Class of 2023 PF Ibrahim Souare (Guinea / AZ) TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE (4/6/25)

[CardiacCuse]

idk how anyone can watch this guy and think he is a center

in his "best" game...he played power forward...covered schiefflein from clemson who had a monster game...23 pts...and schefflein is a power forward, not a center

suare's playing style is uber passive...he literally either dunks or immediately passes if he isnt in dunking range

he did have 1 nice post move and finish but ga tech never seemed to give him the ball...he seems capable of much more...but like he is under instructions to never do anything other than get the ball and pass it immediately to george...which isnt going to make any basketball player look good.

no wonder he transferred out of ga tech

but i can see it now...red will have him playing the exact same way...(to his and the team;s detriment)...i dont see this guy as a center...but a forward. he couldnt stop 6 8 schefflein from scoring in the post...at all...in his best game...9pts in 42 minutes.

i like suare as a bench forward. i dont like him as a center.

 

[Orangezoo]

idk how anyone can watch this guy and think he is a center

in his "best" game...he played power forward...covered schiefflein from clemson who had a monster game...23 pts...and schefflein is a power forward, not a center

suare's playing style is uber passive...he literally either dunks or immediately passes if he isnt in dunking range

he did have 1 nice post move and finish but ga tech never seemed to give him the ball...he seems capable of much more...but like he is under instructions to never do anything other than get the ball and pass it immediately to george...which isnt going to make any basketball player look good.

no wonder he transferred out of ga tech

but i can see it now...red will have him playing the exact same way...(to his and the team;s detriment)...i dont see this guy as a center...but a forward. he couldnt stop 6 8 schefflein from scoring in the post...at all...in his best game...9pts in 42 minutes.

i like suare as a bench forward. i dont like him as a center.

It all depends on what you expect from a C in your system. If you expect a traditional low post presence then yeah he’s not a center and like many teams you have 2 or 3 forwards and no 5 man. With that said you still have certain guys setting screens and at least functioning like a 5 man and on offense that’s what it appears this kid is doing a good portion of his minutes.

There seems to be a pretty aggressive case being made that this guy is a bad pickup if he is to play backup C. That may well be right but this entire season is boom or bust for Red. So if it doesn’t work then we hit the reset. Hopefully it does work and these guys all mesh.

One thing is this kid has the size to be a backup 5. That is for certain. Also Scheifflen has made a lot of other bigs look bad given the way he plays and was really a key glue guy for Brownell again this year.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

idk how anyone can watch this guy and think he is a center

in his "best" game...he played power forward...covered schiefflein from clemson who had a monster game...23 pts...and schefflein is a power forward, not a center

suare's playing style is uber passive...he literally either dunks or immediately passes if he isnt in dunking range

he did have 1 nice post move and finish but ga tech never seemed to give him the ball...he seems capable of much more...but like he is under instructions to never do anything other than get the ball and pass it immediately to george...which isnt going to make any basketball player look good.

no wonder he transferred out of ga tech

but i can see it now...red will have him playing the exact same way...(to his and the team;s detriment)...i dont see this guy as a center...but a forward. he couldnt stop 6 8 schefflein from scoring in the post...at all...in his best game...9pts in 42 minutes.

i like suare as a bench forward. i dont like him as a center.

Listen, he's going to play backup center for us, and you're going to LIKE IT.

 

[Sherman20]

They may have wanted Ballard (or another center) at a set price, and now Red and team are waiting for the market to force Ballard (or another center) to accept a more reasonable offer, after they find no takers.

Every season in the pros, somebody signs a “below market” deal after turning down a “At the market” offer, because they flew too close to the sun. Once the roster spots and money dry up, players will become very reasonable.

The portal is open until April 22, so other players may enter. And guys have months to pick their new destination, though most will probably choose by mid May if not before. Then there’s the foreign market. Maybe they can find a high level center overseas.

 

[Niastri]

It all depends on what you expect from a C in your system. If you expect a traditional low post presence then yeah he’s not a center and like many teams you have 2 or 3 forwards and no 5 man. With that said you still have certain guys setting screens and at least functioning like a 5 man and on offense that’s what it appears this kid is doing a good portion of his minutes.

There seems to be a pretty aggressive case being made that this guy is a bad pickup if he is to play backup C. That may well be right but this entire season is boom or bust for Red. So if it doesn’t work then we hit the reset. Hopefully it does work and these guys all mesh.

One thing is this kid has the size to be a backup 5. That is for certain. Also Scheifflen has made a lot of other bigs look bad given the way he plays and was really a key glue guy for Brownell again this year.

Scheifflin dominated Maliq Brown last season too.

 

[Orangezoo]

Scheifflin dominated Maliq brown last season too

He’s been a critical piece that’s elevated that program the past two years. He’s the type of collegiate player that was commonplace for a long time but is a rare thing to find in todays game and it shows in how many problem he provides opponents.

