Bears Add Experienced GCU PG Jovan Blacksher

MoragaBear said:

---

Confirmed that unless something changes, Wilkinson is playing point

---

MoragaBear said:

---

01Bear said:

---

MoragaBear said:

---

Confirmed that unless something changes, Wilkinson is playing point

---

Does this mean he's coming off the bench next year? Or is he redshirting?

---

I doubt he'd start but if he's as good as he's been showing in the first couple practices, there should be minutes for him this season.

---

MoragaBear said:

---

01Bear said:

---

MoragaBear said:

---

01Bear said:

---

MoragaBear said:

---

Confirmed that unless something changes, Wilkinson is playing point

---

Does this mean he's coming off the bench next year? Or is he redshirting?

---

I doubt he'd start but if he's as good as he's been showing in the first couple practices, there should be minutes for him this season.

---

Thanks!

Yeah, given the signing of Jovan Blacksher, Jr., I figured Wilkinson would be backing him up next year. Of course, if Wilkinson wound up stepping up his game and beating out Blacksher for a spot, that'd be a huge boost for Cal. But realistically, I figured Blacksher would start. But if Wilkinson is playing well enough in practice to get some real minutes this season, that'd still be excellent for Cal.

---

There's Tucker, too. No shortage of point guards this year where they'll have to play their best player out of position there.

In this era, guys want to play, even if it means burning a year of eligibility. Otherwise they become bigger portal departure threats. Madsen thinks the majority of players from every program will at least test the waters with the portal, even if they end up staying.

They would've kept Celestine even after he went in but the amount of money he got at Baylor was insane.

---

calumnus said:

---

01Bear said:

---

MoragaBear said:

---

01Bear said:

---

MoragaBear said:

---

01Bear said:

---

MoragaBear said:

---

Confirmed that unless something changes, Wilkinson is playing point

---

Does this mean he's coming off the bench next year? Or is he redshirting?

---

I doubt he'd start but if he's as good as he's been showing in the first couple practices, there should be minutes for him this season.

---

Thanks!

Yeah, given the signing of Jovan Blacksher, Jr., I figured Wilkinson would be backing him up next year. Of course, if Wilkinson wound up stepping up his game and beating out Blacksher for a spot, that'd be a huge boost for Cal. But realistically, I figured Blacksher would start. But if Wilkinson is playing well enough in practice to get some real minutes this season, that'd still be excellent for Cal.

---

There's Tucker, too. No shortage of point guards this year where they'll have to play their best player out of position there.

In this era, guys want to play, even if it means burning a year of eligibility. Otherwise they become bigger portal departure threats. Madsen thinks the majority of players from every program will at least test the waters with the portal, even if they end up staying.

They would've kept Celestine even after he went in but the amount of money he got at Baylor was insane.

---

Sounds good!

I may be alone in this, but I wasn't sold on Celestine as a PG. I liked him well enough and appreciate how he played for Cal. I also love that he graduated from Cal. But he never really struck me as a great point guard at Cal. (I hope he proves me wrong by becoming a stud at Baylor.)

The last Cal PG I really liked was Justin Cobbs. He had a great presence about him on the court. He had a good swagger and a tough mindedness I really like in basketball players (especially point guards). He wasn't as quick as Jerome Randle (who was another of the Cal PGs I really liked) but he made up for it with his physical play. I really want to see Cal with a strong-willed physical PG who can make the game easier for his teammates.

---

Celestine was not a PG for us and will not be for Baylor. He is a small forward, maybe a shooting guard.

---

calumnus said:

---

01Bear said:

---

MoragaBear said:

---

01Bear said:

---

MoragaBear said:

---

01Bear said:

---

MoragaBear said:

---

Confirmed that unless something changes, Wilkinson is playing point

---

Does this mean he's coming off the bench next year? Or is he redshirting?

---

I doubt he'd start but if he's as good as he's been showing in the first couple practices, there should be minutes for him this season.

---

Thanks!

Yeah, given the signing of Jovan Blacksher, Jr., I figured Wilkinson would be backing him up next year. Of course, if Wilkinson wound up stepping up his game and beating out Blacksher for a spot, that'd be a huge boost for Cal. But realistically, I figured Blacksher would start. But if Wilkinson is playing well enough in practice to get some real minutes this season, that'd still be excellent for Cal.

---

There's Tucker, too. No shortage of point guards this year where they'll have to play their best player out of position there.

