If its gift or jones, I'd much rather jones stick around. Gift is looking at 10 mpg or less and is gone after this year. I'd sign up for jones and uchebo right now
He's a freshman, and he played about as much as a freshman should play.
How could you say that when Sampson and Obekpa were exponentially better? Christian Jones played a 5th year prep before STJ...GG only played two years of low JUCO ball himself but averaged 9 points and around six boards a game, and Gift looked much better.
Uchebo coming here would make Jones' already small role even smaller. Sampson is far from a lock for leaving next season. As athletic as he is, he hasn't shown that he can play on the perimeter offensively or defensively. Add in the absurd recruiting class that will be draft elgible next year (9 projected first round picks), and it doesn't look very promising for Mr. Sampson.
Gift averaged 30mins a game. Jones played 9. I have no doubt that given increased playing time he would've matched Gift's Junior year numbers.
I think it's entirely possible Jones transfers, cause HE may want to.
But, if he's here, there's a role for him to play in future seasons. Even if Uchebo is here. Uchebo and Obekpa aren't going to play 40 minutes each. Nor would you probably want them on the court at the same time.
There's a future for CJ at St Johns if he wants to wait his turn. That's how I see it.
This is just plain silly. Projected Pitt lotto pick Steven Adams (7.2 pts, 6.3 rebs, didn't exceed Gift's first year numbers. Lotto pick Andre Drummond barely did (10/7). 9/6 @ 53%FG in a Big East frontcourt doesn't grow on trees.
It's really not silly CR, what's silly is the conclusions you draw from Gift's numbers two seasons ago.
First, yes, players like that do basically grow on trees. Every team in the Big East except Rutgers had a 9/5 guy. Many had multiple guys with those numbers.
Second, it has to be seen in context. For Gift to have 5 rebounds a game for a team with no one one over 6'8, when he's playing 30 minutes, doesn't say much.
Drummond played on a team with Alex Oriachi, Daniels, Olander, Wolf, Roscoe Smith etc etc All these guys are long and can rebound etc.
Gift and Moe were the only non-guards on the roster for most of the season. Based purely on the number of available defensive rebounds it would be almost pathetic for him to play 30minutes and not average 5 rebounds.
Furthermore, he's a center! He didn't shoot outside of the lane; of course he has a high fg%. Are Deandre Jordan and Tyson Chandler good shooters? No, of course not. You wouldn't even call them skilled-offensive-players necessarily, yet they lead the NBA in fg% because every basket they score is a putback or tip in.
Same goes for Gift.
He was on a team with all guards (and Moe), he stood next to the hoop, and he played a shit ton of minutes. It is not at all surprising to me that he scored 9pts and 5 rebounds a game. Nor is it that impressive. And yes, I am absolutely, 100%, convinced that if given that opportunity Christian Jones could've done the same or better. Gift is a nice player, but I really do think there are countless players who could've done what he did for us two years ago. Including Sean Evans and Dele Coker fwiw. And if you need anymore proof, you can look no further than the fact that coach Lavin didn't play him this year. College coaches don't choose to not put a player on the court who they think can help them win. Coach didn't 'save' Gift for next year.
And if I'm wrong about that, you (and others) can have a field day. But I'm not.