Davante Gardner will be a Beast this year

[Marqevans]

From the MU Record book, only 8 sophomores in MU history have averaged 16+ ppg:

1. Mike Moran 20.4 ppg
2. Russ Wittberger 19.4 ppg
3. George Thompson 18.0 ppg
4. Jim Chones 17.9 ppg
5. Dwyane Wade 17.8
6. Tom Flynn 17.3
7. Dean Meminger 16.4
8. Bo Ellis 16.3



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16 points/game would put Gardner ahead of Maurice Lucas (15.4 as a soph.).

[Marqevans]

From the MU Record book, only 8 sophomores in MU history have averaged 16+ ppg:

1. Mike Moran 20.4 ppg
2. Russ Wittberger 19.4 ppg
3. George Thompson 18.0 ppg
4. Jim Chones 17.9 ppg
5. Dwyane Wade 17.8
6. Tom Flynn 17.3
7. Dean Meminger 16.4
8. Bo Ellis 16.3

Keep in mind that many of the guys listed did not play on the varsity team until sophmore year as they were forced to play on the freshman team 


16 points/game would put Gardner ahead of Maurice Lucas (15.4 as a soph.).

[BCHoopster]

If DG averages 16 points a game, MU will be in the Final 4.  I do not see that, as DJO will
average 18, Crowder 14, Otule 6, Cadougan 6, Wilson 12, that would be 72 points with 6
players.  The other 5 will average at least 10-12 so you are at 84 a game, lots of points!

[Lennys Tap]

We have a 6'3" kid who is 12 years old on my son's Little League Majors All-Star team (Williamsport division)...

Is there anyone on the planet other than Chicos who would refer to his kid's little league team as the Little League Majors All-Star team (Williamsport division)...? Hilarious.

[mviale]

His vertical will absolutely improve with lost weight,  provided his leg strength remains the same.  It's simple physics.  I don't think his vertical will improve much on lost weight alone,  but Todd will have him doing jumping exercises and probably olympic lifts.  I am sure his vertical will improve by much more than 3" by the time he is a senior....in fact,  I bet he improves 3+ for this season.  It doesn't sound like much,  but 3" will be very noticeable and help his game a ton.  One example of shedding weight with instant athletic upgrade is Alexander Johnson of FSU.  He was a good athlete that went to an elite 40" vertical after dropping 20 pounds fast.  The lone good thing about having a poor vertical is that there is a lot of improvement opportunity.  With the training Davante is going to get,  I see no reason why he can't eventually get his vertical to at least 20,  which would be a huge upgrade to his game.  He has shown the desire and dedication it takes to change his body,  so I would guess he is working hard at his athleticism as well.  Plus,  when getting more athletic he will be able to do more things......have much more fun.......it will give him more desire to continue.  As I have said before,  I think he will make the greatest athletic improvement of any player ever at MU.  He is well on his way.....

Another believer.  Much more Faith in Davante than Chicos little league.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Is there anyone on the planet other than Chicos who would refer to his kid's little league team as the Little League Majors All-Star team (Williamsport division)...? Hilarious.

???

That's what we refer to it out here Lenny and I know they do in some other parts of the country as well.  There are four Little League national championship tournaments...Junior League, Big League, Senior League and Little League (the one most have heard of and televised on ESPN/ABC).   Within Little League, there are the 10 year olds, the 11 year olds and Majors (the 12 year olds).  To cut down on the confusion within Little League, they call it the Williamsport Division because only the 12 year olds can get to Williamsport and play for the World Championship while the 11U teams can only advance to Sectionals and the 10U can only advance to Districts.

So yes, not only is there a person other than me, it's how we describe it out here and other parts of the country.  Would you like a photo of the Little League district t-shirts as one of many examples where it says Williamsport division on it?  Good God you can be an obtuse individual...I'm sorry that in Chicago they didn't refer to it in that manner, but there is a whole big country outside of the greater Chicago area and there sure as hell is better baseball played (at ALL levels) outside of that area.

Send me your address and I'll send you a shirt...I assume XXXL?


Kingsbridge Little League reference to WILLIAMSPORT DIVISION...how dare they and all the way in New York...have they no shame...do they not know that Lenny has spoken  http://www.kingsbridgelittleleague.org/page/why-kbll

Carrollton Little League in Carrollton, Texas....what...they refer to is as the WILLIAMSPORT DIVISION...WHAT??
http://www.leaguelineup.com/information.asp?cmenuid=2&url=carrolltonllb&sid=113923909


Or in the Press

Andover Massachusetts Little League WILLIAMSPORT DIVISION...no way
http://www.eagletribune.com/sports/x1048571348/Little-League-North-Andover-wins-battle-of-Andovers/print

Ventura, California WILLIAMSPORT DIVISION....all the way here in California...oh yeah, already covered that
http://m.vcstar.com/news/2009/jul/30/no-headline---sc6fcyouthresults30yth-fc/

Commack, NY WILLIAMSPORT DIVISION
http://commack.patch.com/articles/commack-south-beats-brentwood-remains-undefeated

Etc, etc

[ChicosBailBonds]

Another believer.  Much more Faith in Davante than Chicos little league.

