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My jaw dropped to the floor. Wow!

Welcome to Kansas, Silvio!

Quick scouting report

Physical - he's listed at 6-9, 240. That's an NBA ready body all day long. He's got a lot of lean muscle on his frame, which suggests to me that as he matures, he could easily get to 255 or 260 without losing any quickness or agility.

Athleticism - he is quick off the floor. Not as bouncy as Wiggins or Jackson, but he's pretty close and on top of that, he's easily bigger and stronger than either of those guys. Obviously that matters because he's a 4 and not a perimeter guy, but his explosiveness and strength will make him effective on the glass in college because guys are going to have trouble getting and keeping a body on him. HS players have no chance against him.

Offense - he dunks most everything from in close, which he should with his physical and athletic advantages at this level. He has to continue to do that through more contact as he advances. He has some basic post moves, but he isn't exactly Tim Duncan or Hakeem Olajuwon with the footwork. Finishes well around the rim. I haven't seen any evidence he can step away from the bucket and stretch the defense, so he will have to work on dealing with double teams in the post because college coaches won't just let him use his strength and athleticism to dominate on the block like he can in HS. He can handle the ball a bit, but he is basically a straight line handler. He's not going to shake and bake or initiate the offense, but he can put it on the floor and get to the rim on a straight line drive.

Offense needs to improve - at least a passable jumpshot out to 15-17 would open his game up. A jump hook or turnaround in the post would also help. Some one dribble moves (a face up one bounce jumper or baby hook) would give him some variety in his game to keep defenders off balance so they can't just muscle up against him. Footwork in the post needs refinement. It's not bad, but its a bit inconsistent. I could see him getting dinged for travels with some of his moves on the block at the next level.

Defense - he has the athleticism to be a very good (possibly elite) collegiate defender. He is mobile enough to switch PnR on the perimeter and stay with all but the quickest guards if he is disciplined. He is a good weakside shotblocker. He should dominate the defensive glass with his length, strength, and athleticism.

Defense needs to improve - can he body up with guys as strong as he is? He probably hasn't faced 5 guys with his size and strength to this point in his life. In college, he will see guys that big and strong every other night. Can he hold his spot, or will that strength catch him off guard? Can he keep his hips low for leverage? Can he stay disciplined against quicker and craftier collegiate guards? This is why defense is harder for freshmen - you can't just rely on your physical skills. You also have to be engaged mentally, something that most kids don't have to do when they are that much bigger, stronger, more athletic, and more talented than their competition on a regular basis.

Overall - his floor is an energy, rebounding and shotblocking machine. His ceiling is a primary post scorer, though he needs to add quite a bit to reach that potential. His defense should be at least good, possibly dominant in college. He could be a two year player because he has the opportunity to unlock a lot of offensive potential that could make him a lottery pick.

@justanotherfan sounds likes he's mature enough to know he needs more than a year! Don't see that very often.

@justanotherfan

There are some videos of a mid-range shot for him. A few highlights of a turnaround hook as well. At this point I don't think either a major part of his offense because he's so big and athletic that he can dunk everything at the HS level.

Really exciting addition!

@BeddieKU23

I've seen those. He takes those shots so rarely, it's hard to gauge how good his shot is from there. As you say, he's so big and athletic he dunks everything (which is good), but I can't really tell how well rounded he is because of that. It's the catch 22. He could probably shot 75% from the field in HS with dunks, putbacks and layups, but to really evaluate him, I need him to shot 60% from the field because his shot selection is much more diverse.

We really needed something like this to happen.

We need so many players next year and to key it off a great start like Silvio is bound to build momentum. I'll be surprised if we don't sign at least one more 5-star recruit this fall.

Just look at this guy. This dude is amazing. The way he protects the ball on the block. The short jumper. The 3 point shot. Dribbling the ball. Passing the ball. The under the basket shot. The blocked shots. The poise ...the even keel demeanor.

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Like his strength and feel for the game. But for 6-9 he looks an awful lot like he is 6-6.

Fightsongwriter said:

Like his strength and feel for the game. But for 6-9 he looks an awful lot like he is 6-6.

Well if that's true, it's good news for Silvio, Self will give him loads of minutes. :joy:

Very smooth. Very Jayhawk.

@Fightsongwriter Completely agree .. doesn't look 6'9" to me.

@HighEliteMajor Would you estimate him to be as tall as Jamari? What about Perry Ellis?

@KUSTEVE Seemed shorter than Jamari but better in every way by far.

Supposedly 6'7" 2 years ago and 6'9" in shoes recently. Cole Aldrich 1.5" shoes?

@Fightsongwriter I think he's taller than Jamari and Perry. Jamari was 6'5...same with Perry. I think Silvio needs to grow his hair out a couple more inches- that'll do the trick.

@dylans “We want to be in the game, not be a spectator with all the answers." Bill Self

Are we the spectators with all the answers that Bill would rather not be?

In the immortal words of Fletch, "he is 6'5", 6'9" with the Afro.

dylans said:

Supposedly 6'7" 2 years ago and 6'9" in shoes recently. Cole Aldrich 1.5" shoes?

That 6'7'' was without shoes and legit. He's probably grown a bit since then. Let's see what KU lists him at and how he compares. My guess it 6'8'' seems fairly likely.

@KUSTEVE I'm pretty sure Bill meant he wants to be coaching in the final four. I however hi-jacked the quote while people lost their minds after the E8 loss. Works both ways.

