Great podcast! First-timer here. A few comments: BYU has plenty of money if, for whatever reason, Egor wants to come back to school. Egor has made it a point to say that he's never said he was a one-and-done, but nobody really thinks that he'll stick around. He loves BYU, and we love him, but he's going to be a lottery pick, and that's something you can't turn down if your ultimate goal is the NBA. As for his freshman year in college, it took Egor a minute to adjust to the greatly increases physicality and overall competition in the Big12, but he's catching on. And his shot is looking much better. That step back 3 he hit against Baylor was an amazing shot, and it's something he's going to be able to do more regularly as some mechanical adjustments make it into live competition more regularly. With VJ, Egor, Kanon, and other freshmen, there's going to be a huge learning curve as they take a huge leap in competition. It's all to be expected. VJ is going to be a great player (just wish he had a bit more size, but nobody's perfect). At this point, Kanon may well play himself comfortably into the 1st round. He's a quiet young man, and I worry a bit that maybe he's not ready for the rough world of the NBA, but he's learning and growing all the time. He just might benefit from a second year in college. However, he's just so talented and he has all of the physical attributes any team could want, so I think he will enter the draft and he'll be a 1st rounder. He's an NBA talent, for sure. As a BYU fan, it's a lot of fun to have multiple NBA prospects on the squad, and it's an absolute blast to be playing in the Big12 these days where we get to see talent like VJ, Wright, and others.
He’s come out multiple times and said he never said he’s 1 and done. Also went out of his way to say all of his friends from Russia are texting him telling him he has to stay for next year.
I said from the beginning with VJ that he chose the wrong program, similar to Kaman Maluach. Opportunities matter and the organizational support to grow, develop, and showcase is essential. Both needed to go someplace that would feature them in a primary role not complimentary/ tertiary roles. Also consider that they have been featured for most of their young careers so to not be is a disadvantage to finding themselves. In a Rutgers level of a program both could have shown far more.
@@mikejones9906 It is not merely about being a high selection it is more important to have developed through opportunities and adversity with responsibility that prepares them for NBA competition and computing.
Darn! I guess I should have watched Baylor/BYU... Great wisdom that Nike Hoop Summit HS players aren't necessarily going to make the NBA. Not the McDonald's game either... etc. Wish more would see it that way. Edgecombe seems like he's turning the corner though. Robert Wright III is very underrated. I just got feedback that Egor had a good game in this game, and now KP just rubber stamped that I have to watch him again - he's looked like a lottery pick according to trustworthy sources here. Catchings could be a good pair with Dybantsa if he decides to stay. A game I did watch last night that was worth watching though was the Alabama/Mississippi State game. Josh Hubbard is a smooth operating basketball player. As good as Mark Sears played last night, Josh Hubbard played at least as good if not better. He made all the good reads and scored at will. I really wish he was 6'5"... heck, even 6'2" he'd have a shot at the league... Seems like a lot of small guards this year are really good. Thanks always for the informative, entertaining podcasts! Always appreciated.
@@mikejones9906 Maybe so, but I'm waiting for a February 5th match up. I've circled that Rutgers game to watch. They'll be rested a little more than the Illinois team they will face. I hope Harper is in good health by then. Ace better play like an ace at basketball that game for Rutgers to be competitive against Illinois. That game will show me something about those prospects heart I think. Ace has been bringing it on the statistical end lately - looks good on videos, I'm sure he'll come out in a flurry that game. But yeah, I try not to watch the same teams over and over... I've probably seen Alabama more than any other team this year though. They are battle tested.
@@norrinradd542 We’re watching the next great scorer in the history of the game. When he adds weight to his frame, he will be impossible to guard. You can’t let him shoot three’s, you can’t let him shoot mid range jumpers, you can’t let him get to the rack etc.
To the people who want to take Flagg over Bailey, watch the highlights from his 37 point performance and tell me if you ever seen a player in college score in that many ways.
At one point in his career Carmelo Anthony I considered the best pure scorer in basketball. Ace is similar to Carmelo on offence and he's a better defender. I like Ace as a prospect and believe in his abilities. Flagg just simply does more for a team in the game. Carmelo Anthony also brought his Syracuse team to the title his freshman year. Ace is having a tough time getting some wins. That and passing are his biggest uphill battles. His handle needs work - but hey he's working on it, so I believe in it.
@@mikejones9906 he has the shot making perhaps, but I wouldn't put him there. Kobe was a different animal. Same on court mentality of being the reason type player though. Off court Kobe is different and on court was a better offensive player altogether.
Great podcast! First-timer here. A few comments:
BYU has plenty of money if, for whatever reason, Egor wants to come back to school. Egor has made it a point to say that he's never said he was a one-and-done, but nobody really thinks that he'll stick around. He loves BYU, and we love him, but he's going to be a lottery pick, and that's something you can't turn down if your ultimate goal is the NBA. As for his freshman year in college, it took Egor a minute to adjust to the greatly increases physicality and overall competition in the Big12, but he's catching on. And his shot is looking much better. That step back 3 he hit against Baylor was an amazing shot, and it's something he's going to be able to do more regularly as some mechanical adjustments make it into live competition more regularly.
