How good is Christian Gurdak going to be this season?

[RUfan1977]

It’s just one game and Luigi Suigo may be overrated, but Gurdak’s exhibition game was impressive. According to early big boards, such as NBA Draft Room and Tankathon, Luigi Suigo (who Gurdak matched up against) is ranked as the number 1 center and a projected lottery pick in the 2027 NBA draft.

Gurdak responded by scoring 19 points, shooting 50% from the field and grabbing 8 rebounds without picking up a single foul.
He matched Luigi’s shooting % from the field, matched him in rebounds, and outscored him 19 to 10. Luigi was limited to 10 points. 8 rebounds and picked up 3 fouls. Luigi did have 3 blocks to Gurdak’s single block. Overall they seemed to be closely matched as Luigi’s blocks and defensive presence countered Gurdak’s higher scoring.

 

[MCKnight]

Good enough that we will worry about retaining him next year… will command a lot of NIL. And vultures will be circling

 

[RUdepressed]

He is short. We do not have a rim protector...again.

 

[hinson32]

Beware of Alyvdas Tenys. If you know you know.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

Beware of Alyvdas Tenys. If you know you know.

Bannon ruined him. Please, don't get me started...

 

[PiscatawayMike]

He is short. We do not have a rim protector...again.

He's 6-10. Far from short.

He played solid D. He won't get many blocks, though. Not much of a leaper. Old-timers like to say his vertical jump is equal to the thickness of a telephone book.

 

[RAC’emUp]

He's 6-10. Far from short.

He played solid D. He won't get many blocks, though. Not much of a leaper. Old-timers like to say his vertical jump is equal to the thickness of a telephone book.

He’s definitely not close to 6’10 So we won’t have a shot blocker and may be prone to dribble drives. On the other hand We may be able to run an inside out game because he definitely has skills. Certainly a good pick up.

 

[seansherm]

He's 6-10. Far from short.

He played solid D. He won't get many blocks, though. Not much of a leaper. Old-timers like to say his vertical jump is equal to the thickness of a telephone book.

6'8 tops probably.

 

[seansherm]

I liked what I saw, a little more offensive game than he showed last year. Defensive boards will be a struggle. Interested to see him against decent centers not on day 1.

 

[KnightTerrors]

It’s just one game and Luigi Suigo may be overrated, but Gurdak’s exhibition game was impressive. According to early big boards, such as NBA Draft Room and Tankathon, Luigi Suigo (who Gurdak matched up against) is ranked as the number 1 center and a projected lottery pick in the 2027 NBA draft.

Gurdak responded by scoring 19 points, shooting 50% from the field and grabbing 8 rebounds without picking up a single foul.
He matched Luigi’s shooting % from the field, matched him in rebounds, and outscored him 19 to 10. Luigi was limited to 10 points. 8 rebounds and picked up 3 fouls. Luigi did have 3 blocks to Gurdak’s single block. Overall they seemed to be closely matched as Luigi’s blocks and defensive presence countered Gurdak’s higher scoring.

Nova paid $4M for Suigo and I thought Gurdak played great against him.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I liked what I saw, a little more offensive game than he showed last year. Defensive boards will be a struggle. Interested to see him against decent centers not on day 1.

Considering we’ll have 5 fouls for 7 foot Buca to give coming off the bench, it’s not that concerning. We also didn’t have Sydnor who is expected to be a physical player at power forward. Even Ware looked playable. We’re in way better position in the frontcourt than we’ve been in a while overall.

 

[LotusAggressor_rivals]

Beware of Alyvdas Tenys. If you know you know.

I haven't forgotten.

 

[satnom]

Gurdak can ball and his work in the paint is going to open up things outside and those slashing to the basketball. Can you say double team?

Was concerned about how big he plays but he held the 7 fter in his place under the basket.

Along with Smith, great addition to the roster.

GO RU

 

[seansherm]

Considering we’ll have 5 fouls for 7 foot Buca to give coming off the bench, it’s not that concerning. We also didn’t have Sydnor who is expected to be a physical player at power forward. Even Ware looked playable. We’re in way better position in the frontcourt than we’ve been in a while overall.

I'm not convinced Buca will be on the court more than a couple minutes - which may bring those 5 fouls.

 

[RUChet]

We have no idea. It was an exhibition. Let’s we him in real game action vs high majors and then we’ll know

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

We have no idea. It was an exhibition. Let’s we him in real game action vs high majors and then we’ll know

It was a real game, just not regular season game and Villanova is certainly a high major.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

He's 6-10. Far from short.

He played solid D. He won't get many blocks, though. Not much of a leaper. Old-timers like to say his vertical jump is equal to the thickness of a telephone book.

Vertical is certainly more than a telephone book.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

It was a real game, just not regular season game and Villanova is certainly a high major.

100% - it’s real competition. When it comes to pre-season every kid is trying to prove themselves to earn minutes. Nobody isn’t “trying”.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

Vertical is certainly more than a telephone book.

It's a saying... not to be taken literally. It just means a player's leaping ability is not very strong.

His vertical is no more than 18 inches in the photo.

Position / Group	Average Vertical Jump	Key Characteristics
Guards	30 – 35+ inches	Higher reactivity, speed, and open-court bounce
Forwards	28 – 33 inches	Balanced power for rebounding and inside finishing
Centers	26 – 30 inches	Greater mass and height; lower absolute vertical requirement

 

[NightKnight]

It is a real competition but it is not played with game intensity. No fouls for Gurdak and the Nova big was also mostly going no contact. Part of the gentlemen's agreement in these things revolves around nobody wanting to get hurt in a scrimmage. That said, I can tell by the shine our new center has a lot of polish on his game. Very squared away. In the right spot, taking the right shot.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I'm not convinced Buca will be on the court more than a couple minutes - which may bring those 5 fouls.

