Class of 2023 C Luke Wilson (GA) TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE (4/21/26)

[Ernj]

Baylor had a 6’6” center when they won it all. Virginia started Diakite who’s 6’9” when they won it. There’s multiple ways to win. Some people are just obsessed with height. Matt always has been.

Yup. Agreed. All I have been saying is that if you play small ball then you need other things that stand out, like great shooters, great athleticism, etc.

 

[tptcuse]

AND - Wilson is a dude who doesn’t have that injury history.

Estrella is a better prospect - IF he’s healthy.
But that’s been a UUUUGE question mark for him.

The most important ability for any player is -
availability.

Wilson has that.
Estrella = ???

Well, now you've jinxed us. Syracuse always has injuries to key players. Jinx now reversed. You're welcome.

 

[Sherman20]

I am mostly with you just want to see him properly handle and make a quick decisive play out of the ball screen that isn’t only a pass.

I am against the incessant high ball screen in general. I’d rather watch a team that doesn’t do that every damn time down the court and then executes it poorly. Run more double curls like UConn does, back screens, and off ball screens in general.

 

[Sherman20]

Baylor had a 6’6” center when they won it all. Virginia started Diakite who’s 6’9” when they won it. There’s multiple ways to win. Some people are just obsessed with height. Matt always has been.

Exactly. Miami made a final four with Norchad Omier manning the post.

 

[Niastri]

But they were both taller than Luke Wilson or Francis Folefac.
That matters.
Luke Wilson looked shorter than every center who defended him in his clips.

Luke Wilson is listed at 6'9 255, Arinze Onuaku was listed at 6'9 261, Rick Jackson was listed at 6'9 240.

While I agree listed heights and weights are often made up number, just like vertical leap and 40 times, they are all using the same made up number. You can't say he is "shorter" than them unless you think Appalachian State lies about height more than JB's teams from two decades ago.

I personally think they are all likely shorter than that... But isn't everybody shorter than their listed height?

 

[Niastri]

I hope they add another guard, but Dual is going to start. I say this in a very serious manner, he may develop to be the best guard we've had wearing a Syracuse uniform since Michael Gbinije and I am a big fan of Kadary Richmond.

What knowledge do you have that makes you so confident in Dual? I am absolutely not being snarky... I am ambivalent, but you are so confident you are making such claims.

What gives you this level of confidence in him?

 

[Orangezoo]

What knowledge do you have that makes you so confident in Dual? I am absolutely not being snarky... I am ambivalent, but you are so confident you are making such claims.

What gives you this level of confidence in him?

0307 watched him a lot and has posted about it FYI

 

[sufan59]

What knowledge do you have that makes you so confident in Dual? I am absolutely not being snarky... I am ambivalent, but you are so confident you are making such claims.

What gives you this level of confidence in him?

Natural trajectory, he was the best player on his team last season. Graded out better as a guard last season than anyone has in a Syracuse uniform since Michael Gbinije. I did say may develop into the best guard in a single season in a Syracuse uniform since Gbinije.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Luke Wilson is listed at 6'9 255, Arinze Onuaku was listed at 6'9 261, Rick Jackson was listed at 6'9 240.

While I agree listed heights and weights are often made up number, just like vertical leap and 40 times, they are all using the same made up number. You can't say he is "shorter" than them unless you think Appalachian State lies about height more than JB's teams from two decades ago.

I personally think they are all likely shorter than that... But isn't everybody shorter than their listed height?

Forget the listed heights and go look at the video.
Wilson is shorter than the guy guarding him in pretty much every shot. And this is the Sun Belt. Not a ton of 7 footers in that league. I hope he's good, but he's the shortest of our 3 centers currently on the roster.

 

[eastcuse]

Forget the listed heights and go look at the video.
Wilson is shorter than the guy guarding him in pretty much every shot. And this is the Sun Belt. Not a ton of 7 footers in that league. I hope he's good, but he's the shortest of our 3 centers currently on the roster.

What is your point? Most of those players are listed 6'10-7'0 in the video. They are taller than him and he still put up highlights against them. He is heavier/stronger and ability to create space makes up for those small differences in height.

 

[jordoo]

What is your point? Most of those players are listed 6'10-7'0 in the video. They are taller than him and he still put up highlights against them. He is heavier/stronger and ability to create space makes up for those small differences in height.

