🏀 KuBuckets Archive

The best player on our team is in town. Better than Doke. Better than Devon. And who says he's better? He does. We've got our latest prima donna gracing us with his presence. He knows we have a need, so he explains it this way:

“All the schools that are on me heavy are schools that need a wing,” The 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward recently said in an Instagram Live interview with Tipton Edits. “That’s what I’m really going off now, schools that are really in need of me.”

So, how would he help KU ?

“My plans for college are not to come in and sit,” he said. “I feel like I’m the best player on every school I’m considering, so I just want to make an impact and win.”

Wow... how could we live without that? He's not here to sit, and since he is the BEST player of OSU, Florida, North Carolina, and of course...KU, how could we not play him 40 minutes every game? I don't know how we've ever managed without him before now. Love that attitude - we "sure" need him.

Love the confidence. He also said he wasnt a OAD and wanted College to develop himself. Ill take that type of player all day

@BeddieKU23 I don't remember Josh or Wigs saying they were best. Maybe he is the hoopty doo.

BeddieKU23 said:

Love the confidence. He also said he wasnt a OAD and wanted College to develop himself. Ill take that type of player all day

I've seen nothing other than that he is a great kid.

I am glad he has that edge - -he better have confidence -every player should have that, if you don't have confidence in your game then your screwed. No reason for him NOT to think he is the best player. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

Q was a great kid...then Bill pulled him out of a few games, and now he's transferring. I'm not saying Jalen isn't a great kid, but give me a Silvio, a Devonte, a Mcbride any day of the week...

@KUSTEVE From people down in Texas I've seen posts that Grimes and Wilson could not be more different.

Here is a snippet from a guy that knows some of the teachers and coaches down there

"Fun fact........
My source (without any prompting) said he wasn't worried about Grimes coming back, because Grimes is soft, and Jalen would fight him for his minutes anyways. "

@BShark Sounds about right for Grimes. The district he played in during HS is not known as a great basketball district. He was never really challenged in HS and his HS teams weren't good for having a player of Grimes caliber on the roster.

@Texas-Hawk-10 Have you also heard that he almost quit HS basketball early on? Saw that rumor as well but the poster it came from doesn't have the same good reputation of info.

@BShark I'm glad he's going to be better than Q. Will his attitude be better, too? I get it...we need outside shooting. But after RJ and Q, I'm pretty much done with the drama queens. If he wants to come in and be a part of a really good team, then I'll welcome him with open arms. If he walks in thinking he's the big shit, demanding playing time, I would just as soon see him sign with the Tarholes.

@BShark I hadn't heard that one, but I wouldn't rule it out either because his HS team was only good his senior year in a really weak district.

KUSTEVE said:

@BShark I'm glad he's going to be better than Q. Will his attitude be better, too? I get it...we need outside shooting. But after RJ and Q, I'm pretty much done with the drama queens. If he wants to come in and be a part of a really good team, then I'll welcome him with open arms. If he walks in thinking he's the big shit, demanding playing time, I would just as soon see him sign with the Tarholes.

Think your confusing Confidence with Arrogance . - Nothing wrong - - Again with confidence, don't even really when it comes down to it think he is demanding anything - tell me any player that would rather sit then start? - -just simple the kid has game and not afraid of competition, and has edge to back it up - I have 100 % confidence Jalen would/will be just fine here. - -I think if he does commit , he will walk right in and start anyways - -not really sure who else would fit that spot with the type of athlete he is , I would have to say if he plays the 3 I just don't think there is anyone else on the roster at this point that would be better then him - -and with his outside shooting ability - -again better then anyone else - I think it would be a no brainer - he can stretch the floor, handles the ball decent has nice stroke - we gonna be ok. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

Yeahhh... that’s arrogance really

He is coming to theoretically play with a great team coached by a hall of famer. Good thing that he can teach our coach and program how to do things right.

KUSTEVE said:

@BeddieKU23 I don't remember Josh or Wigs saying they were best. Maybe he is the hoopty doo.

Josh Jackson absolutely had that swagger and mentality even of he never verbalized it.

I like a guy that is border line cocky as long as he has a competitive nature.

Watched some Jalen Wilson videos and had a couple thoughts.