BShark said:

dylans said:

Supposedly 6'7" 2 years ago and 6'9" in shoes recently. Cole Aldrich 1.5" shoes?

That 6'7'' was without shoes and legit. He's probably grown a bit since then. Let's see what KU lists him at and how he compares. My guess it 6'8'' seems fairly likely.

Right, but that's not funny. Remember Cole's measurement at the combine? 6'9" in shoes 6'7.5" barefoot.

Normally shoes only add 1" not 1.5" I, apparently, am easily amused.

@dylans When you have shoes on but tied very loosely, you can raise up off your heels without the shoes going up, or you can put heel inserts in. Get another 1/2 inch that way.

I saw something once years ago about all the different things that athletes, store employees, butchers, bulk retailers, dump truck operators, and others do to "fudge" measurements. It was like reading a magician's secrets.

dylans said:

BShark said:

dylans said:

Supposedly 6'7" 2 years ago and 6'9" in shoes recently. Cole Aldrich 1.5" shoes?

That 6'7'' was without shoes and legit. He's probably grown a bit since then. Let's see what KU lists him at and how he compares. My guess it 6'8'' seems fairly likely.

Right, but that's not funny. Remember Cole's measurement at the combine? 6'9" in shoes 6'7.5" barefoot.

Normally shoes only add 1" not 1.5" I, apparently, am easily amused.

I got the joke but did want to mention his actual height. I certainly don't think he is in the 6'5-6'' range like some do.

I will guess 6'-7" - 6'-8" and KU will list him at 6'-9".

At Silvio's age (19) he likely is done growing, so what you see is what you get regardless of measurements.

Right but he probably grew some since two years ago.

@JayHawkFanToo THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS FUDGE PLAYER HEIGHTS? WHY I NEVER. :joy:

dylans said:

At Silvio's age (19) he likely is done growing, so what you see is what you get regardless of measurements.

Probably. On the other hand, http://www.naturalheightgrowth.com/2012/09/20/the-largest-growth-spurts-in-history/ ↗ has some exceptions up to 20 and one up to 21:

1. Dennis Rodman – From 5′ 9″ –> 6′ 7″ around age 20, 1 years time.

2. Scottie Pippen – From 6′ 1″ –> 6′ 8″ around age 19 or 20, 1 years time, but mainly in the summer

3. Dwight Howard from 5’8″ to 6’9″ in one year ( http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/sho…d.php?t=203778 ↗ )

4. Dennis Johnson 5’9″ as a HS senior to 6’4″ in one year.

5. David Robinson – 5’9 his junior year of high school and 6’7 his senior year and then 7’1 in Naval Academy. last spurt was at age 21.

6. Actor Kevin Costner grew from 5’2″, to 6’1″ from 18-20 yrs. old

It was funny seeing NBA stars and then Kevin Costner!

But none of these were from more than 6' 2" except Robinson, and that doesn't show how much he grew in college. So, maybe only a small increase can be hoped for.

@drgnslayr I know this is heresy but I'll say it anyways. I kinda hope Silvio is more like Randle than TRob. I say that because I want Silvio to be an all American at KU and I want him to stand out in the NBA. For whatever reason Thomas hasn't been able to do that.

@KUSTEVE Yep, smooth shot from trey, I like it!

So he's 19. He could still grow between now and next year. Carlton did. Joel did.

@mayjay Right and I had a great uncle who went to WWII 5'7" and returned 6'3". It happens, but it's so freaking rare that those expamples stick out. That's why I said he's "likely" done growing; not he's absolutely, 100" for sure, no way in the world growing. (And why you said probably)

@BShark said, and the article said, and as clearly as my limited writing skills allow me to convey the true meaning of what I said: Silvio was measured at 6'7" barefoot two years ago and more recently at 6'9" in shoes.

My speculation is that Silvio is likely 6'8" barefoot now and done growing. 1" of growth over a two year period from 17-19 = no reason to believe he'd grow more. Svi hasn't grown since he arrived at age 16.

(My great uncle is not Steve Rodgers)

@dylans Perhaps the Rack should be added to Hudy's tool shed?

dylans said:

My speculation is that Silvio is likely 6'8" barefoot now and done growing.

Sounds like we are in complete agreement then actually. And I feel his size is completely fine for a college 4.

@Lulufulu

I don't think he will play like either TRob or Randle. If I squint my eyes, I can see the mix of these players together; TRob's hustle and Randle's skill set. But the truth is, Silvio's skill set is very different from Randle's and even his hustle looks different from TRob.

I'm not sure why we always have to connect new recruits with old players. It really isn't fair to Silvio. He isn't going to match expectations of either TRob or Randle because his game is different. He is very likely to surpass both players if we can keep him in Lawrence long enough.

He really needs to stick around at least two years. Three years would be insanely helpful to us if his development progression comes along as expected.

I don't like to add any additional pressure to incoming freshmen... but I see Silvio as our best post prospect for development since JoJo! I am still pinching myself on this unexpected, quick commitment!

drgnslayr said:

I don't like to add any additional pressure to incoming freshmen... but I see Silvio as our best post prospect for development since JoJo! I am still pinching myself on this unexpected, quick commitment!

At one point he was top 5 in this class. I agree he will be absolutely great for the team if he stays more than one year. Even just for next year he should help the front court tremendously to bridge to the 19 class.

@drgnslayr Nice!