Class of 2023 PG Jalen Cox (CA) Portal to USC

[007]

We certainly have more defense and I’d bet $$$$ to donuts more intuitive players.

Absolutely agree

 

[orangefog]

Big part of that is balance on the floor. Having a true big man you can feed the post opens the offense up both for shooters and guys that like to attack the rim.

Absolutely, I can't wait to see the finished roster and then the product on the floor. Red had no offense. It was so boring and predictable. I am hopeful we see something creative.

 

[CuseMan4]

Yeah I put zero stock in lists like this. Doesn't seem like we're involved at all

Yup. Initial contact only. Have njt been linked since. Doesn’t mean we haven’t been doing any work behind the scenes (I have not heard anything that we have)

But if we were going just by initial contact. Kentucky would have signed the whole transfer portal and no one else would have enough players to play. Bold strategy by Kentucky that has been an epic failure so far lol

 

[Orangezoo]

Yup. Initial contact only. Have njt been linked since. Doesn’t mean we haven’t been doing any work behind the scenes (I have not heard anything that we have)

But if we were going just by initial contact. Kentucky would have signed the whole transfer portal and no one else would have enough players to play. Bold strategy by Kentucky that has been an epic failure so far lol

Very curious to see when a name or two surfaces now that C is locked down and chasing a PG is all that’s left outside Folefac.

 

[granthath9]

Very curious to see when a name or two surfaces now that C is locked down and chasing a PG is all that’s left outside Folefac.

Hopefully an experienced point guard. Feel like that’s really all that’s missing now. + Folefac of course.

 

[cuseattle]

Folefac can hit it too. I think we have more shooting than we think. We certainly have more defense and I’d bet $$$$ to donuts more intuitive players.

I bet we get significantly more points in transition.

 

[bnoro]

Folefac can hit it too. I think we have more shooting than we think. We certainly have more defense and I’d bet $$$$ to donuts more intuitive players.

???

He was 6/16 from 3 last year. I wouldn't include him in a list of shooters. Far too small of a sample size to give him a green light.

 

[Cusefan0307]

McAllister still had Cox as an option as of this morning in his free article.

 

[721Comstock]

McAllister still had Cox as an option as of this morning in his free article.

Well - technically any player in the portal who hasn’t yet committed to another program is an “option”.

Related: I’ve got an option to date Ana de Armas.

 

[Orangezoo]

McAllister still had Cox as an option as of this morning in his free article.

Right - agents are still smart enough to not let kids jump too soon and we now have a much more attractive roster to plug into than we did when he first visited.

 

[jr4750]

The thing I like most about about Jalen is his scoring. I believe in the Hurley method of bringing in as much offense as possible. I also agree our defense with what we have, should be adequate to above average.

 

[orangepassion]

Right - agents are still smart enough to not let kids jump too soon and we now have a much more attractive roster to plug into than we did when he first visited.

He visited?

 

[Orangezoo]

He visited?

It was rumored much earlier on that he did. Not sure it was confirmed though. Given he’s so close it makes sense.

 

[Orangezoo]

The thing I like most about about Jalen is his scoring. I believe in the Hurley method of bringing in as much offense as possible. I also agree our defense with what we have, should be adequate to above average.

TS is 59.5 pct as well. A very efficient player with a 31 pct assist rate too. Being a Patriot league star he’s still a starting level player at a P5 but not without other talented pieces to play with which is exactly the situation now.

 

[sufan59]

The thing I like most about about Jalen is his scoring. I believe in the Hurley method of bringing in as much offense as possible. I also agree our defense with what we have, should be adequate to above average.

I think Hurley also realized early his shortcomings in that he is a defensive guy first, so he finds value in getting guys that are further along offensively in general and can develop offensive guys into good defenders as well. Now, he is just getting balanced players in all facets generally, but that happens when you prove yourself and have the resources to compete in those battles for the balanced players in all facets. I think for GMAC, they are trying to find value and guys that have elite parts of there games and if they have inefficiency, it's areas they have expertise in fixing and helping that player develop and get better at.

 

[cuseman2016]

McAllister still had Cox as an option as of this morning in his free article.

Hope he is right, but McAllister and I have the same sources. (Bulldog, Dasher, etc, this site)

 

[SUFan44]

This kid is really good. I would love to get him. But unlikely it appears.

 

[Orangezoo]

This kid is really good. I would love to get him. But unlikely it appears.

We shall see. With the kids out there that there isn’t a lot of movement it’s very possible things can change in a heartbeat when $$$ comes calling.

 

[bnoro]

It was rumored much earlier on that he did. Not sure it was confirmed though. Given he’s so close it makes sense.

Rumored where?

Mike just wants clicks and subs so he's going to list any name that can get those.

 

[Orangezoo]

Rumored where?

Mike just wants clicks and subs so he's going to list any name that can get those.

It was in this thread somewhere no idea the veracity of it.

 

[bnoro]

It was in this thread somewhere no idea the veracity of it.

Just read back through the thread and a visit wasn't mentioned once.

Just granthath posting how we were "in the lead until Kentucky stepped in" which seems untrue.

 

[RF2044]

Is MMM the only real "pure shooter" on the team, or am I forgetting someone? Kiyan will hopefully improve and Doty has improved. Tobiason maybe? Some interesting rotation possibilities.

My opinion only, based upon past results / minor future projection.

3M is reportedly a knock down shooter. I expect that there will be some growing pains, but let's pencil him in around ~37% from three.

Tobiason only shot 34% from three last year, but shot 41% his freshman year. Can he get to around 36%? If so, he'd be a reasonable threat.

Doty hasn't shot well from three either year. This past year, he shot ~32%. He's a guy that can make them, but his shot seems like a bit of a set shot to me.

Anthony shot 25% from three. He can certainly make them, but shot selection was a big factor with his poor percentages.

White shot ~37% from three, in limited sample size. But I think it shows that he CAN make them, and can also be someone who eventually will be a reliable threat. The question is, will it manifest this year?

Dual shot 31% from three last year, the same as his sophomore year at Seton Hall. His frehsman year, he only shot 25% from three. I think he is what he is at this point -- he's a guy who CAN make them, but isn't a consistent threat.

So again... we have some guys who should be reasonable threats. Some guys who have shot reasonably well, and some guys who are shaky. Some might step up, but it is no sure thing.

I think we'll have some guys who can and will make some from deep. I just don't know if it is reasonable to expect guys like Tobiason / Doty to suddenly turn into [for example] 38% three point shooters. Will Kiyan improve? Will 3M light it up, or struggle as he acclimates? Will White continue to expand his perimeter skills, or was last year fool's gold?

Lots of question marks.

 

[MGP]

Just read back through the thread and a visit wasn't mentioned once.

Just granthath posting how we were "in the lead until Kentucky stepped in" which seems untrue.

FWIW Post #935 in the Portal 25-26 thread...

 

[Orangezoo]

Just read back through the thread and a visit wasn't mentioned once.

Just granthath posting how we were "in the lead until Kentucky stepped in" which seems untrue.

Well then I’m guessing it got deleted or the annoyance of being in a regulatory audit all week fried my brain

 

[Orangezoo]

FWIW Post #935 in the Portal 25-26 thread...

Post in thread '2025-26 Portal'
Class of 2026 - 2025-26 Portal