You're starting to act like Warthog who states something that isn't there.  Show me where I said Davante couldn't get 16 points per game?  I didn't.  What I said was let the kids develop and not put these high expectations on them.  They might get there, they might not but putting that extra expectation on them is not necessary.  Nowhere did I say he couldn't do it or that I don't have faith in him.  I actually think he's a nice player.

Considering about 10+ other people also didn't endorse your position, I suspect they feel left out that you didn't call them out.

We'll have to let it pass...that Tim Maymon...what a great guy.

[mviale]

@chicos. Just giving you a hard time. I have agreed with you more than not.

[bilsu]

His vertical will absolutely improve with lost weight,  provided his leg strength remains the same.  It's simple physics.  I don't think his vertical will improve much on lost weight alone,  but Todd will have him doing jumping exercises and probably olympic lifts.  I am sure his vertical will improve by much more than 3" by the time he is a senior....in fact,  I bet he improves 3+ for this season.  It doesn't sound like much,  but 3" will be very noticeable and help his game a ton.  One example of shedding weight with instant athletic upgrade is Alexander Johnson of FSU.  He was a good athlete that went to an elite 40" vertical after dropping 20 pounds fast.  The lone good thing about having a poor vertical is that there is a lot of improvement opportunity.  With the training Davante is going to get,  I see no reason why he can't eventually get his vertical to at least 20,  which would be a huge upgrade to his game.  He has shown the desire and dedication it takes to change his body,  so I would guess he is working hard at his athleticism as well.  Plus,  when getting more athletic he will be able to do more things......have much more fun.......it will give him more desire to continue.  As I have said before,  I think he will make the greatest athletic improvement of any player ever at MU.  He is well on his way.....

If he got his vertical to 20" after losig significant weight, he would become an ineffective player. That jumping ability combined with his overstated height would make him a severally disadvatanged player. He is good offensively now because of his girth and the ability to use it to his advantage.

[Lennys Tap]

???

That's what we refer to it out here Lenny and I know they do in some other parts of the country as well.  There are four Little League national championship tournaments...Junior League, Big League, Senior League and Little League (the one most have heard of and televised on ESPN/ABC).   Within Little League, there are the 10 year olds, the 11 year olds and Majors (the 12 year olds).  To cut down on the confusion within Little League, they call it the Williamsport Division because only the 12 year olds can get to Williamsport and play for the World Championship while the 11U teams can only advance to Sectionals and the 10U can only advance to Districts.

So yes, not only is there a person other than me, it's how we describe it out here and other parts of the country.  Would you like a photo of the Little League district t-shirts as one of many examples where it says Williamsport division on it?  Good God you can be an obtuse individual...I'm sorry that in Chicago they didn't refer to it in that manner, but there is a whole big country outside of the greater Chicago area and there sure as hell is better baseball played (at ALL levels) outside of that area.

Send me your address and I'll send you a shirt...I assume XXXL?


Kingsbridge Little League reference to WILLIAMSPORT DIVISION...how dare they and all the way in New York...have they no shame...do they not know that Lenny has spoken  http://www.kingsbridgelittleleague.org/page/why-kbll

Carrollton Little League in Carrollton, Texas....what...they refer to is as the WILLIAMSPORT DIVISION...WHAT??
http://www.leaguelineup.com/information.asp?cmenuid=2&url=carrolltonllb&sid=113923909


Or in the Press

Andover Massachusetts Little League WILLIAMSPORT DIVISION...no way
http://www.eagletribune.com/sports/x1048571348/Little-League-North-Andover-wins-battle-of-Andovers/print

Ventura, California WILLIAMSPORT DIVISION....all the way here in California...oh yeah, already covered that
http://m.vcstar.com/news/2009/jul/30/no-headline---sc6fcyouthresults30yth-fc/

Commack, NY WILLIAMSPORT DIVISION
http://commack.patch.com/articles/commack-south-beats-brentwood-remains-undefeated

Etc, etc

My point was simply this: your son (who I'm sure is a great kid) and his little league team had nothing to do with the topic. Instead of mentioning them tangentially to make a point, you had to give us the whole 9 yards (Major, All Star, Williamsport Division, etc.). No big deal. It's just you being you, name dropping without even realizing it. Thought it was funny.