In this era, guys want to play, even if it means burning a year of eligibility. Otherwise they become bigger portal departure threats. Madsen thinks the majority of players from every program will at least test the waters with the portal, even if they end up staying.

They would've kept Celestine even after he went in but the amount of money he got at Baylor was insane.

---

Sounds good!

I may be alone in this, but I wasn't sold on Celestine as a PG. I liked him well enough and appreciate how he played for Cal. I also love that he graduated from Cal. But he never really struck me as a great point guard at Cal. (I hope he proves me wrong by becoming a stud at Baylor.)

The last Cal PG I really liked was Justin Cobbs. He had a great presence about him on the court. He had a good swagger and a tough mindedness I really like in basketball players (especially point guards). He wasn't as quick as Jerome Randle (who was another of the Cal PGs I really liked) but he made up for it with his physical play. I really want to see Cal with a strong-willed physical PG who can make the game easier for his teammates.

---

Celestine was not a PG for us and will not be for Baylor. He is a small forward, maybe a shooting guard.

---

01Bear said:

---

calumnus said:

---

01Bear said:

---

MoragaBear said:

---

01Bear said:

---

MoragaBear said:

---

01Bear said:

---

MoragaBear said:

---

Confirmed that unless something changes, Wilkinson is playing point

---

Does this mean he's coming off the bench next year? Or is he redshirting?

---

I doubt he'd start but if he's as good as he's been showing in the first couple practices, there should be minutes for him this season.

---

Thanks!

Yeah, given the signing of Jovan Blacksher, Jr., I figured Wilkinson would be backing him up next year. Of course, if Wilkinson wound up stepping up his game and beating out Blacksher for a spot, that'd be a huge boost for Cal. But realistically, I figured Blacksher would start. But if Wilkinson is playing well enough in practice to get some real minutes this season, that'd still be excellent for Cal.

---

There's Tucker, too. No shortage of point guards this year where they'll have to play their best player out of position there.

In this era, guys want to play, even if it means burning a year of eligibility. Otherwise they become bigger portal departure threats. Madsen thinks the majority of players from every program will at least test the waters with the portal, even if they end up staying.

They would've kept Celestine even after he went in but the amount of money he got at Baylor was insane.

---

Sounds good!

I may be alone in this, but I wasn't sold on Celestine as a PG. I liked him well enough and appreciate how he played for Cal. I also love that he graduated from Cal. But he never really struck me as a great point guard at Cal. (I hope he proves me wrong by becoming a stud at Baylor.)

The last Cal PG I really liked was Justin Cobbs. He had a great presence about him on the court. He had a good swagger and a tough mindedness I really like in basketball players (especially point guards). He wasn't as quick as Jerome Randle (who was another of the Cal PGs I really liked) but he made up for it with his physical play. I really want to see Cal with a strong-willed physical PG who can make the game easier for his teammates.

---

Celestine was not a PG for us and will not be for Baylor. He is a small forward, maybe a shooting guard.

---

I think you and Moraga are right. I'm misremembering Celestine's role.

---

Calbear94 said:

---

Unless we get lucky and pull in a star PG recruit, we're going to be on that merry-go-round anyway.

If the redshirt PG ends up playing well, he'll have better opportunities through the portal. If the player under-performs, Cal will be looking for an upgrade through the portal. Used to have about 2-3 years to build a team before losing star players to the NBA. Now, there's significant roster upheaval every year.

---

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

Calbear94 said:

---

Unless we get lucky and pull in a star PG recruit, we're going to be on that merry-go-round anyway.

If the redshirt PG ends up playing well, he'll have better opportunities through the portal. If the player under-performs, Cal will be looking for an upgrade through the portal. Used to have about 2-3 years to build a team before losing star players to the NBA. Now, there's significant roster upheaval every year.

---

Am I in an alternate universe? Jovani Ruff?

---

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

I will admit to "technically" being wrong. But based on the skill set I see of this guy even when he is driving, my guess is that if J Tyson could adapt to playing point guard (basically what happened last year) so can this guy.

Playing "point guard" successfully quite often is dependent on the talent around you. I understand that nowadays it's common for everyone to classify point, shooting, combo. Maybe a little too much, no? What I think we can all agree on is MM appears to be doing a helluva job bringing in talent. I know his two predecessors set the bar quite low, but based on what's happened the last couple of months it's hard not to be somewhat optimistic.

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Ruff does not have the handle to play PG

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

I will admit to "technically" being wrong. But based on the skill set I see of this guy even when he is driving, my guess is that if J Tyson could adapt to playing point guard (basically what happened last year) so can this guy.

