Looks like we landed another Och-clone prototype player in Jamari McDowell.
He looks athletic, tall (I consider arm length a part of height), and definitely has a motor.
He is not ranked as an OAD, so if he fits here and develops we should have him for probably 3 years or so.
I gain hope in thinking the next few years will include us mimicking the great qualities of our NC team last year! Size with legs and pushing the ball!
I was thinking Vick but I could be wrong.
@Jethro said in Jamari who?:
I was thinking Vick but I could be wrong.
Not that kind of shooter. Vick was a NET SCORCHER when his head was right.
Has anyone seen his tape on D. Can he guard at the next level.
I doubt if he's anything more than "potential" right now on D since early development is always offense.
But if we have a long guard with long arms, athletic, and full of energy it's mostly a matter of him buying in to Self. There are the exceptions, like Marcus Garrett.
@drgnslayr said in Jamari who?:
I doubt if he's anything more than "potential" right now on D since early development is always offense.
But if we have a long guard with long arms, athletic, and full of energy it's mostly a matter of him buying in to Self. There are the exceptions, like Marcus Garrett.
I don't think this kid that we just signed is nothing like Marcus Garrett hes a good kid and has a good head owner's shoulder
I like it as an upside play. He went supernova this summer so it’ll be interesting to see how he progresses this season.
Certainly fits into the “get more athletic” category.
@AsadZ said in Jamari who?:
Has anyone seen his tape on D. Can he guard at the next level.
Not sure you'll find that tape since he went from unknown to Top 50 prospect in 6 months. Most of what I've seen is offensive highlights which isn't uncommon for guards looking to get noticed. He's got long arms, good size and is a plus athlete. It would certainly appear he has the tools to defend, same with his buddy Johnson.
@Kcmatt7 said in Jamari who?:
Certainly fits into the “get more athletic” category.
You just can't even find a subpar athlete in our entire 22 class or the 23 class so far. The last guy we are targeting would be our most athletic PG in awhile too.
@BeddieKU23 said in Jamari who?:
his buddy Johnson.
This could be an important aspect.
We have seen what a boon it can be for guys that know each others game well to keep playing with each other. Graham and Svi was a beautiful combo their SR year because of this. Morris twins, Dajuan/Och/CB etc
The other thing is he might be able to help keep CJ more level headed. That would make this an A+ signing because CJ looks like a 5* to me if he reins it in a bit.
Yeah we just saw how much chemistry came into play for Och/CB/Harris being familiar with each other before coming to KU.
Johnson certainly seems like a prospect that has maturing to do and if having Jamari there helps with that process we have something especially since Mari seems like a mature person from his comments. I know this take seems surprising but I'm high on getting him in here and seeing what happens. Certainly has some skills on offense that are intriguing. His comments certainly made me feel at ease, he seems like he wants to be a dog on the court.
I like the video on this kid. Are we sure he's 6-5, though? He doesn't look like he's quite that tall, or maybe this is an older video and he has grown since then. No real concerns with his game. He's got good bounce and handle. I actually wouldn't compare him to Och at all. He's more of a midrange type of player from the highlights there. I'd put him more in line with being a smaller, better shooting Josh Jackson. He can shoot the three, but he is more likely to get into the midrange and score or distribute.
I could see him being anywhere from average to superb defensively. He has the tools. Just a question of how he uses them.
@BeddieKU23 said in Jamari who?:
Not sure you’ll find that tape since he went from unknown to Top 50 prospect in 6 months. Most of what I’ve seen is offensive highlights which isn’t uncommon for guards looking to get noticed. He’s got long arms, good size and is a plus athlete. It would certainly appear he has the tools to defend, same with his buddy Johnson.
I wonder if his skill level went up considerably in recent days... or... maybe he grew several inches. Maybe both.
I'm betting this is yet one more case where Self gets the jump on talent on the way up!
It would make some sense if he's a late bloomer & the light bulb came on this spring/summer getting the opportunity to prove himself. It seems like he took advantage and earned himself a great chance now with KU.
Hearing that KU coaches pushed for his commitment last week when it seemed he was headed for Wake is interesting. Did things change with KU's recruiting board to where he was a take? Was he always a take and they just overcame Wake with NIL/KU brand etc? Anyways I'm happy with his decision. I see the potential to get him here and develop him. Here's his scouting report from today. Sounds like a guy they have great success developing into good players.
Scouting Report
McDowell is long and athletic with a solid frame that is only going to continue filling out. He runs and jumps with ease, covers the court, and gets well above the rim. While more wing than true guard right now, there is a skill-set that is clearly developing. He was reportedly not known as a shooter coming up the ranks, but shoots a clean and easy ball now and even flashes some glimpses of tough shot-making potential. Similarly, he is not an overly dynamic creator yet, but is good enough with the ball to be a potential big secondary handler and pick-and-roll threat down the road. Defensively, there’s clear tools with his length, size, and effortless mobility. Overall, he’s competitive and plays with a high motor on both ends of the floor.
In the short-term, McDowell is a player who can earn minutes and impact winning at the highest levels of college basketball. He’s farther along defensively than the vast majority of high school players, can play a role offensively without needing to dominate the ball, and has both the right physical tools and mindset necessary to ease the transition.
One of the reasons McDowell was underrated by so many, and truthfully still may be, is because he isn’t necessary the type of ball-dominant scorer or natural creator who is going to go out and get 25+ points every time out. In the long-term though, he not only checks a variety of different boxes that can translate up to the highest levels of basketball, but he’s simultaneously improving and evolving at a rapid rate.
Some good quotes from his commitment. I get the sense he is the perfect fit here. We'll see what role he earns.
A 6-foot-4 senior who 247Sports ranks No. 42 nationally, McDowell committed to the Jayhawks for several reasons.
“The history of the program, resources, and the opportunity to play early was a big thing," McDowell told 247Sports. "Coach Self and Coach Case they haven’t been recruiting me the longest, but I felt the most comfortable with those dudes and I know they believe in me. I feel like they are the best option to help me achieve my goals.”
Currently listed as a shooting guard, McDowell is a long and rangy backcourt player that can play the one, the two or the three in Lawrence. He's a sharp passer, clutch shot maker and has lots of room to add muscle to his frame. He also plays to win and when asked what made him a guy Kansas had to have, he thought those trait helped.
“The intensity and the heart, it’s mostly a mental thing," said McDowell. "It’s not as much talent because everybody at that level has talent, but not everybody has the will, so I think that is what it was. I’m talented and have the ability to do everything on the court because I’m a talented player, but I feel like it was the way I played the game, make the right pass and make the right play every time.”
I know watching a little tape is only a glimpse... but my takeaway from watching: Jamari moves with ease. His mechanics are not too complex and getting in his way. He's a player who should suck in coaching and turn it quickly into usable skills. Even says it on his scouting report: "runs and jumps with ease..."
Keeping that in mind... he looks like a player who would be smart to work hard on his crossover moves!
@drgnslayr He looks ok just another guy at this point we will see how he develops
@ReggieKansas said in Jamari who?:
@drgnslayr He looks ok just another guy at this point we will see how he develops
He will do fine