 

[2B20Again]

Do we even want to win at the D1 level anymore?

I’m

 

[Orangezoo]

Do we even want to win at the D1 level anymore?

Didn’t realize cousin Eddie was part of the SU fan base.

 

[RF2044]

idk how anyone can watch this guy and think he is a center

in his "best" game...he played power forward...covered schiefflein from clemson who had a monster game...23 pts...and schefflein is a power forward, not a center

suare's playing style is uber passive...he literally either dunks or immediately passes if he isnt in dunking range

he did have 1 nice post move and finish but ga tech never seemed to give him the ball...he seems capable of much more...but like he is under instructions to never do anything other than get the ball and pass it immediately to george...which isnt going to make any basketball player look good.

no wonder he transferred out of ga tech

but i can see it now...red will have him playing the exact same way...(to his and the team;s detriment)...i dont see this guy as a center...but a forward. he couldnt stop 6 8 schefflein from scoring in the post...at all...in his best game...9pts in 42 minutes.

i like suare as a bench forward. i dont like him as a center.

I think the coaches wanted to bring in two traditional centers, and one bench 4 who will provide depth and could also swing to the 5 in a pinch [important, since we lost 4 of our 5 big men from last year].

They landed one center, in Kyle. They attempted to get another, likely as the starter, in Stephens -- but he ended up chasing a bag at UNLV.

And they landed Souare -- who I believe fits the 4 who could play 5, situationally.

Remains to be seen whether the staff will chase another big, or stay with what they have. The portal as it stands right now isn't brimming with starting caliber pivots. Maybe they'll look international, or maybe someone who isn't in the portal right now / today will emerge as a target for the staff.

But I don't view this pickup as the alternative for Stephens, I think they intended to bring in an athletic forward with positional versatility all along.

 

[RedtheGOB]

I think the coaches wanted to bring in two traditional centers, and one bench 4 who will provide depth and could also swing to the 5 in a pinch [important, since we lost 4 of our 5 big men from last year].

They landed one center, in Kyle. They attempted to get another, likely as the starter, in Stephens -- but he ended up chasing a bag at UNLV.

And they landed Souare -- who I believe fits the 4 who could play 5, situationally.

Remains to be seen whether the staff will chase another big, or stay with what they have. The portal as it stands right now isn't brimming with starting caliber pivots. Maybe they'll look international, or maybe someone who isn't in the portal right now / today will emerge as a target for the staff.

But I don't view this pickup as the alternative for Stephens, I think they intended to bring in an athletic forward with positional versatility all along.

Brimming starting caliber pivots, Are there any? I'm looking at on3 and just sitting here thinking no one would be happy at any of the additions that are possible. I think best case we find someone we lowball on NIL, but fans won't be happy about whatever it ends up being.

 

[CardiacCuse]

It all depends on what you expect from a C in your system. If you expect a traditional low post presence then yeah he’s not a center and like many teams you have 2 or 3 forwards and no 5 man. With that said you still have certain guys setting screens and at least functioning like a 5 man and on offense that’s what it appears this kid is doing a good portion of his minutes.

There seems to be a pretty aggressive case being made that this guy is a bad pickup if he is to play backup C. That may well be right but this entire season is boom or bust for Red. So if it doesn’t work then we hit the reset. Hopefully it does work and these guys all mesh.

One thing is this kid has the size to be a backup 5. That is for certain. Also Scheifflen has made a lot of other bigs look bad given the way he plays and was really a key glue guy for Brownell again this year.

weve all seen what happens when you cannot keep defenses honest with at least the threat of dumping it down into the post...its the same way with 3pt shooters opening up spacing for dribble penetration...there needs to be at least the threat of inside scoring close to the hoop for an offense to function, imo

these are just basketball 101 basics

 

[CusefanATL]

idk how anyone can watch this guy and think he is a center

in his "best" game...he played power forward...covered schiefflein from clemson who had a monster game...23 pts...and schefflein is a power forward, not a center

suare's playing style is uber passive...he literally either dunks or immediately passes if he isnt in dunking range

he did have 1 nice post move and finish but ga tech never seemed to give him the ball...he seems capable of much more...but like he is under instructions to never do anything other than get the ball and pass it immediately to george...which isnt going to make any basketball player look good.

no wonder he transferred out of ga tech

but i can see it now...red will have him playing the exact same way...(to his and the team;s detriment)...i dont see this guy as a center...but a forward. he couldnt stop 6 8 schefflein from scoring in the post...at all...in his best game...9pts in 42 minutes.

i like suare as a bench forward. i dont like him as a center.

i just watched a few possessions at behinnign but he was guarding and being guarded by clemsons russian center lahkin?

