2022-23 Roster Breakdown & Wishlist

[hapapp]

Speaking of questions marks. How 'bout this? A PhenomHoops.com NC Top Ten prospect who held an offer from Mountaineer MBB has now committed to the ETSU Bucs (a program on the rise again). Jeremy Gregory, a 6-7 235 PF from North Mecklenburg and Oak Hill Academy, has given the Bucs a verbal commit over App and UNCC--his previous top choices. Kerns and Company can mark this kid off their search list. Gregory helped North Meck to a state title last season as a junior and his play has continued to improve since. We could have used his wide body to fill up some real estate in the lane, but apparently we'll need to look elsewhere for a big. How serious is this loss to our 2022 class?

On a somewhat brighter note, I'm hearing rumors of a recent commit for the Apps. I guess that rumor will be confirmed or denied sometime soon. The player I'm hearing the most about is not a big.

Too bad he didn't want to join his brother at App.

[HurricaneYosef]

most surprising news this off season in regards to our roster

[HurricaneYosef]

The need for a veteran big man through the portal has sky rocketed

[Stonewall]

That is concerning.He looked like a starter in 22-23 , to me anyway.I also don't see him at "a higher level".

[pop5app]

One thing is for sure: played somewhat regularly before the new year and then totally disappeared for abut 6 weeks. With some development he appeared to me to have a big upside. He and Huntley could have been nice bookends. Played well down the stretch. Next year really is beginning to look bad.

[spacemonkey]

That is a shame...I liked him. It will be interesting to see where he lands and how this new world works. Did someone promise him an NIL deal somewhere or just a bigger brand name or were his grades becoming a concern? I doubt we will ever know the last.

[AppHoops]

That is a shame...I liked him. It will be interesting to see where he lands and how this new world works. Did someone promise him an NIL deal somewhere or just a bigger brand name or were his grades becoming a concern? I doubt we will ever know the last.

I don't have any insight into the Duhart situation, but given his role and production on the team this past season I'm not sure there will be many (if any) D1 programs knocking on his door. The portal has so many names in it already with more to come.

[appfanjj]

If he feels it is in his best interest to leave then he (hopefully) and the team are both better off. We should thank him for his time and effort and wish him the best. Maybe he sees less playing time next season. Surely we can sign a player of equal or better ability that wants to play here. That's the world of the portal.
Take the stairs!

[9Steelman]

around 1,000 BB players in the transfer portal, unbelievable!

[HurricaneYosef]

Updated to reflect the addition of Tyree Boykin from Union (D2). Also I would say it looks like Gregory is in fact staying since he did not enter the portal before May 1. He would have been immediately eligible to play next year anywhere if so, if he entered now he would have to sit a year or get a waiver.

Still have a major need in the front court, also will need some scoring help on the wing

[HurricaneYosef]

Updated to reflect the addition of Pearson

[app97]

there's the much needed post-presence I was hoping for

[HurricaneYosef]

Per his instagram page, James Lewis is officially not returning next year

Updated to reflect that. We have 2 scholarships remaining with Delph & Lewis officially not coming back

[BaritoneNC]

Is it 100% official that Delph isn't coming back? I apologize if I missed the news that it was confirmed. With the deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft and retain eligibility not until June 1, was hoping there was still a chance he'd be back.

[HurricaneYosef]

I'd say it's 99.9%

[BambooRdApp]

So your saying there's a chance? I like those odds

[bigdaddyg]

I can’t help but feel like many of these guys who enter the portal do it on a whim and really don’t think it through. Numbers intrigue me and I’d love to see stats showing post-portal: how many transfer up (and increase PT), how many down “so to speak” and how many don’t find a new home? Also, how many return to the school that put in the time to recruit and develop them?

[HurricaneYosef]

I can’t help but feel like many of these guys who enter the portal do it on a whim and really don’t think it through. Numbers intrigue me and I’d love to see stats showing post-portal: how many transfer up (and increase PT), how many down “so to speak” and how many don’t find a new home? Also, how many return to the school that put in the time to recruit and develop them?

good article with some 2021 transfer portal data

https://www.sportico.com/leagues/colleg ... 234646192/

[firemoose]

[HurricaneYosef]

We have 1 scholarship remaining, i'm going to go ahead and guesstimate what our rotation next year is going to look like. Our recent success (and it's been a theme across college hoops the past 2 years) has been with tight 7-8 man rotations, with 6 guys really carrying the load. I'm going to somewhat reflect that below

C: Tamell Pearson / Dibaji Walker
F: CJ Huntley / Michael Eads / Dibaji Walker
F: Donovan Gregory / Michael Eads
G: Zocko Littleton / Xavion Brown / Terence Harcum
G: Tyree Boykin / Xavion Brown / Terence Harcum

I think Pearson/CJ/Donovan/Boykin are almost a lock to be starting/primary contributors for us next year. The last spot in the starting line up is the true wild card. My expectation (and hope) is that Zocko Littleton who is the highest rated recruit in our programs history lives up to that hype and is able to contribute immediately (similar to how good Kendall Lewis was for us in 2019). I could also easily see Xavion, Eads, or Harcum take command of that final starting 5 spot with strong off seasons.

One positive I am already seeing is our roster is going to have tremendous defensive versatility. From what I've seen Walker, CJ, and Donovan can guard the 3-5, Eads the 2-4, and Brown the 1-4. Having 5 different guys that can guard so many positions well is going to be HUGE.

Offensively I do worry about the loss of Delph. Boykin is going to have to be similar to the guy he was at the D2 level, which I believe he can be. Huntley and Donovan scoring more is going to need to happen as well. Plus one of Zocko, Xavion, Eads, or Harcum is going to have to seriously contribute offensively as well.

Just some Tuesday morning thoughts, feel free to chime in with your own