Chris Tadjo announcing his commitment tonight he announced on his instagram. I'd assume that is good news as Iowa is the only school he has visited.
2024 Recruiting. Orig Post Updated Oct 2nd. 36 Offers So Far (incl. Chris Tadjo & Cooper Koch). 2 Scholarships Available (NOT counting PMac & Tony)
- Thread starter Franisdaman
- Start date
Is Compton still in play if Tadjo committs?
I find it hard to believe we will take 3 forwards in the class
Basically what I immediately thought, especially after they backed away from a couple of forwards, only to have a guy not follow through on what the coaches expected.
Chris Tadjo is listed as a PF at 6'8, 220 lbs. His only other offer is Akron. He's more of an easier get than 4 star rated Pharaoh Compton. If Chris Tadjo commits tonight, we will find out if Compton is still in play (and what Fran is thinking) if he still visits next weekend.
Think of Compton as more of a small C than a forward. Playing 2 super athletic, 6'8 guys is what most teams do nowadays rather than play some lumbering 6'10+ guy. Teams like Miami, Houston, San Diego St., have all had a ton of success with this style of lineup. My hope is that they continue to pursue Compton and take all 3. Get a guard either via the portal and/or convince Tony to comeback for year 5.
Yep, Compton seems to be totally one dimensional on offense, power near the basket with very little game otherwise. Iowa hasn't had many of these guys under Fran. Definitely not a bad thing to have one guy who hangs out near the basket and attacks if he gets the ball.
speaking of nuts....there are no crystal ball predictions on which school he's choosing
Always a huge deal when Iowa University can beat out Akron for a recruit.
I get that most on here do not follow CBB recruiting nationally, but International recruits always have very weird or no offer lists. A) There's usually some hoops schools have to jump through in the admissions office. B) Offers usually only go out to International prospects when they are ready to go on a visit--it's not worthwhile for them to go through the usual song and dance of visiting 5-10 schools like American prospects so they are much, much more selective about taking visits when there is real legitimate mutual interest.
Go and take a gander at UCLA's 2023 recruiting class. They signed 4 international players, 3 of which had no other offers listed on 247, even though they were all highly ranked. The 4th just had 1 other offer which was Gonzaga. Ben Mathurin (Arizona '20) was also a Canadian who went to the NBA Academy Latin--he was a top 50 prospect and has 3 total offers listed on his profile. This is very normal.
On3 rates Chris Tadjo as a 4 star and have him ranked #66 overall in the Class of 2024. They have Cooper Koch at #92 overall.
He is known as one of the top rebounders in the 2024 recruiting class.
Here is a scouting report from basketball analyst Jamie Shaw this past summer:
The two things that are hard not to notice when watching Chris Tadjo are his frame and his motor/explosion. Tadjo is a lengthy and quite strong, 6-foot-8 forward who plays with a see-the-ball and get-the-ball mentality. Tadjo is originally from Canada, and he has been playing with the NBA Academy Latin American team for two years. Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Bennedict Mathurin, and Oumar Ballo are past players this academy has produced. He has a unique blend of explosion and fluidity. Each time I have seen him play live, the production has simply been off the charts. Quick-twitch with explosive athleticism. Good rebounder and a difference making defender..
He is known as one of the top rebounders in the 2024 recruiting class.
Here is a scouting report from basketball analyst Jamie Shaw this past summer:
The two things that are hard not to notice when watching Chris Tadjo are his frame and his motor/explosion. Tadjo is a lengthy and quite strong, 6-foot-8 forward who plays with a see-the-ball and get-the-ball mentality. Tadjo is originally from Canada, and he has been playing with the NBA Academy Latin American team for two years. Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Bennedict Mathurin, and Oumar Ballo are past players this academy has produced. He has a unique blend of explosion and fluidity. Each time I have seen him play live, the production has simply been off the charts. Quick-twitch with explosive athleticism. Good rebounder and a difference making defender..
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Absolutely would think Compton is welcome as well
Josh is a Canadian Basketball Recruiting Analyst. He sees Chris making an immediate impact.
His thoughts:
In a monumental development for Canadian basketball, Chris Tadjo, the standout prospect from the NBA Academy, has officially committed to the University of Iowa. The 6'8" powerhouse is poised to make an immediate impact at the Division I level, and this signing underscores the rising prominence of Canadian talent in the world of basketball.