Plays below the rim and falls down a lot. Pace of games pretty slow, low level of competition. From what I saw he didn't display the athleticism of most of the kids on our team.

Nice shot. That would be helpful. But he won't be the best player on our team. Role player. Kind of like a B Greene. Game seems one dimensional at this point.

Seems like a decent kid when he did talk. I didnt get an overly arrogant vibe.

approxinfinity said:

Watched some Jalen Wilson videos and had a couple thoughts.

Plays below the rim and falls down a lot. Pace of games pretty slow, low level of competition. From what I saw he didn't display the athleticism of most of the kids on our team.

Nice shot. That would be helpful. But he won't be the best player on our team. Role player. Kind of like a B Greene. Game seems one dimensional at this point.

Seems like a decent kid when he did talk. I didnt get an overly arrogant vibe.

I've mentioned it before but Brannen Greene but w/o the knucklehead. Not surprised to see others thinking the same comp.

@approxinfinity falls down a lot, B G?😳

Can't dribble, steps out of bounds, therefore he always looks👀 down at his his feet before he does anything. He can shoot! Can't play D. No mo slow guys! Talking BG

@Texas-Hawk-10 Those that can do, those that can't talk...

@jayballer73 Not confused...lol. Time will tell...lol...

Watch the best player "D" up on Jahmius Ramsey ...

[

Beard recruits grown ass men. Wilson is a deep bench player next year if he comes to KU. Seems Enanura is more advanced. Both could be decent stretch 4s in time.

Next year's team needs a wing and a PG more. I think the comment by Jalen about wanting to go where there is an opportunity to play immediately indicates that it isn't Kansas.

@KUSTEVE Mercy man you sure put out a quick Vendetta against a kid just because he said he was the best. - What do you want him to say? - -I'm no good don't recruit me, don't waste your time I'm not worth a shit? - ya that's it - much better to hear him say that.

How many others do you think the same - - what should they think? - if they lack that confidence , -- then I don't want them - I have seen way to many timid - - none aggressive - - kids here it about makes me sick. - example - -way to many players to many times had wide open slams and they wanted to finger roll the ball of the backboard little flips - end up getting it slammed off the board - got so sick of that crap.

Instead of when the opportunity came up - instead of taking it home finishing - they wanted to be more like Wee Willie Wonkie - -If the kid has got game and can back it up - -then so be it - nothing wrong with having some edge - -Cockiness - -attitude - -also shows opposing players that he isn't takin any of their bullshit.

Anyone happen to remember the Morris twins? - -how many times did Ku as a team about get into fights on the floor because of them -- -that's attitude - -love it. - -you got edge & attitude awesome - -you can have attitude and not be dirty player like Tripper boy -- there is NOT ONE THING WRONG with thinking your a good player - -a really good player - I know I sure the hell don't want any of my players if I were coaching I wouldn't want it any other way

@approxinfinity I don't see where Wilson is any better than Enaruna to be honest, maybe a somewhat better shooter. What would he give us besides a body that we don't already have in Enaruna and Braun?

These recruits are poked and prodded to say about anything... Here's what I mean...

@jayballer73 Vendetta? Nope, just keeping it real...lol. I think he's a tweener... I think he is too slow to defend the 3. I think he doesn't seem to want to play the 4. He shoots the 3 ball well. If he comes aboard, I think that forces Ochai into time at the 2, and I would prefer we have a better ball handler at the 2. I think he will hurt Ochai's development. Although we certainly need outside shooting, I don't think this guy is going to be a great fit. I hope his "best player" remark was confident bravado, and not some line that RJ's daddy told him to say. I hope if he comes aboard, and he doesn't start a game, that he doesn't go hit the transfer portal right away. He could end up being this year's version of Q... a guy that looks good at times, but has down times, and doesn't take well to the team concept. I don't personally dislike him, but if he doesn't defend well, and Marcus takes his spot, I think we could have another transfer portal moment.

Lets get one more ball handler, then tell the NCAA we are self-disciplining for [single scholarship offense of their choice] and "take away" our last scholarship.

I know you had some pushback on this @KUSTEVE but I tend to agree. I prefer the humility route. Of course there's examples of kids with both sorts of personalities who succeed so it does come down to, 'can you throw it in the hoop and keep them from doing so?'.