I’m not either. My point was only that if we really need rim protection he could be an option. I’m hoping Sydnor adds enough interior defense that we won’t need to use Buca much.

 

[Atlasxal]

It was a real game, just not regular season game and Villanova is certainly a high major.

Yes indeed. Intensity was no different than a B1G game.

 

[RUdepressed]

He will not get defense rbounds without much better position.

 

[rob kight]

Nova paid $4M for Suigo and I thought Gurdak played great against him.

Too bad Buca was not available to play 5 minutes against Suigo

We have no idea. It was an exhibition. Let’s we him in real game action vs high majors and then we’ll know

I think both teams were playing like it was a real game. More substitutions than a regular game, but still a good test.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

It is a real competition but it is not played with game intensity. No fouls for Gurdak and the Nova big was also mostly going no contact. Part of the gentlemen's agreement in these things revolves around nobody wanting to get hurt in a scrimmage. That said, I can tell by the shine our new center has a lot of polish on his game. Very squared away. In the right spot, taking the right shot.

Obviously you did not watch this game.

Ask the players who dove on the court multiple times fighting for loose balls if it was played with intensity.

Ask Kaden Powers who was taken down hard on a breakaway dunk attempt if it was played with intensity.

 

[Knights2003]

I came away quite impressed with Gurdak. He has some really good footwork and has a nice touch around the rim and a little bit outside with those little floaters. I didn't like him taking 3 threes in the first half, but he didn't take any in the second half.

I also thought he held his own against Suigo. I had not heard of Suigo before this game and was not thoroughly impressed with his game. I am surprised that he is thought of a lottery pick. But If Suigo is supposed to be one of the toughest tests of the season, consider me even more optimistic for a successful season for Gurdak.

 

[NBKnight]

It is a real competition but it is not played with game intensity. No fouls for Gurdak and the Nova big was also mostly going no contact. Part of the gentlemen's agreement in these things revolves around nobody wanting to get hurt in a scrimmage. That said, I can tell by the shine our new center has a lot of polish on his game. Very squared away. In the right spot, taking the right shot.

Did you watch? Both team played hard, guys were hitting the floor for loose balls.

 

[RUChet]

It was a real game, just not regular season game and Villanova is certainly a high major.

No, it was an exhibition. It was not a real game. Real games count in your record, period.

 

[RUChet]

100% - it’s real competition. When it comes to pre-season every kid is trying to prove themselves to earn minutes. Nobody isn’t “trying”.

Don’t agree. It’s an exhibition for better or worse it doesn’t count and it’s not the same pressure as a real game

 

[RUChet]

Too bad Buca was not available to play 5 minutes against Suigo

I think both teams were playing like it was a real game. More substitutions than a regular game, but still a good test.

Simulated game yes. Better than a scrimmage yes. Real game
No. Even having more subs proves the point.

 

[RUChet]

Obviously you did not watch this game.

Ask the players who dove on the court multiple times fighting for loose balls if it was played with intensity.

Ask Kaden Powers who was taken down hard on a breakaway dunk attempt if it was played with intensity.

Nobody saying kids didn’t play hard. Both teams played their whole bench. This won’t happen in a regular season matchup between these two. That matters.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Nobody saying kids didn’t play hard. Both teams played their whole bench. This won’t happen in a regular season matchup between these two. That matters.

I mean - Diego and Chris each played a grand total of 3 minutes. Who else are you thinking of? We were missing 2 frontcourt players in Buca and Sydnor so Ware and Miteo would’ve likely played the same 11 and 8 minutes in a real game. Everyone else was going to play. We had 2 guards with 4 fouls in the game and no Tariq.

 

[RUChet]

I mean - Diego and Chris each played a grand total of 3 minutes. Who else are you thinking of? We were missing 2 frontcourt players in Buca and Sydnor so Ware and Miteo would’ve likely played the same 11 and 8 minutes in a real game. Everyone else was going to play. We had 2 guards with 4 fouls in the game and no Tariq.

Fair pt but exhibitions are exhibitions

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Fair pt but exhibitions are exhibitions

Okay - but I still think it provides an idea (perhaps even moreso than some of the early cupcake games).

 

[RUChet]

Okay - but I still think it provides an idea (perhaps even moreso than some of the early cupcake games).

Agree it’s a better indicator than the cupcakes

I do think Francis, Gurdak, smith and Sydnor are our 4 best players

TBD on guard #2…..

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Agree it’s a better indicator than the cupcakes

I do think Francis, Gurdak, smith and Sydnor are our 4 best players

TBD on guard #2…..

Yes agreed. Jones could be the best defensive player on the team.

 

[RUfan1977]

I'm not convinced Buca will be on the court more than a couple minutes - which may bring those 5 fouls.

If he is as good at blocking shots as they say, he may be a true 5. That is 5 points, 5 rebounds, 5 blocked or altered shots and 5 fouls in 5 minutes.

 

[RUfan1977]

Vertical is certainly more than a telephone book.

Great picture, the jump ball happened so fast that even though I was at the game, I had no idea how much Gurdak outjumped Luigi until I saw that picture.

 

[RUfan1977]

Obviously you did not watch this game.

Ask the players who dove on the court multiple times fighting for loose balls if it was played with intensity.

Ask Kaden Powers who was taken down hard on a breakaway dunk attempt if it was played with intensity.

Obviously you must be mistaken or simply imagining Powers being taken down hard given the Gentleman’s agreement not to be physical.

 

[Zebnatto1!]

He will not get defense rbounds without much better position.

Yeah, he was pushed around a bit.