Kostas Antetokounmpo

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

I think we take him just to open the door of having Giannis and Jabari on the team

[swoopem]

Don't worry, you aren't. Kostas came over very, very raw. In many ways, like Giannis did. Remember, people were lauding Giannis as the second coming in Milwaukee despite putting up 6.8 ppg/4.4 rpg as a rookie. Not overwhelming numbers, but he had promise.

Kostas is similar. He won't always put up numbers, but he's got potential. I remember talking to someone about the game where Corey Evans started gushing over Kostas. Talked about how he was a top-50 player, was in for a big ratings bump, and just amazing potential. To read Corey's feed, you'd think Kostas was dominating at both ends. Well, my friend watched that same game and Kostas put up two points. Two. He was totally unimpressed, and this is a guy that watches his fair share of AAU ball.

I think Kostas is a massive boom or bust type player. If you take a chance on him, you may get a guy who blossoms at the right time, puts up crazy numbers, and is a one-and-done talent. You might also get a guy who struggles to figure it out and takes time to acclimate. Might need to transfer to clear his head and get the right situation, considering the nature of college sports these days, especially if he came to Marquette only to redshirt and see his brother leave in free agency in 2-3 years.

Considering you get 13 scholarships, I think he's worth the risk. I'm expecting Hauser to come, but after that, Cassius Winston and Kostas Antetokounmpo are the two players I most want in 2016. And I don't say that in the "of all the players we've been linked to..." way, I mean it in the "If I could pick any two players in the 2016 class to roll the dice with, including guys currently in the top-5, I'd take Winston and Kostas over any of them" way. I think Winston is that good, as good if not better than any PG in the country, and when you consider the Bucks connection and the potential upside, I would take Kostas over even a Jayson Tatum or Harry Giles.

So I take it you've seen Cassius play and you still think he's the best point guard in the country? I have seen him and granted it was an off night, but if he's the best point guard in his class then this is a weak class. I definitely want the kid to come to MU and think he's going to be a stud, but after watching him play there's no part of me that's ready to label him the best point guard in the country.

[MUfan12]

Jerry Meyer is gambling with that ranking. Sees the upside and wants to be the first.

This sounds a bit like UW's mentality with Hauser, but MU has a lot of built-in advantages for Kostas. They can afford to take things a little slower at this point.

And I wouldn't worry about the scholarship situation. In college ball, you can almost count on at least one transfer.

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

and see his brother leave in free agency in 2-3 years.

Not happening.  We're already talking about years from now,  but the Bucks are going to match any offer on the Greek Freak.

If Kostas goes to MU.....Giannis and Jabari become part of the team too

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

People need to pump the brakes on Kostas.  The hype...the #21 ranking...all based on his brother being a budding NBA star...and we don't even know if Giannis will reach true star level or be just a solid NBA starter.

The main aspect at work...FOMO: Fear of missing out.  The fact that Kostas has an older brother in the NBA is inflating his ranking.  Smacks of Jerry Meyer trying to be smart and ahead of the curve in relation to other recruiting gurus.  The "#21 junior" couldn't even beat out Jake Bennett for a starting spot at Dominican.

The fact that Giannis plays for the Bucks has some Scoopers also experiencing FOMO...We can't let Kostas go elsewhere!  Besides, how cool would it be to have both brothers starring in Milwaukee!  Giannis can take the Bucks to the NBA Finals while Kostas leads us to the National Championship!

I do see the potential in Kostas...he's toolsy...great length, athleticism, decent jumper...but by no means is he a sure thing...more potential than production at this point.  He's a total lottery ticket...you might hit the jackpot...you might not win anything...or you might one of the other prizes.  If Wojo lands him, fine...but I'm not totally sold...yet.

[brewcity77]

So I take it you've seen Cassius play and you still think he's the best point guard in the country? I have seen him and granted it was an off night, but if he's the best point guard in his class then this is a weak class. I definitely want the kid to come to MU and think he's going to be a stud, but after watching him play there's no part of me that's ready to label him the best point guard in the country.

Probably an off night. Until he broke his wrist, he was tearing the EYBL a new poopshoot in style. There's probably a half-dozen PGs this year that there isn't much separation between. The knocks on Winston is that he's probably the smallest among those guys and he is sometimes turnover-prone. As a pro prospect, I'd take Simmons or Fox, but I think Winston will be a phenomenal college PG.

It will be interesting to see how the wrist impacts his rankings, he seemed to be headed for the top-10 before the break.

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

All of the hype/potential is his genetics.  His oldest brother is a professional soccer player.....next oldest is Thanasis,  who is a supreme athlete and professional basketball player.....next is Giannis......that's 3 professional athlete's in a row.

3 out of 3 brothers so far are professional athletes.....Sign Kostas and develop him

[swoopem]

Probably an off night. Until he broke his wrist, he was tearing the EYBL a new poopshoot in style. There's probably a half-dozen PGs this year that there isn't much separation between. The knocks on Winston is that he's probably the smallest among those guys and he is sometimes turnover-prone. As a pro prospect, I'd take Simmons or Fox, but I think Winston will be a phenomenal college PG.

It will be interesting to see how the wrist impacts his rankings, he seemed to be headed for the top-10 before the break.

So you haven't seen him play?

[brewcity77]

So you haven't seen him play?

Just highlights and talking to people about his game.

[LAZER]

People need to pump the brakes on Kostas.  The hype...the #21 ranking...all based on his brother being a budding NBA star...and we don't even know if Giannis will reach true star level or be just a solid NBA starter.

