Best Freshmen Moving Forward

I think this 4 man class is what solid programs are made of.  I think we have a mix of All BE players as upperclassmen and some solid role players as they develop.

My vote goes for Sima. He has legitimate height and length for a prototypical college center. He has shown that he already has great feel blocking shots and a decent touch around the basket. I think he will only get stronger and more comfortable as time goes on. Would not be surprised if he came back 15-20 pounds stronger next year. IMO he is what gives us a chance to be more than good these next few years. We will have plenty of guards and forwards but we will need that inside presence to compete with the big boys. Think Ochefu for Nova, without him are they a top 5-10 team? No probably more like top 20.

Yakwe is my vote. He's a 4 next year, and if he works hard on his all around game, he's Dom Pointer by his senior year.

Here's how I hope these guys develop:

Yakwe - Next year, he's a better version of himself with a more polished offensive game. By year 3, and he can put it on the floor, and knock down a 3 pointer.
Ellison - By year 3, he's similar to DJ Kennedy in that he can drive to the basket, and he can finish strong, too. He can also shoot the ball.
Mussini - I think it would be great if he could do for us next season what Max Hooper is doing for Oakland now.
Sima - I think his basketball IQ is further along than his body. If he hits the gym, and really takes his game seriously, he could be a lot like Ochefu. That's a great call Mase.

Yakwe & Sima will both be top level BE players in two years.

Yakwe is my vote. He's a 4 next year, and if he works hard on his all around game, he's Dom Pointer by his senior year.

Besides the athletic ability I really dont see dom comparison.  And that is no knock on either.  Doms senior year was great but was perhaps the must infuriating playing I ever watched at SJU during his prior years. Think Yakwe is much more under control and accepting of his responsibilities. Will be a stud no doubt.

Yakwe & Sima will both be top level BE players in two years.

Agreed. + soph backcourt of LoVett/Ponds and we are set to make major jump.

Yakwe is my vote. He's a 4 next year, and if he works hard on his all around game, he's Dom Pointer by his senior year.

I sort of flipped through the channels during that game yesterday, but wasn't Yakwe out as point defender yesterday? Didn't look bad doing it either.

Sima's height gives him a greater ceiling than Kassoum. Both have limitless potential, are humble and strive to be great. I had the pleasure of meeting Sima out in Indianapolis, he was a gentleman, has me rooting for him even more now.

Quote from: Poison on January 28, 2016, 11:48:34 AM

Yakwe is my vote. He's a 4 next year, and if he works hard on his all around game, he's Dom Pointer by his senior year.

Besides the athletic ability I really dont see dom comparison.  And that is no knock on either.  Doms senior year was great but was perhaps the must infuriating playing I ever watched at SJU during his prior years. Think Yakwe is much more under control and accepting of his responsibilities. Will be a stud no doubt.

I'm talking about having the ability to take his man off the dribble, or step out and hit a jumper. Something that Dom wasn't able to do until his senior year. Yakwe isn't a 4 in the league, but he could develop into a 3, and you know he's probably already thinking about his pro prospects. Yakwe can play inside. We can see that. He's far from a finished product in any aspect of the game, but we can see that he can rebound, he can block shots and he's not intimidated like Amar, Durand and Mvouika are when he's about to draw contact. He should be shooting jump shots until he collapses every damn day, and he should be working on his ball handling and passing skills once he wakes up.

Quote from: Poison on January 28, 2016, 11:48:34 AM

Yakwe is my vote. He's a 4 next year, and if he works hard on his all around game, he's Dom Pointer by his senior year.

I sort of flipped through the channels during that game yesterday, but wasn't Yakwe out as point defender yesterday? Didn't look bad doing it either.

He was the one in a 1-2-2

Yakwe all day - needs work but he's an athletic monster

Yakwe & Sima will both be top level BE players in two years.

Agee with that. Also on mussini- agree with poision- but he is a much better athlete then hooper. The kid is also really smart. I think he will stay in the rotation and hit some big shots the next few years. He is not a great defender but he will battle. Max hooper isn't fair. I hope a role is found for him.
Ellison- think he is recruited over.

Sima's height gives him a greater ceiling than Kassoum. Both have limitless potential, are humble and strive to be great. I had the pleasure of meeting Sima out in Indianapolis, he was a gentleman, has me rooting for him even more now.

Yakwe seems more comfortable in his body right now. Knows how to get his body to make basketball moves Sima still has to find his body, all arms and legs. Both will be very nice players for us.

Voted for Yakwe, to me the logical choice.  Ellison could be a big surprise, athletic, can penetrate and has a good touch.....needs to learn how to play, particularly how to make the right decision

Voted for Yakwe, to me the logical choice.  Ellison could be a big surprise, athletic, can penetrate and has a good touch.....needs to learn how to play, particularly how to make the right decision

He could be a good piano player to if as you say he learns how to play. 

Voted for Yakwe, to me the logical choice.  Ellison could be a big surprise, athletic, can penetrate and has a good touch.....needs to learn how to play, particularly how to make the right decision

What do you mean by good touch? I don't follow.

Quote from: cjfish on January 28, 2016, 02:30:45 PM

Voted for Yakwe, to me the logical choice.  Ellison could be a big surprise, athletic, can penetrate and has a good touch.....needs to learn how to play, particularly how to make the right decision

What do you mean by good touch? I don't follow.

Info gathered from his girlfriend.

If Yakwe ever gets some good coaching he can be a beast in 2 years. I think next year is his coming out party and he's All Big East by junior year. I think Sima is a close second but I think he needs more time to fill out his body and become more aggressive.  Mussini will be a very good 4 year player for us. Ellison is 4th and I hope he improves because he's just way too raw and not refined at this point.

Quote from: paultzman on January 28, 2016, 11:51:29 AM

Yakwe & Sima will both be top level BE players in two years.

Agee with that. Also on mussini- agree with poision- but he is a much better athlete then hooper. The kid is also really smart. I think he will stay in the rotation and hit some big shots the next few years. He is not a great defender but he will battle. Max hooper isn't fair. I hope a role is found for him.
Ellison- think he is recruited over.

I have said before that the player that Freddy most reminds me of is another "Italian" senior at Nova.  When he plays his more normal position as the off guard, he will be more effective.  With a good PG, he will be fun for us and annoying for opposition fans.

Quote from: TONYD3 on January 28, 2016, 12:35:31 PM

Quote from: paultzman on January 28, 2016, 11:51:29 AM

Yakwe & Sima will both be top level BE players in two years.

Agee with that. Also on mussini- agree with poision- but he is a much better athlete then hooper. The kid is also really smart. I think he will stay in the rotation and hit some big shots the next few years. He is not a great defender but he will battle. Max hooper isn't fair. I hope a role is found for him.
Ellison- think he is recruited over.

I have said before that the player that Freddy most reminds me of is another "Italian" senior at Nova.  When he plays his more normal position as the off guard, he will be more effective.  With a good PG, he will be fun for us and annoying for opposition fans.

Arci is a much more complete guard than Mussini, not to mention bigger and stronger. The kid is the reigning BEPOY. He is one of the more underrated college players in the country, the kid just delivers and wins.  For whatever reason, he doesn't get a lot of national media love. Great college player who can have a nice pro career overseas. This coming from someone who cares little for Nova. I do agree with you that Mussini can be good to very good for us and can't wait for him to play off the ball.

Yakwe and Sima will both be all BE type players by Junior year, Mussini should be a good competent off the bench guy who contributes in spurts and I think Ellison will eventually find it hard to see the court much - If you bring guys like Ponds, Ahmed, Tucker, Wilson, etc. just don't see room for him.