Class of 2019 PF Isaiah Stewart (NY/LaLumiereIN) to Washington

[AZOrange]

So, question here: Did something happen re: Hop or UW basketball in the past couple of weeks I don't know about that might have inspired IS to come around to a decision in recent days? Has UW gotten off to a hot start this season? Did they upset some big team recently? Just curious as to whether or not some event might have set a couple of gears in motion...

No, UW has been there all along

 

[Ceerqqq]

No, UW has been there all along

Not the question. UW's been there all along, but my question is what (in the UW universe) might have happened to bring about this recent decision of IS on where he's going to go. The emphasis here is on the word now.

The young man could have decided a couple of months ago, or---having waited this long into the season---could have simply waited for the end of the season to announce. My interest is in what prompted this recent moment's decision to announce? Anything?

 

[Jake]

No, UW has been there all along

And have been out in front here much longer than most people think. Hop is an incredible recruiter, and never likes to be the perceived leader.

 

[HOFCeluck]

Not the question. UW's been there all along, but my question is what (in the UW universe) might have happened to bring about this recent decision of IS on where he's going to go. The emphasis here is on the word now.

The young man could have decided a couple of months ago, or---having waited this long into the season---could have simply waited for the end of the season to announce. My interest is in what prompted this recent moment's decision to announce? Anything?

The third Sunday in January is lucky to him.

 

[Ceerqqq]

And have been out in front here much longer than most people think. Hop is an incredible recruiter, and never likes to be the perceived leader.

So...would it be right for me to interpret these kinds of comments to mean that nothing worth mentioning happened in the last couple/few weeks to propel IS toward an early decision?

So this leaves the idea that a mere accumulation of good will emanating from Hop toward IS and from IS toward Hop just happened to crest out of nowhere in mid-January, making IS feel that he really needed to make an announcement that just couldn't wait. Is that it?

 

[W'boro'Cuse315]

So...would it be right for me to interpret these kinds of comments to mean that nothing worth mentioning happened in the last couple/few weeks to propel IS toward an early decision?

So this leaves the idea that a mere accumulation of good will emanating from Hop toward IS and from IS toward Hop just happened to crest out of nowhere in mid-January, making IS feel that he really needed to make an announcement that just couldn't wait. Is that it?

 

[Orangefan1]

I could care less about hops success as a recruiter he doesn’t work at Syracuse anymore and is our competitor now. His in with northeast players will be coming to an end soon and he will have to make new connections in his northwest garbage conference

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Not the question. UW's been there all along, but my question is what (in the UW universe) might have happened to bring about this recent decision of IS on where he's going to go. The emphasis here is on the word now.

The young man could have decided a couple of months ago, or---having waited this long into the season---could have simply waited for the end of the season to announce. My interest is in what prompted this recent moment's decision to announce? Anything?

Why does there have to be an overt the catalyst. Its likely that he is just finally comfortable with his decision, and ready to be done with it.

 

[cuse10]

oh, bs. we have never been in the driver's seat for isaiah. always an honorable mention.

jb & co have no problem retaining top flight upstate talent. the reigning nys player of the year - and likely 2 time poy - is a syracuse signee.

i'll be more worried if they don't close on andre jackson than when stewart inevitably goes elsewhere

BS? A kid from their own backyard (literally) chose to go elsewhere. For three past couple of seasons, this board has bitched and moaned about recruiting, but when someone who's not an "insider" says it, then the kid has agency and has his own reasons for not wanting to go elsewhere. Cuse needs a recruiter if they want to win it all before Boeheim steps down. The guys right now are suspect.

 

[jgeorge322]

Hey, it sucks, but were going to continue to miss out on 5 star kids every team does. Weve had really good teams without 5 star kids. People bitch when we get one and dones and then they leave early and bitch when we don't sign them. Were gonna have a nice core of kids coming back next year and adding some solid recruits. Plus, all signs point to signing jackson in 2020 to get that class off to a good start. i think were fairly well positioned.

 

[AZOrange]

BS? A kid from their own backyard (literally) chose to go elsewhere. For three past couple of seasons, this board has bitched and moaned about recruiting, but when someone who's not an "insider" says it, then the kid has agency and has his own reasons for not wanting to go elsewhere. Cuse needs a recruiter if they want to win it all before Boeheim steps down. The guys right now are suspect.

Lol

 

[HOFCeluck]

BS? A kid from their own backyard (literally) chose to go elsewhere. For three past couple of seasons, this board has bitched and moaned about recruiting, but when someone who's not an "insider" says it, then the kid has agency and has his own reasons for not wanting to go elsewhere. Cuse needs a recruiter if they want to win it all before Boeheim steps down. The guys right now are suspect.

We’ve had kids more literally-er in our backyard go elsewhere. And Hop was on staff even!

They’re coaches, not hypnotists.