With VJ, Egor, Kanon, and other freshmen, there's going to be a huge learning curve as they take a huge leap in competition. It's all to be expected. VJ is going to be a great player (just wish he had a bit more size, but nobody's perfect).
At this point, Kanon may well play himself comfortably into the 1st round. He's a quiet young man, and I worry a bit that maybe he's not ready for the rough world of the NBA, but he's learning and growing all the time. He just might benefit from a second year in college. However, he's just so talented and he has all of the physical attributes any team could want, so I think he will enter the draft and he'll be a 1st rounder. He's an NBA talent, for sure.
As a BYU fan, it's a lot of fun to have multiple NBA prospects on the squad, and it's an absolute blast to be playing in the Big12 these days where we get to see talent like VJ, Wright, and others.
Egor and Catchings are 100% leaving early.
Great coverage/analysis!
Robert wright is underrated, good freshman point guard at Baylor.
6’1. Short guards have to do twice as much to get nba draft attention.
Demin loves BYU. You're probably right, he's gone after this year BUT would not say it's 0% chance.
No chance at all
He’s come out multiple times and said he never said he’s 1 and done. Also went out of his way to say all of his friends from Russia are texting him telling him he has to stay for next year.
@@mikejones9906 I'm guessing you were not a BYU student?
@@John-ne4fq I'd pay millions to go back and do another year as a student at BYU. The BYU experience to many of us is priceless.
Krysten knows her stuff man. Impressive. 🎉
I said from the beginning with VJ that he chose the wrong program, similar to Kaman Maluach. Opportunities matter and the organizational support to grow, develop, and showcase is essential. Both needed to go someplace that would feature them in a primary role not complimentary/ tertiary roles. Also consider that they have been featured for most of their young careers so to not be is a disadvantage to finding themselves. In a Rutgers level of a program both could have shown far more.
You have been saying that.
@@therockneverstops8261 they did not choose the wrong programs considering they will both be top 10 picks.
True, however he will still get drafted fairly high top 15 watch won't be surprise if top 10 he will be alright.
@@mikejones9906 It is not merely about being a high selection it is more important to have developed through opportunities and adversity with responsibility that prepares them for NBA competition and computing.
@ That’s why players go to teams that have historically produced NBA talent.
Darn! I guess I should have watched Baylor/BYU... Great wisdom that Nike Hoop Summit HS players aren't necessarily going to make the NBA. Not the McDonald's game either... etc. Wish more would see it that way. Edgecombe seems like he's turning the corner though. Robert Wright III is very underrated. I just got feedback that Egor had a good game in this game, and now KP just rubber stamped that I have to watch him again - he's looked like a lottery pick according to trustworthy sources here. Catchings could be a good pair with Dybantsa if he decides to stay.
A game I did watch last night that was worth watching though was the Alabama/Mississippi State game. Josh Hubbard is a smooth operating basketball player. As good as Mark Sears played last night, Josh Hubbard played at least as good if not better. He made all the good reads and scored at will. I really wish he was 6'5"... heck, even 6'2" he'd have a shot at the league... Seems like a lot of small guards this year are really good.
Thanks always for the informative, entertaining podcasts! Always appreciated.
You watched everything but Ace Bailey put on one of the greatest scoring displays in modern day college basketball.
@@mikejones9906 Maybe so, but I'm waiting for a February 5th match up. I've circled that Rutgers game to watch. They'll be rested a little more than the Illinois team they will face. I hope Harper is in good health by then. Ace better play like an ace at basketball that game for Rutgers to be competitive against Illinois. That game will show me something about those prospects heart I think. Ace has been bringing it on the statistical end lately - looks good on videos, I'm sure he'll come out in a flurry that game. But yeah, I try not to watch the same teams over and over... I've probably seen Alabama more than any other team this year though. They are battle tested.
@@norrinradd542 We’re watching the next great scorer in the history of the game. When he adds weight to his frame, he will be impossible to guard. You can’t let him shoot three’s, you can’t let him shoot mid range jumpers, you can’t let him get to the rack etc.
@ He has been looking better and better by the game while working on some of his weaknesses... probably took that out of Cooper Flagg's bag of tricks.
Biggest McDonalds snub for me is Jasper Johnson
To the people who want to take Flagg over Bailey, watch the highlights from his 37 point performance and tell me if you ever seen a player in college score in that many ways.
At one point in his career Carmelo Anthony I considered the best pure scorer in basketball. Ace is similar to Carmelo on offence and he's a better defender. I like Ace as a prospect and believe in his abilities. Flagg just simply does more for a team in the game. Carmelo Anthony also brought his Syracuse team to the title his freshman year. Ace is having a tough time getting some wins. That and passing are his biggest uphill battles. His handle needs work - but hey he's working on it, so I believe in it.
@@norrinradd542 He reminds me of a guy whose name rhymes with Toby.
@@mikejones9906 he has the shot making perhaps, but I wouldn't put him there. Kobe was a different animal. Same on court mentality of being the reason type player though. Off court Kobe is different and on court was a better offensive player altogether.
@@norrinradd542 I want to see what James Barlowe has to say.
@ Yeah, me too... although I find myself agreeing with him more times than not.