(2019) SF Keion Brooks Jr. to Kentucky

[goonaha 2,972]

5 hours ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Historically it’s terrible for Indiana and great for Michigan State.

Fortunately with Archie we are able to be different. Time will tell if Archie can get LaLu kids. I’d say it favors MSU and UK slightly but maybe not.

Good Luck Archie wading in these waters.


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Let me tell you, the game is the game. Some might not like to hear it, but it's the truth. 

[fwgreenway 495]

https://www.wane.com/sports/brooks-jr-to-transfer-from-north-side-to-la-lumiere/1344588131

Interesting interview with wane tv in Fort Wayne.

[Stromboli 6,076]

16 minutes ago, VO5 said:

What kids want sometimes isn’t reality. I have no doubt in my mind he wants to play the 2. The question we need to ask is, can he consistently knock down the 3? Can he get by defenders on the perimeter? Is his handle good enough? 

Doing these things in AAU is one thing, but doing it at the college level where defense is head and shoulders above anything he’s seen is another. 

I believe he can get there eventually, but as a freshman I don’t think he will be ready.

 

[This was actually from the Zeke Nnaji thread, but VO5 and others were referring to Keion so I've moved my response here.]

 

I've seen Keion play with his high school team, and in AAU.  I will say, there is a remarkable difference between the two.  Prior to about 6 months ago, Keion was supposed to be a 6'8" forward, which made some sense in Indiana HS ball since he was always the tallest kid on the floor.  Of course that opens him up to everyone commenting how skinny he is, and whether or not he has inside moves.  

In AAU, his team's PG, Isaiah Thompson (Purdue commit) out of Zionsville got injured, leaving the door open for Brooks to play the role of a ball-handler/playmaker.  He excelled.  The team already had TJD and another big, freeing Keion to play more of a wing.  He basically controlled the game, distributed, and took his shots when they were open for him.  Remember he really dominated the April session, and surprised a ton of people.  No one had seen him in that role before.  Within the past few months, he tweeted something that listed him as a PF, and had the laugh emoji and said "I am not a PF."  He's distancing himself from that.

He's not as tall as he looks in pictures.  A bunch of us saw him play opposite Romeo, and if he was taller than Romeo, it was by a centimeter or two.  

So what is he?  I think he'd like to see himself as a Lebron/Simmons type of Point Forward.  Again, he looked great in AAU, far more comfortable and effective than we've seen him before.  I agree that college defenses are much more difficult, but that goes for every player.  I also wonder if Keion's move to LaLu wasn't partially because he didn't want to be his team's big/5 anymore.  Moving to LaLu lets him move out on the perimeter.  Obviously, if he's to play and succeed in the NBA, it won't be as a PF, and so I can't blame him for looking for a situation where he's in a better position.

Last note.  Watch interviews with these kids.  They are kids, mostly wide-eyed and trying to do the right thing.  They are subject to tons of influences, and any decisions they make are mostly reflections of what kind of influences they're receiving. They also get more criticism than any of us have likely received.   Let's go easy on them.  Let's also remember that some connected people are saying IU is leading for Keion, and so let's cheer for his success.  

[Stuhoo 79,127]

34 minutes ago, Stromboli said:

 

[This was actually from the Zeke Nnaji thread, but VO5 and others were referring to Keion so I've moved my response here.]

 

I've seen Keion play with his high school team, and in AAU.  I will say, there is a remarkable difference between the two.  Prior to about 6 months ago, Keion was supposed to be a 6'8" forward, which made some sense in Indiana HS ball since he was always the tallest kid on the floor.  Of course that opens him up to everyone commenting how skinny he is, and whether or not he has inside moves.  

In AAU, his team's PG, Isaiah Thompson (Purdue commit) out of Zionsville got injured, leaving the door open for Brooks to play the role of a ball-handler/playmaker.  He excelled.  The team already had TJD and another big, freeing Keion to play more of a wing.  He basically controlled the game, distributed, and took his shots when they were open for him.  Remember he really dominated the April session, and surprised a ton of people.  No one had seen him in that role before.  Within the past few months, he tweeted something that listed him as a PF, and had the laugh emoji and said "I am not a PF."  He's distancing himself from that.

He's not as tall as he looks in pictures.  A bunch of us saw him play opposite Romeo, and if he was taller than Romeo, it was by a centimeter or two.  

So what is he?  I think he'd like to see himself as a Lebron/Simmons type of Point Forward.  Again, he looked great in AAU, far more comfortable and effective than we've seen him before.  I agree that college defenses are much more difficult, but that goes for every player.  I also wonder if Keion's move to LaLu wasn't partially because he didn't want to be his team's big/5 anymore.  Moving to LaLu lets him move out on the perimeter.  Obviously, if he's to play and succeed in the NBA, it won't be as a PF, and so I can't blame him for looking for a situation where he's in a better position.

Last note.  Watch interviews with these kids.  They are kids, mostly wide-eyed and trying to do the right thing.  They are subject to tons of influences, and any decisions they make are mostly reflections of what kind of influences they're receiving. They also get more criticism than any of us have likely received.   Let's go easy on them.  Let's also remember that some connected people are saying IU is leading for Keion, and so let's cheer for his success.  