 

[Ceerqqq]

Why does there have to be an over the catalyst. Its likely that he is just finally comfortable with his decision, and ready to be done with it.

Well I must say that does seem to be the reasoning embraced by all those "in the know" who are predicting IS to UW.

Let me just say that if it turns out that IS ends up choosing SU over UW, it will mean that this 'conventional wisdom' was more than a little bit flawed.

I'm someone who happens to put a great deal more weight on the significance of IS's decision some months ago to put off his final decision until later in this current season. It's not that he couldn't decide on who he really liked, which would naturally put Hop right there at the top, probably, but that he wanted to see something else that could only be revealed to him later, some time during the season. What could that possibly be?

Well to me, the fact that he announced that he's made a decision only days after two of his final choices played each other, probably tells us something. But what?

Well, if he was waiting to see SU vs. Duke, then it seems likely he wasn't just waiting to see if he really really liked Mike Hopkins as a personality/coach. He knows that and has known it for years. If he wanted to see SU vs. Duke, then perhaps it's because he had already decided that his love of Mike Hopkins would not be the deciding factor unless he saw something in the SU/Duke game that made him not like the idea of playing for either man.

But what did he see? Boeheim doing it again, defeating the #1 team in the country on its own court in historic fashion.

He was able---on the one hand---to picture himself on a star-studded team with the top two NBA draft choices on the court with him and imagine how it would be to play for such a team vs. Jim Boeheim. But what he saw was how that could turn out: an historical loss to the Upstate NY legend whom he had heard about his whole life in Rochester.

(Did you hear JB mention {to IS?} in the post-game PC that Syracuse didn't have an inside offensive presence, or else he would have taken advantage of it?) Is there any possibility that JB took advantage of an opportunity to call IS the next day and tell him how he would have used him in a game vs. Duke?

If IS had been carrying around any concerns re: whether or not Boeheim would have enough talent with him in the lineup to defeat such powerhouse teams as Duke and Kentucky, I think he had them answered on Monday.

I like following the herd as much as the next fan, but I can at least see how this little drama might turn out somewhat differently from what everyone seems to be predicting is a done deal...

 

[HOFCeluck]

Well I must say that does seem to be the reasoning embraced by all those "in the know" who are predicting IS to UW.

Let me just say that if it turns out that IS ends up choosing SU over UW, it will mean that this 'conventional wisdom' was more than a little bit flawed.

I'm someone who happens to put a great deal more weight on the significance of IS's decision some months ago to put off his final decision until later in this current season. It's not that he couldn't decide on who he really liked, which would naturally put Hop right there at the top, probably, but that he wanted to see something else that could only be revealed to him later, some time during the season. What could that possibly be?

Well to me, the fact that he announced that he's made a decision only days after two of his final choices played each other, probably tells us something. But what?

Well, if he was waiting to see SU vs. Duke, then it seems likely he wasn't just waiting to see if he really really liked Mike Hopkins as a personality/coach. He knows that and has known it for years. If he wanted to see SU vs. Duke, then perhaps it's because he had already decided that his love of Mike Hopkins would not be the deciding factor unless he saw something in the SU/Duke game that made him not like the idea of playing for either man.

But what did he see? Boeheim doing it again, defeating the #1 team in the country on its own court in historic fashion.

He was able---on the one hand---to picture himself on a star-studded team with the top two NBA draft choices on the court with him and imagine how it would be to play for such a team vs. Jim Boeheim. But what he saw was how that could turn out: an historical loss to the Upstate NY legend whom he had heard about his whole life in Rochester.

(Did you hear JB mention {to IS?} in the post-game PC that Syracuse didn't have an inside offensive presence, or else he would have taken advantage of it?) Is there any possibility that JB took advantage of an opportunity to call IS the next day and tell him how he would have used him in a game vs. Duke?

If IS had been carrying around any concerns re: whether or not Boeheim would have enough talent with him in the lineup to defeat such powerhouse teams as Duke and Kentucky, I think he had them answered on Monday.

I like following the herd as much as the next fan, but I can at least see how this little drama might turn out somewhat differently from what everyone seems to be predicting is a done deal...

Yeah. You’re overthinking this and you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

 

[AZOrange]

Well I must say that does seem to be the reasoning embraced by all those "in the know" who are predicting IS to UW.

Let me just say that if it turns out that IS ends up choosing SU over UW, it will mean that this 'conventional wisdom' was more than a little bit flawed.

I'm someone who happens to put a great deal more weight on the significance of IS's decision some months ago to put off his final decision until later in this current season. It's not that he couldn't decide on who he really liked, which would naturally put Hop right there at the top, probably, but that he wanted to see something else that could only be revealed to him later, some time during the season. What could that possibly be?

Well to me, the fact that he announced that he's made a decision only days after two of his final choices played each other, probably tells us something. But what?

