Kokomo Monster (2024) - C Flory Bidunga to Kansas

[AKHoosier 6,550]

21 hours ago, Alford Bailey said:

Good analysis. My initial thoughts were people have fallen in love with the athleticism and expectations are gonna be unrealistic. Just don’t take him at the expense of other needs.

We'll definitely need a big in 2024, no question about that.

My hope is that we get a portal big for 23/24 season to pair with Reneau, and Bidunga stays in the 2024 class to continue developing.

You could make the argument he'd develop better by reclassifying and practicing against college athletes, but that didn't work for Lander so it clearly doesn't work for everyone.

[WayneFleekHoosier 46,725]

We'll definitely need a big in 2024, no question about that.
My hope is that we get a portal big for 23/24 season to pair with Reneau, and Bidunga stays in the 2024 class to continue developing.
You could make the argument he'd develop better by reclassifying and practicing against college athletes, but that didn't work for Lander so it clearly doesn't work for everyone.

Lander wasn’t a development issue. It was a missed evaluation and ranking based on perceived gains. Bidunga is insanely productive and athletic. Bidunga staying 2024 would be great and fine, but he isn’t a similar case to Lander. Most of the time reclass concerns are based on physical skillsets and that won’t be the issue.


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[AKHoosier 6,550]

35 minutes ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Lander wasn’t a development issue. It was a missed evaluation and ranking based on perceived gains. Bidunga is insanely productive and athletic. Bidunga staying 2024 would be great and fine, but he isn’t a similar case to Lander. Most of the time reclass concerns are based on physical skillsets and that won’t be the issue.


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Valid. It was never the correct path for Lander.

Didn't Race Thompson do it too? Not sure how much it benefitted him either, but Flory is clearly miles ahead of both players so I guess no need to throw the baby out with the bath water.

If we're looking to avoid taking a step back next year, I just don't think Bidunga solves that on his own. Great player and prospect, but I don't know if he negates the need for a portal big. 

I'd sure be excited though, don't get me wrong. 

[lillurk 3,667]

For what it’s worth, the track record of PGs reclassifying to get to college earlier is dire. Lander especially so, but Ashton Hagans at UK, Duke had a guy that then got forced out after a year and had a mediocre career at USC and some third school…someone looked at the reclass data and it’s rough for PGs, wish I could find the link.

For other positions, on average it has not had a drastic negative impact if I recall correctly.

[Stuhoo 75,559]

On the reclass topic, to me it also seems relevant as to the age of the kid reclassifying.

Lander was a true/17 year old reclass, but many reclassification candidates are reclassifying back to their true year.

[Alford Bailey 12,244]

6 hours ago, AKHoosier said:

We'll definitely need a big in 2024, no question about that.

My hope is that we get a portal big for 23/24 season to pair with Reneau, and Bidunga stays in the 2024 class to continue developing.

You could make the argument he'd develop better by reclassifying and practicing against college athletes, but that didn't work for Lander so it clearly doesn't work for everyone.

He had 9 dunks in his last game but the competition is iffy a Kokomo. He would have to be brought along slow and you would definitely to bring in another big ready for this level.

[Crimson and Cream 5,699]

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[MikeRoberts 6,832]

What is his game like outside of 2 feet from the basket?

[rayl456 388]

8 hours ago, MikeRoberts said:

What is his game like outside of 2 feet from the basket?

You mean shooting free throws??

[MikeRoberts 6,832]

21 minutes ago, rayl456 said:

You mean shooting free throws??

I mean everything! All his videos are dunks/ally ops/putbacks

[WayneFleekHoosier 46,725]

6 minutes ago, MikeRoberts said:

I mean everything! All his videos are dunks/ally ops/putbacks

I mean…. Do what you need to do.  If he’s shooting midranges and 3s at this age then he’s Wenbeyama.  A dominant, athletic, coordinated big guy with his abilities is worth his weight in NIL.  

Edited February 25, 2023 by WayneFleekHoosier

[Rico 2,911]

10 hours ago, Crimson and Cream said:

 

 

 

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Matt Painter was at the game.

[Alford Bailey 12,244]

40 minutes ago, MikeRoberts said:

I mean everything! All his videos are dunks/ally ops/putbacks

He dominates against 6’2” white kids, is the #2 player in the class AND is currently projected to Cincinnati. Something is off here.

[Rico 2,911]

4 minutes ago, Alford Bailey said:

He dominates against 6’2” white kids, is the #2 player in the class AND is currently projected to Cincinnati. Something is off here.

Oscar Robertson fan?

[Stuhoo 75,559]

46 minutes ago, Rico said:

Matt Painter was at the game.

Purdue definitely has a real shot here.

[rayl456 388]

41 minutes ago, Rico said:

Oscar Robertson fan?

Maybe Ron Bonham?

[WayneFleekHoosier 46,725]

1 hour ago, Alford Bailey said:

He dominates against 6’2” white kids, is the #2 player in the class AND is currently projected to Cincinnati. Something is off here.

He did his thing in AAU to fully skyrocket up the rankings against his peers.  His play translates.  What is off, is the connections that are needed to make it all happen appear to be complicated.  

[WayneFleekHoosier 46,725]

1 hour ago, Stuhoo said:

Purdue definitely has a real shot here.

Yuck. That would be extra painful. 

[Honkyman 1,670]

1 hour ago, Alford Bailey said:

AND is currently projected to Cincinnati. Something is off here.

I would be surprised if he goes to Cincinnati. He may go to  IU, he may go to Purdue or he wind up somewhere else, but in the end I predict he makes his decision on where he thinks he has the best chance of being developed to make the next step to the NBA.  There is no reason to believe that program is Cincinnati.

[Crimson and Cream 5,699]

7 hours ago, Rico said:

Matt Painter was at the game.

He's been at quite a few, it'll be a battle to the end for this kid.