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

[DomeHolmes]

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.

Yeah, I expected some of the post moves from Majstorovic I saw in his highlights, that never materialized. Was hoping for a player like a freshman Schefflein from Clemson. Both he and his competition played below the rim in France it appears. Was a smart, tough player hindered by lack of athleticism.

We have had good tall PGs who played slower, Kadary, Gbinije, Ennis. Fennell’s ability to dictate pace as they did, and not be dictated by it, will likely determine his success on offense.

On defense, can he guard a true PG? That is my biggest doubt if anything.

 

[Melancer46]

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.

It won't really show in the highlights because he's barely played in their actual games, but Fennell has been practicing with one of the NBL teams for awhile now and that's definitely a talent level above what he'll face in college, so hopefully he can hit the ground running here.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

It won't really show in the highlights because he's barely played in their actual games, but Fennell has been practicing with one of the NBL teams for awhile now and that's definitely a talent level above what he'll face in college, so hopefully he can hit the ground running here.

I think this is low key a big deal.

No idea how good he'll be right away, but he seems very well prepared for this level of basketball.

 

[Niastri]

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.

Yup, Fennell splashed a few of what SWC used to call “No, no, no… Yes!” Shots. Ones that are a bad choice until they go in. I hope he doesn’t shoot too many 35 footers here.

 

[Orangezoo]

It won't really show in the highlights because he's barely played in their actual games, but Fennell has been practicing with one of the NBL teams for awhile now and that's definitely a talent level above what he'll face in college, so hopefully he can hit the ground running here.

So the team he was playing regularly with before was a step below in their developmental league I presume?

 

[RedtheGOB]

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.

Well we’re coming from 0 so that’s better at least.

 

[RedtheGOB]

It won't really show in the highlights because he's barely played in their actual games, but Fennell has been practicing with one of the NBL teams for awhile now and that's definitely a talent level above what he'll face in college, so hopefully he can hit the ground running here.

I look at that as a maturity thing. Playing with guys that are older and more experienced. A lot different than playing with all teenagers.

 

[IthacaMatt]

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.

Someone has to be able to score down low, or else opposing defense will take away the outside shot, and clog the driving lanes. You have to have somebody who is a threat down low to open up outside options and driving lanes.

 

[baggerbob]

Yeah, I expected some of the post moves from Majstorovic I saw in his highlights, that never materialized. Was hoping for a player like a freshman Schefflein from Clemson. Both he and his competition played below the rim in France it appears. Was a smart, tough player hindered by lack of athleticism.

We have had good tall PGs who played slower, Kadary, Gbinije, Ennis. Fennell’s ability to dictate pace as they did, and not be dictated by it, will likely determine his success on offense.

On defense, can he guard a true PG? That is my biggest doubt if anything.

I like big guards, 2 of our 3 final games had big guards, Sims in 96, and Billy in 03.

 

[longtimefan]

I like big guards, 2 of our 3 final games had big guards, Sims in 96, and Billy in 03.

MCW was also a big guard. Helped get us to the FF. Not to mention Silent G.

 

[721Comstock]

I like big guards, 2 of our 3 final games had big guards, Sims in 96, and Billy in ‘03

MCW was also a big guard. Helped get us to the FF. Not to mention Silent G.

You like big guards, and you cannot lie?

 

[Orangezoo]

You like big guards, and you cannot lie?

Glad someone didn’t let that hang too long

 

[IthacaMatt]

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.

He's got insane range. And that Ginobli Euro-Step works pretty well for him, too.

 

[IthacaMatt]

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.

I totally get where you're coming from. While Petar might have disappointed a bit, Kristof Ongenaet and Marek Dolezaj were solid players for us, and I think Petar would have been pretty good next year.

Australian players have been doing pretty well in recent years. I don't think this is like Division 3 basketball, if you know what I mean. And making shots from 25'+ speaks for itself. The baskets aren't a different height down under.

 

[bnoro]

I totally get where you're coming from. While Petar might have disappointed a bit, Kristof Ongenaet and Marek Dolezaj were solid players for us, and I think Petar would have been pretty good next year.

Australian players have been doing pretty well in recent years. I don't think this is like Division 3 basketball, if you know what I mean. And making shots from 25'+ speaks for itself. The baskets aren't a different height down under.

What about Petar's game made it seem like he'd be good in the future? He wasn't particularly athletic, wasn't a high energy spark-plug, and didn't really do one thing well.

Marek and Kristof (and Baye) were guys who brought the energy at a FW/C spot and gave a great 10 min cameo each night. Petar was nothing of the sort.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

What about Petar's game made it seem like he'd be good in the future? He wasn't particularly athletic, wasn't a high energy spark-plug, and didn't really do one thing well.

Marek and Kristof (and Baye) were guys who brought the energy at a /C spot and gave a great 10 min cameo each night. Petar was nothing of the sort.

Petar demonstrated an awareness of how the game should be played. He did some smart things, and he did some basic things that our other players just didn't do. Yes, he was 'compromised' athletically. And maybe his ceiling isn't high. And he was a freshman and new to this country and this competition, so—not a finished, polished player. I think he was as good/better than i expected. I also think that if we are going to be a good team, we do need players who are better, so i'm surprised he left but not disappointed, if that makes sense.

