Jamal Branch - PG - Texas A&M Transfer - ST. JOHN'S

Nice to see

Great link for the Branch-Gathers connection.  They are our missing pieces.  I love to hear Branch talking about a run for a national championship.  I can see a SJU-UNLV match up in 2 years!

Quote from: Dave on January 10, 2012, 08:02:39 PM

Quote from: Celtics11 on January 10, 2012, 07:50:56 PM

As to how much eligibility he has left-he could opt to sit out the entire next season in which case he would have 3 full seasons of eligibility left. But with a talented player this is unlikely and in this case additionally he plays a position of need so it is even less likely. We all know he will play as soon as eligible next season.

He has 3.5 eligibility left. He'll start in the spring like Amir Garrett did.

You are as wrong as the night is long.

This is why schools have compliance officers and why I'm not one of them

I guess I was thinking he'd be in school 3.5 years. Heck, I don't know.

Quote from: kingofk1ngs on January 11, 2012, 03:17:43 PM

Apparently, Jamal is friends with Gathers. Hopefully he can help convince him to recommit.

http://www.zagsblog.com/2012/01/11/branch-wants-gathers-to-join-him-at-st-johns/

I am sure Dave was already aware of this connection, given his comments that Gathers is within our grasp.   

Zags tends to overplay these recruiting stories somewhat. All these kids are friendly. They've been playing against/with each other since they're 9/10 years old. Going to same camps, playing in same tourney's, etc. The staff is doing their diligence with a number of high level recruits. Having players leverage and lobby other players certainly doesn't hinder the process.

Quote from: DFF6 on January 11, 2012, 03:31:26 PM

Quote from: kingofk1ngs on January 11, 2012, 03:17:43 PM

Apparently, Jamal is friends with Gathers. Hopefully he can help convince him to recommit.

http://www.zagsblog.com/2012/01/11/branch-wants-gathers-to-join-him-at-st-johns/

I am sure Dave was already aware of this connection, given his comments that Gathers is within our grasp.   

Zags tends to overplay these recruiting stories somewhat. All these kids are friendly. They've been playing against/with each other since they're 9/10 years old. Going to same camps, playing in same tourney's, etc. The staff is doing their diligence with a number of high level recruits. Having players leverage and lobby other players certainly doesn't hinder the process.

I'm still confused though.
If he has 3 years eligibility left- does that mean if he starts playing in Jan 2013
 (his 2nd semester soph year)he can play until mid season - Dec 2015 ?

This is currently Jamal's first year (1/2 @ A & M, 1/2 sitting). Next year is his 2nd (1/2 sitting, 1/2 Johnnies). His 3rd (2013 & 2014) & 4th years (2014 & 2015) are at St John's. He will be available to play for St John's in December of 2012, after the first semester is completed.

I got confused too after seeing some posts, he definitely cannot play 5 seasons. It's unfortunate that he will miss half of two season's but that's the rule and makes sense.

I guess the confusion is my fault when I started.the 2.5 year stuff.  He does have 3 years left.       But you either use a full year eligibility or none.  It goes by seasons not semesters.

He used 1 year at a & m.  He will use another nextyear playing second semester.  He then will have two years left.

I guess the confusion is my fault when I started.the 2.5 year stuff.  He does have 3 years left.       But you either use a full year eligibility or none.  It goes by seasons not semesters.

He used 1 year at a & m.  He will use another next year playing second semester.  He then will have two years left.

I guess my confusion was coming from the football world.  Basketball is different because the season is played over both semesters which is unique.

Anyone know whether Jamal has made it to campus yet?  The sooner he can start practicing with the team, the better.

I read he will arrive Fri.

I read he will arrive Fri.

Thanks.  Maybe wishful thinking, but I think Jamal's impact on the team will be noticeable this season.  Practicing every day with a high major PG talent like him has to make the team better, right?

Right. And it won t hurt his devolopment either.

Anyone know whether Jamal has made it to campus yet?  The sooner he can start practicing with the team, the better.

What's the hurry? Hasn't it been established that he has like 9 yrs of eligibility left?

Quote from: DFF6 on January 12, 2012, 07:45:11 PM

Anyone know whether Jamal has made it to campus yet?  The sooner he can start practicing with the team, the better.

What's the hurry? Hasn't it been established that he has like 9 yrs of eligibility left?