Well, if he was waiting to see SU vs. Duke, then it seems likely he wasn't just waiting to see if he really really liked Mike Hopkins as a personality/coach. He knows that and has known it for years. If he wanted to see SU vs. Duke, then perhaps it's because he had already decided that his love of Mike Hopkins would not be the deciding factor unless he saw something in the SU/Duke game that made him not like the idea of playing for either man.

But what did he see? Boeheim doing it again, defeating the #1 team in the country on its own court in historic fashion.

He was able---on the one hand---to picture himself on a star-studded team with the top two NBA draft choices on the court with him and imagine how it would be to play for such a team vs. Jim Boeheim. But what he saw was how that could turn out: an historical loss to the Upstate NY legend whom he had heard about his whole life in Rochester.

(Did you hear JB mention {to IS?} in the post-game PC that Syracuse didn't have an inside offensive presence, or else he would have taken advantage of it?) Is there any possibility that JB took advantage of an opportunity to call IS the next day and tell him how he would have used him in a game vs. Duke?

If IS had been carrying around any concerns re: whether or not Boeheim would have enough talent with him in the lineup to defeat such powerhouse teams as Duke and Kentucky, I think he had them answered on Monday.

I like following the herd as much as the next fan, but I can at least see how this little drama might turn out somewhat differently from what everyone seems to be predicting is a done deal...

You’re thinking about this too much. He’s just ready.

 

[Sgt Cuse]

I think it's going to be SU!
I don't think the prognosticators have a clue and it's to a groupthink kind of thing at this point. SU checks all the boxes - good core group, people he knows, immediate starter w boatload of minutes, plus being a hometown hero with a Wallace/Melo mix.

I think a huge factor that is being overlooked is the father's influence. If it were me influencing my son, or my fathers influence on me, it would be SU (that's the way its been in Rochester). And that was before I saw any birthday cake stuff. Any kid that I know that was born in Rochester that wanted to please/respect his father would be going to SU.

 

[Sgt Cuse]

You’re thinking about this too much. He’s just ready.

How about this SU related theory. What if QW saw the Duke/SU game and would really like that PC role if available. QW (or QW's camp) then discreetly asks IS what's going on. IS not wanting to give away details then moves up his date. A very polite thing to do.

 

[HOFCeluck]

How about this SU related theory. What if QW saw the Duke/SU game and would really like that PC role if available. QW (or QW's camp) then discreetly asks IS what's going on. IS not wanting to give away details then moves up his date. A very polite thing to do.

Yeah. Over thinking.

 

[cuseinseattle]

I did not mean literally that no one heard of him vs. attempting to make the point that I don't believe he was a household type name, etc., especially with him being the #1 pick in the NBA draft. But, that's just my opinion. We, as college hoops fanatics, is not the equivalent of the average mainstream fan. Those people may watch basketball, Duke v. Carolina, Kentucky v. Louisville, etc., and then there are people (junkies like us) who watch basketball.

Ok I get what you are saying but thinking of it a different way, Fultz proved you don’t need exposure like Ben Simmons. This was always Cal’s pitch that he gets you the best exposure. Well Fultz proved that exposure means nothing related to your pro prospects and you can just go wherever you feel comfortable for 1 year.

 

[cuseinseattle]

So...would it be right for me to interpret these kinds of comments to mean that nothing worth mentioning happened in the last couple/few weeks to propel IS toward an early decision?

So this leaves the idea that a mere accumulation of good will emanating from Hop toward IS and from IS toward Hop just happened to crest out of nowhere in mid-January, making IS feel that he really needed to make an announcement that just couldn't wait. Is that it?

My opinion is that at some point he thought all things being equal I would love to be coached by Hop. Things weren’t equal though because Hop was on the other side of the country. Then he did his visit and liked the city and thought the school was impressive and since then I believe Hop has been in the lead. His UK visit wasn’t a fit and his Syracuse visit went great including the cake thing for his dad. At that point I think Syracuse and UW were very close but over the last few months he has gotten more comfortable with Seattle and going there. I thought our best chance was to close it out on the visit or the week after. It went great. If he had thought about the dad cake and being close to home and this is my last chance to be close to home that was our chance. The more time that past hurt us I think. The other thing I will say is this kid has a poker face and is not a talker so it is not as easy to read tea leaves. Anyone who says they know is lying. I would think it’s UW but I’m still holding out hope.

 

[pfister1]

Hey, it sucks, but were going to continue to miss out on 5 star kids every team does. Weve had really good teams without 5 star kids. People bitch when we get one and dones and then they leave early and bitch when we don't sign them. Were gonna have a nice core of kids coming back next year and adding some solid recruits. Plus, all signs point to signing jackson in 2020 to get that class off to a good start. i think were fairly well positioned.

