Transfer Portal
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The announcer for Tulane called Sion "one of the most explosive athletes I've ever seen" and "Duke just struck gold." Proctor and Foster better be ready to compete with this guy. Sion could even be a candidate to start at the 3; but this is unlikely as he is the primary backup guard. I've seen him listed between 6-4 and 6-6; he looks closer to 6-4 but is built like a truck. Only question is his shot but he improved on that last year. A lot of new pieces, but if they fit together we will have a better team than the last 2 years.
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Evans is good but better than Ingram? I think you’re forgetting how good Ingram was because it was basically just him and Grayson that season and we weren’t that good.
That said he’ll push for a starting spot if he doesn’t already have one. He can score and from what I’ve seen always play solid, if a bit over aggressive defense.
I do worry a little bit about the maturity with him though. He’s definitely a hot head and that could hold him back if Jon can’t channel it right.
I dont know if he's better than BI as Ingram was really good. However, Evans plays with an edge and will bring intensity every minute he's on the floor. Will that result in silly foul? Yes, but he's cocky and I think this past years team was missing a personality like his.
Evans’ potential is exciting. Looking at intangibles: he’s long, has lateral quickness, and has a quick release. Instant spark plug as well. In a hostile acc environment, he is going to be working the crowd. I think every team needs one of those types of players. Just not a whole team.
I always thought flip was a hothead but he just kept it in check. Anyone notice flip getting pissed and then he would take one look at the bench and clam down? I think it was obvious someone had been working with him on that to avoid any potential Grayson situations.
I always thought flip was a hothead but he just kept it in check. Anyone notice flip getting pissed and then he would take one look at the bench and clam down? I think it was obvious someone had been working with him on that to avoid any potential Grayson situations.
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Flip managed to get in a few cheap shots, but managed to avoid getting called on it. The one where he tripped Harrison Ingram was Grayson Allen-worthy. https://www.instagram.com/wethehobby/reel/C4UDkA7s0WK/
Coming out of high school? Yes just a little bit not by much . His confidence level is also higher than BI’s.
Yes but a lot are forgetting K having to constantly get on Ingram for not playing hard and at times disappearing .
That team had Luke Kunnard and he only averaged two points less than Ingram .
I hope the hype over Evans turns out to be correct. Would be amazing.
When I watched some of his hs play he looked great. But watching him in the McDonalds game he seemed timid, not very in synch, and just kind of disappeared on the court. That has me wondering how well he will transitIon to the more physical and faster college game. Not skeptical but still unsure.
When I watched some of his hs play he looked great. But watching him in the McDonalds game he seemed timid, not very in synch, and just kind of disappeared on the court. That has me wondering how well he will transitIon to the more physical and faster college game. Not skeptical but still unsure.
Love the lineup potential. I have a lot more confidence in this team than last year - good to have two vets returning in Proctor and Foster to go with the freshmen but the 3 transfers could really be key because of their veteran presence and adding some physicality to the team.
I agree that one concern or need is for the players to play together and put the team first. But I also think this will be a real test for Jon to be willing to play more than 6-7 players. He needs to play the 3 transfers and not let them get buried on the bench. Then with proctor / Foster and at minimum, Maluach and Flagg that’s 7, plus hopefully we give time to at least a couple of the other freshmen. By the end of the year they don’t have to go nine deep in a big way but still being able to rest players and still be competitive makes a difference.
I agree that one concern or need is for the players to play together and put the team first. But I also think this will be a real test for Jon to be willing to play more than 6-7 players. He needs to play the 3 transfers and not let them get buried on the bench. Then with proctor / Foster and at minimum, Maluach and Flagg that’s 7, plus hopefully we give time to at least a couple of the other freshmen. By the end of the year they don’t have to go nine deep in a big way but still being able to rest players and still be competitive makes a difference.
It will be interesting to see who gets more time between Evans and Gillis. Gillis has the advantage of being a 5th year guy from the Big 10. Evans clearly has more upside for the NBA. If we go smaller they may split time at the 3. I prefer Gillis; but I like experience and his all around game. They both will play.
I am hearing Schutt to VT.
I am hearing Schutt to VT.
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I believe both Gillis and Evans minutes will be very similar and depending on match up who will play more. They both will be in the Top 8 in rotation.
I think you see Gillis in tough games as I do see Evans needing to adapt to this level of play like all freshman. I do think Evans has the will to succeed at this level and confidence.
The mixture of this roster , IMO allows the freshman not named Flagg and Mal to play more freely and less tense .
