Recruiting as of 4/15/25

[MU82]

No reason for Royce to leave. There is room for both.

That's fair. A big part of Shaka's job is convincing players they can work together.

Notably, I didn't say Parham would leave. I simply said that's the kind of thing that often happens, and asked if Scoopers would be happy with such a trade.

[Small Orange Soda]

Also, FWIW, Freeman has been neither a shooter (.313 from 3 on only 16 attempts, .600 on FTs) nor a real "banger" (6.7 reb, 1.8 blk).

Doesn't mean he's not already a good player. Doesn't mean he won't get better at those things.  Just means he's been neither of those things in two years at a B18G school.

So he can score in the paint and doesn't rely on outside shooting, would lead our team in rebounding by a full board, and averages double what our team leader in blocks does.

[bradforster]

A few weeks ago some Iowa fans online were saying he was headed to Marquette.

Nothing more connecting the two.

He's already selected his school.  Is it MU?  I guess we'll find out soon.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

No reason for Royce to leave. There is room for both.

I trust Shaka to navigate this situation.  If a player like Freeman comes, Ben and Royce compete at the 4, and play together when the 5 sits.  All three could play big minutes.

But I can also see MU82's scenario playing out, where a player gets disappointed and leaves.

[BCHoopster]

He's a center, if anything maybe Ben would leave, why are you mentioning Parham, different type of player.

[Pakuni]

I trust Shaka to navigate this situation.  If a player like Freeman comes, Ben and Royce compete at the 4, and play together when the 5 sits.  All three could play big minutes.

But I can also see MU82's scenario playing out, where a player gets disappointed and leaves.

At the end of the day, who cares? Shaka's job is to field a winning team, not make sure everyone is happy with their playing time (or unwilling to compete for playing time).

[GoldenEagles03]

At the end of the day, who cares? Shaka's job is to field a winning team, not make sure everyone is happy with their playing time (or unwilling to compete for playing time).

He has done nothing but field winning teams here, and it would seem Shaka cares. He wants players to develop, he wants guys to grow here and stay here.

[willie warrior]

He's a center, if anything maybe Ben would leave, why are you mentioning Parham, different type of player.

Right...we would not want to upset Ben, who has disappeared in many games and has already lost minutes to Parham

[Zog from Margo]

Exactly ☝️

Ideally, Parham is playing Joplin's spot next year. He's too slight for the 5 spot.

[Nukem2]

Ideally, Parham is playing Joplin's spot next year. He's too slight for the 5 spot.

Slight? Not tall enough to be consistently effective against taller mobile guys, but looks well built otherwise.

[GoldenEagles03]

Ideally, Parham is playing Joplin's spot next year. He's too slight for the 5 spot.

I believe that's exactly what will happen. I believe MU82s point is that, if Shaka decides to bring in a Freeman or other solidified Center, then it pushes Ben to the 4 and keeps Royce on the bench. That blocks the development that Shaka preaches. Tough to have both. Very tough.

If it is possible, I think we'd all welcome it, it just tends not to be possible.

[BCHoopster]

You want to watch Ben at the center for another year? Did you watch yesterday?

[GoldenEagles03]

You want to watch Ben at the center for another year? Did you watch yesterday?

It doesn't matter what any of us want. I'm just stating the Shaka way and that is to retain and develop.

Just because I (or others) state his philosophy, doesn't mean that's what we want or believe is best. That's just how it is.

[nyg]

I believe that's exactly what will happen. I believe MU82s point is that, if Shaka decides to bring in a Freeman or other solidified Center, then it pushes Ben to the 4 and keeps Royce on the bench. That blocks the development that Shaka preaches. Tough to have both. Very tough.

If it is possible, I think we'd all welcome it, it just tends not to be possible.

Blocks the development?  Keeps him on the bench? Parham was on the BE all freshman team and will see significant minutes next year, significant, whether starting or coming off the bench.  Just in case a nice portal player comes onboard, doesn't necessarily means Parham will be on the "bench".  It is possible to spread those minutes and would be a blessing to the team, as opposed to now.  Heck, for all we know, Parham develops even more and takes minutes away from Gold. 

As far as the old "development" and people concerned that over recruiting players will hurt the players feelings, so be it.  Happens to every high major basketball program. Shaka is earning millions to construct a roster to win, not to be a school principal and worry about players being put in detention and having feelings hurt.

Like you said, it is tough, but so be it.  Shaka's a smart guy and probably is contemplating what direction his roster is going to be.  After their last game, he will meet with returning players and define what roles they will play. Some be happy, some not. Personally, I think two players will not return, but that speculation will be discussed in few weeks.

[Pakuni]

I believe that's exactly what will happen. I believe MU82s point is that, if Shaka decides to bring in a Freeman or other solidified Center, then it pushes Ben to the 4 and keeps Royce on the bench. That blocks the development that Shaka preaches. Tough to have both. Very tough.

