Recruiting as of 4/15/25

[Uncle Rico]

Why does everybody bring up redshirt, I am sure that is not what a new recruit wants to hear.  He might be the third big next year, might be better than Hamilton and Clark.  I am sure that is what he is thinking about, not redshirting

I hope he's thinking about his education and the name on the front of the jersey, not the back

[jfp61]

Why does everybody bring up redshirt, I am sure that is not what a new recruit wants to hear.  He might be the third big next year, might be better than Hamilton and Clark.  I am sure that is what he is thinking about, not redshirting

Because he is 17...

and we redshirted a 17 year old big each of the last two years.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Royce subbed for Ben a ton. I mean he popped to the top of the key and wing more than a 5 traditionally would but he was in as the "big man".

Do we have any indicators from authoritative sources saying whos expected to start? I think he should but till proven otherwise, Shakas selected experience over talent.

No indications from any sources but in terms of his game Royce seems like a pretty clear replacement for Jop at the 4 with Ben starting at the 5. 

I don't see any reason Ben and Royce can't be on the floor together at the same time for significant minutes. 

I don't see much of a chance of Hamilton or Clark starting at the 5 with Ben at the 4. 

I think Royce being used as an undersized 5 at times last season was just a function of the roster and it definitely could happen again this year if Hamilton and/or Clark are not contributing. 

[Scoop Snoop]

Why does everybody bring up redshirt, I am sure that is not what a new recruit wants to hear.  He might be the third big next year, might be better than Hamilton and Clark.  I am sure that is what he is thinking about, not redshirting

And you know this how?

[Vander Blue Man Group]

And you know this how?

He doesn't but it seems pretty clear he didn't realize Sheek would be reclassifying, which makes the decision a no-brainer, IMO. 

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Why does everybody bring up redshirt, I am sure that is not what a new recruit wants to hear.  He might be the third big next year, might be better than Hamilton and Clark.  I am sure that is what he is thinking about, not redshirting

For one thing, he's listed at 6-11 and only 200 pounds. He needs time in the weight room.

[TallTitan34]

And you know this how?

I don't trust anything until I hear from @panda2.0 's source.

Then I assume the opposite.

[tower912]

Royce subbed for Ben a ton. I mean he popped to the top of the key and wing more than a 5 traditionally would but he was in as the "big man".

Do we have any indicators from authoritative sources saying whos expected to start? I think he should but till proven otherwise, Shakas selected experience over talent.

Parham is the most logical player to slide into the Joplin/Omax role.  The alternative is to start twin towers and slide Ben to the 4.  I am down for anything involving towers.

[tower912]

Why does everybody bring up redshirt, I am sure that is not what a new recruit wants to hear.  He might be the third big next year, might be better than Hamilton and Clark.  I am sure that is what he is thinking about, not redshirting

Funny.  Considering you are going to be calling him a failure in about 20 minutes and say he should be recruited over from the portal.

[Galway Eagle]

I am down for anything involving towers.

Username checks out

[The Sultan]

Because he is 17...

and we redshirted a 17 year old big each of the last two years.

It feels like Pearson is on a whole different level though, but I guess we will see.

[MuMark]

It feels like Pearson is on a whole different level though, but I guess we will see.

My guess is if the plan is to redshirt it has been discussed with him and his family.

That is how Shaka has done it with the late signees the last few years who classified up. Explained why they thought it would be better than waiting to sign a year later.

So if he commits I'm sure he is fine with it.......

[JTJ3]

Totally different level of prospect compared to Clarke and Hamilton were, but he isnt physically ready to make an impact.  By enrolling now he knows he is redshirting to lift and practice (and get paid) for a year.  He isnt going to play this year, this is done to get a head start on the rest of his 2026 classmates.

[tower912]

Recruiting young bigs and getting them to redshirt may be Shaka's version of JUCOs or grad transfers.   What was once the norm is now an act of rebellion.

