Cliff Expectations vs Hamady

May 30, 2018
270
201
43
While we all have high hopes, the expectations for Cliff really vary on this board.

If you could sign a piece of paper for Cliff's career #s and trajectory to mirror Hamady's would you sign it or would that be a disappointment in your eyes?

I would sign it in a second.
 

RUich

All-Conference
Aug 2, 2001
13,552
4,003
0
Not being anything close to a basketball expert, I am thinking a kid getting this much praise from people who are knowledgeable on this is important.
Unlike so many kids who need to be coached up, my guess is that he will be important on both sides of the court. He is the kind of player that makes the other team change what they do.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rubigtimenow

ColonelRutgers

All-American
Dec 15, 2003
7,096
9,247
113
While we all have high hopes, the expectations for Cliff really vary on this board.

If you could sign a piece of paper for Cliff's career #s and trajectory to mirror Hamady's would you sign it or would that be a disappointment in your eyes?

I would sign it in a second.
No. Hamady was obviously a great shot blocker over a four year career but totally one dimensional in my memory.
 
Feb 5, 2003
10,969
9,371
113
That would be great if Cliff is at least around the Hamady level in time, but I agree that we hope for more from him offense. Hamady was a 2nd round pick so that is nothing to sneeze at.
 

RUJMM78

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
26,199
12,455
113
I don't think Cliff views college as more than 2-3 years which means he must produce quickly before playing in the NBA.
 

Scarlet Blind_rivals

All-Conference
Aug 5, 2001
4,605
4,666
62
Hamady 7'0 235 Fr. 2.7 pts 2.9 rebs. 1.7 blocks
#69 ranked in class of 06
Cliff 6'10 230 ??? HS. 14.5 pts 11.8 rebs 5.6 blocks
Top 50 this year

Couldn't find old HS stats for Hamady but found listed 15pts, 10rebs, 10blks as one of his better HS games, think Cliff had 20/20/10 in one game this year. Cliff's defense is ahead of his offense right now, and he should put up better numbers than N'Diaye's freshman year. Watching old Hamady videos and seeing Cliff now, Cliff's upside is much higher than Hamady's was, Cliff has more bounce and mobility. I think Cliff will work and develop an outside shot with the basketball center Rutgers has now. Defensively, he might get near N'Diaye's record for blocks if he's here 4 years, just depends on how long it takes to develop an outside game.
 

RU_DIO

Heisman
Sep 1, 2002
16,883
17,117
113
Always remember people saying Hamady needed to get stronger. Apparently Cliff is pretty strong right now without putting a lot of time at it. I guess he will be a beast after going through our S&C
 
  • Like
Reactions: satnom and Scangg

Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
113
Cliff is more athletic and mobile and will be a much better player with the players around him letting Cliff excel
 

RU82

Heisman
Jun 7, 2001
31,314
30,678
113
I loved Hamady who developed into a very capable center during his four years at Rutgers.

Like Hamady when he came to the banks, Cliff needs of a fair amount of fundamental development in all aspects of the game. But Cliff is more of a pure athlete who plays like he wants to break the rim when he dunks. It’s easier to imagine Cliff developing into a dominant college player if he puts in the work.
 
  • Like
Reactions: satnom and Scangg

4theknights

Senior
Mar 9, 2012
727
751
73
I think Cliff's far surpasses Hamady mainly because Cliff will be going up against Myles in practice every day. Plus, I think our staff does a nice job in developing BIGS and we have guards that can feed Cliff for some slams. I would expect Cliff's game to develop offensively but in the beginning he will be a defensive stalwart and rim protector. I so enjoyed how well we played on defense and with Cliff it will only get better.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Loyal-Son
A

anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy

Guest
I think Hamady is a great comparison. Cliff is very limited offensively right now, he's going to take time to develop on that end of the floor
 

RUJMM78

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
26,199
12,455
113
Oh really? How do you come to that conclusion?
He has already stated his goal is to play in the NBA.How fast he can improve on offense will be a determining factor on how long he stays which is no different than what other top tier recruits do after playing in college for a couple years.Nobody knows how quickly Cliff will adapt to college level competition and that is what makes his playing for Rutgers so exciting.
 

RUAEPI

Sophomore
Dec 6, 2005
2,068
168
0
If Cliff can improve like Hamady did, wow. Cliff is more rounded coming into college. Hamady was athletic, but raw.
 

Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
113
I think Hamady is a great comparison. Cliff is very limited offensively right now, he's going to take time to develop on that end of the floor
There are some similarities in skillset strengths and weaknesses. Cliff appears to be a more natural fluid explosive athlete. His frame and type of athleticism translates better to today's game. Higher upside
 
  • Like
Reactions: bossnj1

littlenis5

All-Conference
Jun 21, 2004
1,483
1,012
113
I think people forget how weak H was as a freshman. I remember going to the Barn to watch summer league and he literally couldn’t land after dunking (or trying and missing) on several occasions because his legs were so frail. I think on day 1 Cliff will have a stronger physical base.

But make no mistake - shot blocking is a skill that is hard to teach, and Hamady was incredible at it once his legs were under him. He was the kind of guy that his presence alone made guys miss if they felt his presence.

Hopefully Cliff can be 75% of the shot blocker H was. He surpasses H as a player if his hands are decent enough to catch pocket passes, snares rebounds, and can move his feet defensively defending screens.
 

Night Man

All-Conference
Jan 8, 2006
29,783
3,710
113
At first I would like it a lot with Myles ahead of him. After Myles is gone, H-like offensive production would probably fall a little short of what we'd need to continue playing tournament level ball. Gotta remember that Hamady played on really bad teams -- as in we didn't make the conference tournament his first two years and weren't appreciably better the last two -- and we were relatively content getting defense and some putbacks from him because there were so many other gaping holes on the team.
 

Scarlet Blind_rivals

All-Conference
Aug 5, 2001
4,605
4,666
62
Watching how hard he works at the high school level on IG posts and stories he's been posting last couple weeks, Cliff is going to be an impact freshman from day 1. His work ethic is second to none, each set of reps is designed to strengthen a different basketball skill set. You can see why he is a consensus top 50, and his ceiling is so high only started playing this game in 2016. He is a better person, seeing that video they posted with Cliff seeing his brother for the first time in 6 years on Senior Night at RC.
 
  • Like
Reactions: soundcrib

Knights 1212

All-American
Sep 9, 2003
27,553
8,487
113
Personally I think Cliff is much more athletic now than what Hamady was as a freshman. Hamady always blocked shots but early in his career he didn't have great footwork or move so well. As a senior he was very good and made it to the NBA. Cliff I think has a higher upside but we must be patient with him. His offensive game should definitely improve under our staff. He is already very good on the defensive end.