 

[IthacaMatt]

What about Petar's game made it seem like he'd be good in the future? He wasn't particularly athletic, wasn't a high energy spark-plug, and didn't really do one thing well.

Marek and Kristof (and Baye) were guys who brought the energy at a FW/C spot and gave a great 10 min cameo each night. Petar was nothing of the sort.

His per 40 minute averages were:

• 7.9 points
• 9.6 rebounds
• 2.1 assists
• 1.3 steals
• 0.8 blocks
• 41.7% from three

According to EvanMiya CBB Analytics, he was our 2nd most important player in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency, and was also our 2nd highest rated player in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency, which measure how well the team plays when that player is on the floor.

Those are freshman numbers. One would expect a jump in his 2nd year.
I'll bet he is a useful rotation player for Long Beach State next year.

 

[bnoro]

His per 40 minute averages were:

• 7.9 points
• 9.6 rebounds
• 2.1 assists
• 1.3 steals
• 0.8 blocks
• 41.7% from three

According to EvanMiya CBB Analytics, he was our 2nd most important player in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency, and was also our 2nd highest rated player in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency, which measure how well the team plays when that player is on the floor.

Those are freshman numbers. One would expect a jump in his 2nd year.
I'll best he is a useful rotation player for Long Beach State next year.

But his actual numbers were 2.6 ppg and 3.2 rpg. He hit 5 of 12 3-pointers. He played 13 mpg, he was not our second most important offensive or defensive player.

Long Beach State would be a best case scenario for him. He's not a power conference player.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

What about Petar's game made it seem like he'd be good in the future? He wasn't particularly athletic, wasn't a high energy spark-plug, and didn't really do one thing well.

Marek and Kristof (and Baye) were guys who brought the energy at a FW/C spot and gave a great 10 min cameo each night. Petar was nothing of the sort.

He would learn better defensive positioning and not get as many whistles. He had some skills on offense and wasn't a total zero as a scorer. Some bigs score on accident. Petar didn't score a lot, but when he did there was intention.

Also not crazy to think he could have gotten stronger and quicker.

 

[IthacaMatt]

But his actual numbers were 2.6 ppg and 3.2 rpg. He hit 5 of 12 3-pointers. He played 13 mpg, he was not our second most important offensive or defensive player.

Long Beach State would be a best case scenario for him. He's not a power conference player.

Not "most important". The team played about its best / most efficiently when he was on the floor. What that tells you is that he makes winning plays that don't necessarily show up in the box score. That's what advanced metrics are about, right?

You asked what evidence I had that he has talent. That was it. I didn't say he was our best player, or even should have been a starter. But he played better than some people thought.

 

[IthacaMatt]

But his actual numbers were 2.6 ppg and 3.2 rpg. He hit 5 of 12 3-pointers. He played 13 mpg, he was not our second most important offensive or defensive player.

Long Beach State would be a best case scenario for him. He's not a power conference player.

We'll see in a couple years.

 

[bnoro]

Not "most important". The team played about its best / most efficiently when he was on the floor. What that tells you is that he makes winning plays that don't necessarily show up in the box score. That's what advanced metrics are about, right?

You asked what evidence I had that he has talent. That was it. I didn't say he was our best player, or even should have been a starter. But he played better than some people thought.

I'll admit, I wasn't watching many games past January.

But in all the games I watched him play in before then, there was nothing about his play that stood out. Plays that didn't show up in the box score? There weren't many.

Do you believe he is a power conference player?

 

[longtimefan]

I'll admit, I wasn't watching many games past January.

But in all the games I watched him play in before then, there was nothing about his play that stood out. Plays that didn't show up in the box score? There weren't many.

Do you believe he is a power conference player?

I would counter that he might have been the most fundamentally sound player on last year's roster. He blocked out his man on the boards better than anyone else. He hustled after 50/50 balls. He handled the ball as well as any of our front court players (and some of our guards).

He lacked physical abilities--namely, strength and leaping ability. Some of that could have been improved over time.

 

[McCuse]

I would counter that he might have been the most fundamentally sound player on last year's roster. He blocked out his man on the boards better than anyone else. He hustled after 50/50 balls. He handled the ball as well as any of our front court players (and some of our guards).

He lacked physical abilities--namely, strength and leaping ability. Some of that could have been improved over time.

And when he set a pick he actually stayed there til his man was blocked. A lost art in modern college basketball.

 

[Sherman20]

His per 40 minute averages were:

• 7.9 points
• 9.6 rebounds
• 2.1 assists
• 1.3 steals
• 0.8 blocks
• 41.7% from three

According to EvanMiya CBB Analytics, he was our 2nd most important player in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency, and was also our 2nd highest rated player in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency, which measure how well the team plays when that player is on the floor.

Those are freshman numbers. One would expect a jump in his 2nd year.
I'll bet he is a useful rotation player for Long Beach State next year.

I wonder why we didn’t work harder to keep him, aka offer him a bit more money. Most fans liked him and felt he had real upside. You’d think the coaches would feel the same way.