With 11 players signed, we can start to see an outline of what a potential rotation might look like. Obviously I have no idea how it will really end up since there are so many unknowns, but here is my best guess currently:
Starters:
G - Sam Griffin - 5th Year - 6'4" 180 - Averaged 15/3/2 at Tulsa last year. Overall has been a starter and significant scorer at the D-1 level for 4 years. He played his first 2 years at UT-Arlington, averaging 13/2/2 and shooting nearly 40% from 3. His shooting efficiency was not great at Tulsa and I think it was a classic case of a guy being asked to do too much on a bad team. About half his shots are from 3 and if we can build an offense that generates decent looks I think he can be a real perimeter threat. Very experienced player who has played in a tough conference (AAC).
G - Akuel Kot - 5th year - 6'2" 165 - Averaged 23/3/1 (yeah, assists aren't really his thing) last year at Fort Lewis where he was a D2 All-American and led them to a 29-4 record and Top 10 ranking in D2. A very interesting prospect, not just because he comes from the D2 level. Obviously slight of stature but does appear to have long arms and the ability to get his shot in a variety of ways. How that translates to the MWC will be very interesting. The player that comes to mind for me is Donta Richardson. Obviously the game is different today, but Richardson had a similar build and the ability to score in a variety of ways. The impressive thing to me about Kot is that his numbers got better and better every year and those huge numbers this past year were put up on very efficient shooting. 52/39/85 shooting splits with a True Shooting percentage over 65%. He shot 60% on 2's which is a very high number for a slightly built guard.
G/F - Brendan Wenzel - who the heck knows what year he is, technically his 5th college season, but can play one more year after this upcoming if he chooses - 6'7" 205 - I think we all know what we are getting here. Very good perimeter shooter and solid all around player.
F - Mason Walters - 5th year - 6'9" 225 - NAIA player of the year, was dominant at that level averaged basically 25/10 over his last 3 seasons as Jamestown. Very skilled, hit 60% from the field, 37% from 3 on decent volume, 83% from the FT line, etc. How does this translate to the MWC? I have no idea, but he certainly had nothing left to prove at the NAIA level. Is he quick enough to guard 4's at the MWC level?
C - Caden Powell - Sophomore - 6'10" 210 - This is probably a hopeful projection, but like others I appreciate him sticking around and would really like to see him make a substantial jump in to his sophomore season. The other likely possibility is that Walters starts here and someone else plays the 4.
Overall, I assume the 5th year guys aren't coming here to sit on the bench so I have them penciled in as starters. Bench contributors:
G - Kael Combs - 6'4" 190 - Freshman - Committed to Wyoming after a very successful senior season in which he earned all-state honors in Missouri at the highest classification. Also a FBS football recruit, he isn't as skinny as many of our recent freshmen. Very impressive numbers in High School (23/7/6) and the abiilty to score in multiple ways. Very excited to see him develop.
G - Kenny Foster - 7th year...just kidding, actually on his 5th but like Wenzel I believe he can play a 6th if he chooses - 6'5" 190 - This is all about health. When healthy, he has shown he can be a significant positive presence on the court. A good perimeter shooter who moves well without the ball and looks to make the right play. Would really love for him to come in healthy and take a starting job and have a huge season but until I see him stay healthy I don't think we can count on it. Averaged 9 ppg on a mid-tier MWC Wyoming team as a Sophomore so more than capable of being a key cog on this team.
G - Kobe Newton - 6'2" 175 - Junior - Comes to Wyoming after 2 years at Fullerton College (and a previous season at a JC in Kansas as well). Was the leading scorer on a team that won the California JUCO title and shot almost 40 percent from three on the season. Projects as a bench shooter to come in and knock down some 3s. Looks to be decently athletic, so hopefully can hold his own defensively.
F - Cam Manyawu - Freshman - 6'9 215 - All-state 6A in Missouri like Combs. Rated as the #2 high school prospect in Missouri behind his own teammate who is going to Iowa State (his other teammate was actually the state player of the year and is going to CSU, crazy high school team). Looks the part on highlight videos and I believe doesn't turn 18 until late in the summer. A bit of a late bloomer (but young for his grade so that is part of it). Averaged 7 ppg as a Junior but something like 16 as a senior on a loaded team. It doesn't take a big leap to imagine him as a 6'9" 235 force in a year or two.
Deep Bench:
G - Nigle Cook - 6'6''180 - Freshman - Very impressive highlight tape. Clearly a good athlete with the ability to finish above the rim, but what is really impressive is the 3 point stroke. Of course, you only see the made ones on the highlight tape but his motion/release is so smooth. Reminds me of Drake Jeffries a little bit. I am very excited to see his development. I put him here because just from the videos I have seen he needs some physical development and I think he might struggle at first at this level. I could be wrong, but very excited for him long term.
C - Oleg Kojenets - 7'0 232 - Junior - He's tall. Rarely got on the floor at Nebraska in 2 years. Someone has to be the 11th 12th or 13th guy and it might as well be a 7 footer who can maybe absorb some fouls.
G - Cort Roberson - Walk-on
A couple of additional comments:
1. Still (2) open spots and I really think we need a PG and a stretch 4/big wing. Depending on those last 2 signees I might change up the projected rotation. I think there is an opportunity for someone to come in and start at the 4 if they are the right prospect.
