Looks like a good glue guy to me. Defense, rebounding and some offensive skill with the ability to run and play fast which Iowa does. Would be a good addition in my opinion.
Dembele
- Thread starter GunnerHawk
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Ladji averaged 14 rebounds/game last year. I guess he could have averaged more but I think this qualifies as an aggressive rebounder. https://highschoolsports.nj.com/player/ladji-dembele/boysbasketball/season/2021-2022
this is the only link I can find to scuttlebutt.
Definition of SCUTTLEBUTT
a cask on shipboard to contain fresh water for a day's use; a drinking fountain on a ship or at a naval or marine installation; rumor, gossip… See the full definition
www.merriam-webster.com
11 PM central announcement is an odd time if he is going to commit to Iowa or Wake. Hopefully Iowa finally gets another big. Just odd time.
That's midnight eastern, his time zone. Same as he said before.
He can hit the three as well. For a change, he's not slight either.
good good. i was going strictly from the video clips so thanks for the info. we could use some more rebounding! hoping we hear some good news tomorrow nightLadji averaged 14 rebounds/game last year. I guess he could have averaged more but I think this qualifies as an aggressive rebounder. https://highschoolsports.nj.com/player/ladji-dembele/boysbasketball/season/2021-2022
And what have you seen so far that Fran is going to count on this potential recruit in the not so distant future? Has he spent a year at any academy after graduating from high school like Keegan and Kris did?
Don't see very many P5 coaches jumping on his recruiting bandwagon. Not saying he will be project, as a shot in the dark, but Iowa needs a player that will compliment Owen Freeman and not a player that Fran sits on the bench for 90% of the game or longer. Fran just loves him some deep projects doesn't he, he apparently can't help himself.
We have a gaping hole in next year's team in Filip and *likely* Kris leaving after this year. That's 45+ minutes leaving, and with how JO and Mulvey have looked, I think it's fair to say Dembele likely sees lots of minutes available for the taking. You look at Wake and Rutger's starting lineups, they have Juniors starting at the 4 and 5 with both having freshmen bigs that also are seeing meaningful minutes. If Dembele's camp does their research, they will advise him to go to Iowa and compete for 20+ minutes right away vs likely riding the pine at the other top schools.
Exactly. How one can watch his highlight video and his offers and put him in the same category as Mulvey and Ogundele is beyond me. I would take him on the team this year, he would provide better inside depth than what Iowa has now.
It doesn't mean he'll be a star, not everyone is. Athletic guy who can rebound, block shots, score a couple of ways, yes please.
I don't mind projects/flyers on athletic guys who are learning to play. Olaseni was a great example. Dembele is far more advanced than was Olaseni skill wise, but probably not as athletic. Olaseni ended up being a tremendous player.
If I took to heart everything written about me on this site I would alternately be elated/destroyed. It's an Internet site. Take what you read with a grain of salt.
So, is this kid a realistic get or are we looking at another bridesmaid situation? I’m genuinely asking.
I think this is it ... at this point he can't trust either Josh or Mulvey to be starters, much less regular contributors, so he needs to recruit guys that can overatake and/or push them. All the fans want Fran to be less loyal in his playing time and for Iowa to be a big-time program ... well this is what happens in big-time programs. You get recruited over and beat out if you don't step up your game. Josh and Mulvey need to take big steps or they will lose their spots to incoming Freshman and Transfers.
Ogundele has skills to be a post starter but pretty soon it will be year 4 for him to get into playing shape
I think he has some of the skills needed ... but like you said, he needs to get in better shape. I am sure at this point, Fran views him and Mulvey as bench/rotation guys at best going forward until they prove otherwise.
I would not be surprised based on what I have heard/seen with Freeman being a multi-talented, high-IQ big man if he doesn't start as a FR taking Kris's spot (assuming he can adjust quickly to he speed/physicality).
Huh? Do you read or just post negative thoughts about Fran? Several other major college coaches have offered... You at least correct that Owen Freeman definitely needs another player to help inside.
Besides being big and strong, I haven't seen a lot of skill from JoshO. I hope we will see it soon. Not sure what to make of Mulvey.
Shaq had a ton of skill when he got to LSU. He had excellent footwork and a nice touch with both hands. He was also shockingly athletic for his size.
Plus, he was thinner and more muscular than Jelly.
Agreed. When you look at the 11 expected Iowa players to return, there's a huge need down low. I am still hoping Ogundele & Mulvey can figure things out.
I also hope Owen Freeman is ready to start.
6'3" PG Dasonte Bowen
6'2" PG Ahron Ulis
6'0" PG Brock Harding
6'4" G Tony Perkins
6'5" SG Josh Dix
6'9" SF Patrick McCaffery
6'8" F Payton Sandfort
6'7" SF Pryce Sandfort
6"10" C Owen Freeman
6'11" C Josh Ogundele
6'11" C Riley Mulvey
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Speaking of big time programs, available playing time, and getting recruited over....and damn, if we had landed TJ Power....
Talk about a crazy good class:
No amount of "developing" would get those two in the same world as Luka.
They don't have the talent and one of them at least clearly doesn't have the work ethic.
It would be best to free up their scholarships next year.
Yep. But I believe my point that there's a huge need down low is still valid (especially for rebounding).
And to think that isn't even the #1 rated class!
And thats exactly how it should be.
Anyone who has a problem with this offer isn't very bright.
3* versatile forwards are Frans bread and butter, way more hits than misses on these type of offers.
I hope the one position that Fran hits hard in the portal - and I know he tried this last year and got Rebraca the year before - is 6-9 to 6-11 type banger who can play Defense/Rebound. I am not worried about the ability to score because a) Fran's teams rarely have that problem and b) will have Perkins, PMac, Sandfort, Bowen, Ulis, and Dix back as veterans with ability to shoot and score from outside and slashing/attacking.
Like you said there appears to be a huge gap in the middle unless Josh and/or Riley make GIANT leaps. I think Freeman will be able to contribute much in the way as Garza/White did as Freshman - at least offensively - but they really look like they will need a tough, physical, big man to step in and start at C/PF.
Yep. Still loaded at 1-3 next year, with nothing certain at 4 or 5, except a talented true freshman and a couple of big guys still searching for playing time on Fran's bench. Dembele has the right skill set to help, but who knows how much he can give us next year. An experienced center in the portal would fill out the roster.
Crystal ball pick at TOS for Dembele to Iowa.
^^ This ^^
I'm very high on Freeman making immediate contributions including possibly starting based on the video I've seen of Freeman (and I'm no expert). He really looks good to me. Only concern would be does he have the strength coming in as a FR.
New time is shortly before we tip-off with Seton Hall. I like our chances.
For those who consider Ladji a 3 star, I have news for ya!
Really nice 4 person class.
Really nice 4 person class.
