Keron DeShields to transfer

[SWeberCat02]

Big loss for UM.

 

[oldrunner]

It's not really a huge loss for them. They just recruited a JC kid who is probably his twin. They are cut from the same cloth. He probably saw, or was shown, the writing on the wall and pulled up stakes. :twocents:

 

[SWeberCat02]

It's not really a huge loss for them. They just recruited a JC kid who is probably his twin. They are cut from the same cloth. He probably saw, or was shown, the writing on the wall and pulled up stakes. :twocents:

So losing your starting G who averaged double digits and received all-conference honors isn't a big loss? But losing bench warmer Fuller is? :roll:

 

[Potomac Griz1]

It's not really a huge loss for them. They just recruited a JC kid who is probably his twin. They are cut from the same cloth. He probably saw, or was shown, the writing on the wall and pulled up stakes. :twocents:

So losing your starting G who averaged double digits and received all-conference honors isn't a big loss? But losing bench warmer Fuller is? :roll:

I agree, it's a huge loss. DeShields played mostly point for the Griz unless Dunn was at the time. This leaves the Griz with 1 point guard on their roster right now who has seen time at the D1 level, and he's a true sophomore (who will be very good I'm sure).

I just about guarantee you it had nothing to do with him expecting his playing time to be cut or seeing the "writing on the wall". I'm betting Tinkle did whatever he could to keep DeShields here... could be family things that we'll never know about. If he ends up transferring somewhere back near Baltimore I'd bet it has something to do with that. Whatever it is, it was sure a pleasure watching him play for the Griz with his intensity these past few years.

Now we are left hoping that some of the incoming posts will pan out AND hoping that unproven incoming players will be able to help out at the PG spot too. Scary shit to have question marks at the post AND PG spot...

DeShields was one of the better shooters on the team, shooting over 50% from the field in conference and actually a higher percentage than Gregory from 3 in conference. There were several games where he just took over late in the game to keep the Griz in it or help the Griz pull out a victory with his ability to get to the hole and score. Damn good defender too...lead the Griz (and was in the top list in the Big Sky) in steals per game too. As you pointed out he as all-conference too. Honorable mention just like Gregory, Bolomboy, Jois from EWU, etc etc...

Definitely a huge loss. Not too happy to also hear the rumor that a couple more scholarship players may be gone too... Emerson is one it sounds like (he didn't play much) but who is the other? Rumors have floated around quite a bit about Weisner, and that would be a big loss as well.

Bleh....

 

[Midmajor??]

It's not really a huge loss for them. They just recruited a JC kid who is probably his twin. They are cut from the same cloth. He probably saw, or was shown, the writing on the wall and pulled up stakes. :twocents:

So losing your starting G who averaged double digits and received all-conference honors isn't a big loss? But losing bench warmer Fuller is? :roll:

Excellent response! It's great that someone has the heart to call BS. You don't lose your starting PG who happens to be all-conference and everything is good! It sounded like we lost Damian Lillard when Josh Fuller decided to transfer! It was like the program was falling apart. SMH

 

[oldrunner]

The coaches really liked Josh and if not for Bolomboy and Hill being ahead of him, he could have contributed quite a bit. What Randy said about him, way before he decided to seek more playing time, was that he was damn good and that he would only consider someone at that position who was way better than him. They did find that player. Yes, Josh will likely drop down a level, but he will be a star where ever he lands. He would have been a starter on a lot of BSC teams. I wouldn't trade Josh for Keron in a million years.

Yes, Keron is a good player. I'm just saying that the JC combo guard they signed is just as good and maybe better. Also, there did seem to be a little tension between Keron and Wayne. Although, that is not uncommon for players and coaches.

There are going to be some loaded DII teams out there this year.

All teams lose good players from time to time and the public usually never hears the real reasons.

 

[Da Bears]

Sounds like Rahe was doing the right thing and thanking Fuller for his efforts, but I'm not going to buy that a kid heading to his 3rd program is going to be a star someday. IF Rahe thought he was going to be a star he would've convinced him to be a star at Weber State. I respect the hell out of you Oldrunner, but you can't convince me that a kid who couldn't get off the bench is better than a BSC all conference selection. Programs are desperate for good players. Its obvious that Rahe didn't think that Fuller had the talent to contribute at Weber State. The bar has been raised in terms of talent at Weber State and Fuller couldn't reach the bar. Lets wish him good luck at D2 and quit the going to be a star rhetoric. I was a star on my church league team! :willybs:

 

[oldrunner]

I get your point and you are correct about Randy's assessment. I have often seen things in players that our coaches don't value as much as I do. Josh is a great kid and very intelligent as a player. He is more athletic than you would think by looking at him. I really liked the kid and wish him the best where ever he lands. With the players we have and the new ones coming in, Josh would not have seen any floor time.