With the exception of Carmelo our 5* star players haven't led to our greatest levels of team success. Looking at the Rivals database, which only goes back to 2003 (Lebron's class, not Melo's) we've had (7) 5* recruits. They are Daryl Watkins (believe it or not), Paul Harris, Donte Greene, Jonny Flynn, Fab Melo, Tyler Ennis, Chris McCullough. Not a single one of them played on a team that went beyond the Sweet 16, although you could argue that had Fab not been ruled ineligible he would have played on a team that went to the Elite 8 and probably would have gone further had he played).

Watkins (Sweet 16, 1st Round, 1st Round, NIT)
Harris (NIT, NIT, Sweet 16)
Greene (NIT)
Flynn (Nit, Sweet 16)
Fab Melo (Round of 32 / Elite Eight**)
Ennis - (Round of 32)
McCullough (no post season)

Historically, we've had better success with 4 star - McDonald's All American types.

If you look at the rosters from our 5 Final Four years, each team has had someone that was a McDonalds All American. Many of our McD's guys were not actually 5 star guys.

1986-87:
Derrick Coleman - McD's (no idea of ranking, although recollection he was a top 5 guy)
Stevie Thompson - McD's (no idea of ranking)

1995-96:
John Wallace - McD's (no idea of ranking)

2002-03:
Carmelo Anthony - McD's / 5* (presume he was a 5*, although pre data base)


2012-13:
Michael Carter-Williams - McD's / 4*
Rakeem Christmas - McD's / 4*
DaJuan Coleman - McD's / 4*

2015-16:
Malachai Richardson - McD's / 4*
Michael Gbinije - 4*

In any case I'm not sure we have a guy on this roster, or on next year's roster (in the absence of IS) that has the profile of the guys that we have historically had on our more successful teams.

 

[orangecuse]

Ok I get what you are saying but thinking of it a different way, Fultz proved you don’t need exposure like Ben Simmons. This was always Cal’s pitch that he gets you the best exposure. Well Fultz proved that exposure means nothing related to your pro prospects and you can just go wherever you feel comfortable for 1 year.

Absolutely agree with you in regards to the pro exposure. In regards to Stewart and the like, the pro scouts are already well aware of them prior to college. The exposure I was arguing was generally exposure related towards the masses, etc. considering how seemingly self-absorbed the youth are today.

 

[kjb120]

I would much rather Stewart go to Washington then any other school if he’s not coming to Syracuse. My main question though is if Hop is able to pull him all the way across the country, why weren’t we the clear later when Hop was still here?

 

[cliftonparksufan]

Absolutely agree with you in regards to the pro exposure. In regards to Stewart and the like, the pro scouts are already well aware of them prior to college. The exposure I was arguing was generally exposure related towards the masses, etc. considering how seemingly self-absorbed the youth are today.

It does make sense as far as marketing dollars are concerned. The guys with the right personality in the right situation make the most off the court. Zion Williamson will make a ton of money if he is drafted by the Knicks. Probably lots more than Anthony Davis, a tremendous talent, is making.

 

[jgeorge322]

With the exception of Carmelo our 5* star players haven't led to our greatest levels of team success. Looking at the Rivals database, which only goes back to 2003 (Lebron's class, not Melo's) we've had (7) 5* recruits. They are Daryl Watkins (believe it or not), Paul Harris, Donte Greene, Jonny Flynn, Fab Melo, Tyler Ennis, Chris McCullough. Not a single one of them played on a team that went beyond the Sweet 16, although you could argue that had Fab not been ruled ineligible he would have played on a team that went to the Elite 8 and probably would have gone further had he played).

Watkins (Sweet 16, 1st Round, 1st Round, NIT)
Harris (NIT, NIT, Sweet 16)
Greene (NIT)
Flynn (Nit, Sweet 16)
Fab Melo (Round of 32 / Elite Eight**)
Ennis - (Round of 32)
McCullough (no post season)

Historically, we've had better success with 4 star - McDonald's All American types.

If you look at the rosters from our 5 Final Four years, each team has had someone that was a McDonalds All American. Many of our McD's guys were not actually 5 star guys.

1986-87:
Derrick Coleman - McD's (no idea of ranking, although recollection he was a top 5 guy)
Stevie Thompson - McD's (no idea of ranking)

1995-96:
John Wallace - McD's (no idea of ranking)

2002-03:
Carmelo Anthony - McD's / 5* (presume he was a 5*, although pre data base)


2012-13:
Michael Carter-Williams - McD's / 4*
Rakeem Christmas - McD's / 4*
DaJuan Coleman - McD's / 4*

2015-16:
Malachai Richardson - McD's / 4*
Michael Gbinije - 4*

In any case I'm not sure we have a guy on this roster, or on next year's roster (in the absence of IS) that has the profile of the guys that we have historically had on our more successful teams.

Yep! Exactly. I think mcw and malachi were consensus 5* though. Maybe rak and dajuan too.