KUSTEVE said:

@jayballer73 Vendetta? Nope, just keeping it real...lol. I think he's a tweener... I think he is too slow to defend the 3. I think he doesn't seem to want to play the 4. He shoots the 3 ball well. If he comes aboard, I think that forces Ochai into time at the 2, and I would prefer we have a better ball handler at the 2. I think he will hurt Ochai's development. Although we certainly need outside shooting, I don't think this guy is going to be a great fit. I hope his "best player" remark was confident bravado, and not some line that RJ's daddy told him to say. I hope if he comes aboard, and he doesn't start a game, that he doesn't go hit the transfer portal right away. He could end up being this year's version of Q... a guy that looks good at times, but has down times, and doesn't take well to the team concept. I don't personally dislike him, but if he doesn't defend well, and Marcus takes his spot, I think we could have another transfer portal moment.

With having said all that, I think I'll trust the Coaching staffs judgement on the kid. - -I mean if he is as bad or possible determent , as some think he might be , kind of makes you wonder WHY the Coaching staff would be on this kid as hard as they are. - - Can't say because of the need for a player at the 3 -which is by the way they are recruiting him for - If they didn't think he was worth the time - - they wouldn't have tried to get him here the 1st time. - - They have been given the 2nd opportunity to get him to come play. Hopefully he will commit.

As far as his remarks about being the best - - once again I am glad he feel that way , it's a kid with lots of confidence , that feel she has what it takes , a kid that sure the hell won't be scared off from competition - THAT'S what I want a competitor - Ochai needs to be at the 2 - -not the 3 , I don't think Jalen's dad has told Jalen anything other then backing him and giving him support. - Me as a farther I would want my boy to have that confidence - gonna go a lot further in life - - not only now but later on in life on top of it all. - -Confidence plays a huge part in life to succeed. - -He better be confidence - I'm good with the way he is. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

For the opposite, see the article I posted recently in the McBride thread.

@jayballer73 I still love ya, man...lol. Myself, i'd rather go after a Cumberland, or somebody that plans on being here for multiple years, but that's what makes the whole process so delicious ...i love it!

KUSTEVE said:

@jayballer73 I still love ya, man...lol. Myself, i'd rather go after a Cumberland, or somebody that plans on being here for multiple years, but that's what makes the whole process so delicious ...i love it!

Wilson is a multi-year guy. Might even be 4 years which is part of what makes him a big recruit imo.

@BShark If that's the case, and he's willing to come off the bench, then I would feel better about him.

I think his comment is being a little overblown. I have no problem with kids making statements like this before they hit campus. I think what sticks out to me is he knows his value right away especially at KU. It's hard to imagine he starts over Agbaji or Garrett at this point but there is a 15-20 + minute role available that would otherwise go to another freshman or two. So if he's okay with immediate playing time as the first wing off the bench until he proves to the coaches that his value exceeds one of our veterans that seems like a perfect marriage. Who starts the game isn't the same as who finishes especially with Self. Wilson does have skills that KU needs immediately and in the rotation. I hope that he agrees

I'm always okay with the guys who "talk the talk" if they can back it up by "walking the walk." That doesn't mean he has to come here and be a superstar in year one. It just means he has to come here and give his all. That is the most we can expect from any player. These players can chatter plenty and I'm fine with that. It merely puts more pressure on themselves to go prove it. Ambition is a good thing!

I personally would compare him to a Perry Ellis with a more developed shot coming in. He's closer to Perry's size being 6'8 than BG's 6'6 and BG was never really put at the 4. He looks fairly long to me and could be a solid guy if he puts in work.

@kjayhawks maybe, but Perry was a way more decorated High School player and valedictorian. It remains to be seen if he has Perry's smarts and work ethic.

approxinfinity said:

@kjayhawks maybe, but Perry was a way more decorated High School player and valedictorian. It remains to be seen if he has Perry's smarts and work ethic.

Man, we would have been so screwed if Ellis wasn't around his junior and senior year.

https://247sports.com/college/kansas/Article/KU-basketball-David-McCormack-honors-memory-late-grandmother-who-died-of-cancer-133183280/ ↗

@BShark Very touching story. Thanks for posting the link.