2015-2016: ROSTER

[n.ogdencat]

The official roster is out.

http://www.weberstatesports.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=8600&SPID=3470&SPSID=39379" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Juwan Williams? I thought the Cats were going to add a kid from Desert Hills?

Couple of typos...Braxton is a RFR and Baker is a Soph,

 

[oldrunner]

I think that the Desert Hills kid is a preferred walk on. They often are not put on the roster that first year.

What was the ? about Williams?

When does school start? I think that some of the players will be getting here a little early to get acclimated. There are also some who have stayed most of the summer.

 

[n.ogdencat]

I think that the Desert Hills kid is a preferred walk on. They often are not put on the roster that first year.

What was the ? about Williams?

When does school start? I think that some of the players will be getting here a little early to get acclimated. There are also some who have stayed most of the summer.

I don't know what the ? was about Williams. I totally spaced that one. Great to have him on the roster and I hope his shoulder is healing nicely. Can't wait to see what he can do in a Wildcat uniform.

 

[baller]

They left the kid from St. George off the roster because he was ultimately not invited. The kid has some personal behavior issues that pre-empted his walking on here.

 

[oldrunner]

Having gone through surgery for a torn labrum and rotator cuff, I can tell you that it is a long and painful recovery. However, my shoulder is great now. Williams may or may not be ready for the beginning of the season, but if he is not quite there yet, there is always the option to red shirt his freshman year and start anew next year with a full year of practice and school under his belt, and a fully recovered shoulder.

School starts August 31st. The players should start arriving about two weeks prior to that. Walk ons can be added at any time during the season. They may or may not be listed on the roster.

 

[oldrunner]

After seeing the team close up, Saturday night, I have a couple of observations. The listed heights seem to be a little more accurate this year. Cody John looks to be his listed 6'3'', Jordan Dallas is the tallest guy on the team at 6'10'', Kiko is a broad shouldered 6'8'', and I didn't see anyone who looked like their height had been exaggerated. Maybe the coaches have learned something after last year's fiasco. I didn't see any obvious conditioning problems. Everyone seems to have spent their summer wisely. Just from looking at them, they seem to carry themselves well. They have a little swagger to them.

I'm anxious to see them play. After last year, this season can't come soon enough. :nod: :nod:

 

[n.ogdencat]

This team has the makings of being very special. As a Wildcat, how can I not be excited?

 

[Webergrad02]

It appears that half of the team is either 6'3,6'4 or 6'5. I will be curious to see how many minutes are available to Baker or John, Sure seems like we have a log jam of talent at the 2/3.

I think more than ever that our success or lack there of will start and end with how quickly Zach Braxton can develop down low. If he is force inside on offense it will produce three point shots. If he is a force on defense it will allow Joel to get some help side blocks and clean up lots of rebounds.

 

[oldrunner]

It appears that half of the team is either 6'3,6'4 or 6'5. I will be curious to see how many minutes are available to Baker or John, Sure seems like we have a log jam of talent at the 2/3.

I think more than ever that our success or lack there of will start and end with how quickly Zach Braxton can develop down low. If he is force inside on offense it will produce three point shots. If he is a force on defense it will allow Joel to get some help side blocks and clean up lots of rebounds.

More important than how tall they are is how tough they are, and the skill set they bring to the court.

I totally agree with you on the importance of Zack's development. He can really be a game changer for us, if he is ready to go. Another key developmental factor is how far Richardson and Jefferson have come. We saw glimpses of what Richardson could do last year, but Jefferson's potential is great if he has overcome the health issues that held him back last year. Another player that nobody is talking about is Hill. He has been working really hard to improve his game over the summer. It's going to be interesting to see how far he has come. All of the incoming players are wild cards, totally unknown to us at this point. I expect that there may be one or two potential red shirts there.

 

[baller]

I spoke with an ex-head coach who was at the alumni game. He said that he had watched the practice of the team that afternoon before the game and had a couple of interesting observations. (1) Kiko Stavrev is the best shooter on the team and (2) that Braxton was a beast and ready to make an impact if he is used correctly. Thinks he has more talent/upside than Joel...

