Devante Gardner

[downtown85]

Who would pay their own way? That happens so rarely, as not to be worthy of discussion. Obviously, someone's leaving. Kids don't waste precious official visits on schools that don't have a scholarship available.

I agree that it is really unlikely but Jeronne Maymon is supposedly paying his own way at Tennessee for a semester.  It happened recently for a whole year at Washington or Washington State (can't remember which).  If someone's family is loaded, they may elect to pay tuition for their kid to help out the program (or their kid).  I read somewhere the rumor that Mbao's family has some coin.  Who really knows? 

[GGGG]

I agree that it is really unlikely but Jeronne Maymon is supposedly paying his own way at Tennessee for a semester.  It happened recently for a whole year at Washington or Washington State (can't remember which).  If someone's family is loaded, they may elect to pay tuition for their kid to help out the program (or their kid).  I read somewhere the rumor that Mbao's family has some coin.  Who really knows? 

Nobody is going to give up their scholarship to pay their own way.  If we have openings, it will be because of a transfer.

[Skitch]

Academic or need-based scholarship?

No teal. Just a thought.

You may have been kidding, but I'm pretty sure NCAA wouldn't allow this.  Kentucky would have 20 walk ons this year on full academic scholarships.

[Harry Moseby]

He's visiting South Florida this weekend and will choose them or Marquette.
http://blogs.tampabay.com/usf/2010/04/big-man-69-300pound-gardner-visiting-usf.html

[martyconlonontherun]

FWIW- A friend talked to Mbao the other day and he said Mbao might not play next year because of knee problems. It was a quick convo and who knows if Mbao even understood what he was talking about, or it could just be plain bad info. Not sure how NCAA schollies and injuries work.

[thanooj]

thanks for that link harry.  One of the comments said, "If Buzz Williams (Marquette) is offering him that should tell you something." (paraphrased)  Nice complement to Buzz.  People know he can find the diamonds in the rough.

[jfmu]

how much does this guy actually weigh? ive seen articles where hes 240 and some that say hes 300?

[Nukem2]

how much does this guy actually weigh? ive seen articles where hes 240 and some that say hes 300?

Saw him at the BC when he visited.  Has a thick looking body trunk and legs, so he probably carries a lot of weight.

[Wareagle]

how much does this guy actually weigh? ive seen articles where hes 240 and some that say hes 300?

He looks like a big boy.  The article that was posted links to a youtube video of his team's last game.  According to the article, he's #54.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIAXPUlpVDE

[VegasWarrior77]

Big Baby II

[77ncaachamps]

Watching that video I want to draw a comparison to Tractor Traylor but not as nimble on his feet. Whatever school he signs with, he's going to be a load on the blocks.

Did he have headaches for that game, or does he suffer migraines?
He really came through in the clutch on those FTs though!

He's going to have to shed some pounds and work on his cardio (what incoming frosh doesn't). If he does ever sign with MU, he's not going to see much time off the bench because of his conditioning - as MU likes to push the ball.

But what has me concerned are some observations of his game (though it's dated from 2009, ESPN):

January, 2009: Gardner is one of the biggest post players in the 2010 class. He has tremendous hands and does a good job catching the ball and scoring in the painted area. He lacks the lift, quickness and stamina at his current weight to be a major player. There are times when he does not cross half court. Offensively he scores the majority of his baskets on put backs and jump hooks. He is most effective because of his width and when he has 4 to 5 inches on his opponent. Because he has little elevation in his game he struggles with taller and more athletic players. Defensively Gardner relies on his size and positioning. He does a poor job in his lateral defense and poses no threat to block shots. His high school team hides him by playing zone. Overall Gardner has very good basketball skills but does not have the stamina or conditioning to play at the collegiate level. If he can improve his conditioning and body weight he could be a solid four-year player in a system that focuses on half court basketball. Size and potential alone are worth a low major gamble.

[Vega]

Watching that video I want to draw a comparison to Tractor Traylor but not as nimble on his feet. Whatever school he signs with, he's going to be a load on the blocks.

Did he have headaches for that game, or does he suffer migraines?
He really came through in the clutch on those FTs though!

He's going to have to shed some pounds and work on his cardio (what incoming frosh doesn't). If he does ever sign with MU, he's not going to see much time off the bench because of his conditioning - as MU likes to push the ball.

But what has me concerned are some observations of his game (though it's dated from 2009, ESPN):

January, 2009: Gardner is one of the biggest post players in the 2010 class. He has tremendous hands and does a good job catching the ball and scoring in the painted area. He lacks the lift, quickness and stamina at his current weight to be a major player. There are times when he does not cross half court. Offensively he scores the majority of his baskets on put backs and jump hooks. He is most effective because of his width and when he has 4 to 5 inches on his opponent. Because he has little elevation in his game he struggles with taller and more athletic players. Defensively Gardner relies on his size and positioning. He does a poor job in his lateral defense and poses no threat to block shots. His high school team hides him by playing zone. Overall Gardner has very good basketball skills but does not have the stamina or conditioning to play at the collegiate level. If he can improve his conditioning and body weight he could be a solid four-year player in a system that focuses on half court basketball. Size and potential alone are worth a low major gamble.

