Class of 2022 PF Jaret Valencia (TX/Colombia) Portal to Wichita St

[Orangezoo]

Kind of looks like Fab Melo (RIP)

First thing I thought too

 

[Niastri]

Well, it is not like we have not been manhandled by wide bodies before this year. We need a true backup center.

You and I feel the same about that. It seems the coaches are more confident with Kyle and Souare being effective at center than you and I are. I think our two big men both could be really good… I wish we were hedging our bets on them better. Freeman being a regular in our center rotation feels risky at best.

But, the fact that we haven’t been connected to another C or even a PF/C lately is a strong indicator.

They are going with another 6’9 or so SF/PF and throwing lots of tall, lean athletes at you. They are hoping that will be enough.

(With a side of hoping the new S&C coach gets these skinny guys less skinny.)

 

[jordville]

Jaret is Colombian for those who were wondering.

 

[sutomcat]

Jaret is Colombian for those who were wondering.
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Valencia is a kind of an orange. Maybe this young man is destined to play for Syracuse.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Kind of looks like Fab Melo (RIP)

He’s not that skinny

 

[CuseMan4]

Gonna be honest. I want this kid more than Deng. Both would have 2 years here. Sure Deng is a better shooter. But this kid is an elite athlete, and has a lot more potential than Deng. This kid has NBA potential in my opinion. I don’t see Deng making it to the NBA. This kid would come off the bench this year. I could see him sliding into the starting lineup the year after

 

[RedtheGOB]

You and I feel the same about that. It seems the coaches are more confident with Kyle and Souare being effective at center than you and I are. I think our two big men both could be really good… I wish we were hedging our bets on them better. Freeman being a regular in our center rotation feels risky at best.

But, the fact that we haven’t been connected to another C or even a PF/C lately is a strong indicator.

They are going with another 6’9 or so SF/PF and throwing lots of tall, lean athletes at you. They are hoping that will be enough.

(With a side of hoping the new S&C coach gets these skinny guys less skinny.)

I just keep looking around the ACC for who they’re getting at the 4-5. I see maybe 1-2 elite 7 footers. Everyone in the ACC is doing what we’re doing with these 6’9-6’10 athletic guys.

If I thought they we would be running into a bunch of 7’2 bigs that can do it all then yea I’d say we have no answers and are in trouble maybe but I don’t see them on the schedule

 

[Orangezoo]

Gonna be honest. I want this kid more than Deng. Both would have 2 years here. Sure Deng is a better shooter. But this kid is an elite athlete, and has a lot more potential than Deng. This kid has NBA potential in my opinion. I don’t see Deng making it to the NBA. This kid would come off the bench this year. I could see him sliding into the starting lineup the year after

This is where I’m at. Deng is a scorer and shooter but this kid has the all around game.

 

[Orangezoo]

I just keep looking around the ACC for who they’re getting at the 4-5. I see maybe 1-2 elite 7 footers. Everyone in the ACC is doing what we’re doing with these 6’9-6’10 athletic guys.

If I thought they we would be running into a bunch of 7’2 bigs that can do it all then yea I’d say we have no answers and are in trouble maybe but I don’t see them on the schedule

Across the country there are maybe 12-15 of those guys and maybe 8 or 9 (or less) that are elite.

 

[Cappy3]

This is where I’m at. Deng is a scorer and shooter but this kid has the all around game.

I understand the thought, and basically agree. But this year I think a shooter would bring more value.

 

[Niastri]

Gonna be honest. I want this kid more than Deng. Both would have 2 years here. Sure Deng is a better shooter. But this kid is an elite athlete, and has a lot more potential than Deng. This kid has NBA potential in my opinion. I don’t see Deng making it to the NBA. This kid would come off the bench this year. I could see him sliding into the starting lineup the year after

Valencia reminds me of White, but with a couple years of college experience.

Maybe not quite the athlete, but very close.

 

[Niastri]

Across the country there are maybe 12-15 of those guys and maybe 8 or 9 (or less) that are elite.

Part of the gamble with having a smaller lineup is whether we’ll be able to double team effectively enough to bother big centers. Hopefully with quick, lanky forwards, they’ll be quick enough to double team and still recover to challenge kick out three point shots effectively.