I was actually worried that he wouldn't get as much practice time with Moe before Moe becomes a lottery pick next year 

Quote from: Celtics11 on January 12, 2012, 11:47:15 PM

Quote from: DFF6 on January 12, 2012, 07:45:11 PM

Anyone know whether Jamal has made it to campus yet?  The sooner he can start practicing with the team, the better.

What's the hurry? Hasn't it been established that he has like 9 yrs of eligibility left?

I was actually worried that he wouldn't get as much practice time with Moe before Moe becomes a lottery pick next year 

thought i heard he would be on campus today. 

Quote from: DFF6 on January 12, 2012, 11:55:46 PM

Quote from: Celtics11 on January 12, 2012, 11:47:15 PM

Quote from: DFF6 on January 12, 2012, 07:45:11 PM

Anyone know whether Jamal has made it to campus yet?  The sooner he can start practicing with the team, the better.

What's the hurry? Hasn't it been established that he has like 9 yrs of eligibility left?

I was actually worried that he wouldn't get as much practice time with Moe before Moe becomes a lottery pick next year 

thought i heard he would be on campus today.

Any confirmed sitings of Jamal on campus today? 

I think I'm starting to sound like a stalker. 

Quote from: redmen4life on January 13, 2012, 09:37:07 AM

Quote from: DFF6 on January 12, 2012, 11:55:46 PM

Quote from: Celtics11 on January 12, 2012, 11:47:15 PM

Quote from: DFF6 on January 12, 2012, 07:45:11 PM

Anyone know whether Jamal has made it to campus yet?  The sooner he can start practicing with the team, the better.

What's the hurry? Hasn't it been established that he has like 9 yrs of eligibility left?

I was actually worried that he wouldn't get as much practice time with Moe before Moe becomes a lottery pick next year 

thought i heard he would be on campus today.

Any confirmed sitings of Jamal on campus today? 

I think I'm starting to sound like a stalker.

Stalker Central:


Jamal leaves tomorrow.


https://twitter.com/JamazingBranch/status/157891594035535872


@WillieWild What time y'all leaving?

@JamazingBranch We leave tomorrow!rrow![

Quote from: DFF6 on January 13, 2012, 01:30:06 PM

Quote from: redmen4life on January 13, 2012, 09:37:07 AM

Quote from: DFF6 on January 12, 2012, 11:55:46 PM

Quote from: Celtics11 on January 12, 2012, 11:47:15 PM

Quote from: DFF6 on January 12, 2012, 07:45:11 PM

Anyone know whether Jamal has made it to campus yet?  The sooner he can start practicing with the team, the better.

What's the hurry? Hasn't it been established that he has like 9 yrs of eligibility left?

I was actually worried that he wouldn't get as much practice time with Moe before Moe becomes a lottery pick next year 

thought i heard he would be on campus today.

Any confirmed sitings of Jamal on campus today? 

I think I'm starting to sound like a stalker.

Stalker Central:


Jamal leaves tomorrow.

Thanks for the fix! 

Quote from: bball purist on January 13, 2012, 01:48:15 PM

Quote from: DFF6 on January 13, 2012, 01:30:06 PM

Quote from: redmen4life on January 13, 2012, 09:37:07 AM

Quote from: DFF6 on January 12, 2012, 11:55:46 PM

Quote from: Celtics11 on January 12, 2012, 11:47:15 PM

Quote from: DFF6 on January 12, 2012, 07:45:11 PM

Anyone know whether Jamal has made it to campus yet?  The sooner he can start practicing with the team, the better.

What's the hurry? Hasn't it been established that he has like 9 yrs of eligibility left?

I was actually worried that he wouldn't get as much practice time with Moe before Moe becomes a lottery pick next year 

thought i heard he would be on campus today.

Any confirmed sitings of Jamal on campus today? 

I think I'm starting to sound like a stalker.

Stalker Central:


Jamal leaves tomorrow.

Thanks for the fix!

You're welcome.  I love social media - as long as used properly like any other tool.

And here's your Friday Tweet Nugget (which Jamal retweeted):

https://twitter.com/Terptek/status/157897265095258113


#StJbb already #CantWait for JamazingBranch to hit campus tomorrow. UR going 2 a basketball school Jamal - wait'll you see the difference!

BTW - Once the students get back, they better not let me down!