2023 Returnees

What Miles and Tucker do, as far as transferring out, will greatly affect the roster for next year. Nunge, Freemantle, and Jones are also question marks. We could see as many as 9 players leaving, but I really doubt that many are gone. If I had to give a prediction I’d say that Jones goes through the draft evaluation and comes bsck, and that Freemantle comes back too. I don’t see Craft going anywhere either. I see all 3 seniors leaving, along with Miles and Tucker. That’s 5 leaving and 4 freshman coming in, which leaves room for 1 transfer big to come in.

Colby is gone. LOL. He's projected as a 1st rounder by just about every NBA draft projection site.. I expect we will only see Hunter and Claude for SURE come back.

Kraft (not sure he can play at this level)
Myles (gone and he honestly needs to play at a smaller school)
Edwards (maybe returns but I could see him leaving for a smaller school)
KyKy (gone)
Tucker (gone)
Freemantle (gone-would be shocked if he returns for a 5th year)

So the 4 frosh and Claude/Hunter return. Maybe Kraft and Edwards return. We need 4-5 MORE players I expect 1-2 more late frosh to join the class along with 3-4 transfers. Miller is going to be BUSY

Draft projection sites don’t actually draft players, do they? I’m not convinced that he is a 1st rounder just because some sites have him listed as such. Based on his selection as a 2nd team all league player, I don’t think I’m the only one that feels that way either.

I had forgotten about Tandy, he may also be someone that leaves. I don’t see Edwards going anywhere after the way that he has played this last month. Nor do I think that Kraft leaves.

I think Colby is gone.

I think Nunge is gone.

We know Kunk and Boum are gone.

I actually think Free may return now that we heard the surgery news. I imagine he will miss a lot of professional camps/tryouts/whatever and may want to rehab at X and give it another go. Could be way off base there.

The other guys it is so hard to predict who transfers. I think 100% thought Kyky was going to leave last year and he came back. Could not believe it.

I would think Tucker and Miles would want to leave but who knows?

Edwards and Craft I see both being back and contributing next year.

Did Miller give a walk on a scholly this year? Bob Nunge maybe? I seem to remember that, but could be wrong. Not getting that next year would open another scholarship opportunity.

Wouldn't want any other coach leading the program with what he may need to do roster wise for next year. Miller will get players who make this team competitive every year.

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Originally Posted by bleedXblue

Colby is gone. LOL. He's projected as a 1st rounder by just about every NBA draft projection site.. I expect we will only see Hunter and Claude for SURE come back.

Kraft (not sure he can play at this level)
Myles (gone and he honestly needs to play at a smaller school)
Edwards (maybe returns but I could see him leaving for a smaller school)
KyKy (gone)
Tucker (gone)
Freemantle (gone-would be shocked if he returns for a 5th year)

So the 4 frosh and Claude/Hunter return. Maybe Kraft and Edwards return. We need 4-5 MORE players I expect 1-2 more late frosh to join the class along with 3-4 transfers. Miller is going to be BUSY

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Its Craft and yes he can play at this level. He is 6’6” and can shoot the lights out of the ball. It’s been an adjustment for him but Sean wants him back. An off-season in the weight room will make him a different player. He played at the highest of the highest levels in high school and did very well. He can play.

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Originally Posted by xavierj

Its Craft and yes he can play at this level. He is 6’6” and can shoot the lights out of the ball. It’s been an adjustment for him but Sean wants him back. An off-season in the weight room will make him a different player. He played at the highest of the highest levels in high school and did very well. He can play.

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Absolutely! I do not understand the chatter that he cannot play at this level. He has shown he can play. Has done it on the court. But he's a freshman. Give him just a little time and I think he is important player next season.

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Originally Posted by Jumpin_Jamal_Forever

Absolutely! I do not understand the chatter that he cannot play at this level.

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There are a lot of posters on this board (and others) who think they are talent scouts and know basketball. I get it, you watch enough Xavier basketball, you think you can spot a "stud" (i hate this term, it's meant for a horse, not for a 18 year old young man playing a sport). But there is far more to these players than what we see in the 2+ hours of game time a few days a week.

I love Sean Miller, he is very calculated when using his words. I listen to what he says (or doesn't say) about a player far more than relying on what I see. The more I listened to what he had to say about Freemantle, it became clear, he wasn't going to play this season.

He has spoken very highly of Cesare Edwards in the past several weeks. I think he has plans for him and believe he will be back next season.

He has said more than once the only players that can't play next year are Boum and Kunkel. I think he will make a case to keep Nunge around next season.

NIL money changes everything. If they can make more money playing college ball than G-League or Europe, it makes it a legitimate option for guys like Freemantle. Tough to get drafted if he is recovering from surgery. Just ask Paul Scruggs.

It’s also telling when Sean doesn’t mention a player at all. He has said zero all year about Elijah Tucker or Dionte Miles. In the context of this thread, as far as returnees, it’s hard to see them sticking around unless they are satisfied with end of the bench.

NIL money & free medical care is going to keep Freemantle around one more year, IMO. The timing of his surgery is going to limit what he can do to earn a pro contract somewhere.

Even with Free coming back, Miller is going to need to go shopping in the portal for a big man -- preferably someone who enjoys the weight room and can be the kind of physical defensive presence around the rim that X hasn't had in a while.

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Originally Posted by Caveat

NIL money & free medical care is going to keep Freemantle around one more year, IMO. The timing of his surgery is going to limit what he can do to earn a pro contract somewhere.

Even with Free coming back, Miller is going to need to go shopping in the portal for a big man -- preferably someone who enjoys the weight room and can be the kind of physical defensive presence around the rim that X hasn't had in a while.

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What about overseas? Any chatter about X looking at an international player?