All Things Gopher Basketball

darnell59 · Post #1 » by **darnell59** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 5:43 am

This article was posted on the front page of nbadraft.net. Good read.

http://www.nbadraft.net/node/14769

---This thread is evolving into more than just Rodney, and we might as well have a thread for the best basketball team in the state... -klomp44

cpfsf · Post #2 » by **cpfsf** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 6:37 am

I'm intrigued. If the season ended today, we'd have Utah's 17th pick in the draft, so it seems like he'd be within our reach. Although the article doesn't tell me too much other than he has potential, raw, and is from Minnesota (sorry I ruined the ending). Never heard of his name before, but I'll be watching him now.

Here's his season stats so far. Unfortunately the sample size is 3 games.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=45983

Post #3 » by **Klomp** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 7:58 am

Hes probably not going to be in this years draft...we might be able to talk about taking him in 2011 though...He reminds me of a Thaddeus Young type player.

Do a Youtube search. You'll be impressed.

Post #4 » by **Calinks** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 8:22 am

Glad to see a Gopher finally getting some national attention. At least all Minnesota basketball isn't doomed. (Although Royce White is trying his damnedest to make it that way!)

GopherIt! · Post #5 » by **GopherIt!** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 9:48 am

He's been making noise here since high school. Was happy when he decided to go to the U. I've been really looking forward to this season.

Devilzsidewalk · Post #6 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:24 pm

I don't know about #3 in 2011 draft, but that's pretty cool to read. Imagine how good the team could be if the rest of the players weren't felons

jpatrick · Post #7 » by **jpatrick** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 2:50 pm

Crazy crazy athlete but I knew people who didn't even think he was the best player on his own HS team and thought he'd greatly benefit from a redshirt this year. I've been incredibly impressed so far. I didn't think he'd have the jumper he's shown.

However, to say he's going to 5 next year is crazy. He really hasn't done anything except provide energy, dunks and hit a few wide open jumpers. I need to see more skills (handle, jumper continuing to fall) and ability to handle physical D against a higher level of competition before I get too excited about his NBA future.

That said, if he shows those things, with his athleticsm, his ceiling is high. I think Derozan was more advanced as a BB player as a frosh, but that's not a bad comp.

Zeitgeister · Post #8 » by **Zeitgeister** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 3:44 pm

1. Good D
2. Three ball
3. Freak athlete
4. Good height and great wingspan

Those are the three things that stick out about Rodney Williams. He needs to prove that he can put the ball on the floor and drive to the rim and he needs to show some passing ability. He needs to stay at least two years though.

Derozan is a pretty solid comparison, although I think Williams has better tools. Not only do I think he's a better dunker (yes!) and he's got teradactyl (sp?) arms, I wouldn't be surpised if he has a 7" wingspan or greater. He's also already proven more as a three point shooter than Derozan did the whole year. You'd have to assume Derozan would be ahead of him in most other areas though.

dunkonu21 · Post #9 » by **dunkonu21** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 4:22 pm

I doubt he enters the draft. I've heard about this kid for years. He has a nose for the ball and a good shooting form, but he does not have as much potential at Lance Stephenson.

Devilzsidewalk · Post #10 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 4:58 pm

thats what I'd assume, i haven't seen them myself, but he supposedly Stephenson has great handles and thats a huge plus imo. Rodney Carney has already proved that being super athletic, able to hit a trey, and a willing defender, doesn't make you a great player unless you have good handles. I'll need to see more of Rodney Williams' handles to make an informed determination though.

dunkonu21 · Post #11 » by **dunkonu21** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 6:19 pm

On a note that doesn't necessarily translate to basketball, but he's really dumb too.

Post #12 » by **Calinks** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 8:58 am

dunkonu21 wrote:On a note that doesn't necessarily translate to basketball, but he's really dumb too.

I don't know how smart he is or not but he sure as hell aint Royce White dumb.

Post #13 » by **Klomp** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 9:25 am

He may not be the brightest bulb, but according to Tubby, he's willing to learn. I'd rather have than someone who is smart and doesn't want to try to learn new things.

hotshotschamp · Post #14 » by **hotshotschamp** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 9:31 am

Yeah kg, and brandon jennings and a host of other big time ballers, didn't do so well with the ole ACT, but they turned out alright. I care more about if they are not mentally ill, or have huge inflated egos more so than if they are book smart.

Iommi · Post #15 » by **Iommi** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 12:53 am

Devilzsidewalk wrote:I don't know about #3 in 2011 draft, but that's pretty cool to read. Imagine how good the team could be if the rest of the players weren't felons

Dude, the reigning NBA finals MVP is a rapist.

KGISDAMAN · Post #16 » by **KGISDAMAN** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 2:44 am

do you guys know when royce white is back? and anyone watching the game vs butler?

PkrsBcksGphsMqt · Post #17 » by **PkrsBcksGphsMqt** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 5:12 am

KGISDAMAN wrote:do you guys know when royce white is back? and anyone watching the game vs butler?

Andy Katz has a good article on White, Mbakwe, and Bostick.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/ind ... =katz_andy

Summary: Bostick will be back for the BigTen/ACC challenge game against Miami. Mbakwe may be back in December because Tubby and the University are confident that his case will be thrown out. White is in the worst situation, Tubby makes it seem like he still may kick the guy off the team for good. At the moment White is banned from all team functions till further notice.

Great game tonight, we beat a top 10 team without any of our new players. Rodney Williams barely played cause of fouls. White and Mbakwe obviously were out. Cobbs played the most but still didn't play that large a minutes.

Post #18 » by **Worm Guts** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 3:20 pm

KGISDAMAN wrote:do you guys know when royce white is back?

I don't know, but it would probably help if he stopped stealing stuff.

Post #19 » by **Klomp** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 3:52 pm

I just saw the box score, wow! Looks like it was Johnson and Iverson who played the best.

john2jer · Post #20 » by **john2jer** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 4:53 pm

Great game against Butler last night. Iverson definitely stepped up big in the first half with a double double before intermission. Joseph played big minutes in the 2nd half with Nolen on the bench cause of foul trouble and Westbrook unable to get going.

Hoffarber knocked down a couple big triples and had some big rebounds. Sampson hit big free throws late in the game. Just fun to watch this squad.

Can't wait until they're full strength. They could be a very dangerous team.

And seriously, Royce, what the hell were you thinking?