[RawdogDX]

Blair has very long arms and can also get off his feet quicker. Besides that, I am guessing Blair is taller than Davante, who is not 6'9".

Blair is actually listed at 6'7 or 6'8 depending on the website.  Not that I'm saying Gardner will be like him at the next level.

[bilsu]

Blair is actually listed at 6'7 or 6'8 depending on the website.  Not that I'm saying Gardner will be like him at the next level.

And MU lists Gardner at 6'8", which is is height in shoes.

[Pakuni]

And MU lists Gardner at 6'8", which is is height in shoes.

Blair measured 6' 6.5" in shoes at the NBA Combine.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Gardner may be closer to 6'9".   It would be good to see all the players remeasured.  Kids grow at their ages.  We may have a taller team than we think!

[ZiggysFryBoy]

???

 Would you like a photo of the Little League district t-shirts as one of many examples where it says Williamsport division on it?  Good God you can be an obtuse individual...

A photo would be good, along with an MU hat and your 2008 "none of the above" ballet.  That way, we know it's your kid.

[bilsu]

Gardner may be closer to 6'9".   It would be good to see all the players remeasured.  Kids grow at their ages.  We may have a taller team than we think!

6'8" is what MU lists in 2011-2012 prospectus released by MU this week. I have no idea whether they have remeasured Gardner. Prospectus list Williams as 6'7" and Williams stated last year that all-though Oregon listed him as 6'7" he was closer to 6'5".

[Bocephys]

6'8" is what MU lists in 2011-2012 prospectus released by MU this week. I have no idea whether they have remeasured Gardner. Prospectus list Williams as 6'7" and Williams stated last year that all-though Oregon listed him as 6'7" he was closer to 6'5".

Do you mean Jamil Wilson?  I also assume you meant 6'9" and not 6'5" as he is clearly taller than Jimmy Butler.

[bilsu]

Yes, I mean Jamil. I would not say he is easily taller than Butler. Maybe sligthly.

[RawdogDX]

6'8" is what MU lists in 2011-2012 prospectus released by MU this week. I have no idea whether they have remeasured Gardner. Prospectus list Williams as 6'7" and Williams stated last year that all-though Oregon listed him as 6'7" he was closer to 6'5".

I'm not going to argue as to if Gardner has a half inch on Blaire or if he's a 1/4 inch shorter.  Fact is: there have been some "below the rim players", 6'7 - 6'9 who have been able to play in the NBA.  Once again, I don't think Gardner will be one of them unless his footwork improves immensely and better conditioning = better hops.  Even with that, who knows.

[ChicosBailBonds]

My point was simply this: your son (who I'm sure is a great kid) and his little league team had nothing to do with the topic. Instead of mentioning them tangentially to make a point, you had to give us the whole 9 yards (Major, All Star, Williamsport Division, etc.). No big deal. It's just you being you, name dropping without even realizing it. Thought it was funny.

Fair enough...I think it did, however.  I was referencing how even 12 year old kids can be 6'3"...size doesn't matter (in this case) whether someone is a kid or not.  I was using a real world example only because every game our boys play in the series the other team starts belly aching about "that's no kid" in reference to our two 6 footers...it reminded me of what mviale was saying.  I could have used any number of other examples, but since that was freshest in my mind as we are in the middle of the All-Stars right now, it's what came to my mind.  I still consider Gardner a kid...hell, I consider most people in their 20's kids, even late 20's.

[Lennys Tap]

Fair enough...I think it did, however.  I was referencing how even 12 year old kids can be 6'3"...size doesn't matter (in this case) whether someone is a kid or not.  I was using a real world example only because every game our boys play in the series the other team starts belly aching about "that's no kid" in reference to our two 6 footers...it reminded me of what mviale was saying.  I could have used any number of other examples, but since that was freshest in my mind as we are in the middle of the All-Stars right now, it's what came to my mind.  I still consider Gardner a kid...hell, I consider most people in their 20's kids, even late 20's.


Almost eveyone not residing in the "Old Folk's Home" is a kid to me.

[Stretchdeltsig]

I think Marquette is taller than what's published.  Several years ago the players' heights seemed to listed taller than they really were.  Now, it seems the opposite, that the players are really taller than what is listed.

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

I can confirm the earlier report about Davante looking more like Burke's size now.  Great job Davante!

[Daniel]

I can confirm the earlier report about Davante looking more like Burke's size now.  Great job Davante!

Was speaking with Davante at the BBQ and he indeed look sslimmer, and I was also speaking with Dwight Burke too - who is chiseled. Davante has a ways to go to be in Dwight's shape, but Davante looked very very good - definitely dropped a lot of weight.