If it is possible, I think we'd all welcome it, it just tends not to be possible.

If Shaka decides to bring in a Freeman or other solidified (?) center, it pushes Ben to the bench.

[GoldenEagles03]

Blocks the development?  Keeps him on the bench? Parham was on the BE all freshman team and will see significant minutes next year, significant, whether starting or coming off the bench.  Just in case a nice portal player comes onboard, doesn't necessarily means Parham will be on the "bench".  It is possible to spread those minutes and would be a blessing to the team, as opposed to now.  Heck, for all we know, Parham develops even more and takes minutes away from Gold. 

As far as the old "development" and people concerned that over recruiting players will hurt the players feelings, so be it.  Happens to every high major basketball program. Shaka is earning millions to construct a roster to win, not to be a school principal and worry about players being put in detention and having feelings hurt.

Like you said, it is tough, but so be it.  Shaka's a smart guy and probably is contemplating what direction his roster is going to be.  After their last game, he will meet with returning players and define what roles they will play. Some be happy, some not. Personally, I think two players will not return, but that speculation will be discussed in few weeks.

None of us know! If we use history as a guide it would show different, but like I said. I just want to win. I trust Shaka.

[GoldenEagles03]

If Shaka decides to bring in a Freeman or other solidified (?) center, it pushes Ben to the bench.

No

[nyg]

None of us know! If we use history as a guide it would show different, but like I said. I just want to win. I trust Shaka.

None of us know! If we use history as a guide it would show different, but like I said. I just want to win. I trust Shaka.

None of us know?, really? Then why did you even state that Parham would go to the bench?  Why did you state "development" will be blocked? 

If you are going to post statements on what your belief is, that is fine and you can back it through appropriate commentary.  But just posting for the sake of it and trowing things out there, is not really productive. Stating "I just want to win and I trust Shaka" is a sign of surrender.   

[GoldenEagles03]

None of us know?, really? Then why did you even state that Parham would go to the bench?  Why did you state "development" will be blocked? 

If you are going to post statements on what your belief is, that is fine and you can back it through appropriate commentary.  But just posting for the sake of it and trowing things out there, is not really productive. Stating "I just want to win and I trust Shaka" is a sign of surrender.   

Come on...you think a prominent Center would sign on to come off the bench? If your answer is no, then you think adding a Center is pushing Senior Ben Gold to the bench over Parham?

Come on..

[Zog from Margo]

Slight? Not tall enough to be consistently effective against taller mobile guys, but looks well built otherwise.

Not compared to Dixon, Reed, Zuby, Sorber. Not enough junk in the trunk to defend post ups against bigs with girth.

[nyg]

Come on...you think a prominent Center would sign on to come off the bench? If your answer is no, then you think adding a Center is pushing Senior Ben Gold to the bench over Parham?

Come on..

You are a piece of cake and are all over the planet with hypothetical concepts.
First off, define "bench"?  You make it sound as if it means minimum/zero playing minutes. Its does not. 


I never, never said adding a center would push Gold to "bench".  I never said anything about a nice portal player signing to come off the bench. I said if a nice portal player comes along, it wouldn't mean Parham would go to your conceived "bench", as you wrote in your previous post. I did state that "who knows", maybe Parham will develop and maybe take some of Gold's minutes.  And I really don't care if Gold is a "senior".  Is that what a major college coach should be contemplating, because he is a senior?

We all know, you just want to win.

[wadesworld]

He's already selected his school.  Is it MU?  I guess we'll find out soon.

Or he has a list of schools he's interested in and doesn't need 300 schools reaching out to him.

[GoldenEagles03]

You are a piece of cake and are all over the planet with hypothetical concepts.
First off, define "bench"?  You make it sound as if it means minimum/zero playing minutes. Its does not. 


I never, never said adding a center would push Gold to "bench".  I never said anything about a nice portal player signing to come off the bench. I said if a nice portal player comes along, it wouldn't mean Parham would go to your conceived "bench", as you wrote in your previous post. I did state that "who knows", maybe Parham will develop and maybe take some of Gold's minutes.  And I really don't care if Gold is a "senior".  Is that what a major college coach should be contemplating, because he is a senior?

We all know, you just want to win.

If we add a portal Center...Parham, Gold, and said Center aren't all starting.

Which means Parham plays off the bench and his role stays the same as it was this year as the backup 4. If Shaka can convince him that is best for his development and the team, then perfect! I just don't think it's that easy.

[bradforster]

Or he has a list of schools he's interested in and doesn't need 300 schools reaching out to him.

I just know he entered with a no contact designation, which usually means he's already got a school lined up.

[Pakuni]

No

Ben guarding the likes of RJ Luis, Alex Karaban and Dailyn Swain on the perimeter. Sounds fun.