The big slow center will also have to try to defend a smaller, quicker player… It could be a race to see who gets fouled out faster.

 

[baggerbob]

Valencia remind me of White, but with a couple years of college experience.

Maybe not quite the athlete, but very close.

I said that with a good point guard who wants to pass the ball and has shown the ability to do it these are the type of players you want on offense.
Remember the dunk highlight reels with Sherm, we can get back to those days.
That's what made those years such fun in the Big East, the conference had a lot of players like that and forced other conferences away from the slow ploding centers.

 

[Orangezoo]

Part of the gamble with having a smaller lineup is whether we’ll be able to double team effectively enough to bother big centers. Hopefully with quick, lanky forwards, they’ll be quick enough to double team and still recover to challenge kick out three point shots effectively.

The big slow center will also have to try to defend a smaller, quicker player… It could be a race to see who gets fouled out faster.

Outside a height listing at the 5 spot, you factor wingspan and overall heights 1-5 we will rarely be a “small team” against pretty much anyone.

 

[Orangezoo]

I understand the thought, and basically agree. But this year I think a shooter would bring more value.

Valencia has a decent looking shot so factor that in with everything else he does too.

 

[CuseMan4]

Valencia remind me of White, but with a couple years of college experience.

Maybe not quite the athlete, but very close.

Yup. I said that earlier in the thread like the first or second page. That White and Valencia are virtually the same player lol

 

[CuseSaint26]

Valencia has a decent looking shot so factor that in with everything else he does too.

Shot over 40% from 3 during his freshman year

 

[Cusefan0307]

We kind of need shooting though still. Not comfortabke with just Kingz being the guy. That’s the type of thing that keeps coming back to bite us.

 

[721Comstock]

We kind of need shooting though still. Not comfortabke with just Kingz being the guy. That’s the type of thing that keeps coming back to bite us.

Do we?

Donnie has a decent 3 ball.

Our new PG has a good looking shot.

We know Kingz can stroke it.

And maybe JJ can finally fix that hitch and get his outside shot to a respectable level.

Kiyan off the bench can shoot it.

I get that nobody besides Kingz is a proven shooter,
But having a competent PG will help get guys better looks.

Along with getting the non-shooters lob opportunities at the rim,
and fast break opportunities for everybody who runs the floor.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Donnie has a decent 3 ball.

He probably prefers boxers over briefs.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Do we?

Donnie has a decent 3 ball.

Our new PG has a good looking shot.

We know Kingz can stroke it.

And maybe JJ can finally fix that hitch and get his outside shot to a respectable level.

Kiyan off the bench can shoot it.

I get that nobody besides Kingz is a proven shooter,
But having a competent PG will help get guys better looks.

Along with getting the non-shooters lob opportunities at the rim,
and fast break opportunities for everybody who runs the floor.

I’m not holding my breath for JJ. He is what he is at this point. Kingz is great. I am sure Donnie will shoot better and George will be serviceable, but when Kingz is out of the game Kiyan will have to play. I don’t completely understand the Valencia move with White being signed. It’s great to have athletes, but you need skill too.

 

[IthacaMatt]

We aren't in a hurry to make a decision. Might be because be want to see who is out there. Might be because no one has said yes, yet. I think we are done with Deng. Which is too bad because he would have been a very good get for us. Maybe it comes back around. But I sort of doubt it.

Thank you, sir.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I said that with a good point guard who wants to pass the ball and has shown the ability to do it these are the type of players you want on offense.
Remember the dunk highlight reels with Sherm, we can get back to those days.
That's what made those years such fun in the Big East, the conference had a lot of players like that and forced other conferences away from the slow ploding centers.

Great observation, Bob.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I don’t completely understand the Valencia move with White being signed. It’s great to have athletes, but you need skill too.

They need a few more bodies. Two or three guys get hurt every year.

 

[Cusefan0307]

They need a few more bodies. Two or three guys get hurt every year.

This is true, but every year we get told we have enough shooting and we never do so a bit tired of it. Just went through the same discussion last year.