Sam Alajiki Commits!
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Last: 3 yr ago by calumnus
From the highlight on Verbal Commits, he seems to have some range, pretty good ball handler, athletic...being he is from Ireland, I would expect him to have a good upside...We could have found a pretty good player before he started getting a lot of attention....we seem to be his only major offer so far.....
These are the highlight videos I had posted earlier on the insider board a few months ago. I think he instantly becomes the most athletic player on the team.
No idea about the level of competition, but he seems to have some skills in these highlight vids.
No idea about the level of competition, but he seems to have some skills in these highlight vids.
Welcome, Sam - to the greatest University in the world.
Well, he looks terrific in the videos, with some serious potential, but could you please explain your comment about him being from Ireland, why you would then expect him to have a good upside?bearmanpg said:
From the highlight on Verbal Commits, he seems to have some range, pretty good ball handler, athletic...being he is from Ireland, I would expect him to have a good upside...We could have found a pretty good player before he started getting a lot of attention....we seem to be his only major offer so far.....
Thanks,
SFCB
philbert said:
These are the highlight videos I had posted earlier on the insider board a few months ago. I think he instantly becomes the most athletic player on the team.
No idea about the level of competition, but he seems to have some skills in these highlight vids.
Wow, very impressive! I was expecting to see a raw player, but he appears to be the real deal. No other major offers? I think he is a huge find for Fox. Being from Ireland I'd think he'd be very happy at Cal and stick with Cal if other majors come after him.
In the video Sam looks big and athletic with perimeter skills. What's not to like?
From my limited knowledge of Irish sports, I don't recall basketball as being on the top rung of sports interest in Dublin....from that, I surmise that he possibly hasn't had as good a BB background as someone from say, Indiana has....I could be wrong but I would be willing to put a couple bucks on people from Indiana having a better BB background than people from Ireland....therefore, I believe he has more room to grow his basketball abilities and knowledge than someone who has been playing basketball since 2nd grade......OK?SFCityBear said:Well, he looks terrific in the videos, with some serious potential, but could you please explain your comment about him being from Ireland, why you would then expect him to have a good upside?bearmanpg said:
From the highlight on Verbal Commits, he seems to have some range, pretty good ball handler, athletic...being he is from Ireland, I would expect him to have a good upside...We could have found a pretty good player before he started getting a lot of attention....we seem to be his only major offer so far.....
Thanks,
SFCB
Dear bearman: He spent 5 years in England. His mom and Pop are Nigerians.
Another BB hotbed....Hotter than Ireland (I think) but not Indiana either....helltopay1 said:
Dear bearman: He spent 5 years in England. His mom and Pop are Nigerians.
he received some interest from Stanford. I don't think Stanford officially offered. All of his offers with the exception of New Mexico have come from mid-majors, and low-majors. He is essentially brand new on the scene having spent the last 5 years in England. Don't know if he I strong verbal or soft verbal. right now, it looks like he is a tweener---don't get me wrong....he may turn out to be a very good get...at this point, he may be a more athletic version of Andre Kelly. ( probably not as tall as Andre). You have to shoot consistently well from the outside in order to take advantage of your driving skills. . That's why, at this point, he may be a tweener.
I like that he is coming in with an athletic build ready to compete. A nice change from great prospects that lack the physicality to effectively play D1 well as frosh.
if he really is 6/7, he can play power forward like Kelly . he probably is shorter...kids always exaggerate their height.
I don't see where he is being projected to play the post like Kelly. Sounds more like an athletic small forward type like K^2, but with a stronger body.helltopay1 said:
if he really is 6/7, he can play power forward like Kelly . he probably is shorter...kids always exaggerate their height.
I can imagine a quick defensive lineup with Kuany, Alajiki, Bowser, Celestine, and Brown.Civil Bear said:
I don't see where he is being projected to play the post like Kelly. Sounds more like an athletic small forward type like K^2, but with a stronger body.
Dear Civil: if you can't shoot consistently from the perimeter, you will not be an effective SF. I see him as an undersized power forward. Just like Kelly.
Just curious...you seem to be implying that he doesn't shoot very well from outside....where are you getting that info....from the highlights, his form is good and he seems to be making 3's (I know it's a highlight clip)....I was impressed with his ball handling on his drives....that ability will help open up the deep shots....helltopay1 said:
Dear Civil: if you can't shoot consistently from the perimeter, you will not be an effective SF. I see him as an undersized power forward. Just like Kelly.
Kelly plays in the post because he is not mobile enough to play the 3.helltopay1 said:
Dear Civil: if you can't shoot consistently from the perimeter, you will not be an effective SF. I see him as an undersized power forward. Just like Kelly.
dear Civil: Yes...that's true..However, that does not invalidate my point. If you cannot shoot consistently well from the perimeter, you will not be a successful SF because the Defense will slack off on you when you get the ball and you will not be in a position to drive even if you are a good driver. he is very athletic.If he were used as a PF, he would be a pretty good offensive player because he can drive and get to the paint and the free throws stripe. However, he would probably a defensive liability because most power forwards would be taller. I think sam would be more effective than Kelly at PF because of his athleticism and strength.
Dear Bearman: I looked him up. Scouts were not thrilled with his shooting technique. One scout said that this aspect of his game can be taught.. maybe. I sure hope so...If not, he will be undersized PF. Just like Kelly.
helltopay1 said:
Dear Bearman: I looked him up. Scouts were not thrilled with his shooting technique. One scout said that this aspect of his game can be taught.. maybe. I sure hope so...If not, he will be undersized PF. Just like Kelly.
