Class of 2023 PG Naithan George (Ontario/AZ) TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE (4/4/25)

[hoopsupstate]

Three centers are not going to play.

 

[DomeHolmes]

If Freeman gets matched up against another teams post-up center, it’s a race to see who gets in foul trouble quicker. One benefit of our team is that we’ll have quick big forwards who should be able to double team in the post and recover quickly.

On the other end, you could see teams switching to put a smaller guy on Freeman at the 3 point line, to protect their center from defending in space. That will leave Freeman the choice of shooting over the smaller player, posting him up (forcing a double team), or finding one of our dunkers in the lane when the center gets pulled out.

I love the matchup problems Freeman can generate if he plays center. I just don’t want him to have to play it very much. It’s a physically demanding position for a guy 20-30lbs heavier than him. We don’t want him playing there too often.

Maliq Brown was/is an excellent defender. But he struggled stopping any big with a post game. Donnie was an ok defender. As you say it’s physically demanding, and hard to do without fouling.

 

[IthacaMatt]

In theory a third center who is good enough to contribute is great and all but I don’t know how you can sell that to anyone vs them being at worse a backup. A developmental big who is flying under the radar is likely your best bet and hope that person can help in a break glass in case kind of role.

You don't say they are the 3rd guy. You say they are competing for the 2nd spot.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Three centers are not going to play.

Three people are going to play the position. You may not think they are all centers, but at least 3 guys will be in the post.

 

[Orangezoo]

You don't say they are the 3rd guy. You say they are competing for the 2nd spot.

I mean you can certainly try that strategy but it can be pretty easy to see through.

 

[hoopsupstate]

Three people are going to play the position. You may not think they are all centers, but at least 3 guys will be in the post.

True, but we don’t need three true Centers.

 

[Todoubled23]

This is the way. The people that can't imagine Donnie at the 5 are only looking at him playing defense against some giant big with post moves. Very few teams have those and the offense he gives us should equal out.

Donnie isn't going to be banging on the other teams 250 pound center in the low post for 30 mins. He's going to play the 5 and go out to the perimeter to take jumpers and he can make them. The other teams are not going to want to send their bigs out to guard Donnie cuz that will open things up for Georgie and JJ to slash in the paint.

 

[Cappy3]

This is the way. The people that can't imagine Donnie at the 5 are only looking at him playing defense against some giant big with post moves. Very few teams have those and the offense he gives us should equal out.

Donnie isn't going to be banging on the other teams 250 pound center in the low post for 30 mins. He's going to play the 5 and go out to the perimeter to take jumpers and he can make them. The other teams are not going to want to send their bigs out to guard Donnie cuz that will open things up for Georgie and JJ to slash in the paint.

But he’s still gonna have to defend the other team’s big in the post. That way lies foul trouble.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I mean you can certainly try that strategy but it can be pretty easy to see through.

Do you think Soare is so good that somebody couldn't beat him out for the backup role?

 

[Orangezoo]

Do you think Soare is so good that somebody couldn't beat him out for the backup role?

I don’t think it makes sense to put a lot of money, as is probably necessary to put towards a kid to compete for a third center spot. Before NIL sure but now ? I mean that player could have been Petar and he had no desire to stick around and battle for it.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I don’t think it makes sense to put a lot of money, as is probably necessary to put towards a kid to compete for a third center spot. Before NIL sure but now ? I mean that player could have been Petar and he had no desire to stick around and battle for it.

I agree. I was saying, this is a spot for a mid-major guy with some bulk - maybe 6-8, 240. Like this guy from Drexel.

Cole Hargrove - Drexel Dragons Forward - ESPN

View the profile of Drexel Dragons Forward Cole Hargrove on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

www.espn.com

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[Orangezoo]

Great stuff. To me this kid has everything you want. The ability to make shots off the bounce though is impressive. Catch and shoot is important as well but being comfortable getting your own shot and being efficient with it is a really good skill to have as a PG as teams work hard to take away the other options on the court.

 

[RedtheGOB]

Great stuff. To me this kid has everything you want. The ability to make shots off the bounce though is impressive. Catch and shoot is important as well but being comfortable getting your own shot and being efficient with it is a really good skill to have as a PG as teams work hard to take away the other options on the court.

Dude is confident and decisive now just gotta get the consistency with him. Lot of people may not remember his first year at Tech since it was up and down. He beat top 10 Duke and UNC and won at Clemson. His #'s were crazy good in those games.