2. Skinny team overall. Hate to say it, but looks more like a Summit League roster size wise than a MWC roster. Hopefully skill can make up for it.
Starters:
G - Sam Griffin - 5th Year - 6'4" 180 - Averaged 15/3/2 at Tulsa last year. Overall has been a starter and significant scorer at the D-1 level for 4 years. He played his first 2 years at UT-Arlington, averaging 13/2/2 and shooting nearly 40% from 3. His shooting efficiency was not great at Tulsa and I think it was a classic case of a guy being asked to do too much on a bad team. About half his shots are from 3 and if we can build an offense that generates decent looks I think he can be a real perimeter threat. Very experienced player who has played in a tough conference (AAC).
G - Akuel Kot - 5th year - 6'2" 165 - Averaged 23/3/1 (yeah, assists aren't really his thing) last year at Fort Lewis where he was a D2 All-American and led them to a 29-4 record and Top 10 ranking in D2. A very interesting prospect, not just because he comes from the D2 level. Obviously slight of stature but does appear to have long arms and the ability to get his shot in a variety of ways. How that translates to the MWC will be very interesting. The player that comes to mind for me is Donta Richardson. Obviously the game is different today, but Richardson had a similar build and the ability to score in a variety of ways. The impressive thing to me about Kot is that his numbers got better and better every year and those huge numbers this past year were put up on very efficient shooting. 52/39/85 shooting splits with a True Shooting percentage over 65%. He shot 60% on 2's which is a very high number for a slightly built guard.
G/F - Brendan Wenzel - who the heck knows what year he is, technically his 5th college season, but can play one more year after this upcoming if he chooses - 6'7" 205 - I think we all know what we are getting here. Very good perimeter shooter and solid all around player.
F - Mason Walters - 5th year - 6'9" 225 - NAIA player of the year, was dominant at that level averaged basically 25/10 over his last 3 seasons as Jamestown. Very skilled, hit 60% from the field, 37% from 3 on decent volume, 83% from the FT line, etc. How does this translate to the MWC? I have no idea, but he certainly had nothing left to prove at the NAIA level. Is he quick enough to guard 4's at the MWC level?
C - Caden Powell - Sophomore - 6'10" 210 - This is probably a hopeful projection, but like others I appreciate him sticking around and would really like to see him make a substantial jump in to his sophomore season. The other likely possibility is that Walters starts here and someone else plays the 4.
Overall, I assume the 5th year guys aren't coming here to sit on the bench so I have them penciled in as starters. Bench contributors:
G - Kael Combs - 6'4" 190 - Freshman - Committed to Wyoming after a very successful senior season in which he earned all-state honors in Missouri at the highest classification. Also a FBS football recruit, he isn't as skinny as many of our recent freshmen. Very impressive numbers in High School (23/7/6) and the abiilty to score in multiple ways. Very excited to see him develop.
G - Kenny Foster - 7th year...just kidding, actually on his 5th but like Wenzel I believe he can play a 6th if he chooses - 6'5" 190 - This is all about health. When healthy, he has shown he can be a significant positive presence on the court. A good perimeter shooter who moves well without the ball and looks to make the right play. Would really love for him to come in healthy and take a starting job and have a huge season but until I see him stay healthy I don't think we can count on it. Averaged 9 ppg on a mid-tier MWC Wyoming team as a Sophomore so more than capable of being a key cog on this team.
G - Kobe Newton - 6'2" 175 - Junior - Comes to Wyoming after 2 years at Fullerton College (and a previous season at a JC in Kansas as well). Was the leading scorer on a team that won the California JUCO title and shot almost 40 percent from three on the season. Projects as a bench shooter to come in and knock down some 3s. Looks to be decently athletic, so hopefully can hold his own defensively.
F - Cam Manyawu - Freshman - 6'9 215 - All-state 6A in Missouri like Combs. Rated as the #2 high school prospect in Missouri behind his own teammate who is going to Iowa State (his other teammate was actually the state player of the year and is going to CSU, crazy high school team). Looks the part on highlight videos and I believe doesn't turn 18 until late in the summer. A bit of a late bloomer (but young for his grade so that is part of it). Averaged 7 ppg as a Junior but something like 16 as a senior on a loaded team. It doesn't take a big leap to imagine him as a 6'9" 235 force in a year or two.
Deep Bench:
G - Nigle Cook - 6'6''180 - Freshman - Very impressive highlight tape. Clearly a good athlete with the ability to finish above the rim, but what is really impressive is the 3 point stroke. Of course, you only see the made ones on the highlight tape but his motion/release is so smooth. Reminds me of Drake Jeffries a little bit. I am very excited to see his development. I put him here because just from the videos I have seen he needs some physical development and I think he might struggle at first at this level. I could be wrong, but very excited for him long term.
C - Oleg Kojenets - 7'0 232 - Junior - He's tall. Rarely got on the floor at Nebraska in 2 years. Someone has to be the 11th 12th or 13th guy and it might as well be a 7 footer who can maybe absorb some fouls.
G - Cort Roberson - Walk-on
A couple of additional comments:
1. Still (2) open spots and I really think we need a PG and a stretch 4/big wing. Depending on those last 2 signees I might change up the projected rotation. I think there is an opportunity for someone to come in and start at the 4 if they are the right prospect.
2. Skinny team overall. Hate to say it, but looks more like a Summit League roster size wise than a MWC roster. Hopefully skill can make up for it.
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