Interesting that Dayton's DaRon Holmes is now 18th in the latest mock draft, and solidly in the first round in most others. He was early/mid second round in most mock drafts last summer (at least the ones I looked up) when there were Duke transfer rumors. If nothing else, it proves you can improve your draft status by staying 4 years. Good for him. Edey as well is now solidly in the first round.
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Not going to be a popular take since I'm from the opposite side of the tracks, but Evans is going to be a disappointment IMO. Gillis was an outstanding pick up and I think will be on the floor over a lot of guys (not just Evans) in crunch time. He's experienced and savvy, and has played in a National Championship game. I can't say for sure, but I think Evans is more of a me guy than a team guy, and I think Gillis is the opposite. If someone from your board posted this exact same take, it would be more accepted than mine because I'm a Heel, I understand. Just wanted to give a different opinion. I do think Scheyer has done an incredible job in the portal this year, as opposed to last year. I think some of the incoming freshmen will be disappointed with their minutes, but I don't think Scheyer cares, he knows he needs to win.
That's a fair take. I won't say Evans is a "Me" guy, I don't know him, but I do think he is very skinny and may take some time to adjust. Shot selection could be an issue. I'm mainly going by ranking; plus he was MVP of an all star game. I think him and Gillis will split time. I do think Gillis will be ahead of him early on, and maybe more. Kon is kind of the wildcard in all this. He is very skilled but seems a step slow and most of his highlights do not seem to feature the best comp. Evans and Kon are both super talented of course; it is just a matter of how soon they can be consistent contributors. Top 20 guys usually play, but our transfers are talented too and may challenge that. Jon is a smart guy he realizes there will be pressure to win big this year with Cooper.
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It will be the first time we have a highly acclaimed HS class coming in AND transfers that expect to play....how JS balances that will be crucial...not just for next year but to set the expectations for future HS classes and transfers...it will be under a microscope
2DD I can totally respect your take, and I think Chris and Denver did an excellent job summarizing the context of it.
While I think this is Jon's most talented group yet, he does face a difficult balancing act. I think Mac has likewise done a good job putting it in perspective.
OFC
Gillis was certainly a big addition and he will help this team. However, Evans is the real deal and for some reason is being undervalued as an extremely highly rated recruit. Since when did we lose so much confidence in these top 10-15 type of talents?
Evans is far from a me guy, he's just cocky and brings a ton of energy to each game. Big difference in being a passionate competitor, and a "me" guy. Duke fans will love the kid and he's going to be a big part of what Duke does.
Evans is far from a me guy, he's just cocky and brings a ton of energy to each game. Big difference in being a passionate competitor, and a "me" guy. Duke fans will love the kid and he's going to be a big part of what Duke does.
I've got to get it through my thick head that college sports are now just a slightly smaller business than what the pros are. They legally make money now, and many have the chance to make really good money. It's nothing but a business anymore. So everyone just fends for themselves.
The ones loyal are the fans.
The ones loyal are the fans.
You could be right and I agree Gillis has experience. I’ve seen evans take a few charges which tells me he wants to win. Can he handle sitting on the bench? I don’t know. He probably has never sat there. I am not discrediting you at all but I think your opinion could be different if Evans was going to unc. I know that opposing teams and especially unc fans will dislike evans more than any other player because he will be working the opposing crowd. I think he feeds off of it and it appears it has already started.
I think there’s a massive difference between being cocky and confident and being a “me” guy. I think Evans is much closer to Jared McCain when it comes to confidence than someone who would be considered selfish and just stopping by for 6 months before the NBA.
Gillis started 23 games as a freshman. In 21-22, sophomore year, Gillis started 25 games for Purdue and played more mpg than he did the following 2 seasons. He didn’t start a single game his Senior year. And Purdue became title contenders his final 2 years. I am not at all worrried about Gillis being a locker room issue if his minutes get yanked around and I project him to be at the 15mpg mark, which would be the lowest of his career.
Gillis started 23 games as a freshman. In 21-22, sophomore year, Gillis started 25 games for Purdue and played more mpg than he did the following 2 seasons. He didn’t start a single game his Senior year. And Purdue became title contenders his final 2 years. I am not at all worrried about Gillis being a locker room issue if his minutes get yanked around and I project him to be at the 15mpg mark, which would be the lowest of his career.
We have to go all the way back to last year to see two top 20 type guys barely in the rotation. Evans will play, but we are loaded at the 3.
