Is There ANY Doubt that this Needs to be our Starting Center Next Year?

TheAssignment9

All-Conference
Apr 8, 2024
536
1,239
93

18.6 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 36% from 3FG, 59% from the field.

Had a Win Share of 5.3 this year as a FRESHMAN! For comparison, Yaxel was top-10 in America in this metric this year at 6.2.

Don't give me "whiff", looking for real discussion!

Jack Pilgrim said tonight on Sources Say that he is hearing he could be had by UK at the right price.

This is the type of dude that you throw the bank at.

 

Smeegs

All-Conference
Nov 19, 2025
505
1,377
93

18.6 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 36% from 3FG, 59% from the field.

Had a Win Share of 5.3 this year as a FRESHMAN! For comparison, Yaxel was top-10 in America in this metric this year at 6.2.

Don't give me "whiff", looking for real discussion!

Jack Pilgrim said tonight on Sources Say that he is hearing he could be had by UK at the right price.

This is the type of dude that you throw the bank at.



He’s now being projected as a first rounder in NBA mock drafts, so it’s doubtful that he’ll even be in college ball next season.
 

TheAssignment9

All-Conference
Apr 8, 2024
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He’s now being projected as a first rounder in NBA mock drafts, so it’s doubtful that he’ll even be in college ball next season.

A few articles are saying if he isn't guaranteed a lottery (which he isn't by any means) that he would entertain coming back to college.

And if Jack Pilgrim is hearing he would be open to UK if the price is right, I'd say there's more than a chance.
 
Jun 30, 2025
449
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Is he an NBA draft prospect?

6'9 4-man averaging 11 PPG and 6RPG off the bench in the WCC doesn't scream NBA to me, but I'd take him if he was willing to play a rotational role. He can't be our starting PF though.
He is prone to fouling right now, limiting his minutes.

His offensive rating is 135 and is shooting over 40% from 3. His steal rate is elite for any player, even more so for a 4. Wouldn’t be surprised if he gets NBA looks. His box score plus/minus is among the best in college basketball.
 

NociHTTP

Heisman
Mar 8, 2023
12,158
19,065
113
Yeah I'd take him
James Franco Flirt GIF


J/K
 
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Cowtown Cat

Heisman
Aug 23, 2015
23,959
54,338
100
How sad that this is what this staff has to resort to.
Meh, who cares?! I’d much rather have a proven high level D1 player than an unproven freshman. Again, there’s tons of teams winning at an elite level with exactly zero elite freshmen. Give me the proven, experienced player any day of the week.
 

SkyPrince

Senior
Jul 7, 2025
533
901
93
A few articles are saying if he isn't guaranteed a lottery (which he isn't by any means) that he would entertain coming back to college.

And if Jack Pilgrim is hearing he would be open to UK if the price is right, I'd say there's more than a chance.
What option does Jack really have right now other than to discuss hypothetical situations?
 

SkyPrince

Senior
Jul 7, 2025
533
901
93
Is he an NBA draft prospect?

6'9 4-man averaging 11 PPG and 6RPG off the bench in the WCC doesn't scream NBA to me, but I'd take him if he was willing to play a rotational role. He can't be our starting PF though.
He put up 11/9 on the Zags tonight.
Moreno, Jelly, and Garrison combined for 10/8 against them.
If Moreno is good enough to be your starting center then Graves is more than good enough to be the starting PF.
 

SkyPrince

Senior
Jul 7, 2025
533
901
93
Meh, who cares?! I’d much rather have a proven high level D1 player than an unproven freshman. Again, there’s tons of teams winning at an elite level with exactly zero elite freshmen. Give me the proven, experienced player any day of the week.
He would be a soph.
The days of the 5th yr Sr in the portal are gone.
Pope's first class had 6 5th year guys.
Last year had zero.
This year will probably have zero.
You would have a hard time finding anyone in the portal better than Steinbach.
Moot point though because he's NBA bound.
 
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TheAssignment9

All-Conference
Apr 8, 2024
536
1,239
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He put up 11/9 on the Zags tonight.
Moreno, Jelly, and Garrison combined for 10/8 against them.
If Moreno is good enough to be your starting center then Graves is more than good enough to be the starting PF.

But you're missing the point.

We need to UPGRADE our talent.

Guess what? Jelly and BG aren't good enough. So your argument saying "this guy is every bit as good as them or could maybe even be a bit better" isn't good enough.

Now Jelly can still develop and get a lot better, but for next year, this Graves kid better not be our starting PF. More decisions like that will lead to another year like this year.

Our WHOLE issue this year is that Pope went and got a bunch of 6th men from other teams/leagues and expected them to make huge jumps.

So your solution is to go get a 6th man from the WCC and make him our starting PF? THAT sounds like the best option to you?

That has 9th place in the SEC all over again written on it.

Now if he wants to come in for an Ansley Almonor type role off the bench? Sign me up.
 

Ukwazoo3

All-Conference
Jul 6, 2025
620
1,329
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Since we completely removed ourselves from recruiting high schoolers this year, this guy could definitely play for us. How's his game log? Pretty consistent?
 

cornbreadnmilk

All-Conference
Nov 5, 2025
1,035
3,265
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What makes people think Pope would have a shot at him? He couldn't get his top portal targets either.
 

bnewt5

Junior
Feb 17, 2026
289
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Even a blind squirrel finds a nut some times
Watched Washington a few times, this guyis pretty good
 

Smeegs

All-Conference
Nov 19, 2025
505
1,377
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6'9 starting center?
Steinbach is 6’11”. And he’s legit. A damn solid big man on both the offensive and defensive ends (which is why he’s now being projected as an NBA first rounder).

Although this thread is a bit hard to follow. Someone else posted about Allen Graves, and now some posts are about one guy and some about the other.
 
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Jkr21790

Senior
Apr 21, 2015
1,043
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In a perfect world. We’d get Stokes. Steinbach. A true 15 and 5 PG in the portal. A SG who can take 7 3’s a game and shoot over 40% and a big physical PF to backup.

Transfer PG / Lowe
Chandler / Transfer shooter / Jasper
Dink / Kam / Hawthorne / Noah
Stokes / transfer (rebounder/defender
Steinbach / Moreno / Potter
 

theKybluedude

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
628
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Word is JQ is going to return at a low price in gratitude to repay UK back for all their support and show the NBA his knee is fully healed.
 
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megablue

Heisman
Oct 2, 2012
15,515
15,551
113
What makes people think Pope would have a shot at him? He couldn't get his top portal targets either.
Pope transferred to Kentucky from Washington after his Sophomore year. Perhaps Pope can talk up what a great move that was for him.
Steinbach can DEFINITELY run the floor, no question !! He may well be NBA ready and talking about getting him is a moot point.


 
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Johnnie Africa

All-Conference
Feb 27, 2003
797
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I’m fine with Moreno next year. We really really need an upgrade to the 4 spot, need a 3 man, and need a PG.
 

Smeegs

All-Conference
Nov 19, 2025
505
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Pope transferred to Kentucky from Washington after his Sophomore year. Perhaps Pope can talk up what a great move that was for him.
Steinbach can DEFINITELY run the floor, no question !! He may well be NBA ready and talking about getting him is a moot point.



Yeah, his speed is what jumps out to me. You don’t often see 6’11” white dudes that run like this guy. He’s an impressive prospect.
 
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