Guard Play

I think it's far too early to figure out where Ellison fits next year: his foot injury set him back, he missed a lot of games in the easier part of our schedule, and now he's thrown in against Big East teams, two out of three which have been nationally ranked.  Kid has a reputation as a gym rat, so let's give him a full season and a healthy off-season and see where he is when he shows up next October.  Like his length and ability to get to the rim, although he hasn't finished many of his drives -- but he wasn't driving against this level of talent back in high school.  Right now, his jump shot is too much of a line drive, but I'm pretty sure that he will work hard enough to do what he has to do.  He's going to get bigger, stronger, more sure of himself, and become a useful player on next year's team IMO, especially when we face teams with taller, more physical guards.

Is Rawle Alkins coming home? How much time any of our guards gets next season will certainly be affected by whether or not Rawle picks SJU.

In all my years as a St. John's fan, I've never experienced a team that had too much talent wasting away on its bench.  Yet, we are always trying to push kids out because there won't be enough playing time.  Give the kid a chance to learn and grow as a player.   Especially one who comes from a basketball pedigree.

Is Ellison good enough to be part of the guard rotation when better players show up? Any thought he might be a candidate to transfer?

He's a 6'6 freshman that missed half the season with an injury.  He wouldn't be playing at all as a freshman at an established program.  He doesn't show any obvious limitations in terms of size, skill, or athletic ability.  His decision-making hasn't been stellar but he's 18.

Quote from: jr49 on January 07, 2016, 02:29:21 PM

Is Ellison good enough to be part of the guard rotation when better players show up? Any thought he might be a candidate to transfer?

He's a 6'6 freshman that missed half the season with an injury.  He wouldn't be playing at all as a freshman at an established program.  He doesn't show any obvious limitations in terms of size, skill, or athletic ability.  His decision-making hasn't been stellar but he's 18.

Very true. Sometimes it is hard to do so but we must keep in mind while with most freshman they go through their growing pains in practice and playing sparingly our guys are getting exposed. All 4 freshman are far from finished products but almost no players are. Can't really accurately evaluate them fully until next year probably.