Not much is known about Elijah Hughes, our 6-6, 220lb SG/SF transfer from East Carolina.
From a cursory look at his stats, his averages of 7.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.3 apg in 20.5 mpg are ok, not great. His shooting percentages were less than great: 349% FG, 273% 3PT, 684% FT. And the level of competition he played while at East Carolina can be questioned.
However, a closer look into these stats & his background provide better information.
JR in High School (Kennedy Catholic):
Hughes averages 15.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 5.4 apg on a team that goes 26-2.
Considered a late bloomer, he commits to East Carolina in summer of 2015. He then transfers to South Kent Prep for Senior year.
SR in High School (South Kent Prep):
He goes up against Hamidou Diallo (Kentucky G who has NBA potential) and gets 24 points in his team's 90-67 win vs Putnam. Diallo is held to 4 points.
FR in College (East Carolina):
Prior to start of practice in early November, Hughes "pretty much broke my foot" - a stress fracture that would keep him out 8 games and slowed his progress right out of the gate. Hughes struggled to get back into game shape afterwards, having gained weight.
The numbers for his year at East Carolina are very interesting. Hughes starts well, goes into a serious slump mid-to-late season, then re-emerges at very end.
Games 1-13 at East Carolina:
Hughes averages 9.3 ppg his first 13 games at East Carolina.
In fact, he was moved into starting lineup for game 11, and in games 11-13 he averaged 14.7 ppg on 405% FG.
Games 14-23 at East Carolina:
Hughes then goes into an extended slump and lost his starting role, averaging 4.1 ppg in games 14-23. This is described by one AAC scout as a "typical Freshman roller-coaster."
Games 24-25 at East Carolina - American Athletic Conf Tournament:
Hughes picked up his game at a critical juncture, in time for his team's participation in their Conf Tournament.
Hughes averages 16 points per game on 588% FG and 667% 3PT for these two games (against Temple and 30-5 SMU).
Averages vs NCAA Tournament Teams:
So, can it be concluded that Hughes did well against the cupcake portion of the schedule & then struggled when it got to tough, conference play? No, that is not the case.
In fact, here are Hughes averages from the 5 games he played against teams that made the NCAA Tournament (29-6 UNC Wilm, 30-5 SMU, Cinci, SMU, SMU): 11.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.8 apg on 370% FG
Quotes about his game:
From a recent article on Hughes progress (on Feb 1, 2018) here are some of the quotes about his game:
SU Coaches & Matt Moyer: "Big, physical guard who can score in bunches & make plays for teammates."
G-Mac: "Ability to shoot. Ability to create offense. Can go & create his own shot. Able to shoot, handle & create w/size, speed & strength."
Devo & G-Mac: "Want to see more consistency in his stroke. Can go stretches where he gets really hot."
Conclusion:
So, does Cuse have itself a diamond in the rough who was obscured by fact that he was a late bloomer in high school (thus, why he went to East Carolina) who was injured & had a typical "up & down" Freshman year?
I skew positive on these things, so I say "yes." Others may reach a different conclusion, and that's fine. That's why they play the games! We will all find out soon enough (although, not soon enough for me.)
Prediction:
I think Hughes continues JB's vaunted track record of success with transfers (regular, not Grad, following guys like Chukwu, Gbinije, Wes Johnson, Ryan Blackwell & even Leo Rautins), and Hughes becomes a key player for us next season (averaging maybe 10-12 ppg with a "normal" amount of mins - like 30ish).
In addition, I also see Hughes becoming a source of stability the next 3 years, giving us exactly what we always seem to need: offense; a guy who can create for himself and others who is also a good shooter while providing JB options to play him at SG or SF. (Provided he stays all 3 years...I know, I know, he gone! But seriously...if he shows skills as a 6-6 SG...meh.)
I am excited to see what Elijah Hughes' Syracuse future holds. I think people discount what he may provide next year...and rightly so, as Hughes has thus far failed to "prove" it to anyone.