 

[jordville]

Brimming starting caliber pivots, Are there any? I'm looking at on3 and just sitting here thinking no one would be happy at any of the additions that are possible. I think best case we find someone we lowball on NIL, but fans won't be happy about whatever it ends up being.

I’d be interested in Shawn Phillips…

7 feet, 245
Averaged 5 points, 5 boards, 1 block, 57 FG%
1 year of eligibility left

 

[Orangezoo]

weve all seen what happens when you cannot keep defenses honest with at least the threat of dumping it down into the post...its the same way with 3pt shooters opening up spacing for dribble penetration...there needs to be at least the threat of inside scoring close to the hoop for an offense to function, imo

these are just basketball 101 basics

Donnie and Kyle both should be capable of post offense. It won’t be as prolific as it was with Eddie but shouldn’t be non existent either.

Plus if you have shooters on the floor you should be able to get some looks inside. It’s also why having a PG like Nait lets you run pick and roll action and get easy buckets that way too. Kyle did show the ability to get to that little hook shot as a sophomore so that along with Donnie in the paint should give us options.

Thus you don’t have to have a traditional 5 to win at this level. You can’t win though if you don’t have shooters and a real/capable PG. Last year we had big Eddie and then a whole lot of nothing in our supposed shooters couldn’t shoot and PG play was often non existent outside of when Carlos was able to produce.

 

[CardiacCuse]

i just watched a few possessions at behinnign but he was guarding and being guarded by clemsons russian center lahkin?

i think youre confusing him with ndongo..who IS a center and several inches taller...HE would be a great get

 

[Orangezoo]

i think youre confusing him with ndongo..who IS a center and several inches taller...HE would be a great get

Ndongo is the same height just 15 lbs heavier. They can be difficult to separate watching on the court. Souare was on Lahkin at times though if you watch closely.

Obviously Ndongo is a very good big and their starting 5 for a reason.

 

[007]

i think youre confusing him with ndongo..who IS a center and several inches taller...HE would be a great get

Ndongo and Souare are both 6-9. No doubt Ndongo is the better player. Mutombo is 7-2

 

[CusefanATL]

i think youre confusing him with ndongo..who IS a center and several inches taller...HE would be a great get

no it was #30. 100%.

 

[CusefanATL]

just watch the very first possession its clearly Souare guarding the center. like i said i only half watched about 8 possessions until about the under 16 min to. but souare and center were mainly on each other every possession.

 

[Orangezoo]

just watch the very first possession its clearly Souare guarding the center. like i said i only half watched about 8 possessions until about the under 16 min to. but souare and center were mainly on each other every possession.

Yep

 

[orangejunkie]

I’d be interested in Shawn Phillips…

7 feet, 245
Averaged 5 points, 5 boards, 1 block, 57 FG%
1 year of eligibility left

He's more experienced but does he give that much more in terms of playing style and strengths than the two centers we've already recruited. You might get him and find that one of the young uber athletic centers that we've already recruited wants out.

 

[RedtheGOB]

I’d be interested in Shawn Phillips…

7 feet, 245
Averaged 5 points, 5 boards, 1 block, 57 FG%
1 year of eligibility left

What does a top 10 available center get right now for NIL and will he come to split time?

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[CardiacCuse]

just watch the very first possession its clearly Souare guarding the center. like i said i only half watched about 8 possessions until about the under 16 min to. but souare and center were mainly on each other every possession.

yeah well...they switched out of that quick and for the vast majority of the game ndongo was the center...guarding clemson tallest player...whereas suare was playing as a PF, guarding Clemsons PF (and getting scored on pretty easily)


so i dont know what you all are on about...i literally spent 30 minutes going through the games

ndongo was the center for GT almost the entire game...he played very well.

ndongo and suare can be listed as the same height but ndongo is much bigger and better and plays much bigger out there, imo fwiw

IMO much of suare;s effectiveness that game was due to ndongo being a wrecking ball out there and making his life easy (an advantage he will not have at SU)

so ...to summarize - we are getting GT's PF to play center for Syracuse...it doesnt make him a center, though.

*its also notable (and im sure not coincidental that JB was the announcer for the game) and was giving multiple compliments to suare in the game...he really likes him FWIW

**(also, its very JB of the staff this portal season to go with centers who only play defense, too...makes me wonder how much input/help he is giving behind the scenes on player picks/roster construction)

*** lastly was notable that george literally almost never passed to suare all game long...but suare is apparently cool with following george for more of the same...interesting to me

if the staff intends to use suare similarly to how he was used at GT, it wouldnt make sense to me...why get a guy with offensive skills only to not use him at all on offense, especially when he isnt very good at defending centers...1 on 1, or even PFs from the clemson tape...

i really hope I am dead wrong about all of this...fwiw

 

[Franz69]

Give me an Eastern European brute whose NIL will consist of breaking thumbs while collecting for the mob.