Playing "point guard" successfully quite often is dependent on the talent around you. I understand that nowadays it's common for everyone to classify point, shooting, combo. Maybe a little too much, no? What I think we can all agree on is MM appears to be doing a helluva job bringing in talent. I know his two predecessors set the bar quite low, but based on what's happened the last couple of months it's hard not to be somewhat optimistic.

---

---

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Ruff does not have the handle to play PG

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

I will admit to "technically" being wrong. But based on the skill set I see of this guy even when he is driving, my guess is that if J Tyson could adapt to playing point guard (basically what happened last year) so can this guy.

Playing "point guard" successfully quite often is dependent on the talent around you. I understand that nowadays it's common for everyone to classify point, shooting, combo. Maybe a little too much, no? What I think we can all agree on is MM appears to be doing a helluva job bringing in talent. I know his two predecessors set the bar quite low, but based on what's happened the last couple of months it's hard not to be somewhat optimistic.

---

---

My guess is you have seen more of him than just videos. So I will gladly take your word for it (and slither back into my alternate universe.)

---

HoopDreams said:

---

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Ruff does not have the handle to play PG

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

I will admit to "technically" being wrong. But based on the skill set I see of this guy even when he is driving, my guess is that if J Tyson could adapt to playing point guard (basically what happened last year) so can this guy.

Playing "point guard" successfully quite often is dependent on the talent around you. I understand that nowadays it's common for everyone to classify point, shooting, combo. Maybe a little too much, no? What I think we can all agree on is MM appears to be doing a helluva job bringing in talent. I know his two predecessors set the bar quite low, but based on what's happened the last couple of months it's hard not to be somewhat optimistic.

---

---

My guess is you have seen more of him than just videos. So I will gladly take your word for it (and slither back into my alternate universe.)

---

No. I've only seen videos, but I've watched some extended highlights and don't think he has a strong enough handle to play PG (I said the same thing about Rodney Brown, and actually think Rodney's ball handling is better than Ruff's).

Of course Ruff still has a HS senior season to improve, and as you point out I've only seen video highlights

---

concernedparent said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Ruff does not have the handle to play PG

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

I will admit to "technically" being wrong. But based on the skill set I see of this guy even when he is driving, my guess is that if J Tyson could adapt to playing point guard (basically what happened last year) so can this guy.

Playing "point guard" successfully quite often is dependent on the talent around you. I understand that nowadays it's common for everyone to classify point, shooting, combo. Maybe a little too much, no? What I think we can all agree on is MM appears to be doing a helluva job bringing in talent. I know his two predecessors set the bar quite low, but based on what's happened the last couple of months it's hard not to be somewhat optimistic.

---

---

My guess is you have seen more of him than just videos. So I will gladly take your word for it (and slither back into my alternate universe.)

---

No. I've only seen videos, but I've watched some extended highlights and don't think he has a strong enough handle to play PG (I said the same thing about Rodney Brown, and actually think Rodney's ball handling is better than Ruff's).

Of course Ruff still has a HS senior season to improve, and as you point out I've only seen video highlights

---

Not sure I agree. He's not a PG but I think it's because he's clearly a score-first guy. His game is going downhill, using his dribble going left and right to get past his man. Pretty much every top 50 guard has the handle to play point in college, they just might not have the court vision, game sense, or the demeanor for it.

---

HoopDreams said:

---

concernedparent said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Ruff does not have the handle to play PG

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

I will admit to "technically" being wrong. But based on the skill set I see of this guy even when he is driving, my guess is that if J Tyson could adapt to playing point guard (basically what happened last year) so can this guy.

Playing "point guard" successfully quite often is dependent on the talent around you. I understand that nowadays it's common for everyone to classify point, shooting, combo. Maybe a little too much, no? What I think we can all agree on is MM appears to be doing a helluva job bringing in talent. I know his two predecessors set the bar quite low, but based on what's happened the last couple of months it's hard not to be somewhat optimistic.

---

---

My guess is you have seen more of him than just videos. So I will gladly take your word for it (and slither back into my alternate universe.)

---

No. I've only seen videos, but I've watched some extended highlights and don't think he has a strong enough handle to play PG (I said the same thing about Rodney Brown, and actually think Rodney's ball handling is better than Ruff's).