The main aspect at work...FOMO: Fear of missing out.  The fact that Kostas has an older brother in the NBA is inflating his ranking.  Smacks of Jerry Meyer trying to be smart and ahead of the curve in relation to other recruiting gurus.  The "#21 junior" couldn't even beat out Jake Bennett for a starting spot at Dominican.

The fact that Giannis plays for the Bucks has some Scoopers also experiencing FOMO...We can't let Kostas go elsewhere!  Besides, how cool would it be to have both brothers starring in Milwaukee!  Giannis can take the Bucks to the NBA Finals while Kostas leads us to the National Championship!

I do see the potential in Kostas...he's toolsy...great length, athleticism, decent jumper...but by no means is he a sure thing...more potential than production at this point.  He's a total lottery ticket...you might hit the jackpot...you might not win anything...or you might one of the other prizes.  If Wojo lands him, fine...but I'm not totally sold...yet.

+1

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

Let's think big picture....Kostas has Giannis and Jabari playing at the Al....and then they bring in pretty much the whole young Bucks team....

Recruiting GOLD

[BCHoopster]

MU barely can find enough players to round out a squad lately, so taking a gamble on a 6'9" player with great genes is a no brainer.  You have to look at a kid 2 to 3 years down the road and
the best example is his brother, in one year you can see how he has matured.  By the time Kostas will be 20 he should be fine and that is in 3 years.  Let see how he improves this year at Dominican. 

[brewcity77]

I do see the potential in Kostas...he's toolsy...great length, athleticism, decent jumper...but by no means is he a sure thing...more potential than production at this point.  He's a total lottery ticket...you might hit the jackpot...you might not win anything...or you might one of the other prizes.  If Wojo lands him, fine...but I'm not totally sold...yet.

This is why I'd want Winston and Kostas above any others. Winston is pure production, Kostas is pure potential.

Remember, there were reservations about Joel Embiid and Myles Turner when Marquette started recruiting them as well.

[GGGG]

MU barely can find enough players to round out a squad lately, so taking a gamble on a 6'9" player with great genes is a no brainer.  You have to look at a kid 2 to 3 years down the road and
the best example is his brother, in one year you can see how he has matured.  By the time Kostas will be 20 he should be fine and that is in 3 years.  Let see how he improves this year at Dominican. 

They have three scholarships available for 2016.  If Rowsey takes one, and Hauser takes one, we are down to one left assuming no transfers and HE doesn't leave early.

MU will be in a position *not* to take a flyer on someone.  And I don't think you can look at two brothers and project one to be as good as the other.  You have to make that decision independently.

[Sharpie]

By all accounts his stock has been on the ride because of his play and his potential. I'd put money that the blue bloods will be calling on him. I like our chances and I'd take him in a heart beat.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Blind stats from two PGE players for 4 games in session 3 at EYBL:

Player A

13.3 ppg  11.3 rpg   1.0 apg   0.5 spg    1.5 bpg   1.8 TO/game
24.3 mpg    shooting (FG%/3pt%/FT%)= .455/.500/.563


Player B

7.5 ppg  3.3 rpg   0.3 apg   0.5 spg    0.8 bpg   1.8 TO/game
25.3 mpg        shooting= .267/.188/.550


Which player do you give the scholarship to?  Player A or Player B?

[BCHoopster]

player A

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

They have three scholarships available for 2016.  If Rowsey takes one, and Hauser takes one, we are down to one left assuming no transfers and HE doesn't leave early.

MU will be in a position *not* to take a flyer on someone.  And I don't think you can look at two brothers and project one to be as good as the other.  You have to make that decision independently.

Problems that bring a smile to the face

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

Blind stats from two PGE players for 4 games in session 3 at EYBL:

Player A

13.3 ppg  11.3 rpg   1.0 apg   0.5 spg    1.5 bpg   1.8 TO/game
24.3 mpg    shooting (FG%/3pt%/FT%)= .455/.500/.563


Player B

7.5 ppg  3.3 rpg   0.3 apg   0.5 spg    0.8 bpg   1.8 TO/game
25.3 mpg        shooting= .267/.188/.550


Which player do you give the scholarship to?  Player A or Player B?

Depends on so many factors...show me the advanced stats....doesn't matter.......he's all about potential

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

How tall is he now?  I think he grows at least another inch.

[Jay Bee]

Coffey is the man.

Will check in on Kostas next weekend. Brutal year for PGE in EYBL.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Jay Bee, do you know Coffey's timeline?  Will he sign in the fall or wait for spring in hopes of parlaying a big senior year into bigger offers?

[Jay Bee]

Jay Bee, do you know Coffey's timeline?  Will he sign in the fall or wait for spring in hopes of parlaying a big senior year into bigger offers?

I just don't know how it'll turn out. There are reasons to do it one way vs. another. If him and the family get comfortable with a decision today, I could see him ending things now... but, if a certain school.. say UNC... is showing a lot of interest but wants to see him in action some more... it could go on for quite some time.

I think the Coffey family is very smart, thoughtful.. not new to this at all. So they'll be reasonable and realistic... but thorough.

In short: No idea which way it'll go.

edit: PS, as a reminder.. Henry and Amir played together for the Minnesota Pump N Run (D1 Minnesota) U15 team a few years ago.... and of course have been together for USA BBall.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Thanks Jay Bee.

[GGGG]

http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2015-05-15/kostas-antetokounmpo-greek-freak-giannis-thanasis