Ladji Dembele

[IllQChawk]

Exactly. That appears to be Freemans role. We need a banger on the boards,,,,,

As of now, seeing Freeman play a number of times, he is not a true banger nor is a someone that can go out 10 feet or more and knock down a jumper consistently. It's almost like he's feeling his way through the season. I can't explain it but at times it's like he's trying to slow the game down, if that makes sense.
He has lot's of potential but he's a long way from being a polished Junior or Senior at Iowa. Weight room and Iowa coaching will be a key factor in how he develops.

 

[IllQChawk]

Just watched the game between Gill St Bernard's High School and St Benedict's Prep that was played yesterday and won be St Benedict's 64-52. NFHS network.
I'll admit at first. I wasn't to impressed with Dembele, but as the game developed he became more aggressive and started to rebound and actually hit a 3 pointer for his first shot of the game in the 2 period. He finished with 11 points total, set screens and pretty much did what you'd expect him to, he played man to man, played all over the court, and did a good job of being the tallest player on the court.
I'm going to say that anyone that was around when Reggie Evans played for Iowa, one can visualize a young Reggie Evans just looking at his physique. The kid is build like you know what....I'll leave it at that.

 

[Rifler]

Are you forgetting Owen Freeman?
🙂

Nope, both will play,.. sometimes together.

 

[RocknRollface]

What do you see as the difference between the 3 and 4 in Fran‘s schemes? I expect Sandfort will start at one forward as well. To me it makes no difference which one you call a 3 and which one a 4.

Mostly who you match up with defensively. The 4 will usually be closer to the basket and has to rebound.

What I was thinking is get someone quicker at the 3 because Patrick is at a quickness disadvantage on both ends but your right, Sandfort will be the other wing so he'll probably guard the 4.

 

[The Deplorable Sleeping Dog]

Are you forgetting Owen Freeman?
🙂

They will play together--- a lot.

 

[chaneccooms]

Dembele’s team won the New Jersey state title for their division. A few Dembele highlights here:

 

[lucas80]

Sturdy looking fella. Hopefully he can add a little more muscle once he gets to campus.

 

[hawksense]

And that won't hurt the new kids a bit. They need upperclassmen showing leadership more than anything that first year.

Kris Murray?

 

[HawkLogic]

In a way it does, due to who they have to guard on the opposing team. Which one will take on a true power forward and attempt to guard him? How will that affect them in transition or possibly wear them down so they’re not as affective towards the end of the game?

The two Murrays were probably the Ideal PF in Fran system---able to guard opposing post players inside, rebound inside, shoot well from the 3pt line, and dribble drive to basket if the opposing big tries to cover them at the 3pt line. Aaron white of course was fantastic but lacked the 3pt shot in his game. Uthoff was also great, not as quick as the Murrays though.

I think there is big difference between PF and 3 on defense. The PF has to spend a lot of the time in the paint and has to be able to defend opposing post players inside the paint. It would be nice if the PF has some type of post of game on offense.. A guy like Tyler Wahl at Wisconsin is crafty when posted up---just has a knack for it. I don't see anyone on the iowa squad like that.

PMAC has the body type to be a good PF, but he lacks willingness to compete inside and guard opposing PF or center on a switch. PMAC seems unwilling to get into a scrum in the paint or get a rebound in the paint and go up strong and put it back. Yes PMAC can play 3, but on defense he ends up chasing smaller/quicker guys around the perimeter and losing them.

I think PMAC looks like he's trying harder on defense since he came back. It does look like Fran is pairing PMAC with Sandfort in the sub patterns and asking Sandfort to do more of the dirty work inside.

 

[Franisdaman]

Another of our 4 star commits, Ladji Dembele and St. Benedict's will kick things off today in the first round of the National Prep Championship against IMG Academy.

 

[Bishop1971]

Another of our 4 star commits, Ladji Dembele and St. Benedict's will kick things off today in the first round of the National Prep Championship against IMG Academy.

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I wish they would update his height and weight on the players page. I believe he's 6'9" and 250 now. Would love if he grew another inch.

 

[IllQChawk]

Another of our 4 star commits, Ladji Dembele and St. Benedict's will kick things off today in the first round of the National Prep Championship against IMG Academy.

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Really wasn't impressed with St. Benedict's team overall. They lost today to IMG 75-68, but Ladji was impressive when he played aggressive. Every game I watched, he played tentative in the 1st half and turned it on in the 2nd half. That was probably due to how high school games are managed by the referees.
Unfortunately it wasn't always team ball, and he was never the go to guy, but he rebounded well, screened for his teammates and did the dirty work.
Being a Moline alum and a big Owen Freeman fan and this is just my opinion, I think Dembele will be the better of the 2, as freshmen.
As I said in a previous post he remines me of a young Reggie Evans type player that can become a rebounding machine, not necessary a big threat from outside although he did hit some 3's, overall I think he can become a better player offensively from medium range then Tyler Cook was, and that's a good thing.
Iowa fans will love this kid....just hope Fran lets him play under fire and doesn't impede his development sitting him on the bench. He needs to learn on the fly, he's already physically Big Ten ready.