2022 recruiting class

[mtgrizrule]

From a need, skills, and physical standpoint, I admit it, I'm liking the potential in this class. DeCuire looks to have addressed some areas we need improvement at. Plus he's sprinkled in 2 Montana kids (both need time to develop, though) .

2S-PG Isiah Kerr, 6'2 Mountain View, CA (St Francis High School)
2S- CG Jaxon Nap, 6'7'' 195 Renton, WA (Hazen HS)- Verbal Sep 14, 2021
2S-SG Dorrell Thomas, 6'5'' 185 Durham, NC (Skyline Prep)- Verbal April 4, 2022
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2S- PF Rhett Reynolds, 6'9" 195 Shelby, MT (Shelby HS)-Verbal Feb 3, 2021- https://www.hudl.com/profile/11421286/Rhett-Reynolds
NS-CG/F Caden Bateman, 6'7" Missoula, MT (Big Sky High School) - Verbal October 30th, 2021

Kerr is in DeCuire's strength as a guard. I've come to the point, I like the odds of DeCuire recruited pgs and combo guards. Yes, Kerr is pretty obvious to have a lot of expectations for.

Reynolds has a potential higher ceiling than Mack Anderson, coming out of high school. Like Anderson, he needs to add bulk. Anderson has added strength, not much bulk though. We need length though. Reynolds fills that need. Question is, How well and quickly will he develop?

Thomas and Nap are the 2 recruits that I like most from a skills and physical needs stand point. They both appear to be perimeter shooters, with the length for defending and scoring in the paint. I see no reason why they both can't be combo SG/SF interchangeably.

This is welcomed change and focus for this fan. We can transition from 6'2" to 6'4" players at these positions to 6'5" to 6'7" players at these positions. This is a huge need for the program. Chances are likely, 1 or both these guys emerge to potentially be just what the DR ordered.

Add in the physical make up of Braggs to these 2. That is very nice combination of physical wings for both sides of the ball.

If Reynolds blossoms to be a rebounding and defensive presence, this class can return the GRIZ to being the conference big dog, with better size to match up better with P5 and high mid majors.

I like it!

 

[Griz til I die]

I agree. We've lacked size at the forward/wing position for a few years now, so it's nice to see bigger guys. I really like Nap. I know we're pretty deep and we don't wanna make this team any younger but I feel like Nap needs to get some minutes next year.

 

[mtgrizrule]

I agree. We've lacked size at the forward/wing position for a few years now, so it's nice to see bigger guys. I really like Nap. I know we're pretty deep and we don't wanna make this team any younger but I feel like Nap needs to get some minutes next year.

The big ?, how long for these guys to develop, to DeCuire being comfortable with them on the court?

 

[AZGrizFan]

I agree. We've lacked size at the forward/wing position for a few years now, so it's nice to see bigger guys. I really like Nap. I know we're pretty deep and we don't wanna make this team any younger but I feel like Nap needs to get some minutes next year.

The big ?, how long for these guys to develop, to DeCuire being comfortable with them on the court?

The bigger question is, CAN DeCuire develop them? And will they stick around without playing time?

 

[UncleRico]

The big ?, how long for these guys to develop, to DeCuire being comfortable with them on the court?

The bigger question is, CAN DeCuire develop them? And will they stick around without playing time?

Travis is still one of the best coaches in the Big Sky and in the history of UM. So yes to the development question. If a kid is coachable then Travis will develop them. Thomas and Reynolds are both coaches kids so that helps. And as far as kids leaving without getting playing time, pretty much every team in the nation dealing with that. It is not unique to the Griz.

 

[citygriz]

I agree with Rule's assessment of this class. I like it.

Nap is a late-bloomer with a lot of upside. Hopefully Reynolds is in the line of quality big men that Montana has produced through the years- Krysko, Engellant, Kempfert, Hasquet, Selvig, Tinkle. I think Kerr is a steal. Thomas and Bateman are projects but they bring size. And let's not forget Solomon or Braggs.

The mystery to me is John Solomon. 247 had him as a three-star but his high school numbers--five points and four rebounds--hardly back that up. Who is this guy? I keep asking, has anybody on this board seen him play?

There are tons of players with few scholarship offers out of high school that blossom at the college level. Ah...Steph Curry? When you're a mid-major, you're hoping for one of these. I think we have a few possibilities here.

 

[UncleRico]

I agree with Rule's assessment of this class. I like it.

Nap is a late-bloomer with a lot of upside. Hopefully Reynolds is in the line of quality big men that Montana has produced through the years- Krysko, Engellant, Kempfert, Hasquet, Selvig, Tinkle. I think Kerr is a steal. Thomas and Bateman are projects but they bring size. And let's not forget Solomon or Braggs.

The mystery to me is John Solomon. 247 had him as a three-star but his high school numbers--five points and four rebounds--hardly back that up. Who is this guy? I keep asking, has anybody on this board seen him play?

There are tons of players with few scholarship offers out of high school that blossom at the college level. Ah...Steph Curry? When you're a mid-major, you're hoping for one of these. I think we have a few possibilities here.

From what I remember reading Solomon had more success as a Jr when he was in AZ. I think he moved back and forth between there and Florida. He looks athletic in warmups but still a bit thin. I did see his step dad Bobby Bonilla in the crowd at one of the early season games however.

 

[oldrunner]

It does appear that TD is headed in the right direction. Way too early to say much about the over all strength of next years team. There are just too many unknowns. All you really need is for just a few of those guys to polish into gems. It's easy to get excited about potential, much, much harder to realize that potential. If TD's track record means anything, you will have another good team at UM next year. I hope so. Stronger teams make for a stronger league.

 

[GrizWhiz]

I agree with Rule's assessment of this class. I like it.

Nap is a late-bloomer with a lot of upside. Hopefully Reynolds is in the line of quality big men that Montana has produced through the years- Krysko, Engellant, Kempfert, Hasquet, Selvig, Tinkle. I think Kerr is a steal. Thomas and Bateman are projects but they bring size. And let's not forget Solomon or Braggs.

The mystery to me is John Solomon. 247 had him as a three-star but his high school numbers--five points and four rebounds--hardly back that up. Who is this guy? I keep asking, has anybody on this board seen him play?

There are tons of players with few scholarship offers out of high school that blossom at the college level. Ah...Steph Curry? When you're a mid-major, you're hoping for one of these. I think we have a few possibilities here.

I noticed that Solomon was held out of the two walkover games (SAGU and Yellowstone Christian) when Lawrence (who had eleven rebounds in one of those games ) and Wetzel were not. Is it possible a redshirt year was being preserved?

 

[mtgrizrule]

Update with Oke addition.

Just what the Dr ordered. Kid is a rebounding and defensive specialist. Also, no slouch in scoring. Legit double double guy. He won't be wanting perimeter shots either. Bannan, Thomas, and DCH are all good sized SFs.

Anderson, Thomas, and Oke all interchangeable at 5 and 4. Thomas, Bannan, and DCH rotating minutes at SF. Martin, Braggs, Nap and the other Thomas can focus on the 2. Whitney will see most his minutes at 1. Vazquez 1 and 2. Reynolds can actually develop as a redshirt. Solomon and Lawrence can supply valuable depth too.

Way to go Travis!