Update on Jameel McKay

[Big Daddy 84]

I know everyone is disappointed in the game last night so I want to share some info on Jameel McKay that hopefully will cheer us all up.  I recently spoke with Jameel's coach at Indian Hills and he shared the following:

In regards to what type of person Jameel is:  He is an open, likeable person, very fun and a extremely high energy person. A leader.

His strengths on the court are his high motor, high energy that leads him to be a stat stuffer, gets to the basket and finishes, has best 2nd and third jump ability he has seen. (Why people are recovering from first jump he is already going back up.)

Area that improved the most this last season was his mid-range jumper, got much better facing the basket.  (not 3pt range yet)

Area of focus for improving this off-season should be getting stronger...will never be fat ("until maybe he is 60"), but can put more muscle on.

Expects Jameel to be on campus here in late May.

Best memory of Jameel's time at Indian Hills will be his passion for winning..very emotional about winning.

Main factors for choosing MU:

1)   Playing in front of family and friends
2)   Big time program
3)   Buzz's track record with JUCO and getting them to the "next level"

Final 5 schools that Jameel had on his list were:

1)   MU
2)   Florida
3)   Indiana
4)   Illinois
5)   Iowa State

The most insightful part of the conversation was when Coach Peery relayed how much the Post Season ban for Indian Hills  hurt Jameel and how much he wanted to win. He wanted to be the next Jae Crowder  (notice comment above about stat stuffer), come in as a National Champion. He was simply devastated by this decision.  Feels he is going to use that for even further motivation for next year.

Finally he confirmed that Jameel is a legit 6' 9" ..doesn't know wingspan..."never measured it, just knew he was long, very long".

I am looking forward to the NCAA tourney and a great run by the current team...but I am also really excited about the future as well.

Final comment the rule that caused Indian Hills to be banned needs to be changed. 

[Groin_pull]

Thanks. Makes me feel better after last night's steaming pile of a game.

[GGGG]

BigDaddy...

Jameel needs to graduate Juco to be eligible.  Did his coach share if he is on track in that regard?

[Big Daddy 84]

...expects he will be here in late May after he "finishes up".

[Skatastrophy]

...expects he will be here in late May after he "finishes up".

Right on time!

Thanks a ton, great stuff!

[nyg]

Excellent, looking forward to him coming to MU.

I believe he starts immediately, just like Crowder did at the #4. 

[BCHoopster]

Depends on where you are playing Jamil Wilson, Wilson is better at the 4, so I would expect Anderson and Taylor to start.  Taylor should take a big jump next year, there will be
competition, that is for sure.

[StillWarriors]

Having that height/length a couple years from now will be key. While I'm confident Buzz will find a way, we lose a ton of size after next year, especially if Otule hangs around next year. It sounds like Jameel will be a great fit and entertaining to watch.

[hairy worthen]

There has been a lot of excitement and talk about jjj, wilson, burton and rightly so, but McKay may be the guy who helps us the most for next year. Really looking forward to see how this all pans out. They will have a very deep bench next year.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Good post after a bitter loss.  I can't wait to watch jameel play for Marquette period.  He is the "real deal" high energy big man that we need to run more.  This year's team has been the slowest of Buzz's 5 teams.  Our big men are slow.  Next year's team will be fun to watch because of all the high talent and the number of players.  Still don't understand how the roster will shape up because of the over signing.

[MUfan12]

Jameel needs to graduate Juco to be eligible.  Did his coach share if he is on track in that regard?

He has busted his ass in the classroom so that he'll be able to come to MU. With the other schools on his list, he could have said "screw it" and gone elsewhere. I'll be really rooting for him.

[tower912]

If Jameel is what he appears to be, in two years our forwards will be JM, STjr, Juan and Burton.    A good start.   I am sure Buzz is targeting more size for the '14 class.

[wesmat23]

Does Jameel have 2 or 3 years of elegibility left?

[GGGG]

Two.

[bilsu]

Put him on the floor with Juan at the same time and they will probably knock each other out going for the ball.

[MU72491]

This guy will be a stud.  Huge addition, classic buzz pick up.  Tough loss last night but hopefully Marquette learned that number of possessions is huge and so it boxing out.  To many turnovers. Excited for the big dance I expect buzz will have this group ready to go regardless of the seed

[ecompt]

Depends on where you are playing Jamil Wilson, Wilson is better at the 4, so I would expect Anderson and Taylor to start.  Taylor should take a big jump next year, there will be
competition, that is for sure.

I would be absolutely shocked if, with the talent upfront next season, Juan is starting.

[oshkoshbgosh]

If CO is indeed back next year, MU will have a deep front line. Any thoughts on redshirting Juan Anderson? A year to mature physically would help, and it would leave him with two years of eligibility after Otule, Gardner and Wilson gradualte.

[tower912]

I doubt Juan red-shirts and don't know that he needs to.   The most important thing is for him to be healthy so that he can hit the weights and work on his game.    Put 15-20 lbs of muscle on him and improve his shooting percentage and he is a stud. 

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Excellent, looking forward to him coming to MU.

I believe he starts immediately, just like Crowder did at the #4. 

With Jamil at the 3?

[bilsu]

Mckay can play the 3.

[Nukem2]

Mckay can play the 3.

McKay does not have an outside shot.  He'll be at the 4 and sometimes the 5 depending upon matchups.

[MUfan12]

Mckay can play the 3.

Not sure about that. He doesn't have the range you need at the 3 in Buzz's offense.

[forgetful]

I doubt Juan red-shirts and don't know that he needs to.   The most important thing is for him to be healthy so that he can hit the weights and work on his game.    Put 15-20 lbs of muscle on him and improve his shooting percentage and he is a stud. 

I honestly think Juan will score in double figures for us next year.  I see his career having a JFB type trajectory.  The extra strength would make him a force.  Tighten up the handle and he would be scary good.

[Norm]

I honestly think Juan will score in double figures for us next year.  I see his career having a JFB type trajectory.  The extra strength would make him a force.  Tighten up the handle and he would be scary good.

That would require a HUGE jump by Anderson next year.