What is the ceiling for Haanif?

[brewcity77]

And don't get me wrong, I like Cheatham and think he has a ton of upside, but they coined the term "sophomore slump" for a reason. Right now, he's probably the fourth or fifth guy teams are preparing for. No one is thinking "you need to take Haanif away" to beat Marquette, they're thinking of taking away Henry, Luke, and Duane (and maybe Jajuan).

Next year, will he be a bigger part of the offense, or a smaller one? It's not inconceivable that Luke, Duane, JJ, and Rowsey as upperclassmen take the bulk of the shots, while the idea that we could land Howard would give us two PGs (Carter as well) that would be ahead of Haney.

My hope is that Cheatham is a kid who's ahead of the curve and grows into an even more influential player next year. The adage "freshmen want to play, sophomores want to start, juniors want to score, seniors want to win" is interesting when applied to Haanif because as a freshman, he's playing, starting and scoring. I'd love to see him in senior mindset next year with three years of ferocious, win-at-all-costs mentality. But will he get there? We'll see.

[Smokin' Jae]

Absolutely needs to learn how to finish with his right hand, I can't remember one instance this year where he hasn't come back to his left at the rim.

[avid1010]

ceiling would be wes mathews...will he ever get there?  i doubt it...just because not many do.  he reminds me of wes in many ways from his size, to how he uses his body, to his mature personality.  i absolutely love the kid...and wojo has to love coaching him. 

[rocket surgeon]

haanif is really good and will probably get even better with experience, absolutely love his game, his demeanor... but let's face it, these guys are a dime a dozen, (well maybe half dozen) in the NBA.  he needs and will develop something that separates himself some.  he will be our leader.  please please don't leave us too soon.  holy schmit, i didn't realize he's listed as 6'5".  ok, let's keep him thru at least junior year

[El Duderino]

Absolutely needs to learn how to finish with his right hand, I can't remember one instance this year where he hasn't come back to his left at the rim.

I'm far less concerned about his ability to learn how to use his right hand more going forward than i am with him currently being a turnover machine. I get that he's a freshman, but he commits way to many what the hell are you doing turnovers.

Granted, the whole team is overly turnover prone, but Hannif is arguably the biggest culprit.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Haanif is already on Draft Express top freshman list. Only 10 spots behind Sumner who Wojo said could be a lottery pick this year.

Can't wait to see what Cheatham looks like next year

That list is BS. No chance im hell there are 67 better freshman the Hannif.

[MattyWarrior]

Haney is an excellent frosh,don't know what else we could hope for. He seems mature for his age
and I'm sure he knows what to work on next summer. I wish all the new guys carried themselves
like he has.

[SaveOD238]

For what it's worth...

Haanif is averaging 11.4/game (but has exceeded and even doubled that in all but 5 games since Presbyterian).  He has 286 points so far on the season.

Jerel averaged 11.1 as a frosh for a total of 343.

Haanif needs 57 points to equal Jerel's freshman scoring total.  He could do that as early as Creighton (road), and almost certainly will top it by the end of the BEast season, postseason notwithstanding.

If it comes down to simply pace, Haanif is on pace to eclipse Jerel's total.  However, Haanif may not see the improvement that Jerel saw.  Or, he may make the jump early. 

In my mind, Haanif is the player Vander Blue was supposed to be as a freshman.  Hopefully, Haanif does what Vander didn't and sticks around for four years.  If he does, there's no way Haanif ISNT a top 5 all time scorer, if not #1.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Granted, the whole team is overly turnover prone, but Hannif is arguably the biggest culprit.

Not saying he doesn't have room for improvement, but he's never been asked to play PG before.

[T-Bone]

Haanif 35 - Hurricane Ditka 12

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I love Haanif. Do think he has a legit shot at the scoring title. He might break it after Duane does.

What I want to see him improve is strength and rebounding. We're likely going to be a small team next season. We need him crashing the boards the way Josh Hart does for Nova

[brandx]

I said early that he would be the leading scorer by his junior year and also a possible All-American by his senior year.

But a comparison to Pippen? Not a chance. Ever. Not even in the same universe.

Jalen Rose? No way. He was a very, very good college and NBA player with a great offensive game.

Still too early to tell if HC is an NBA player. Looks like he has the athletic ability/quickness and the aptitude. If he broadens his offensive repertoire, he has an excellent chance.

