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- Thread starter wadc45
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nomatta
Hall of Fame
welp, that was over quick for Castlin. he committed to Xavier today. Holtmann was one of the first coaches to visit him but I get the impression that Castlin might have been more of a Plan B guy, at the same time I'm not sure it's smart if we're loading our eggs in the Cremo basket. at any rate, it sounds like Xavier really pushed for him and got their guy.
it's too bad because I think Castlin would have been a good back-up plan for a scoring wing. hard to bet on us getting Cremo with his list of suitors and Duke turning up the heat after the Gary Trent Jr. NBA declaration. really curious what might be going on in the OSU office discussions about who they're looking at for grad transfers.
sure hope we've at least reached out to Mooney.
it's too bad because I think Castlin would have been a good back-up plan for a scoring wing. hard to bet on us getting Cremo with his list of suitors and Duke turning up the heat after the Gary Trent Jr. NBA declaration. really curious what might be going on in the OSU office discussions about who they're looking at for grad transfers.
sure hope we've at least reached out to Mooney.
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OHSportsFan
Fan of Ohio Sports in Indy
Handful of local articles coming in already. Saw him play once in person in a City tournament when he was a sophomore or junior and once on TV. Will post some articles/thoughts when I can.
Quick thoughts- great pickup for Holtmann and the Buckeyes. Perfect fit for PG needs.
Quick thoughts- great pickup for Holtmann and the Buckeyes. Perfect fit for PG needs.
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nomatta
Hall of Fame
Situationally speaking, you couldn't ask for a much better pick-up.
CJ replacing CJ. CJ Walker was a stud on the Indiana HS basketball scene, a contender for Mr. Basketball, a winner who lead a winning team. Hotly pursued by Butler and Purdue. Committed to Purdue. Decommitted. Hotly pursued by Butler again, this time specifically by Holtmann, so that relationship is there. Surprise committed to Florida State. Was a contributor for FSU as a freshman, and then became a leader for them as a sophomore, started 34 out of 35 games for an Elite 8 team coming out of one of the best conferences in the country this past season, the ACC. That is an invaluable sort of experience to have come in with your future PG for a high-major program.
We had no PGs returning on the 2019-2020 roster. In a weak class for PGs, we were very limited in realistic options for which 2019 PG we might land who would be ready to come in and play at a high level immediately. Also, we've got one eye on the 2020 class where there are some more options for us at guard, with special mention to legacy recruit Dom Penn. With CJ Walker, we have at least one proven commodity at PG for 2019-2020, to say nothing of how the sit-out year in this program might benefit his game. We can still recruit DJ Carton, but now our season doesn't hang in the balance if he goes with one of his MANY other high-level suitors. We still have an easy pitch to 2020 guards since Walker will be a senior in 2020-2021.
And while he needs to work on his floor game and facilitation, CJ Walker is a leader, a scoring threat, and probably the best ballhandler we'll have had since D'Angelo Russell. I'm stoked.
CJ replacing CJ. CJ Walker was a stud on the Indiana HS basketball scene, a contender for Mr. Basketball, a winner who lead a winning team. Hotly pursued by Butler and Purdue. Committed to Purdue. Decommitted. Hotly pursued by Butler again, this time specifically by Holtmann, so that relationship is there. Surprise committed to Florida State. Was a contributor for FSU as a freshman, and then became a leader for them as a sophomore, started 34 out of 35 games for an Elite 8 team coming out of one of the best conferences in the country this past season, the ACC. That is an invaluable sort of experience to have come in with your future PG for a high-major program.
We had no PGs returning on the 2019-2020 roster. In a weak class for PGs, we were very limited in realistic options for which 2019 PG we might land who would be ready to come in and play at a high level immediately. Also, we've got one eye on the 2020 class where there are some more options for us at guard, with special mention to legacy recruit Dom Penn. With CJ Walker, we have at least one proven commodity at PG for 2019-2020, to say nothing of how the sit-out year in this program might benefit his game. We can still recruit DJ Carton, but now our season doesn't hang in the balance if he goes with one of his MANY other high-level suitors. We still have an easy pitch to 2020 guards since Walker will be a senior in 2020-2021.
And while he needs to work on his floor game and facilitation, CJ Walker is a leader, a scoring threat, and probably the best ballhandler we'll have had since D'Angelo Russell. I'm stoked.
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nomatta
Hall of Fame
and as for PG help this coming season, UAB grad transfer PG Nick Norton is scheduled to visit 4/17-4/18.
I actually think he'd be a really good back-up option to CJ. at 5'10 I don't see him and CJ playing a ton together on the court, but if match-ups allowed it you could see some of that, because Norton is very much a PG. good court vision, good passer, assists the ball at a high level, 3:1 A:TO this past season. here's a highlight video.
https://youtu.be/8M5jBSfZRyY
had a strong freshman season for UAB (was a national finalist for freshman of the year) and even better sophomore season, where he averaged 9 ppg, 5 apg, 2.6 rpg, 1.6 steals per game, 1.7 TO pg on 36% from 3 and 86% from the FT line. ACL injury derailed his season in 2016-2017 but he actually came back pretty strong this past season despite the year he missed and the long recovery with that injury.
he's a real savvy player, I think people would warm up to him real quick if he came here.
You add him and a grad transfer on the wing who can score, you just might have a pretty decent roster on your hands.
I actually think he'd be a really good back-up option to CJ. at 5'10 I don't see him and CJ playing a ton together on the court, but if match-ups allowed it you could see some of that, because Norton is very much a PG. good court vision, good passer, assists the ball at a high level, 3:1 A:TO this past season. here's a highlight video.
https://youtu.be/8M5jBSfZRyY
had a strong freshman season for UAB (was a national finalist for freshman of the year) and even better sophomore season, where he averaged 9 ppg, 5 apg, 2.6 rpg, 1.6 steals per game, 1.7 TO pg on 36% from 3 and 86% from the FT line. ACL injury derailed his season in 2016-2017 but he actually came back pretty strong this past season despite the year he missed and the long recovery with that injury.
he's a real savvy player, I think people would warm up to him real quick if he came here.
You add him and a grad transfer on the wing who can score, you just might have a pretty decent roster on your hands.
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DZ83CK
Not Banned
He certainly has accomplished a lot more than Dakich did at his prior institution.
Looking at the stats, I can see the attraction he has for Coach Holt. As much as CH stressed the importance of veteran leadership this past season, he certainly would value adding a PG who started and played 20+ minutes in every game last year. Norton had some games where he piled up the assists, and contributed by scoring as well against many of the better teams they faced. Great A/TO ratio, excellent FT shooter, got a decent number of steals, and an experienced 3-point threat.
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