Yeah, in the first video, he has a very low release point with a low/flat arc on his shot. It also looks like it takes him a while to get the ball in position for his release, but once it's there, there's a quick release.
If he were to work on rebuilding his shot, it should be possible. But he would need a really good shooting coach. I wonder if Larry Bird is available (I'm a die hard Lakers fan and hated the Celtics, but I respect the heck out of Larry Bird).
I agree that it's ideal to have a SF that can shoot well, but I don't see the comparison to Kelly because Kelly plays exclusively in the post. He actually spent a lot more time at center than PF due to Thiemann and Thorpe's lack of development and Anticevich taking most of the minutes at the 4. Should Alajiki become a major contributor, I do see him playing some PF when more wings are in the game, but Fox is a defense 1st type of coach, and I believe he is seeing Alajiki as kid that can defend multiple positions (like K^2). Time will tell.helltopay1 said:
dear Civil: Yes...that's true..However, that does not invalidate my point. If you cannot shoot consistently well from the perimeter, you will not be a successful SF because the Defense will slack off on you when you get the ball and you will not be in a position to drive even if you are a good driver. he is very athletic.If he were used as a PF, he would be a pretty good offensive player because he can drive and get to the paint and the free throws stripe. However, he would probably a defensive liability because most power forwards would be taller. I think sam would be more effective than Kelly at PF because of his athleticism and strength.
Kelly plays in the post, because he is a PFCivil Bear said:Kelly plays in the post because he is not mobile enough to play the 3.helltopay1 said:
Dear Civil: if you can't shoot consistently from the perimeter, you will not be an effective SF. I see him as an undersized power forward. Just like Kelly.
dear civil: it's true that defense is 50% of thge game---it's also true that offense is 50% of the game. I don't mean to be cute..If Sam can't play on the wing because of SF deficiencies, he has to play inside. And, if his man is several inches taller, he will pick up fouls. It's hard to play if you are on the bench...
I'm pretty sure the coaching staff recruited him to be wing - deficiencies and all. There will be times (probably more than 50%) that this staff with play with 1 PG, 1 Post and 3 Wings. At those times, you might consider one of your wings a PF - but the difference between that and a SF and SG in those situations will be predicated on Defensive assignments more so than Offense.helltopay1 said:
dear civil: it's true that defense is 50% of thge game---it's also true that offense is 50% of the game. I don't mean to be cute..If Sam can't play on the wing because of SF deficiencies, he has to play inside. And, if his man is several inches taller, he will pick up fouls. It's hard to play if you are on the bench...
Thanks. And Joel Brown doesn't play in the post because he is PG.HoopDreams said:Kelly plays in the post, because he is a PFCivil Bear said:Kelly plays in the post because he is not mobile enough to play the 3.helltopay1 said:
Dear Civil: if you can't shoot consistently from the perimeter, you will not be an effective SF. I see him as an undersized power forward. Just like Kelly.
Nothing I said has been invalidated. at this point, I do not see him playing on the wing..There is nothing inherently wrong with being an undersized PF. Kelly is an undersized PF. At this point, we will have two undersized power forwards. Sometimes they will contribute--sometimes not so much. FWIW< I like Sam better than Kelly at the PF position.
stu said:
In the video Sam looks big and athletic with perimeter skills. What's not to like?
247 lists him as a SG. Given his handle he may have been a guard in Ireland and is now going through a growth spurt.
helltopay....his shot is fine....doesn't need to tear it down and start over just be patient, he is 17 years old....his handle is plenty good to play wing.....in fact, his handle is going to allow him an extra step to get his outside shot off since if they face up on him, he has the ability to go by his man.....quit tearing him down without ever seeing him play....I havent seen him play either but the highlights I saw gave me enough to like him....just curious, what does it take to "invalidate" your perceptions? Nothing you have said has invalidated my observations either...
I like him too.....I just think he is more of a PF than a wing at this point. I know this is censorious Berkeley but I believe thge first amendment allows me to say that. His senior season will give us more information.
Has anyone in Berkeley censored your comments about Cal basketball? Specifically anyone in government to whom the First Amendment would apply?helltopay1 said:
I like him too.....I just think he is more of a PF than a wing at this point. I know this is censorious Berkeley but I believe thge first amendment allows me to say that. His senior season will give us more information.
FWIW I agree with some of your basketball opinions and disagree with others. In this case I think Alajiki shows sufficient perimeter skills to play SF and sufficient strength and agility to make up for a couple of inches at PF.
Stu: I wasn't being literal. I'm so used to being censored for my political comments that I used a little hyperbole. A thousand pardons.
No problem. I appreciate your basketball opinions and I'm used to disagreeing with everyone on politics.helltopay1 said:
Stu: I wasn't being literal. I'm so used to being censored for my political comments that I used a little hyperbole. A thousand pardons.
helltopay1 said:
I like him too.....I just think he is more of a PF than a wing at this point. I know this is censorious Berkeley but I believe thge first amendment allows me to say that. His senior season will give us more information.
247 listed him as a SG and at this point he is definitely more of a SF. It does appear he can shoot. However, if he keeps growing I agree PF is where he could very well end up. I don't understand the comparisons to Kelly at all. 6'7 228 vs 6'8 255? Kelly has bulk and smarts but not great athleticism (unless he played tight end). He can only be a low post player. Alajiki is very athletic, has a good handle, may have an outside shot....but if he grows another inch or two and adds 20 pounds of muscle....
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