New Center in the Portal

[LawDegreeandFishbowls]

Josh Gray from LSU announced he is heading to the portal (Freshman, 6'11 C). I know he was on our list of offers last year. Seems like if he is willing to accept the backup role to Cliff with guaranteed minutes as his spell he could be a perfect fit. Not sure if he would be willing to take a guaranteed backup role though.

 

[Knights 1212]

I don't know how good he really is. He only played in 10 games all season for a total of 8 points as a frosh in 33 minutes. He shot 3-6 on field goals and was 2-7 on foul shots and I think he had 12 rebounds. I realize that there were not many OOC games to gain playing time so who knows. He averaged I think 9.8 ppg in high school at Putnam Academy in Connecticut and almost 9 rpg and 2 blocks per game. Putnam did win a couple Prep National Championships.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

I can see Gray ending up on the banks.

https://www.btpowerhouse.com/recrui...all-recruiting-center-josh-gray-scout-profile

 

[Igniteshield]

@Richard Schnyderite any interest here?

 

[soundcrib]

Josh Gray is exactly the type of player we're looking for.

 

[MV9000]

Sign him up. Will be a back up; will see more floor than at LSU. Believe we were close on him in high school recruiting

 

[ScarletR30]

This seems like a pike player. He loves his 7 footers. He could fill the backup role perfectly....we just need some bodies at the 5

 

[seels2662]

I don't know how good he really is. He only played in 10 games all season for a total of 8 points as a frosh in 33 minutes. He shot 3-6 on field goals and was 2-7 on foul shots and I think he had 12 rebounds. I realize that there were not many OOC games to gain playing time so who knows. He averaged I think 9.8 ppg in high school at Putnam Academy in Connecticut and almost 9 rpg and 2 blocks per game. Putnam did win a couple Prep National Championships.

So so few centers come in their freshman year and be a major contributor. I don't think its fair to judge him based on that. He has to know he comes in with 15-20 minutes per game on a team that went to the NCAAs so that may appeal to him.

 

[hoquat63]

Hope he and Hyatt were buddies

 

[TDIrish27]

Agreed

With most Bigs you have to be patient as they're Developmental Players for the most part.

 

[soundcrib]

Let’s go Steve! Get this done!

 

[RUChoppin]

I think this might be a good get as a backup to Omoruyi - has really good size at 6-11/255 when we need to bang with a bigger body, and wouldn't be expecting to come in and start. Also already has a year of S&C and major conference practice reps (and some game reps) to get up to game speed, so he's not starting completely from zero.

He was a fouling machine last year at 7 fouls in just 33 game minutes, but that's something freshman bigs frequently struggle with until they get up to speed with development. And any of his stats with just 33 game minutes aren't really useful.

Already a relationship there since we offered him, and possibly a relationship with Hyatt to leverage?

 

[Degaz-RU]

I'd rather take a one-year portal rental than bank on a kid who barely played as a true freshman. We need to know that the 15 mpg we have available for a backup big will be taken by a reliable guy.

Gray would be a good long-term prospect, but he doesn't fit what I think we need for this coming season.

 

[YoucancallmeRay]

Josh Gray from LSU announced he is heading to the portal (Freshman, 6'11 C). I know he was on our list of offers last year. Seems like if he is willing to accept the backup role to Cliff with guaranteed minutes as his spell he could be a perfect fit. Not sure if he would be willing to take a guaranteed backup role though.

I don't see why a backup role for this kid should even be mentioned to him. He needs to be told that he's going to compete with Cliff for starter's minutes, as he should. If he plays better than Cliff, so be it. It could only make both of them better. I like this pickup if we get him.

 

[RUDead]

Interesting development. Would love to get this kid.

 

[seels2662]

I just looked at his profile, forgot this kid comes from Brooklyn. Now this makes a natural fit

 

[RUSCFORMERLYRULOU]

Or perhaps Gray at 5 Cliff at 4?

 

[BIGRUBIGDBIGredmachine]

Sounds like a good fit for him and RU, solid backup p/t guaranteed and maybe some twin towers minutes too.

 

[ScarletLongIsland_rivals]

I can see Gray ending up on the banks.

https://www.btpowerhouse.com/recrui...all-recruiting-center-josh-gray-scout-profile

The article says he is from Saint James, NY which is directly next door to Stony Brook. ....just saying

 

[PiscatawayMike]

I think we'll be battling it out with UConn, St. John's, and Seton Hall for Gray. I get the impression he wants to come back to the tri-state area. No insider knowledge. Just a guess.

 

[kcg88]

I'd rather take a one-year portal rental than bank on a kid who barely played as a true freshman. We need to know that the 15 mpg we have available for a backup big will be taken by a reliable guy.

Gray would be a good long-term prospect, but he doesn't fit what I think we need for this coming season.