Of course Ruff still has a HS senior season to improve, and as you point out I've only seen video highlights

---

Not sure I agree. He's not a PG but I think it's because he's clearly a score-first guy. His game is going downhill, using his dribble going left and right to get past his man. Pretty much every top 50 guard has the handle to play point in college, they just might not have the court vision, game sense, or the demeanor for it.

---

well, I adjusted my view after seeing a full game but I still don't think he has a strong enough handle to play PG. Plays too upright and needs a tighter handle. Also, don't see any advanced moves like hesi, change of speed, etc. In the full game I saw there was no rim protector so he's not always going to just blow by his perimeter defender and get all the way to the rack.

I don't know enough about his decision making, ability to run an offense, or ability to break a press.

He can consistently blow by his man with his explosiveness and he looks ambidextrous so he could very well improve his handle in a year.

My comp is Rodney Brown.

---

concernedparent said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

concernedparent said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Ruff does not have the handle to play PG

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

I will admit to "technically" being wrong. But based on the skill set I see of this guy even when he is driving, my guess is that if J Tyson could adapt to playing point guard (basically what happened last year) so can this guy.

Playing "point guard" successfully quite often is dependent on the talent around you. I understand that nowadays it's common for everyone to classify point, shooting, combo. Maybe a little too much, no? What I think we can all agree on is MM appears to be doing a helluva job bringing in talent. I know his two predecessors set the bar quite low, but based on what's happened the last couple of months it's hard not to be somewhat optimistic.

---

---

My guess is you have seen more of him than just videos. So I will gladly take your word for it (and slither back into my alternate universe.)

---

No. I've only seen videos, but I've watched some extended highlights and don't think he has a strong enough handle to play PG (I said the same thing about Rodney Brown, and actually think Rodney's ball handling is better than Ruff's).

Of course Ruff still has a HS senior season to improve, and as you point out I've only seen video highlights

---

Not sure I agree. He's not a PG but I think it's because he's clearly a score-first guy. His game is going downhill, using his dribble going left and right to get past his man. Pretty much every top 50 guard has the handle to play point in college, they just might not have the court vision, game sense, or the demeanor for it.

---

well, I adjusted my view after seeing a full game but I still don't think he has a strong enough handle to play PG. Plays too upright and needs a tighter handle. Also, don't see any advanced moves like hesi, change of speed, etc. In the full game I saw there was no rim protector so he's not always going to just blow by his perimeter defender and get all the way to the rack.

I don't know enough about his decision making, ability to run an offense, or ability to break a press.

He can consistently blow by his man with his explosiveness and he looks ambidextrous so he could very well improve his handle in a year.

My comp is Rodney Brown.

---

I think we can agree that Jovani is not a PG and shouldn't play there, but Rodney Brown is an interesting comp. Brown to me was Crabbe-lite. Great shooter, can hit the mid-range off the bounce, best when attacking defenders closing out on him, long frame but average athlete. Jovani is a much burstier athlete, likes to get to the paint and finishes with variety. I don't think he will have trouble beating his man off the the dribble even in college. That set shot is questionable whereas with Brown you knew it was going to be no problem.

---

HoopDreams said:

---

I was only referring to their ball handling. Solid for a 2 guard, but not for a PG

Both could get to the rack at times with a single move blast, but both dribble too upright with a loose handle, and neither has advanced handle or counters (think Tyson) or my recent gold standard examples (Remy Martin, Tyger Campbell )

Both will improve with training and experience (also take in to account I'm often wrong!)

concernedparent said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

concernedparent said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Ruff does not have the handle to play PG

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

I will admit to "technically" being wrong. But based on the skill set I see of this guy even when he is driving, my guess is that if J Tyson could adapt to playing point guard (basically what happened last year) so can this guy.

Playing "point guard" successfully quite often is dependent on the talent around you. I understand that nowadays it's common for everyone to classify point, shooting, combo. Maybe a little too much, no? What I think we can all agree on is MM appears to be doing a helluva job bringing in talent. I know his two predecessors set the bar quite low, but based on what's happened the last couple of months it's hard not to be somewhat optimistic.

---

---

My guess is you have seen more of him than just videos. So I will gladly take your word for it (and slither back into my alternate universe.)

---

No. I've only seen videos, but I've watched some extended highlights and don't think he has a strong enough handle to play PG (I said the same thing about Rodney Brown, and actually think Rodney's ball handling is better than Ruff's).

