Wow
https://x.com/MattRMoreno/status/1885074804660986085?t=glrtbigPOL8eXgUMQHqnIA&s=19
https://x.com/MattRMoreno/status/1885075571635523682?t=4-AJ7B23PihPVGmRTlR5cQ&s=19
https://x.com/GilsArenaShow/status/1885074764055695777?t=tw2pOMqbwbWzT0OwpWbiag&s=19
Pretty clear he didn't feel like he HAD TO go to Arizona just because his dad did. It seems like it was his decision to make, and it may even work out better this way for all parties involved. I'm not mad at him for it.
Unacceptable Lloyd could not land him. Dude is NOT a recruiter.... now makes me really skeptical on Peat and Burries
Wow. That's shocking. He wants to follow in the footsteps of Bronny and get drafted, based on the abilities that weren't showcased? And in front of zero fans? Not to mention the Trojans' struggle in the Big Ten.
I understand if he wanted to play for Pope's high powered offense, in front of the dedicated fans at the Yum Center or for the legendary Bill Self.
But USC is baffling to me.
Quote from: FOOS on January 30, 2025, 05:33:50 PMUnacceptable Lloyd could not land him. Dude is NOT a recruiter.... now makes me really skeptical on Peat and Burries
This recruitment isn't indicative of our staff. Gil always did whatever he wanted in life and on the court.
Yea, SC is the suck of it all in hoops.
Quote from: WILD on January 30, 2025, 04:14:57 PMhttps://x.com/GilsArenaShow/status/1885074764055695777?t=tw2pOMqbwbWzT0OwpWbiag&s=19
Some examination of the announcement.
Gilbert is noticeably disappointed.
Alijah is going to be coached by a guy who actually can coach so I think ALL the pressure is on Alijah now as opposed to coming to Arizona, Eric Musselman is not going to let anything slide.
Big 10 is a weak basketball conference. There will be plenty of scoring to be had. It is right up Alijah's alley.
Gilbert had a little PTSD when he heard that confetti cannon go off. The Pops reminded him of gun shots.
Alijah played his whole life underneath the talent level of the top tier by large. I don't care what circuits he attended. There is a difference between showing up for a weekend or week of travel ball and actually being in the big time Academy setting. Not saying it won't work out. Lonzo and Lamelo Ball did the same thing with Onyeka Okungwu. Didn't work out for "DJ Liangelo Ball" (untz untz untz).
But I think this is a true coin flip. USC is definitely paying a high ticket price. That is 1 thing Gilbert was not going to let slide for ANY school. This strategy didn't work for Isaiah Collier - He had a terrible year. He has started to play well for the Jazz recently, but this is about a 1 and Done College Player. I would have liked to have seen Gilbert and Lebron attending some games after their epic rivalry as players.
Quote from: FOOS on January 30, 2025, 05:33:50 PMUnacceptable Lloyd could not land him. Dude is NOT a recruiter.... now makes me really skeptical on Peat and Burries
I think that landing Bryce James was a great thing for Tommy, but we should definitely take inventory of the level of prospect Bryce is. I happen to think he blows Bronny out of the water as a prospect, but that's just my opinion. The fact is, Tommy needs to be able to land Koa Peat. There really is no excuse. Burries... Not sure. I would think he should come to Arizona as well, but Peat is someone Tommy legitimately needs to sign.
Quote from: |ᴘ|ʀ|ʏ|ᴍ|ᴇ| on January 30, 2025, 05:26:18 PMPretty clear he didn't feel like he HAD TO go to Arizona just because his dad did. It seems like it was his decision to make, and it may even work out better this way for all parties involved. I'm not mad at him for it.
I do agree that Legacy is pretty meaningless in this Gen Z / soon to be Gen Alpha era (holy cow the arguments that Luka is the GOAT is coming if anyone thought Lebron vs MJ debates were bad) Gilbert is running the show. If I had to guess, I would say the money was equal or equal enough. Alijah strikes me as a kid who grew up privileged and wants to stay as close to his "Friends" as possible during this process.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on January 30, 2025, 05:36:37 PMWow. That's shocking. He wants to follow in the footsteps of Bronny and get drafted, based on the abilities that weren't showcased? And in front of zero fans? Not to mention the Trojans' struggle in the Big Ten.
Isaiah Collier fell into this trap. He had a terrible college season as did Bronny, but Collier did get drafted and is playing pretty good minutes now for the 2nd worst team in the NBA (Utah).I think that Eric Musselman is a Top 10 Coach overall in terms of what a College Head Coach is supposed to be. He is more of a jack of many trades, master of nothing, but is able to put together some teams and make runs. The Big 10 seems like a place Arenas can get up shots with no regard for winning, but Musselman is a Winner. He was basically like the Sean Miller of Arkansas. Multiple 2nd Weekends/Elite 8s. Good recruiter. Actually elite recruiter, but he did miss the mark on "Coaching" the talent.I think Musselman will challenge him to actually live up to his hype. Tommy Lloyd doesn't really seem like that type of guy to me. Lloyd wants his guys to at least TRY to play defense even if it is horrible defense.I personally thought that Tom's system fit Arenas like a glove - and I would only imagine the Money was close enough.I made another post saying this, but Alijah strikes me as a kid who wants to be around his "Circle". He doesn't strike me as a kid who is used to the whole Academy vibe. I hope he plays some good ball and maybe he has a little Carmelo Anthony in him where he can carry a team single handedly. I don't think Tommy was offering that sort of Stardom at Arizona.
Muselman was Gilbert Arenas coach at Golden State
Musselman has experience but SC is pretty awful right now. They didn't win a single meaningful OOC game and will likely remain in the bottom half of the so-called bad Big Ten (I think the conference is pretty good at the top).
Quote from: KansasCityCats on January 30, 2025, 07:42:40 PMMusselman has experience but SC is pretty awful right now. They didn't win a single meaningful OOC game and will likely remain in the bottom half of the so-called bad Big Ten (I think the conference is pretty good at the top).
Then it is a good thing Arenas is coming to save the day next year isn't it?
If he wanted to stay in California, his only options have coaches who are 5'7 lol. Thicc Mick should feel insulted that he didn't even make the final 5.
Too bad we didn't land arenas, I thought he would end up here
His recruitment felt kinda strange he only moved into 2025 class few months back, he didn't take many visits
He just visited usc the other day
An committed, just recently he said
He would be taking his official visits, that never happen.
In a way I would prefer burries if it's one or the other, arizona is recruiting burries as a pg. We desperately need a backup pg. To give bradley a rest, also bradley could play with burries.
I also understand burries may not come here.
I am hoping we can atleast land peat
If we do I would be fine with this class, if Lloyd misses on all 3 targets, than Lloyd must make changes
On how he recruits.
I had to wait a few days so I did not come on here and rage.
I believe Gil did not push Alijah to Arizona.
I believe he let him make his own decision, but I too believe that he wanted him to come to Arizona.
Good luck to the kid at USC next season.
I believe he picked USC for the same reason(s) his father put him in a small public school.
Alijah is going to be like Mayo/DeRozan and a long list of other prospects that went to USC and was instantly the man once they signed their LOI.
He is going to do whatever he wants at USC, and will be gone in March off to the NBA.
As for Arizona, it looks like this class is going to come down to whether or not Lloyd is going to be able to land Peat.
I have not heard/read anything on Burries in weeks/months about Arizona.
All I read is that he is going to go to the highest bidder, Juan Soto style.
Which means there is only one more 5* name on the board for 2025.
Will Lloyd be able to seal the deal and land the most important prospect in his tenure at Arizona thus far?
We will find out!
#BearDown