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Cal Basketball

Bears Add a Big Piece With the Commitment of 7'3 Center Connor Vanover

April 12, 2018
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7-3/210 2018 Findlay Prep center Connor Vanover joins the 2018 Cal recruiting class at the start of the spring signing period with his commitment this morning, filling a big front court need for the Bears.

Vanover will join 6-8/225 Lincoln (Stockton, CA) High School forward Andre Kelly as front court replacements for forward Marcus Lee and center Kingsley Okoroh, who are graduating next month. Also in the 2018 class are 6-7/205 SF Jacobi Gordon and 6-4/215 wing Matt Bradley.

Vanover's addition could be a key element in boosting Cal's chances with longtime target 6-10/215 Prolific Prep PF Jordan Brown, who has made it clear that frontcourt depth surrounding him is a key element to his recruitment.

 As for where he fits in at Cal, Vanover told Bear Insider's Eric McDonough last week: “My belief is that I would fit in as the 5-man of the team.  I haven’t met any of the teammates, or any of the other coaches, so I’m not 100% sure, but what I believe is that I would be the 5-man … and I’d be the guy holding down in the post but also stretch it out and shoot.  Just be the staple and the backbone for the 5-man.” 

With a frame that could certainly use more pounds and strength, Vanover knows he's got hit work cut out for him in the offseason and in years to come.

"No matter where I go, we’re going to work on speed, strength and conditioning a lot, said Vanover last week.  "I think this year (at Findlay Prep) I’ve definitely gotten a lot faster, but I also need to build up strength to be able to battle down low with a lot of guys.   And also the speed a little bit more.  That first quick step for guarding people on the outside and being able to get that step to get that extra inch to block that shot and get that rebound.”

As a senior after transferring to Findlay Prep, Vanover averaged 8.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game backing up All-American, Oregon-bound center Bol Bol after averaging 14.8 ppg., 9.4 rpg. and 3.2 bpg at Arkansas Christian as a 2nd team All-State player.

Vanover was originally committed to play for Tubby Smith at Memphis but decommitted after Smith's recent ouster.

Prior to Cal's offer, Vanover also had offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Villanova and SMU.

Discussion from...

Bears Add a Big Piece With the Commitment of 7'3 Center Connor Vanover

62,818 Views | 16 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by Civil Bear
concordtom
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Yippee!
Congrats, Connor. Glad to have you!
NVBear78
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Welcome to Cal!
Bisonbob
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Sounds like a 2-3 year project to me. Hope they do more to provide some muscle in the front court!
rkt88edmo
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Fromt he picture he doesnt have the super skinny long man look, so hopefully he can contribute sooner rather than later.
Big C
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rkt88edmo said:

Fromt he picture he doesnt have the super skinny long man look, so hopefully he can contribute sooner rather than later.
Uh... take a look at the video on another thread. That "super skinny long man look" could be abbreviated in the future as "the Vanover".

I'm mentioning this, though, in the greater context of him looking like a guy that has a lot of potential and will hopefully become a great Golden Bear. I'm delighted he's coming to Cal.
calgo430
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solved one problem. now we could use an athlete who can make 3's.
Civil Bear
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calgo430 said:

solved one problem. now we could use an athlete who can make 3's.
I would say the next immediate need is a true big that can eat up major minutes in the post. I don't see CV getting much playing time next year unless by default.

Really hoping one of these grad transfers work out, but very concerned that no names have been mentioned. Is that because we want them to clear admissions first?
Econ141
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Hard for me to see contributions from this guy and any one that is over 7'1 invariably has foot issues. Cautiously optimistic given all the offers ... hope we get a JC big though.
trueblue22
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Interesting tape. He'll struggle to run the floor and plays below the rim despite his length, but he already shows he has great hands (better than King Rooks and Marcus in my opinion). That shot is seriously underrated, he gets it off quickly, and even off the dribble. Really nice arc and rotation, with a high release. Could be a very nice high post zone defeating player if he can catch face up pass and shoot from the arc.
puget sound cal fan
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A grad transfer would have to be accepted by a Berkeley graduate program, too, no?
Civil Bear
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puget sound cal fan said:

A grad transfer would have to be accepted by a Berkeley graduate program, too, no?

No, they could just enroll in an extension class and work part-time as a RA in one of the dorms.
south bender
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CB, is what you write so?

I ask this out of my ignorance of the rules...
south bender
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Re-reading, am guessing I did not catch your sarcasm...
concordtom
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Civil Bear said:

puget sound cal fan said:

A grad transfer would have to be accepted by a Berkeley graduate program, too, no?

No, they could just enroll in an extension class and work part-time as a RA in one of the dorms.
Preferably in one of the women-only dorms.
Civil Bear
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concordtom said:

Civil Bear said:

puget sound cal fan said:

A grad transfer would have to be accepted by a Berkeley graduate program, too, no?

No, they could just enroll in an extension class and work part-time as a RA in one of the dorms.
Preferably in one of the women-only dorms.


Are those even permitted anymore (outside of North Carolina)?

Civil Bear
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south bender said:

Re-reading, am guessing I did not catch your sarcasm...


Whew! I guess it's good thing I decided to add the RA part at the end.
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