[GooooMarquette]

I'm far less concerned about his ability to learn how to use his right hand more going forward than i am with him currently being a turnover machine. I get that he's a freshman, but he commits way to many what the hell are you doing turnovers.

Granted, the whole team is overly turnover prone, but Hannif is arguably the biggest culprit.

Haanif is averaging 2.9 tpg.

Three kids named McNeal, James and Matthews averaged 3.8, 2.8 and 2.3 tpg as frosh.

And Haanif is playing PG for the first time ever.  He will be fine.

[MU82]

Give him the ball with 9 seconds left and let him drive to the basket just like we did Vander Blue!

Maybe you've forgotten but Vander finished that amazing play with his off hand. Not sure if Haanif has made a single basket with his right hand this season, let alone a basket of that magnitude.

I do think that, with work, the junior Haanif will be better than the junior Vander was.

And then I hope the junior Haanif gets better advice than the junior Vander did!

[Herman Cain]

I like his game a lot. He will grow as a player if he learns to pass the ball more. I am confident  he gets stronger and gains more skills like using a right or a pull up jumper over the summer. My best guess is his upside is something close to Denzell Valentine.

[amen426]

I've been trying to find a comparison for him all year, and have really struggled. Typically I can find a player (in the NBA) whose game resembles one of our players. But Haanif is a tough one to find.

Comparing left handed players is like comparing Black QB's. You always tend to limit yourself to those specific type of players. Jalen Rose was solid, but Jalen was a great distributor. And a few inches taller. Scottie Pippen was a terrible comparison in every aspect.

My comparison, is NOT meant to be in terms of talent level or ceiling. It's just simply a comparison of playing styles, or similar traits.

Manu Ginobli
- Slow release on three
- Great finisher around the rim
- 6-5, slight build
- Lefty, obviously. Never developed a right hand.
- Propensity for mind-numbing mistakes

Again - not comparing talent levels or celing. Just saying he has some Manu in his game.. Digging deep on this one, I know.

Ceiling is always tough to judge, since you can't tell what type of work ethic/heart the kid has.

Nevertheless - love the potential of this kid. He's been my favorite player to watch all season.

[Wade for President]

I'm feeling the Manu comparison for multiple reasons

[bilsu]

I think Haanif is a 4 year player. He does not have elite athleticism that a Sumner has. Assuming Rowsey is good enough to start next year, I think Haanif plays the three. I think he will be our first 2000 point scorer. However, he has to have a more productive year than Wilson is having as a sophomore. 350/450/550/650=2000. Wilson had 378 as a freshmen and 303 so far this year. Haanif at 286 with at least 7 games to go.

[MU82]

I've been trying to find a comparison for him all year, and have really struggled. Typically I can find a player (in the NBA) whose game resembles one of our players. But Haanif is a tough one to find.

Comparing left handed players is like comparing Black QB's. You always tend to limit yourself to those specific type of players. Jalen Rose was solid, but Jalen was a great distributor. And a few inches taller. Scottie Pippen was a terrible comparison in every aspect.

My comparison, is NOT meant to be in terms of talent level or ceiling. It's just simply a comparison of playing styles, or similar traits.

Manu Ginobli
- Slow release on three
- Great finisher around the rim
- 6-5, slight build
- Lefty, obviously. Never developed a right hand.
- Propensity for mind-numbing mistakes

Again - not comparing talent levels or celing. Just saying he has some Manu in his game.. Digging deep on this one, I know.

Ceiling is always tough to judge, since you can't tell what type of work ethic/heart the kid has.

Nevertheless - love the potential of this kid. He's been my favorite player to watch all season.

Manu works for me. Nicely done.

[hdog1017]

John Cliff

[MU82]

It's too bad Haanif will experience his ceiling at Iowa State or Liberty, where he'll be heading after he's sick of Wojo's mind games.

[bilsu]

It's too bad Haanif will experience his ceiling at Iowa State or Liberty, where he'll be heading after he's sick of Wojo's mind games.

Just in case you were serious, I do not think Wojo plays mind games with Haanif.

[GGGG]

Third team All American.

[tower912]

Just in case you were serious, I do not think Wojo plays mind games with Haanif.

You aren't keeping up.   MU82 is all about the sarcasm.   

[bilsu]

You aren't keeping up.   MU82 is all about the sarcasm.

I really do not pay attention to who said what, so you are right I am not keeping up.