 

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[VO5 8,272]

While I may disagree with what Keion’s role could be in college, I really don’t think I was being hard on him whatsoever. I also never wished him ill will or anything bad, so I’m not sure where that came from.

All I did was lay out concerns for his ability to play the 2 spot in college. I would love for him to succeed. But I don’t see anything wrong with what I said.

Appreciate the response Stromboli.

[HoosierAloha 30,023]

He's a human being, 16 or 17 years old, so let's cheer him on regardless. If he chooses IU all the better.

As far as position in college, a lot will depend on where he goes and the talent around him. I doubt he'll be a "big" in college. If he ends up at IU I could see him playing the small wing, most likely the "3." I don't think that matters too much as he would probably play alongside Smith and TJD. That would be a great frontline in collegeball.


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[Stuhoo 79,127]

57 minutes ago, VO5 said:

While I may disagree with what Keion’s role could be in college, I really don’t think I was being hard on him whatsoever. I also never wished him ill will or anything bad, so I’m not sure where that came from.

All I did was lay out concerns for his ability to play the 2 spot in college. I would love for him to succeed. But I don’t see anything wrong with what I said.

Appreciate the response Stromboli.

 

I'm gonna speak for Stromboli (I know...dangerous move ;)

Given the way that you post and interact on BtownBanners, I don't think that the "let's not overreact or wish KBJ badly" advice was largely directed at, or intended for V05. At all. 

 

 

[VO5 8,272]

23 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

 

I'm gonna speak for Stromboli (I know...dangerous move ;)

Given the way that you post and interact on BtownBanners, I don't think that the "let's not overreact or wish KBJ badly" advice was largely directed at, or intended for V05. At all. 

 

 

I probably should have realized this before replying :) 

Stomboli is an invaluable poster here and he brought up great points that make a lot of sense. It truly will be interesting to see Keion’s projection into college. He will absolutely be a nightmare if all of those facets of his game show up. Let’s hope they do!

[WayneFleekHoosier 47,722]

Talked to a Fort Wayne kid in the AAU scene and long time friends of the Brooks.

He thinks Indiana is the likely destination as of now.


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[Stuhoo 79,127]

1 hour ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Talked to a Fort Wayne kid in the AAU scene and long time friends of the Brooks.

He thinks Indiana is the likely destination as of now.


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It’s about time you brought some insider info to this board!

I’m still waiting for me to know something Worth sharing :-)

[Stuhoo 79,127]

Keion Brooks  is the kind of shooting guard that starts for national championship quality teams. 

[WayneFleekHoosier 47,722]

It’s about time you brought some insider info to this board!
I’m still waiting for me to know something Worth sharing :-)

He didn’t say he IS going to Indiana, but he did say he thinks he WILL go to Indiana.

It was unprompted. We were talking about IU and Romeo and he offered that up without me talking about Keion at all.

I’m a little worried (because that’s what I do)that LaLu will change things.


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[Brass Cannon 24,149]

Has Brooks said anything about Fall versus Spring?

[WayneFleekHoosier 47,722]

Has Brooks said anything about Fall versus Spring?

Haven’t heard specifically a timetable but I’m guessing he will take his time. Hoosier Hysteria could be our chance to speed up the timetable.




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[HoosierTrav 7,684]

Just now, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Haven’t heard specifically a timetable but I’m guessing he will take his time. Hoosier Hysteria could be our chance to speed up the timetable.




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I would be shocked if this didn’t drag out as long as Romeo’s recruitment. Shocked.

[Stuhoo 79,127]

18 minutes ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

He didn’t say he IS going to Indiana, but he did say he thinks he WILL go to Indiana.

It was unprompted. We were talking about IU and Romeo and he offered that up without me talking about Keion at all.

I’m a little worried (because that’s what I do)that LaLu will change things.


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Think of it this way:

In Fort Wayne Keion will almost always be the biggest player on the court.

At LaLu, he can play guard. And there’s a team that he’s interested in that looks to have a 2019 need at shooting guard. It’s the team with Langford, but it’s not the team with Josh Langford.  

 

 

[HoosierAloha 30,023]

He didn’t say he IS going to Indiana, but he did say he thinks he WILL go to Indiana.

It was unprompted. We were talking about IU and Romeo and he offered that up without me talking about Keion at all.

I’m a little worried (because that’s what I do)that LaLu will change things.


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Or... maybe Keion is the recruit that changes our ability to recruit LaLu's best players.


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[WayneFleekHoosier 47,722]

Or... maybe Keion is the recruit that changes our ability to recruit LaLu's best players.


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Yeah, the tides seem to be turning.


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[Jam 278]

UK traded in their four star wing for five star Whitney. Wonder if that helps us with KBJ?

[HoosierHoops1 5,024]

20 minutes ago, Jam said:

UK traded in their four star wing for five star Whitney. Wonder if that helps us with KBJ?

At least he didn't pick Ill-annoy