Tadjo, who hails from Canada but honed his skills at the NBA Academy Latin America, is as I've said before "an absolute unit" on the court. Standing at 6 feet 8 inches, he possesses an awe-inspiring combination of athleticism and an unrivaled killer instinct rarely seen in players of his age. These attributes, along with his exceptional rebounding prowess, make him a standout prospect for the college game.
What sets Chris Tadjo apart from the rest is his experience and dedication. Having spent several years at the NBA Academy, he is not your typical rising star. Instead, he's an established product, refined through years of rigorous training and development. His journey is a testament to the NBA Academy's commitment to nurturing top-tier talent from around the world.
Tadjo's commitment to the University of Iowa is historic. He joins the ranks of fellow Canadians Jaiden Cole (Towson) and Thomas Ndong (Oregon State), who also made the leap to Division I programs from the NBA Academy. This achievement solidifies the Academy's reputation as a breeding ground for Canadian basketball excellence.
Looking ahead, Chris Tadjo's arrival at the University of Iowa promises to be a game-changer. His towering size, explosive athleticism, and innate basketball IQ make him a player who can contribute significantly from day one. His impact is not just anticipated; it's expected.
As the news breaks, it's clear that this is a momentous occasion for Canadian basketball, and Chris Tadjo's journey from the NBA Academy to Division I is a testament to his hard work and dedication. His commitment to Iowa is not just a personal triumph but a shining example of the bright future that awaits Canadian basketball. Stay tuned for more updates on this game-changing development right here at The Maple Minute.
www.themapleminute.com
His thoughts:
Chris Tadjo Commits to Iowa, a Game-Changer for Canadian Basketball
- Josh Millican
Sep 22, 2023
In a monumental development for Canadian basketball, Chris Tadjo, the standout prospect from the NBA Academy, has officially committed to the University of Iowa. The 6'8" powerhouse is poised to make an immediate impact at the Division I level, and this signing underscores the rising prominence of Canadian talent in the world of basketball.
Tadjo, who hails from Canada but honed his skills at the NBA Academy Latin America, is as I've said before "an absolute unit" on the court. Standing at 6 feet 8 inches, he possesses an awe-inspiring combination of athleticism and an unrivaled killer instinct rarely seen in players of his age. These attributes, along with his exceptional rebounding prowess, make him a standout prospect for the college game.
What sets Chris Tadjo apart from the rest is his experience and dedication. Having spent several years at the NBA Academy, he is not your typical rising star. Instead, he's an established product, refined through years of rigorous training and development. His journey is a testament to the NBA Academy's commitment to nurturing top-tier talent from around the world.
Tadjo's commitment to the University of Iowa is historic. He joins the ranks of fellow Canadians Jaiden Cole (Towson) and Thomas Ndong (Oregon State), who also made the leap to Division I programs from the NBA Academy. This achievement solidifies the Academy's reputation as a breeding ground for Canadian basketball excellence.
Looking ahead, Chris Tadjo's arrival at the University of Iowa promises to be a game-changer. His towering size, explosive athleticism, and innate basketball IQ make him a player who can contribute significantly from day one. His impact is not just anticipated; it's expected.
As the news breaks, it's clear that this is a momentous occasion for Canadian basketball, and Chris Tadjo's journey from the NBA Academy to Division I is a testament to his hard work and dedication. His commitment to Iowa is not just a personal triumph but a shining example of the bright future that awaits Canadian basketball. Stay tuned for more updates on this game-changing development right here at The Maple Minute.
Chris Tadjo Commits to Iowa, a Game-Changer for Canadian Basketball
In a monumental development for Canadian basketball, Chris Tadjo, the standout prospect from the NBA Academy, has officially committed to the University of Iowa. The 6'8" powerhouse is poised to make an immediate impact at the Division I level, and this signing underscores the rising prominence...
www.themapleminute.com
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I keep hearing Chris Tadjo can guard 1-5.
That's all well and good. But there are plenty of other international prospects who are highly ranked and have solid offer lists.
Dont get me wrong, I like the small sample of Tadjo's tape thats available - looks like he can bring some much needed athleticism. I'm not going to crap all over the signing. I'm just not going to get overly excited about another "diamond in the rough" hopeful.
Chris Tadjo is 18 years old. He's French and didn't speak English when he entered the NBA Academy.
Check this out & hit the PLAY button to hear from our latest commit.
Check this out & hit the PLAY button to hear from our latest commit.