If he was 2" taller obviously that would be ideal. However he would then have cost an additional 1M after a bidding war that landed him elsewhere even if he had the same stats at the same school. I think this is a great addition to the team after dipping our feet in the water on the higher end big market and realizing we aren't currently competitive for the top 20 big guys. So we will try to develop one.

 

[LetMeIn]

Forget the listed heights and go look at the video.
Wilson is shorter than the guy guarding him in pretty much every shot. And this is the Sun Belt. Not a ton of 7 footers in that league. I hope he's good, but he's the shortest of our 3 centers currently on the roster.

 

[IthacaMatt]

What is your point? Most of those players are listed 6'10-7'0 in the video. They are taller than him and he still put up highlights against them. He is heavier/stronger and ability to create space makes up for those small differences in height.

My point is that opposing centers are going to be even bigger in the ACC than the Sun Belt. He's a risk.

 

[eastcuse]

My point is that opposing centers are going to be even bigger in the ACC than the Sun Belt. He's a risk.

If he was 7'0 scoring over undersized sun belt players you'd have no concerns?

 

[BEGood]

My point is that opposing centers are going to be even bigger in the ACC than the Sun Belt. He's a risk.

It’s funny that we are so worried about height. So many big guys have made a career being built like Wilson and not 7 foot

 

[Cusefan0307]

Maybe I’m blind and don’t have 20/20 vision like I’ve been told, but I rewatched the video and do not see many if any players taller than him in those clips. If anything Wilson looks huge and his wingspan negates any height disadvantage.

 

[Giants1973]

Maybe I’m blind and don’t have 20/20 vision like I’ve been told, but I rewatched the video and do not see many if any players taller than him in those clips. If anything Wilson looks huge and his wingspan negates any height disadvantage.

I think he will be fine!!!!

 

[Niastri]

Pretty cool.
This guy says he could legit be a "20 and 10" guy for us on our level. That would be something.

Honestly, i'm kinda jazzed to have him versus Owen Freeman. Owen seems like a very 'solid' player. He'd be good on a really good team. But, Luke seems like he's a more dynamic player with a higher (eventual) upside.

I feel like that kind of hyperbole greatly limits his credibility. How many 20 and 10 guys have we had, ever?

 

[Cusefan0307]

I feel like that kind of hyperbole greatly limits his credibility. How many 20 and 10 guys have we had, ever?

Agree. I’d be happy with 10-12 and 8. That said it was an App state guy so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I feel like that kind of hyperbole greatly limits his credibility. How many 20 and 10 guys have we had, ever?

Coleman, Owens, Melo

 

[General20]

I feel like that kind of hyperbole greatly limits his credibility. How many 20 and 10 guys have we had, ever?

I dont think we've ever had one that was a center. Off the top of my head Catmelo Anthony and Billy Owens are the only two I can think of - and they were both #1 recruits coming out of high school and top 3 NBA draft picks.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

I feel like that kind of hyperbole greatly limits his credibility. How many 20 and 10 guys have we had, ever?

Yeah, I didn’t take that as actual possibility. More just that he seems convinced he’s capable of those numbers occasionally, and even if that’s a stretch, it’s just that he sees the guy as much more than just ‘filler’—that he can handle the role, the competition, and is still developing/evolving. I’d be thrilled with 14 and 9, and 6-8p from Siby.

 

[Nicknack]

Yeah, I didn’t take that as actual possibility. More just that he seems convinced he’s capable of those numbers occasionally, and even if that’s a stretch, it’s just that he sees the guy as much more than just ‘filler’—that he can handle the role, the competition, and is still developing/evolving. I’d be thrilled with 14 and 9, and 6-8p from Siby.

14 and 9 would be amazing. Hell, I'd gladly take 10 and 8.

 

[orangejunkie]

Not comparing him to Charles Barikley as an overall player, but they both share something in common. They rebounded above their height. Who cares how tall he is if he can use his physical abilities to rebound, block shots, and maybe improve his post scoring moves. We're lucky to get him and I prefer him to some of the taller but thin centers that were out there. I compare him to the center we had last season but Wilson is a more explosive fast twitch athlete which accounts for his strengths in rebounding and blocking shots..