Part of the reason I thought it was a good idea just to portal everyone from this year was there was so much inconsistency. It's one thing to deal with JJ being inconsistent but keeping Cuffe, Bell and the rest when they're so inconsistent would've been a problem.

If we can keep the consistency from game to game we'll be in great shape.

 

[50YRsofCuse]

Great stuff. To me this kid has everything you want. The ability to make shots off the bounce though is impressive. Catch and shoot is important as well but being comfortable getting your own shot and being efficient with it is a really good skill to have as a PG as teams work hard to take away the other options on the court.

I agree. I hope that Fennell has enough skills to be a contributor this year. Even with George being a “
Star point guard“, I would not want him to play the entire 40 minute game without some relief.

I realize JJ could handle some of that load but again, I hope he (JJ) does not have play any PG. Having multiple players that can handle the ball on the court at the same time will be great.

Not aware if Kingz can handle the ball but it would be a plus if he could.

 

[Orangezoo]

Dude is confident and decisive now just gotta get the consistency with him. Lot of people may not remember his first year at Tech since it was up and down. He beat top 10 Duke and UNC and won at Clemson. His #'s were crazy good in those games.

Part of the reason I thought it was a good idea just to portal everyone from this year was there was so much inconsistency. It's one thing to deal with JJ being inconsistent but keeping Cuffe, Bell and the rest when they're so inconsistent would've been a problem.

If we can keep the consistency from game to game we'll be in great shape.

Consistency and matchups that give you an advantage. You have a kid like Fennell off the bench and you can get a very different look and attack different matchups. You go from no good PG option to having two solid options. Same thing with multiple shooters, multiple mobile bigs (even if not one fits the traditional mold). From a roster standpoint that is a much better thought out team.

The big question will be in Red and the staffs ability to identify the combinations and timing for the rotation to turn that advantage into wins and margin of victory.

 

[newmexicuse]

Dude is confident and decisive now just gotta get the consistency with him. Lot of people may not remember his first year at Tech since it was up and down. He beat top 10 Duke and UNC and won at Clemson. His #'s were crazy good in those games.

Part of the reason I thought it was a good idea just to portal everyone from this year was there was so much inconsistency. It's one thing to deal with JJ being inconsistent but keeping Cuffe, Bell and the rest when they're so inconsistent would've been a problem.

If we can keep the consistency from game to game we'll be in great shape.

Consistency would be great, but I just dont see it.

We have four frosh, of which at least three should have important roles. That right there will breed inconsistency.

Add in JJ - inherently erratic, Donnie - young and coming back from injury, Kyle - stepping up to a big role.

Sourve - totally unproven.

If we are VERY LUCKY, maybe consistency from George and Kingz.

 

[jdubs30]

Consistency would be great, but I just dont see it.

We have four frosh, of which at least three should have important roles. That right there will breed inconsistency.

Add in JJ - inherently erratic, Donnie - young and coming back from injury, Kyle - stepping up to a big role.

Sourve - totally unproven.

If we are VERY LUCKY, maybe consistency from George and Kingz.

But if you have a great PG who can settle everyone down and get them in the right spots, it’ll help put guys in their roles. A large part of our issue last year was the lack of a true PG

 

[hoopsupstate]

George throws one of the softest lob passes I’ve seen. He has great touch with his passes. They are easy to catch. He also has a little flair to his game. I remember watching him on ACC Extra a year ago. He is funny with a great personality. He’s also very competitive.

 

[Orangezoo]

But if you have a great PG who can settle everyone down and get them in the right spots, it’ll help put guys in their roles. A large part of our issue last year was the lack of a true PG

Not to mention the only real consistency was Eddie on the boards and on offense. Going from not having a PG, rim protection, lacking athleticism and poor shooting to adding back a lot of those things even if there is no guarantee night in night out at this point is a big change in the right direction.

It’s still very clear our issues begin and end with the coaching this year. If the staff takes a big step forward and learns from everything that’s gone wrong in the first two years then there is a lot to be done with this group.

 

[Niastri]

I agree. I hope that Fennell has enough skills to be a contributor this year. Even with George being a “
Star point guard“, I would not want him to play the entire 40 minute game without some relief.

I realize JJ could handle some of that load but again, I hope he (JJ) does not have play any PG. Having multiple players that can handle the ball on the court at the same time will be great.

