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Message: [QUOTE="RF2044, post: 2641030, member: 40"] Same. Here's what I've heard: [LIST] [*]Staff is impressed with his skill / versatility -- he's a better player than the staff expected at this stage of his developmental curve. The staff thinks he is a diamond in the rough / darkhorse recruit who is substantially better than his "ranking," and that he has much more upside than they originally envisioned. [/LIST] [LIST] [*]The biggest thing holding him back short-term is his physical development. He's legit 6-8 but only 175 pounds. Verbatim quote: "He makes Damone look buff." [/LIST] [LIST] [*]Staff doesn't see him as a rotation guy this year -- let me explain. Skilled enough to contribute? Sure. Will he crack rotation? Same as Jake above -- he's 4th in a 3 player rotation. Unless Marek / OB / Hughes get injured, then he probably wouldn't play much beyond the non-conference. If an injury occurs -- he'll crack the lineup as a reserve. But at this size, it will be tough for him against ACC caliber competition. [/LIST] [LIST] [*]The plan is to redshirt him, to maximize his development and give him a year to catch up in terms of physical maturity. [/LIST] [LIST] [*]A good parallel to think of is BJ Johnson -- who had all the skill / potential of a great system fit, but who was so skinny coming in that it wasn't really a legit consideration to play him in the ACC. BJ should have redshirted, and that would have given him an advantage in subsequent years. Barring an injury, there's no need to rush a guy out there who just isn't physically ready to compete at this stage. [/LIST] Again, not a knock on his skill / potential. He can shoot, he can pass, he can rebound and block shots. Hopefully, we won't need him to fill a "gap" in the rotation this year, and he can spend the year putting on a much-needed freshman 15. Long term -- sky's the limit. This year? We've got guys who can fill in at forward. Not that this is the plan, but the staff also knows they could slide a physically strong Battle to the back line if need be [with Carey / Frank / Buddy manning the backcourt] -- that would be a preferred option over Braswell at this point, for this year. [/QUOTE]

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