I agree but all parts are interchangeable. At 6’6” now a days you can be a guard or sf. To not have a player ask out of his LOI after James committed tells me no one is worried about competition at all .
Duke historically likes to go to a small lineup. I could see Brown at center, Flagg at PF and either a 3 guard lineup or Evans or Gillis playing with those 2 and the returning 2 guards. With Gillis that would be a super defensive group and also our best shooting group.
This was a solid take. I’ve thought similarly. Evans is a kid who likes the ball in his hands. He seemed to struggle in the McD AA game and I suspect he will have some struggles adjusting to the college game. His skill potential upside is big but that is not likely to happen til the NBA imo. Of course I hope to be wrong.
It’s always interesting to see how it takes freshman shooters a bit of time to adjust. It will be interesting to see if Harris can adjust quickly. But for all these incoming frosh, being able to play defense will be crucial to PT.
Completely agree. He has to learn to develop a rotation that gets kids on the court and lets them develop. That takes trust in the process of growth. Hoping he can meet the challenge!
Wow Gillis started 23 games as a freshman for Purdue? That's pretty impressive as they have been at the top of the Big 10 for a while now. I am very excited about our 3 transfers; as much as I liked Young and Theo I think these guys are better. I do think losing 7 guys to the portal helped us in this. It certainly freed up NIL $.
Oh my goodness I just watched a Sion clip. This dude is built like Semi. He looks like a great slasher and defender. FWIW USA Today is predicting Proctor, Sion, Cooper and Khamen to be starters.
Oh my goodness I just watched a Sion clip. This dude is built like Semi. He looks like a great slasher and defender. FWIW USA Today is predicting Proctor, Sion, Cooper and Khamen to be starters.
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Are we only starting 4 players next season?
If Duke goes small ball then they are hurting themselves. You have two legit centers and one legit pf. If you go small imo you have later on recruits asking why Duke recruits size but doesn’t use it . Example , Stewart and Power.
The 5th starter is to be determined. They had Brown as the 6th man. I just found it interesting.
I’ll just put this out here. If Jon and staffs goal is to continue success in the portal and the recruiting trail then atleast one portal player has to start. Given that he’s bringing in three SF’s( Flagg the starting three) I don’t see them playing him at the four . Mal needs to adjust and with Brown having all his experience in the front court can help him until he gets up to speed and recover quickly in the post . If Sion starts over the other three freshman and Foster you’re looking for trouble . If ever was a sign that your simply just recruiting guys with out identifying roles then this would be it and the mass exodus is simply going to be the same . Don’t forget Brown would have started at Syracuse this year .
Believe it or not, there are some players that want to be a part of a winning program and contender and will put the team before themselves. I don’t think our three transfers have to start, but they do need to play meaningful minutes. I trust Jon knows what he’s doing and has a plan or these three transfers wouldn’t have come.
I’m with Sheyduke regarding Brown starting. My projected starts would be Proctor, Foster, Flagg, Brown and Maluach. That is an awesome starting five with a ton of size and scoring. I would take that starting five over any other team right now. Then I see the first three off the bench would be James, Evans and Gillis. That would give flexibility for 2-4 positions. Kon, Harris and Ngongba would get spot minutes until someone steps up or is needed. Talk about a great roster. I’m really liking what Coach Scheyer did this offseason. LFG, I’m ready for next season.
Aren’t you repeating the same thing I said about a transfer starting ? I simply just don’t believe you start Sion over four other players and one being a sophomore that could have left . Brown on the other hand fills a much needed role . Allowing Flagg to stay at the three and a Freshman Mal to have upperclassmen leadership to help in the post . Given this day and the direction of college basketball I don’t see a world where you literally bring in three highly recruited freshman and have them happy with sitting in the bench . Some will sacrifice for the betterment of the team however you can also see that players still want to play not just be spectators.
Finishing the comment from the coach in that tweet:
“His defense and ability to get deflections is insane. Has the ability to affect a game in so many ways that aren’t on a box score.
Honestly, if you could go into a machine and make a stereotype old school Duke players, that’s Sion. All around student athlete.”
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I never mentioned starting a transfer. I said playing meaningful minutes. You don’t have to start to get significant playing time. It just seems like you think Jon doesn’t have a plan with his freshmen. You play the best 8 the most minutes and if players are unhappy then they have a decision to make. I don’t think you ever have a team that has every player content with their playing time or lack of. Many people were saying Jon needs physically mature players and now you’re saying he has to keep three freshmen happy or they might transfer. He’s damn if he does and damn if he doesn’t.
