I'll start the list off, we NEED to get Jordan Pope to Berkeley
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Potential Transfer Portal Targets
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Last: 9 mo ago by CalBearinLA
Nate Bittle form Oregon would be a good 5 man for us. Plays like an NBA big.
I look at it from the standpoint of what we lose and then what we have, and of course, so much hinges on Tyson. But let us assume he stays for if he leaves we need to replace his abilities if possible.
So strengths will be Celestine and Tyson next year. Next level of positivity is Brown.
Iffy are Okafor, Newell, and Curtis with the first two being more probable help.
I don't know much about our recruit Wilkerson, but looks good, but like Brown and Curtis this year what can we expect. So MM must fill with some HS players for future class distribution and experience level. MM has demonstrated he is a good teacher (witness both Offense and Defense improvement thru the year)
Then the transfer portal...Point guard and impact #5 are first needs. Then a wing if NIL permits.
So strengths will be Celestine and Tyson next year. Next level of positivity is Brown.
Iffy are Okafor, Newell, and Curtis with the first two being more probable help.
I don't know much about our recruit Wilkerson, but looks good, but like Brown and Curtis this year what can we expect. So MM must fill with some HS players for future class distribution and experience level. MM has demonstrated he is a good teacher (witness both Offense and Defense improvement thru the year)
Then the transfer portal...Point guard and impact #5 are first needs. Then a wing if NIL permits.
Johnfox said:
Nate Bittle form Oregon would be a good 5 man for us. Plays like an NBA big.
I like Bittle, except I think he's a little soft to defend the 5. I'm not sure Bittle brings much more than Gus. And Bittle seems to be hurt often (he didn't play last night).
If Tyson stays (very unlikely IMO) they will need less. He does a lot of things and would make everyone around him better. But if he leaves they will need a lot. They will need to replace his playmaking ability. That is likely done with 2 possibly 3 additions.OdontoBear66 said:
I look at it from the standpoint of what we lose and then what we have, and of course, so much hinges on Tyson. But let us assume he stays for if he leaves we need to replace his abilities if possible.
So strengths will be Celestine and Tyson next year. Next level of positivity is Brown.
Iffy are Okafor, Newell, and Curtis with the first two being more probable help.
I don't know much about our recruit Wilkerson, but looks good, but like Brown and Curtis this year what can we expect. So MM must fill with some HS players for future class distribution and experience level. MM has demonstrated he is a good teacher (witness both Offense and Defense improvement thru the year)
Then the transfer portal...Point guard and impact #5 are first needs. Then a wing if NIL permits.
A top PG would be huge. Wilkerson is a nice player, but is only 6' tall and more a scoring PG than true facilitator. If Jordan Pope (Oregon State) enters the portal as most expect he would be a big get. He will be in high demand though and would cost.
They will need a true post. Okafor does not have the overall skill to be effective in Madsen's offense. He needs to stay healthy. Larson and Curtis are not ACC level players now. And possibly never. If they cannot find a post player that is a real threat offensively, then a defender/shot blocker would be good. Someone that can do both is probably too much to ask.
Another bigger wing or swing player PF/C would be very welcome. As would a another backcourt player that can handle and shoot 3's.
I think they are looking for an international player or 2. The US HS class for 2024 is largely committed. So finding a player or players overseas would seem to be a priority.
If Cal is to be a serious player in the ACC they will need a team that is deeper than this one.
Celestine, Newell and Brown need to become players next season. They will need to go from complimentary role players to consistent productive players. Celestine has made nice steps towards that this season. Newell has been better lately, but still has work to do. Brown has skills and nice size for his position. Will need to make a big jump. He is capable, but expecting consistency may be a big ask.
I have found some players never step up to the role where needed. Obviously, Tyson is our go to guy this year. I concur that he is probably gone. But those three you mention need to become core and want the role. A good example is G'town this year who got Epps from Illinois and Styles from UNC. Cooley has said over and over that Styles is the best athlete on the team, but he defers to Epps and chooses not to be "the man". You never know until you watch the chemistry.
I think Celestine is that guy for us. My question of you is can any of our three playing the post play the four effectively? Then we could focus on a five in the portal and the three we have would play limited minutes at the five to give our TP player a rest. If that were the case, we also need a point guard who can shoot 3s to take pressure off of Celestine. So often when the opponent focuses on our star we need to go to another player with the star playing a role in opening him up.
A real bonus would be if Newell really improved as well as Brown. Almost a must for any success.
I think Celestine is that guy for us. My question of you is can any of our three playing the post play the four effectively? Then we could focus on a five in the portal and the three we have would play limited minutes at the five to give our TP player a rest. If that were the case, we also need a point guard who can shoot 3s to take pressure off of Celestine. So often when the opponent focuses on our star we need to go to another player with the star playing a role in opening him up.
A real bonus would be if Newell really improved as well as Brown. Almost a must for any success.
Jalen Celestine has basically become my favorite player. He's the most inspirational because he plays hard despite wearing that knee brace that has to be at the very least bothersome at times.
I don't want to put anything past him, I just wonder if its even possible to fill that leadership role next year if JT leaves, because of that injury. Hopefully Celstine's role will stay where it is. I just remember the way he stepped it up in the second half of the Furd game, and yesterday when JT was showing a bit of fatigue, Celestine came through again. We shall see.
I don't want to put anything past him, I just wonder if its even possible to fill that leadership role next year if JT leaves, because of that injury. Hopefully Celstine's role will stay where it is. I just remember the way he stepped it up in the second half of the Furd game, and yesterday when JT was showing a bit of fatigue, Celestine came through again. We shall see.
Johnfox said:
I'll start the list off, we NEED to get Jordan Pope to Berkeley
I saw what I assume was his family at the game. His desire to play in front of his fam every game has to put us in a unique position in our ability to get him. Where else is he gonna go locally? Stanford? Ha!
what we really need is more NIL donations to CAlegends for bball - or else we can't get any of these people. And we have Furd potentially wanting to poach madsen as a threat, i'm sure
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