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There isn't a single international prospect in the Rivals top 150 in the '22-'24 class. I'm not going to sit here and look through all of the classes tonight, but my assumption is that Rivals just refuses to put a ranking to international prospects, so you need to look elsewhere for any analysis on international prospects.
Now, let's look at last year's UCLA class:
Aday Mara--was ranked #21 overall by ON3, #15 overall by 247, UR by Rivals and ESPN--only one offer, UCLA
Jan Vide--#68 overall by 247, unranked by the other 3 recruiting sites. Only a UCLA offer.
Ilane Fibeuil--4 star by 247, ESPN and ON3, unranked by Rivals, UCLA and Gonzaga offer--no other offers.
Berke Buyuktuncel-- #36 overall by 247, unranked by other 3 services, only UCLA offer.
Please show me the other international prospects that are highly ranked and have "solid" offer lists. Because I have done some digging tonight and so far I have found that international prospects are inconsistently ranked and have very few reported offers.
This is exactly the type of player Iowa has been missing—strong, tough, athletic, rebounds well, and is a tenacious defender.
Fans should be excited about this commitment.
The original post has been updated. There are now 2 scholarships available for 2024-2025. Tony & PMac could take them both, of course. PMac has hinted, however, that this will be his last year.
Fran has handed out 36 offers so far for the Class of 2024.
* 14 of the 36 have visited Iowa City
* 2 have committed to the Hawks (Chris Tadjo & Cooper Koch)
* 22 have committed elsewhere
* 12 are still Undecided
Fran has handed out 36 offers so far for the Class of 2024.
* 14 of the 36 have visited Iowa City
* 2 have committed to the Hawks (Chris Tadjo & Cooper Koch)
* 22 have committed elsewhere
* 12 are still Undecided
The first offer for this class was on July 10, 2020.
The 12 who Fran has offered and who are still undecided:
(Offer #32) Darrion Sutton (Iowa offered on May 25, 2023)
(Offer #31) Pharaoh Compton (Iowa offered on May 4, 2023)
(Offer #29) Caden Diggs (Iowa offered on May 3, 2023)
Caden officially visited on June 14, 2023.
(Offer #28) Bryson Tucker (Iowa offered on...date unknown)
(Offer #24) Luke Bamgboye (Iowa offered on July 26, 2022)
(Offer #23) Patrick Ngongba (Iowa offered on July 11, 2022)
(Offer #18) Tyler Betsey (Iowa offered on June 20, 2022)
(Offer #16) Naasir Cunningham (Iowa offered on June 15, 2022)
(Offer #15) Travis Perry II (Iowa offered on June 15, 2022)
(Offer #5) Liam McNeeley (Iowa offered on July 23, 2021)
(Offer #3) Caleb Middleton (Iowa offered on June 28, 2021)
Visited Iowa on Oct 9, 2021 (Penn State game)
(Offer #1) Tayshawn Bridges (Iowa offered on July 10, 2020)
The 12 who Fran has offered and who are still undecided:
(Offer #32) Darrion Sutton (Iowa offered on May 25, 2023)
(Offer #31) Pharaoh Compton (Iowa offered on May 4, 2023)
(Offer #29) Caden Diggs (Iowa offered on May 3, 2023)
Caden officially visited on June 14, 2023.
(Offer #28) Bryson Tucker (Iowa offered on...date unknown)
(Offer #24) Luke Bamgboye (Iowa offered on July 26, 2022)
(Offer #23) Patrick Ngongba (Iowa offered on July 11, 2022)
(Offer #18) Tyler Betsey (Iowa offered on June 20, 2022)
(Offer #16) Naasir Cunningham (Iowa offered on June 15, 2022)
(Offer #15) Travis Perry II (Iowa offered on June 15, 2022)
(Offer #5) Liam McNeeley (Iowa offered on July 23, 2021)
(Offer #3) Caleb Middleton (Iowa offered on June 28, 2021)
Visited Iowa on Oct 9, 2021 (Penn State game)
(Offer #1) Tayshawn Bridges (Iowa offered on July 10, 2020)
I will just say that some recruiting websites (ahem - Rivals - ahem) are lacking in the basketball department.