Keron would, most likely, have been a starter for Montana next year. However the JC kid they brought in isn't thinking he will be a bench warmer either. It is possible that the JC kid was planned for Jamar's spot, he is 6'4''. However, Montana usually plays bigger than that. There is something beneath the surface with Keron's situation. I don't think that Wayne would have run him off, but I wouldn't rule that out either. We all remember what happened with Sessions. He was a very talented athlete, but just couldn't see his way to fit in with the team and Randy's expectations.

 

[Webergrad02]

Oldrunner sometimes it is best not to say outlandish things. Deshields will be missed greatly in Montana and that is the truth. He was a tough player that knew the system well and no JC coming in is going to have that going for them. Fuller is not a star on any level besides church ball. The work ethic was good but the talent was not great. I feel like Leeks a walk on was better than Fuller. Saying that Fuller is better than Deshields is insane.

It is my assumption that Keron might have gotten into a little trouble with the coaching staff. I am not sure how long Tinkle is going to be at Montana anyway.

 

[Midmajor??]

I get your point and you are correct about Randy's assessment. I have often seen things in players that our coaches don't value as much as I do. Josh is a great kid and very intelligent as a player. He is more athletic than you would think by looking at him. I really liked the kid and wish him the best where ever he lands. With the players we have and the new ones coming in, Josh would not have seen any floor time.

Keron would, most likely, have been a starter for Montana next year. However the JC kid they brought in isn't thinking he will be a bench warmer either. It is possible that the JC kid was planned for Jamar's spot, he is 6'4''. However, Montana usually plays bigger than that. There is something beneath the surface with Keron's situation. I don't think that Wayne would have run him off, but I wouldn't rule that out either. We all remember what happened with Sessions. He was a very talented athlete, but just couldn't see his way to fit in with the team and Randy's expectations.

Thanks for walking that back old runner! We all like Josh and agree that he's a great kid. I trust Coach Rahe and know that he will continue to recruit great talented kids. I'm hearing Josh is going to be fine and will find a home. I wouldn't want a player at Weber who was happy sitting on the bench! I've been seeing a tremendous amount of transfers this year. Seems to be a lot of players seeking the right home.

 

[oldrunner]

I wasn't talking about Josh making the NBA or anything like that. I was thinking in terms of being the best player on his new team, much like Mike Brown when he transferred to Colorado Christian, or the Orchard kid when he transferred to West Minster. :thumb:

Keron will be very good where ever he lands, if he can keep a good attitude about it. It will be interesting to see where a lot of these transfers land.

 

[Webergrad02]

There has to be more to this story. We will probably never know. After watching Senglin and Gittens play it was fairly clear why Wheelright transferred. But with this one, I don't think the talent behind him was better.

 

[Potomac Griz1]

There has to be more to this story. We will probably never know.

That's my guess too. I have a feeling Keron is going to end up much closer to his home town. Sucks losing a player like him after the very strong junior year he had, but some things are more important than basketball. Could be that's what is taking Keron away from Missoula.

The guy hasn't had the most easy life. I know I had a lot of new respect for Bamforth when I read the article about him and the struggles he's been through. I really suggest checking this one out about DeShields. Can't even imagine going through some of the shit he's been through...

http://www.montanakaimin.com/features/article_a24c23da-a010-11e3-8644-001a4bcf6878.html

The part about his home town starts with the title "Crab City". Definitely an interesting read. Hope he does well wherever he ends up!

 

[oldrunner]

Nice article. Thanks for posting it Potomac. You got to pull for a kid like that. I hope he is not going home for even more family issues. Sounds like he's been through enough already. After reading his story, his leaving is even more confusing.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Tough loss for the Griz. I saw DeShields as being a major figure in helping UM stay at the top of the league standings. I wish him luck in his future endeavors.

 

[SWeberCat02]

Transferring to Tennessee St.