yet more will cherry

[citygriz]

named sunday as the metropolitan bay area high school player of the year by the san francisco chronicle. no matter this is an off year for high school talent in the bay area--no major recruits going to duke, ucla or any other of the elite programs. yet a huge honor for cherry to be named the best high school player in the fourth largest metropolitan area in the country. i reiterate--i think we got a steal here. a kid who came in under the radar because his stats weren't overwhelming, yet a kid who plays relentlessly, practises hard, plays team basketball, and has led his team to an incredible three-year record, including a state championship at the premier division of california high school basketball. we are mentioned three times here--in the picture, in the sidebar, and in the article. the best pub montana has received down here since mike montgomery.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/04/04/SP8G16RSOF.DTL

 

[citygriz]

grizrule: here is one link i put up about will cherry back in april of '09. in june, i went over to oakland to watch cherry play in an all-star game, and posted a rave notice about him. (can't find that post just now.) in any case, there were commits in that game to usc, cal, oregon state and ucdavis, and cherry was the best of all of them, by far. he scored 25, and took over the game late. the only knock of him then was, he was so versatile and so athletic, he could get by in high school without shooting well. this kept the bigger schools from going after him. but as you noted back then, one can work at shooting stroke, and indeed his shooting has improved dramatically at montana, and will contine to get better. i definitely believe we will see cherry in the n.b.a.

 

[mtgrizrule]

Citay, thanks for pulling this out. Your posts on Cherry, before he got to Missoula, were great, and insightful. I have been on that bandwagon since. Before his freshman year was finished, I posted I thought he had NBA makeup.

After watching the PG NBA Predraft workout this year, I have no doubt, at the very least he is at that even next year. He does have a way to go with his perimeter consistency, but at PG, that is not a requirement. He needs a handful, or more games, showing he can create for his team mates. I believe he has the talent to do it. I just am not sure, if he is used to doing it. Kareem Jamar is the best on the team at doing that.

I really do hope Will betters his playmaking, and improves his shot. If he does, he will be called on draft day. Right now, I see him as late 1st rd, at best. With improvement, can elevate his status. What scouts love about Lillard is his scoring. Cherry is a solid scorer. He is an elite defender, and great defender. Lillard's offense is at an elite level, his defense is still in question, and needs some work. Lillard is a good leader, and would be best served with a team with strong leadership to mentor him, in that regard. I give Cherry a slight edge at leadership.

I do believe Will wants to end his college career with a bang, and gets additional motivation to join Lillard in the NBA. It should be a dynamic year for GRIZ basketball, and Will Cherry.

 

[Growler1]

Citay, thanks for pulling this out. Your posts on Cherry, before he got to Missoula, were great, and insightful. I have been on that bandwagon since. Before his freshman year was finished, I posted I thought he had NBA makeup.

After watching the PG NBA Predraft workout this year, I have no doubt, at the very least he is at that even next year. He does have a way to go with his perimeter consistency, but at PG, that is not a requirement. He needs a handful, or more games, showing he can create for his team mates. I believe he has the talent to do it. I just am not sure, if he is used to doing it. Kareem Jamar is the best on the team at doing that.

I really do hope Will betters his playmaking, and improves his shot. If he does, he will be called on draft day. Right now, I see him as late 1st rd, at best. With improvement, can elevate his status. What scouts love about Lillard is his scoring. Cherry is a solid scorer. He is an elite defender, and great defender. Lillard's offense is at an elite level, his defense is still in question, and needs some work. Lillard is a good leader, and would be best served with a team with strong leadership to mentor him, in that regard. I give Cherry a slight edge at leadership.

I do believe Will wants to end his college career with a bang, and gets additional motivation to join Lillard in the NBA. It should be a dynamic year for GRIZ basketball, and Will Cherry.

Late first round now? You are dreaming!

 

[mtgrizrule]

I see it no less likely as your ever so good prediction of Nick Montana being here last year. If I recall right, you said that was a done deal. I guess you were dreaming then. I completely understand how well you know dreaming.

 

[Growler1]

I see it no less likely as your ever so good prediction of Nick Montana being here last year. If I recall right, you said that was a done deal. I guess you were dreaming then. I completely understand how well you know dreaming.