Not aware if Kingz can handle the ball but it would be a plus if he could.

Kingz had a 1.8 to .8 assists to turnover ratio. He seems to be selective in passing as well as shooting. His advanced stats 12.8 Assist% and 8.2 TO% on 19% usage.

By comparison, Starling (not a point guard, but used like a combo guard the last two years) was 2.8 assists, 1.8 turnovers, 17 Assist% and 11.4 TO% in 30% usage.

George was 6.5 to 3.0 with 34.6 Assist% to 19.9 TO% on 21.4% usage.

My thinking is that you can live with Kingz or Starling playing out of position at point for brief periods… Especially if one of them has a strong matchup for them.

But if George is out for any long period of time, we have to hope Fennell is the real deal, because we don’t want them as our starting point guard. We saw what happens last year when Starling plays point. Kingz is sure with the ball, but never has been asked to be the primary bag handler.

 

[Orangezoo]

Fennell reminds me a lot of Kevin Huerter. He plays under control whether focused on scoring or distributing and to me that’s key. At 6-6 he has really good vision too and you can see the fundamentals at play. JJ naturally is uncomfortable in that role of having to attack and distribute on multiple possessions. Luke looks very comfortable on or off the ball and looks for his shot and the pass based on the situation. Everything about his game shows more capability as a PG than JJ.

 

[Niastri]

Fennell reminds me a lot of Kevin Huerter. He plays under control whether focused on scoring or distributing and to me that’s key. At 6-6 he has really good vision too and you can see the fundamentals at play. JJ naturally is uncomfortable in that role of having to attack and distribute on multiple possessions. Luke looks very comfortable on or off the ball and looks for his shot and the pass based on the situation. Everything about his game shows more capability as a PG than JJ.

I like Fennell’s highlights. He really looks like he can do everything. But I really question his quality of competition.

I got tricked into being excited by Majstorovic based on his pedigree. But it turns out the semi pro league he was playing in must have been worse than the high school league Kiyan Anthony is playing in. By a wide margin.

Fennell looks great, I’m glad we have him coming in… But I’m not ready for judgement until I see him in a college court. Dominating in the Aussie U20 National tournament might be a lot like dominating the Cayuga County YMCA open… cool if you can do it, but not necessarily going to translate to college ball.

 

[Orangezoo]

I like Fennell’s highlights. He really looks like he can do everything. But I really question his quality of competition.

I got tricked into being excited by Majstorovic based on his pedigree. But it turns out the semi pro league he was playing in must have been worse than the high school league Kiyan Anthony is playing in. By a wide margin.

Fennell looks great, I’m glad we have him coming in… But I’m not ready for judgement until I see him in a college court. Dominating in the Aussie U20 National tournament might be a lot like dominating the Cayuga County YMCA open… cool if you can do it, but not necessarily going to translate to college ball.

So his time in the NBL though and success is a bit different. That competition level should adequately prepare him as it has other prospects coming into the US college and pro ranks. He’s been as good if not better than the UConn prospect that is ranked higher not to mention there are a lot of Aussie kids at the D1 level who have impressed.

That’s by no means to anoint the kid but as a 6-6 G with good fundamentals on his shot and handle on tape both on this video and NBL highlights there is good reason for optimism as a guy off the bench.

Given the US system freshmen PG struggles being on full display in the portal era, Luke is possibly a smarter and better play than a HS recruit all things considered. Most importantly though is having George, a true PG as PG1

 

[DomeHolmes]

Fennell reminds me a lot of Kevin Huerter. He plays under control whether focused on scoring or distributing and to me that’s key. At 6-6 he has really good vision too and you can see the fundamentals at play. JJ naturally is uncomfortable in that role of having to attack and distribute on multiple possessions. Luke looks very comfortable on or off the ball and looks for his shot and the pass based on the situation. Everything about his game shows more capability as a PG than JJ.

I agree, and think he will be a surprise in that he can probably play 1, 2, or 3. and has a mature game. A 6’6” pg has so many ways to beat you. Entry passes are easier with the height, post ups/isos for him vs smaller guards Etc.

At 6’2” I would be skeptical because he is not quick or explosive, but at his height that is less of a factor. His defense would be where he likely struggles most.

What I love (that may be under rated because he is a point), is his shot. Smooth, good arc, and soft. He splashed several deep threes in his highlights. Its a very nice looking shot.

If he has the ability not to get sped up, and can play at his pace, I like his potential.