[CountryRoads]

Why does everybody bring up redshirt, I am sure that is not what a new recruit wants to hear.  He might be the third big next year, might be better than Hamilton and Clark.  I am sure that is what he is thinking about, not redshirting

I don't see the value in a redshirt for a player who can help the team even a little this year. First, there's a chance 4 year eligibility won't even be a thing by the time he's an upperclassmen the way things are headed. Second, if he's the real deal, he's not here 4 years anyway. Though, maybe it's easier to keep his morale up if he knows he's not going to be getting a lot of minutes. In any case, would be an awesome get.

[MuMark]

Some can just think of Sheek as a portal addition in 2026 with 4 years of eligibility.

[MuMark]

I don't see the value in a redshirt for a player who can help the team even a little this year. First, there's a chance 4 year eligibility won't even be a thing by the time he's an upperclassmen the way things are headed. Second, if he's the real deal, he's not here 4 years anyway. Though, maybe it's easier to keep his morale up if he knows he's not going to be getting a lot of minutes. In any case, would be an awesome get.

It doesn't matter if you see value( respectfully) it matters if Sheek and Shaka see value.

[tower912]

6'11, 200.  That makes Roman Mueller look heavy.  Josh was 7'1, 215.  Getting paid to sit, lift, grow, develop for a season seems to me a much better option than prep school or another year in high school.  Would love to see Shaka land him.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I don't see the value in a redshirt for a player who can help the team even a little this year. First, there's a chance 4 year eligibility won't even be a thing by the time he's an upperclassmen the way things are headed. Second, if he's the real deal, he's not here 4 years anyway. Though, maybe it's easier to keep his morale up if he knows he's not going to be getting a lot of minutes. In any case, would be an awesome get.

You don't see the value in potentially getting a year of 22 year old Sheek in exchange for a year of 17 year old Sheek? Not to mention a redshirt allows a focus on physical development that wouldn't be possible if they were playing.

Now if the five year thing passes, maybe redshirts go away... but Id guess that any player that already took a redshirt would be given a waiver to get that year back. So we might get a year of 23 year old Sheek instead.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I don't see the value in a redshirt for a player who can help the team even a little this year. First, there's a chance 4 year eligibility won't even be a thing by the time he's an upperclassmen the way things are headed. Second, if he's the real deal, he's not here 4 years anyway. Though, maybe it's easier to keep his morale up if he knows he's not going to be getting a lot of minutes. In any case, would be an awesome get.

Strongly disagree in this instance.  Sounds like the reason Marquette might be getting the commitment in this instance is because they encouraged him to reclassify and redshirt when he would otherwise spend his senior year in high school/prep school. 

As a 17 year-old that's going to need to add strength, the chances of any meaningful contributions this season are probably pretty small and the player and his family seems to agree. 

With Ben gone next season and a full year in the program under his belt he'll be in a much better place to contribute and play meaningful minutes.  And maybe he doesn't end up staying another 4 years after his redshirt but you can't predict the future so you don't make any kind of decision based on that. 

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

What was once the norm is now an act of rebellion.

Uh...

[tower912]

Uh...

What?  Clearly I am speaking directly to the idea of redshirting freshmen bigs.

[MuMark]

https://x.com/_lucasmorillo/status/1917715424885588460?s=61&t=6XPB8f4sAKmJIzxgMcsCjw

https://x.com/dylanthayer0/status/1917708791002587171?s=61&t=6XPB8f4sAKmJIzxgMcsCjw

https://x.com/steve_hewitt/status/1917974524227883076?s=61&t=6XPB8f4sAKmJIzxgMcsCjw

[cheebs09]

https://x.com/steve_hewitt/status/1917974524227883076?s=61&t=6XPB8f4sAKmJIzxgMcsCjw

I believe #62 was just in for a visit too.

[MU82]

Love the idea of Sheek reclassifying and joining our program.

I totally trust whatever he, his parents and Shaka agree upon re redshirting or playing in the upcoming season.

We Are Marquette!