Look dude, I explained everything about the saga of Nick Montana. I was 100% correct in stating that the ONLY reason Pflu was willing to allow Nate MT to walk-on was because he we supposed to also get Nick, IF HE LOST THE STARTING QB JOB AT U-DUB. If Nick would have won the starting job, he was staying, which is exactly what I said. The kid's huge ego got in the way, and he thought he could win the starting job during the season, when he thought Price would flame-out. It didn't happen. I have no control over a 19 year-old kid's heads. But, my info was CORRECT when I posted it.

 

[mtgrizrule]

Regardless, as things have played out, Cherry's chance in the NBA are better than Nick coming to Montana. Kind of ironic, you said I am dreaming, the only way Nick comes to Montana, is in your dream.

 

[moose/squirrel]

I see it no less likely as your ever so good prediction of Nick Montana being here last year. If I recall right, you said that was a done deal. I guess you were dreaming then. I completely understand how well you know dreaming.

Good call on Growler BS. My take is that Will needs to improve his passing skills which was readily apparent against the Badgers. I don't see any way he will be a first rounder next year or even get drafted but I bet he gets a free agent shot.

Lilliard has an extremely explosive first step which we all saw as he shredded our D in the title game, Will does not have that level of offense, not even close. Lilliard can always pull up and shoot from anywhere, Will can't at this point. I'll be rooting for him and hope he can take the next step but there are dozens of college players with his skill set and many are taller and better shots.

I'm hoping he can get a look and secure a back up point guard job like Derek Fisher, that is realistically his upside.

 

[Growler1]

Regardless, as things have played out, Cherry's chance in the NBA are better than Nick coming to Montana. Kind of ironic, you said I am dreaming, the only way Nick comes to Montana, is in your dream.

I guess you can't read. huh? I explained the whole Nick Montana thing in my previous post. Joe Montana wanted Nick to transfer to Montana. But kids don't always do what their parents want them to do. Obviously, you didn't. Keep bringing it up to show how lame you are when I school you about the NBA potential of one of our BB players.

 

[Growler1]

Regardless, as things have played out, Cherry's chance in the NBA are better than Nick coming to Montana. Kind of ironic, you said I am dreaming, the only way Nick comes to Montana, is in your dream.

Tell you what big-talker. I'll bet you $1000 right now that Cherry is not drafted in the first round of the NBA draft. Want some of that action?

 

[HighLineGRIZ]

I see it no less likely as your ever so good prediction of Nick Montana being here last year. If I recall right, you said that was a done deal. I guess you were dreaming then. I completely understand how well you know dreaming.

Good call on Growler BS. My take is that Will needs to improve his passing skills which was readily apparent against the Badgers. I don't see any way he will be a first rounder next year or even get drafted but I bet he gets a free agent shot.

Lilliard has an extremely explosive first step which we all saw as he shredded our D in the title game, Will does not have that level of offense, not even close. Lilliard can always pull up and shoot from anywhere, Will can't at this point. I'll be rooting for him and hope he can take the next step but there are dozens of college players with his skill set and many are taller and better shots.

I'm hoping he can get a look and secure a back up point guard job like Derek Fisher, that is realistically his upside.

Agreed. Cherry has a large size disadvantage and needs to vastly improve his penetration and distribution skills to an elite level to be considered a first round PG. I think Cherry is a great Big Sky ball player, but I just don't see him making an NBA roster at this point. Another thing he has working against him is playing against low-major or mid-major level competition with very few opportunities to prove himself against top level competition from the major conferences. He had his chance against Wisconsin and he struggled. I'll be rooting for him to have a dominant senior year and maybe get a shot at being drafted late 2nd or get a d-league camp invite.

 

[WyomingGrizFan]

I see it no less likely as your ever so good prediction of Nick Montana being here last year. If I recall right, you said that was a done deal. I guess you were dreaming then. I completely understand how well you know dreaming.

Good call on Growler BS. My take is that Will needs to improve his passing skills which was readily apparent against the Badgers. I don't see any way he will be a first rounder next year or even get drafted but I bet he gets a free agent shot.