Of course Ruff still has a HS senior season to improve, and as you point out I've only seen video highlights

---

Not sure I agree. He's not a PG but I think it's because he's clearly a score-first guy. His game is going downhill, using his dribble going left and right to get past his man. Pretty much every top 50 guard has the handle to play point in college, they just might not have the court vision, game sense, or the demeanor for it.

---

well, I adjusted my view after seeing a full game but I still don't think he has a strong enough handle to play PG. Plays too upright and needs a tighter handle. Also, don't see any advanced moves like hesi, change of speed, etc. In the full game I saw there was no rim protector so he's not always going to just blow by his perimeter defender and get all the way to the rack.

I don't know enough about his decision making, ability to run an offense, or ability to break a press.

He can consistently blow by his man with his explosiveness and he looks ambidextrous so he could very well improve his handle in a year.

My comp is Rodney Brown.

---

I think we can agree that Jovani is not a PG and shouldn't play there, but Rodney Brown is an interesting comp. Brown to me was Crabbe-lite. Great shooter, can hit the mid-range off the bounce, best when attacking defenders closing out on him, long frame but average athlete. Jovani is a much burstier athlete, likes to get to the paint and finishes with variety. I don't think he will have trouble beating his man off the the dribble even in college. That set shot is questionable whereas with Brown you knew it was going to be no problem.

---

---

HearstMining said:

---

concernedparent said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

I was only referring to their ball handling. Solid for a 2 guard, but not for a PG

Both could get to the rack at times with a single move blast, but both dribble too upright with a loose handle, and neither has advanced handle or counters (think Tyson) or my recent gold standard examples (Remy Martin, Tyger Campbell )

Both will improve with training and experience (also take in to account I'm often wrong!)

concernedparent said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

concernedparent said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Ruff does not have the handle to play PG

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

I will admit to "technically" being wrong. But based on the skill set I see of this guy even when he is driving, my guess is that if J Tyson could adapt to playing point guard (basically what happened last year) so can this guy.

Playing "point guard" successfully quite often is dependent on the talent around you. I understand that nowadays it's common for everyone to classify point, shooting, combo. Maybe a little too much, no? What I think we can all agree on is MM appears to be doing a helluva job bringing in talent. I know his two predecessors set the bar quite low, but based on what's happened the last couple of months it's hard not to be somewhat optimistic.

---

---

My guess is you have seen more of him than just videos. So I will gladly take your word for it (and slither back into my alternate universe.)

---

No. I've only seen videos, but I've watched some extended highlights and don't think he has a strong enough handle to play PG (I said the same thing about Rodney Brown, and actually think Rodney's ball handling is better than Ruff's).

Of course Ruff still has a HS senior season to improve, and as you point out I've only seen video highlights

---

Not sure I agree. He's not a PG but I think it's because he's clearly a score-first guy. His game is going downhill, using his dribble going left and right to get past his man. Pretty much every top 50 guard has the handle to play point in college, they just might not have the court vision, game sense, or the demeanor for it.

---

well, I adjusted my view after seeing a full game but I still don't think he has a strong enough handle to play PG. Plays too upright and needs a tighter handle. Also, don't see any advanced moves like hesi, change of speed, etc. In the full game I saw there was no rim protector so he's not always going to just blow by his perimeter defender and get all the way to the rack.

I don't know enough about his decision making, ability to run an offense, or ability to break a press.

He can consistently blow by his man with his explosiveness and he looks ambidextrous so he could very well improve his handle in a year.

My comp is Rodney Brown.

---

I think we can agree that Jovani is not a PG and shouldn't play there, but Rodney Brown is an interesting comp. Brown to me was Crabbe-lite. Great shooter, can hit the mid-range off the bounce, best when attacking defenders closing out on him, long frame but average athlete. Jovani is a much burstier athlete, likes to get to the paint and finishes with variety. I don't think he will have trouble beating his man off the the dribble even in college. That set shot is questionable whereas with Brown you knew it was going to be no problem.

---

---

Fair enough. Where do you draw the line for minimum ball handling for a college PG though? I feel like we've had 1s start for us that don't reliably have those moves either... Brandon Smith, Sam Singer, Joel Brown to name a few.

---

Actually, I thought the team ran much better with Joel Brown at the point rather than Askew. As poorly as the team moved, they moved faster with Brown than Askew and Brown was, I thought, a good ball handler. He made lousy decisions, though. On pick-and-rolls, he never passed to the rolling big man - Shepard was the guy who would/could feed Kelly on those. I'm REALLY looking forward to the new guys!

---