For the sake of argument, here are a few of the international prospects that are well ranked and have solid offer sheets:
2024:
Felix Kossaras - Canada - #88 (On3) - #150 (247 ranking)
- offer sheet includes: missouri, ole miss, temple, whichita state
Malik Diallo - Mali - #127 (on3) - #143 (247) - 4 star (ESPN)
- offer sheet includes: TCU, LSU, BYU, Cal, Loyola, Mississippi State
- offer sheet includes: Pitt, Syracuse, Wazzu, Xavier
2023:
Johnny Furphy - Australia - 4 star (rivals) - #35 (247 ranking)
- signed with kansas.
- offers from other decent programs like Ole Miss, Providence, Marquette, georgetown
committed to Gonzaga (later turned pro instead)
- offers from numerous powerhouses like: Villanova, Gonzaga, Michigan
Reuben Chinyelu - South Africa - 4 star (rivals) - #128 (247 ranking)
- signed with Wazzu
- offers from florida, rutgers, tennessee, kansas
Marquis Mitrovic Marion - Denmark - 3 star (247)
- offers from xavier, wake forest, boston college, depaul, dayton, iona, marquette
Tyrese Proctor - Australia - #23 (247)
- signed with Duke
- Offers from: Arizona, Arizona State, Tennessee, Oklahoma
- went pro
- offers from: Arizona, Kentucky, Alabama, Arizona State
- signed with Texas Tech
- offers from: florida, florida state, georgia tech, kansas
Again, I am very hopeful for Mr. Tadjo. The point being - I just wish we could consistently beat out good programs for recruits that don't already have ties to Iowa.
Fair enough, even though some of the players you list attended American prep schools--Diallo is in Utah and Dunkley-Distant is in Arizona playing this year for example. Kossaras played on the Adidas AAU circuit this past year. Similarly, Elijah Fisher played 2 years on the American Adidas AAU circuit, Miller also played a normal AAU schedule in the US. International guys who play most of their games in the US are obviously going to have better evaluations and similar offer lists to American players.
247 had 16 international players listed on their website for the 2023 class, 10 of which only had a single offer listed (the school they are committed to). And that includes 4 of the top 6 ranked. So while you definitely show that there are some exceptions, it's more of the norm for international players to have no offer lists.
Tony and/or PMac could be added to this list.
Hopefully Tony comes back for one more year. But as things currently stand, we just have 3 guards for 2024-2025: Brock Harding, Dasonte Bowen, and Josh Dix.
2024-2025 Roster (11 on Scholarship; 2 scholarships available):
FRESHMEN: 2 players
6'7" PF Cooper Koch
6'8" PF Chris Tadjo
SOPHOMORES: 4 players
6"10" C Owen Freeman
6'0" PG Brock Harding
6'7" SF Pryce Sandfort
6'8" PF Ladji Dembele
JUNIORS: 2 players
6'3" PG Dasonte Bowen
6'5" SG Josh Dix
SENIORS: 3 players
6'7" F Payton Sandfort
6'11" C Riley Mulvey
6'9" F/C Even Brauns
Hopefully Tony comes back for one more year. But as things currently stand, we just have 3 guards for 2024-2025: Brock Harding, Dasonte Bowen, and Josh Dix.
2024-2025 Roster (11 on Scholarship; 2 scholarships available):
FRESHMEN: 2 players
6'7" PF Cooper Koch
6'8" PF Chris Tadjo
SOPHOMORES: 4 players
6"10" C Owen Freeman
6'0" PG Brock Harding
6'7" SF Pryce Sandfort
6'8" PF Ladji Dembele
JUNIORS: 2 players
6'3" PG Dasonte Bowen
6'5" SG Josh Dix
SENIORS: 3 players
6'7" F Payton Sandfort
6'11" C Riley Mulvey
6'9" F/C Even Brauns
Yeah I really think the best option is to either convince Tony to return for year 5 or to go after a guard via the portal for depth.
Sounds like a GREAT addition. We need guys with size, explosion, and a "see-the-ball and get-the-ball" mentality. We might already have a couple of freshmen with much of the same, but Tadjo might have more position versatility. Debatable, whether Compton should still be our next priority, if lucky enough that he prefers Iowa to SDU or others.
Watching his video, the young man has length and power. He really gets after it.
Scroll up a few posts to see what the 2024-2025 roster currently looks like. 8 forwards/centers (Compton would put that number at 9) and 3 guards. Hopefully Tony comes back! Are we getting a little too forward/center heavy?
His Rivals recruiting profile has him wearing the Iowa gold from his visit which doesn't mean anything but is interesting. Other P5 interest is Marquette, Xavier, and VaTech. A 6'7 SG certainly fits the bill for Fran.