Lilliard has an extremely explosive first step which we all saw as he shredded our D in the title game, Will does not have that level of offense, not even close. Lilliard can always pull up and shoot from anywhere, Will can't at this point. I'll be rooting for him and hope he can take the next step but there are dozens of college players with his skill set and many are taller and better shots.

I'm hoping he can get a look and secure a back up point guard job like Derek Fisher, that is realistically his upside.

Agreed. Cherry has a large size disadvantage and needs to vastly improve his penetration and distribution skills to an elite level to be considered a first round PG. I think Cherry is a great Big Sky ball player, but I just don't see him making an NBA roster at this point. Another thing he has working against him is playing against low-major or mid-major level competition with very few opportunities to prove himself against top level competition from the major conferences. He had his chance against Wisconsin and he struggled. I'll be rooting for him to have a dominant senior year and maybe get a shot at being drafted late 2nd or get a d-league camp invite.

Really, up against Wisconsin he got blown off the court. Outside of the fact he was hyper without pacing himself any besides.

 

[moose/squirrel]

I see it no less likely as your ever so good prediction of Nick Montana being here last year. If I recall right, you said that was a done deal. I guess you were dreaming then. I completely understand how well you know dreaming.

Good call on Growler BS. My take is that Will needs to improve his passing skills which was readily apparent against the Badgers. I don't see any way he will be a first rounder next year or even get drafted but I bet he gets a free agent shot.

Lilliard has an extremely explosive first step which we all saw as he shredded our D in the title game, Will does not have that level of offense, not even close. Lilliard can always pull up and shoot from anywhere, Will can't at this point. I'll be rooting for him and hope he can take the next step but there are dozens of college players with his skill set and many are taller and better shots.

I'm hoping he can get a look and secure a back up point guard job like Derek Fisher, that is realistically his upside.

Agreed. Cherry has a large size disadvantage and needs to vastly improve his penetration and distribution skills to an elite level to be considered a first round PG. I think Cherry is a great Big Sky ball player, but I just don't see him making an NBA roster at this point. Another thing he has working against him is playing against low-major or mid-major level competition with very few opportunities to prove himself against top level competition from the major conferences. He had his chance against Wisconsin and he struggled. I'll be rooting for him to have a dominant senior year and maybe get a shot at being drafted late 2nd or get a d-league camp invite.

I love Will and his energy and passion but he is a long way from NBA ready....I imagine Europe is a possibilty as well. Love the kid and hope he succeeds wherever he ends up, looking forward to next winter.

 

[Growler1]

I see it no less likely as your ever so good prediction of Nick Montana being here last year. If I recall right, you said that was a done deal. I guess you were dreaming then. I completely understand how well you know dreaming.

Good call on Growler BS. My take is that Will needs to improve his passing skills which was readily apparent against the Badgers. I don't see any way he will be a first rounder next year or even get drafted but I bet he gets a free agent shot.

Lilliard has an extremely explosive first step which we all saw as he shredded our D in the title game, Will does not have that level of offense, not even close. Lilliard can always pull up and shoot from anywhere, Will can't at this point. I'll be rooting for him and hope he can take the next step but there are dozens of college players with his skill set and many are taller and better shots.

I'm hoping he can get a look and secure a back up point guard job like Derek Fisher, that is realistically his upside.

Agreed. Cherry has a large size disadvantage and needs to vastly improve his penetration and distribution skills to an elite level to be considered a first round PG. I think Cherry is a great Big Sky ball player, but I just don't see him making an NBA roster at this point. Another thing he has working against him is playing against low-major or mid-major level competition with very few opportunities to prove himself against top level competition from the major conferences. He had his chance against Wisconsin and he struggled. I'll be rooting for him to have a dominant senior year and maybe get a shot at being drafted late 2nd or get a d-league camp invite.

I love Will and his energy and passion but he is a long way from NBA ready....I imagine Europe is a possibilty as well. Love the kid and hope he succeeds wherever he ends up, looking forward to next winter.

Be careful all of you agreeing with me. It might hurt your image I know nothing, remember???