Following our 2019 Recruits

[Backyard Champ]

if naji plays the entire year like he did down the stretch, he'll get drafted. he has length and can defend 1-4 very well, is an elite rebounder at his size, and has very good quickness for a player his height. if he shoots like he did at the end of the year, he's a shoe-in. paul just needs consistency. he has good athleticism, is extremely long, defends well and even defends the post well, and scores from every level. if he produces consistently teams will want him

the naji before the ankle injury that shut down alpha diallo, ty-shon alexander, myles powell, shamorie ponds, and phil booth and scored 14, 23, 28, 31, and 17 is going to get drafted. he was arguably the best player in the big east the second half of the season.

I disagree. I think he's a very talented player, but I don't think he's quick enough to play in the NBA. I don't think he handles the ball that well, or rather, as well as he'd need to in the NBA.

He will make money playing basketball, but he will need to get better handles and get quicker if he wants to play in the NBA.

[Joel]

JP is currently a fringe NBA player, and Naji just got done with a season 20 points of ORtg less efficient than JP's senior year. Naji probably either needs to get much better at either shooting or distribution or not insignificantly better as an all-around player to put himself in position to get drafted. I don't think that's out of reach for him, but if I had to bet now, I'd lay that he doesn't get drafted after his junior year.

[XUGRAD80]

Well, maybe we are getting moore

Roderick is more likely

[xukeith]

if naji plays the entire year like he did down the stretch, he'll get drafted. he has length and can defend 1-4 very well, is an elite rebounder at his size, and has very good quickness for a player his height. if he shoots like he did at the end of the year, he's a shoe-in. paul just needs consistency. he has good athleticism, is extremely long, defends well and even defends the post well, and scores from every level. if he produces consistently teams will want him

the naji before the ankle injury that shut down alpha diallo, ty-shon alexander, myles powell, shamorie ponds, and phil booth and scored 14, 23, 28, 31, and 17 is going to get drafted. he was arguably the best player in the big east the second half of the season.

NBA is the BEST of the BEST. If he wants to go, he must be a freak athlete and elite shooter.
He is a good European player now.

Bluiett was an awesome shooter but slow footed. We shall see. Look at Myles Powell and Markus Howard. They were awesome guards but decided college was best for them this year.

[XUGRAD80]

Kennedy transferring to TCU.

[D-West & PO-Z]

NBA is the BEST of the BEST. If he wants to go, he must be a freak athlete and elite shooter.
He is a good European player now.

Bluiett was an awesome shooter but slow footed. We shall see. Look at Myles Powell and Markus Howard. They were awesome guards but decided college was best for them this year.

Has Powell withdrawn for draft? I know most think he is coming back but I thought he was testing the waters.

[xufan2020]

Where did I say it's a foregone conclusion they get drafted? I said even if they weren't projected to be drafted, I think they would still go the Europe or g league route.

They are older in their class, they have the measurables physically and they are testing the process to see where they are this year. They cant do that again next year without being gone..there are signs to them leaving. Not saying it's going to happen 100% but signs are pointing that direction.

When you say “even if for some reason they aren’t projected to be drafted..” it does seem like you think both will be projected to be drafted.
Anyway yes I’m aware they both have measurables physically to play in the nba. I’m just not certain both will close the rather significant weaknesses in their games in just one offseason. I lean more towards Naji leaving next year more than Scruggs, but like I said I hope I’m proven wrong and Xavier has a historic season.

[bleedXblue]

You said “even if for some reason they aren’t projected to be drafted..”
Anyway yes I’m aware they both have measurables physically to play in the nba. I’m just not certain both will close the rather significant weaknesses in their games in just one offseason. I lean more towards Naji leaving next year more than Scruggs, but like I said I hope I’m proven wrong and Xavier has a historic season.

I don't see either being NBA players. Europe yes for sure......and you can make a lot of money over there......just ask Romain, Justin and a lot of others.

Naji could get better and he has the physical tools......but his shooting and mid range game have to get better.

[xavierj]

I don't see either being NBA players. Europe yes for sure......and you can make a lot of money over there......just ask Romain, Justin and a lot of others.

Naji could get better and he has the physical tools......but his shooting and mid range game have to get better.

Naji’s freshman shooting percentages were really strong. Repeat that along with his defense and Xavier will be really good and he will make a lot of money.

[scoscox]

I disagree. I think he's a very talented player, but I don't think he's quick enough to play in the NBA. I don't think he handles the ball that well, or rather, as well as he'd need to in the NBA.

He will make money playing basketball, but he will need to get better handles and get quicker if he wants to play in the NBA.

Agree about his dribbling although I think it’s more about ball security in general. He has to protect the ball better. As far as quickness, he’s plenty quick enough. He has guarded shamorie ponds, Myles Powell and Markus howard and done a good job on all of them. For 6’7” he’s very quick