 

[oldrunner]

I spoke with an ex-head coach who was at the alumni game. He said that he had watched the practice of the team that afternoon before the game and had a couple of interesting observations. (1) Kiko Stavrev is the best shooter on the team and (2) that Braxton was a beast and ready to make an impact if he is used correctly. Thinks he has more talent/upside than Joel...

If that ex head coach is who I think it is, I respect his opinion greatly. That is sensational news for us as fans. I have heard similar things about Kiko from some others. There is no doubt that Braxton will have some growing pains along the way, but we all know what his potential is. He and Bolomboy in the frontcourt with Hill, Dallas, and Stavrev backing them up..., I'll take that. Guard play should improve simply because teams are going to be forced to help down on our post players, thus opening up our outside shooters. The new rules should allow aggressive drives to the rim. The new rules will also increase the value of shot blockers and decrease the value of floppers.

 

[n.ogdencat]

That is great news!! Especially since none of us knew what to expect from Kiko coming in. Now we are getting nice reports on him and his abilities. What position will coach mostly utilize Kiko, if he does break into the rotation? I'm guessing the 4.

 

[oldrunner]

That is great news!! Especially since none of us knew what to expect from Kiko coming in. Now we are getting nice reports on him and his abilities. What position will coach mostly utilize Kiko, if he does break into the rotation? I'm guessing the 4.

Just my opinion, but I don't think either of them is a true center. Braxton is the best bet we have for that. When he is sitting out, it might be any one of the three backups and it might be a good time to change our attack a bit.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Who is on the short list to red shirt?

Personally, I think it would be most beneficial if Dallas, Williams, and either John or Cannon were to red shirt this season. It would really help them in the future and give them more time to develop.

Why Dallas...he is way too skinny to play in the middle right now. The kid needs to put on some serious lbs. He is extremely talented and will be a force for the Cats. BY having him red shirt it gives him a chance to give the Cats and himself, four good to great years instead of an average to okay first year and a possible okay to good second year and so forth. he can be a star in this league, but he need to mature.

Williams...there is a logjam at the 1, 2, and 3. A lot of guards. He is a solid defender, but needs to develop more of a consistent offensive game. He also sustained a weird injury during Summer Rat Ball that a red shirt will help him fully recover from. But he is a kid full of piss and vinegar.

John or Cannon...both are extremely talented. One is taller and more athletic the other is a pure point guard who has two years of maturity and growth on his side. Cannon is a great leader, while John is a guy who is a workaholic. Really, as Cats fans, we can't complain. We are extremely lucky to have them both on our squad. Both are going to end up being special for the Wildcats. I hope Coach can find a way to mesh their talents. It is kinda shame that one of the two will have to play this year for possibly 5-10 a game. Kinda like Richardson did last year.

 

[oldrunner]

I would love to see us play 10 guys this year, but I know that is not likely. We have usually cut the rotation to 8 or 9 in January. If I had to guess, I would say that there may be 2 players officially red shirting, with a 3rd guy dressing, but not playing unless an injury happens.

I have no insight on who might red shirt. I'm just basing my opinion on what we have seen in years past. I do know this, all parties have to be in agreement before a red shirt year is set up. That would include the player, the parents, and the coaches. Us fans don't get a say in it. Whom ever becomes the 9th or 10th guy will also know that their minutes can vary greatly and that there can be games when they don't play at all. Most of these things will be known shortly after the exhibition games.

There will be some additional walk-ons joining the team in October. They usually hold student tryouts and select a few to help out with the practice squad. I can't wait for the day when they actually find a quality player through those tryouts. You never really know. Sometimes kids grow and develop while on their missions or in the military. :nod: :nod:

 

[n.ogdencat]

Ben Lomond's Brenden Morris is the last edition to the Wildcat Roster for 2015-16.

http://www.standard.net/Weber-State/2015/10/06/brenden-morris-weber-state-basketball-roster.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thank you for the Story Ryan!

 

[oldrunner]

There is always the chance that additional walk-ons could be inserted later, but it is highly unlikely. I could see a scenario where someone enrolls winter semester, who wasn't enrolled in the fall. Of course, they still have to meet all of the eligibility requirements to participate. If somebody does not, they can still enroll, but not participate with the team. If they do not qualify with the NCAA clearing house, they may not be on an athletic grant. We have had some players like that in the past, and some good ones at that. :nod: