so hopefully it will be an easy transition for him.