As noted that video and story is about 15 months old. Gardner has lost weight and his endurance has improved. He has good hands, good footwork, and is Big East physical. The tools are there to be a very very good BE player for either MU or USF(He'll decide sometime in the next 2 days). A college strength and conditioning program is all he needs. Both Buzz and Heath know this.

[GGGG]

As noted that video and story is about 15 months old. Gardner has lost weight and his endurance has improved. He has good hands, good footwork, and is Big East physical. The tools are there to be a very very good BE player for either MU or USF(He'll decide sometime in the next 2 days). A college strength and conditioning program is all he needs. Both Buzz and Heath know this.

I agree.  I think he would be an excellent pick up and could get some early playing time.  He is the type of player with which you can go big with Otule, or he can be a bit of an undersized center if they want to go small.  MU doesn't have a player in that mold right now.  I hope he chooses MU because I'm not sure Stan Heath is around for four years.

[Big Papi]

He sounds like another one of these bigs that has great potential is probably at least a year away from making any real contribution.

[VwArrior1]

Dexter Pittman showed it can be done.  He weighed 390 his senior year of highschool.

[94Warrior]

No thanks to Gardner.  I want no part of a big man with no lift that needs to be hidden defensively in HS.  If a scholarship does open up, in order of preference I would like to see.

Carson Desrosiers
Gorgui Sy Dieng
Luke Cothron
Maurice Walker
Michael Haynes
Reggie Murphy
All 13 we now have to somehow remain on scholarship
J'mison Morgan
Cleveland Melvin
Goodwin Okonji
and then maybe Devante Gardner.

But, I could be wrong.

[wildbill sb]

I agree.  I think he would be an excellent pick up and could get some early playing time.  He is the type of player with which you can go big with Otule, or he can be a bit of an undersized center if they want to go small.  MU doesn't have a player in that mold right now.  I hope he chooses MU because I'm not sure Stan Heath is around for four years.

I don't know about this one, folks. Anyone remember the kid from the Pittsburg area that Majerus (you know, "big man" specialty was RM's strength) signed back in the 80"s?  Lloyd something or other was his name. He was overweight, great hands, no mobility, light on his feet....and relatively soon out the door.  Let's leave this one alone.

[Canadian Dimes]

lloyd was a raymonds guy i belive and was maybe a mcdonalds AA

[4everwarriors]

Do the name Lloyd Moore ring a bell?

[wildbill sb]

Do the name Lloyd Moore ring a bell?

Ding, ding, ding.  Thank you, one and all, for filling in the blanks. 

[4everwarriors]

A Majerus recruit, Moore, out of Pittsburgh, was a Parade All-American and a one of Street and Smith's top player. Averaged 30 pts. and 19 boards during his senior year in high school.

At 6' 9", Moore hardly sniffed the floor at MU, nor did it appear the cat could run 94 ft. before collapsing.
World class eater. Once observed he and Fat Rick nearly put the Hyatt out of business while dining at their all-you-can-eat Sunday buffet.

Think he transferred to Rutgers and had an undistinguished collegiate career.

[MUfan12]

I think Gardner will end up at USF. Have a very strong hunch about this one.

If that happens, I won't be too broken up about it. Need a big who can run the floor.

[GGGG]

I don't know about this one, folks. Anyone remember the kid from the Pittsburg area that Majerus (you know, "big man" specialty was RM's strength) signed back in the 80"s?  Lloyd something or other was his name. He was overweight, great hands, no mobility, light on his feet....and relatively soon out the door.  Let's leave this one alone.

What is about some of you that has to bring up some obscure recruit from 20 years ago and make projections based on that?  Yes, Lloyd Moore was fat.  But that's because Lloyd Moore had no motivation to get better and get in shape.  Neither you nor I have no idea of Gardner's motivation.  I'm sure Buzz does though...from talking with his coaches.  Especially since the reports are that he has gotten in much better shape over the past year.

Similar to the Yous comparisons to Hasheem Thabeet.  I guess just because he's a skinny, tall African we can call him the next big thing.

[PE8983]

Lloyd Moore technically was a Raymond's recruit - was a freshman in Raymond's last year.  I would think Rick was instrumental in recruiting him to MU though.

[brewcity77]

Right now this kid sounds ideal. We have the potential to be incredibly deep next year, and having a big body never hurts. Even if he doesn't get much time, or needs to slim down, four years from a 6'8" guy that will be in the 300 lb range could really help solve a lot of our problems in the blocks.