In the transfer portal era, everyone is a one-year rental.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

His final schools before selecting LSU in July 2020, was Providence, Seton Hall, LSU, Auburn and West Virginia....others with offers and interest were RU (before Cliff to RU was going to happen), South Carolina, St John's and UConn.

In a way, without knowing much about where he wants to go after LSU, I agree that being from Bklyn, having spent the last 9 months or so on the same roster as Hyatt, can help. He plays a little different version of the 5, but is a definite 16 to 24 minutes a game player if Cliff gets into foul trouble.

Most of the schools on his list have already filled their needs via the portal, which is always again, the ridiculous notion that something has to be done the fastest or you somehow lose out on "the best prospects".

Gray fits exactly what RU needs, much more than Paulicap and certainly much better than some of the other bigs that RU didn't show interest in. A one year rental guy doesn't change your recruiting board or focus, because if you have a 1 year guy, great.....but you still need a long term answer beyond 2021-22.

I would sign up for Grey today, if he has interest and vice versa.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

I think we'll be battling it out with UConn, St. John's, and Seton Hall for Gray. I get the impression he wants to come back to the tri-state area. No insider knowledge. Just a guess.

UConn has too many bigs and Seton Hall has taken 2 in the portal this cycle....St John's I could see making sense, but it's not the right system for a big......this is a B1G caliber player where his size and development will matter more than the helter-skelter, fast paced St John's system, which is guard/wing focused.

 

[bowlgoal]

I wanted him as well as Hyatt when we were recruiting them both. I think he can fit in nicely

 

[Knights 1212]

I never pre judged him. I just gave his stats. I also mentioned that he hardly had any OOC games. I also know well that many 7 footers or tall centers take longer to develop. I also thought of him being a teammate of Hyatt's so maybe he could be a pleasant surprise for us. I also think that we recruited him 2 years ago might help as well as his home being so close to New Jersey. I have faith in Steve that he will do what is best for RU. It would be nice to have another very big center and he just might really develop into someone special.

 

[GM]

Definitely an intriguing player, but I question whether we want to bring in another long term center project when we more need an impact player this coming season + it could hurt us in recruiting bigs in the future (Clingan, Aire).

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

There’s no such thing as a long term project anymore with the portal. If the kid can contribute next year he should be pursued. If the kid turns out to be so good that it impacts the decision of next year recruits well that’s a great problem to have. If the kid comes in and doesn’t do much he’ll probably transfer again anyway to a low major.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Definitely an intriguing player, but I question whether we want to bring in another long term center project when we more need an impact player this coming season + it could hurt us in recruiting bigs in the future (Clingan, Aire).

If Aire was committed, then yes you can argue on passing on targeting a Josh Gray......but without knowing what the staff has in mind, is part of the guessing game.......but Clingan is not headed anywhere else other than Michigan or maybe someone else higher on his list.

 

[TDIrish27]

Agreed

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

I don't see why a backup role for this kid should even be mentioned to him. He needs to be told that he's going to compete with Cliff for starter's minutes, as he should. If he plays better than Cliff, so be it. It could only make both of them better. I like this pickup if we get him.

Absolutely, if he comes he competes to be the starter. The better player starts. You just dont hand the starting job to Omoruyi if Gray is better.

As Pikiell says....Play the best, be fair to the rest.

 

[Knightmoves]

I like the tandem of Gray and Reiber backing up Cliff. They will both get minutes for us.

 

[Anon1751594821]

I can see Gray ending up on the banks.

https://www.btpowerhouse.com/recrui...all-recruiting-center-josh-gray-scout-profile

Gray would be a great pickup if he chooses us. Looking at his high school highlights, he shows lots of potential.

Best of Luck,
Groz

 

[Scarlet Blind_rivals]

Now we know why. Efton Reid, a 5 star Center for 2021, has committed to LSU.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Absolutely, if he comes he competes to be the starter. The better player starts. You just dont hand the starting job to Omoruyi if Gray is better.

As Pikiell says....Play the best, be fair to the rest.

He says that, but some players have more rope than others. I think we saw that last year. Plus, I believe, Duke was handed the starting job as a freshman.

 

[ScarletLongIsland_rivals]

 

[soundcrib]

I just have a feeling...

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

I just have a feeling...

....that he is going to St. Johns

I finished it for you.

 

[BIGRUBIGDBIGredmachine]

RU not too interested reportedly

 

[soundcrib]

....that he is going to St. Johns

I finished it for you.

Damn.

 

[RC80]

Don't know this player versus the other 5's in the portal; but we bring up chemistry and question if certain guys get along after we lose 4 straight; we need another center - I think most agree with that - but would rather this staff take the time needed to vet out best fit versus best player; and hopefully we end up with both. If nobody is still on this roster by end of summer - then I'll be concerned.