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Miller is interested in James Akinjo 2018 6'0 175lbs 4 Star PG who decommitted from UCONN. UPDATED: Akinjo was just released from his LOI. He's a scrappy player who can score & plays tough defense. He was the MVP at Peach Jam & scored 42pts on the Oakland Soldiers team.
Looks like Miller is still trying, which I have to respect.
The problem is that we aren't getting any of these recruits to commit.
Actually if we get one to make the jump then others like Williams and this kid will become easier to get. Remeber that the nme of the game is PT for many of these kids and the more info that comes out points to other programs not Arizona. We could end up with a solid 2018 class if things fall right here at the end.
And UCONN just released Akinjo From his NLI. Expect to hear that Arizona has offered him soon.
https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/975843486728687616
Official release
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I see where he played with the Oakland soldiers, so he definitely knows about the Arizona program, being a west coast kid. If this were to work out, and we pick up another 3-5 recruits and transfers, who are hungry, all may not yet be lost for next year.
Miller has now officially offered James Akinjo 2018 4 Star PG who decommitted from UCONN. He also has offers from Gonzaga, Indiana, Georgetown, Baylor, Seton Hall, Utah & more
https://twitter.com/MattGOAZCATS/status/976888326518071296
Miller had in home visit with PG James Akinjo tonight.
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https://twitter.com/MaxxUpdated/status/978457018473185280
Was this an in home? It looks like a school. Anyways what are our chances?
It was an in home visit that I'm hearing went very well.
It looks as if Miller is still trying to bring in two PGs in 2018.
I hope Williams is paying attention to this and recognize that Miller is staying true to his vision that he set before all this nonsense kicked off.
Akinjo set to visit next week. UCONN is back in the picture with Hurley as the new coach & because he has a family member that went to UCONN. Hopefully his trip to UofA will seal the deal. This kid can really ball.
https://twitter.com/CasualHoya/status/979185541509009408
Quote from: WILDcatAZfan on March 28, 2018, 10:01:50 PM
Akinjo set to visit next week. UCONN is back in the picture because he has a family member that went to UCONN. Hopefully his trip to UofA will seal the deal.
https://twitter.com/CasualHoya/status/979185541509009408
Uconn coach is Dan Hurley
Meant Hurley, already fixed
If that was the case, why didn't Akinjo wait and see who UConn was going to hire before making his next move?
The odds are in our favor though, most prospects that decommit hardly recommit to the same program.
There is a chance, a small one, but still a chance he could go back to UConn.
If Miller can land Akinjo it would be huge! Definitely need an elite PG, and theres plenty of playing time available
Arizona appears to be in the lead to land 4 star PG Akinjo. He's set to visit UofA next week.
How would landing Akinjo effect our recruitment of Brandon Williams?
Quote from: Bob A on April 05, 2018, 04:18:38 AMHow would landing Akinjo effect our recruitment of Brandon Williams?
I'm guessing here, but if Williams was on board with playing alongside Quinerly, I don't see what adding any other PG would do.
Both are about the same size which would mean (to me) if Miller decided to play them both, it would be a "whomever is closest to the ball is the PG for that possession and the other one fills the lane as a SG.
If Miller is REALLY going to adapt to this position-less basketball, than he better be selling everyone on the idea of being able to do it all in our offense a la Markkanen/Ayton/Alkins/Ristic.
Watching Loyola make their run, it almost didn't matter whom brought the ball up the court. Constant pressure. Akot and Barcello seem the most adaptable. I guess it's a worthy experiment considering our current roster necessitating small ball, but I would be apprehensive this actually happens outside of exhibition games and creampuffs. Miller has a propensity for reverting reverting back to his base offense rather quickly when things get tough. Making that fluid is definitely not going to be a one year thing. Not because of Akot or Barcello whom have already been doing it, but freshmen and a lot of new faces that we would need to even attempt this. The effectiveness of that pressure would be mitigated by having to set up into half court offense so everyone is on the same page. Personally I am all for it this is a rebuilding year and players and coaches are in it for multiple seasons though.
I know we need another point guard and am not holding hopes out on Williams. Haven't seen anything in Akinjo highlights that says he is a better player than what the expectations of a second year Barcello would be. Going to be a wild ride.
I like this Akinjo kid. I saw some people saying that he's another PJC. The people who have seen him in person say he's a legit 6ft PG. PJC was listed as 5'9 & he was maybe 5'7ish.
After watching some video on Akinjo, he looks to have some abilities that exceed PJC. He's more aggressive offensively. He has a ankle breaking cross over. He has a really quick first step (a key to creating your own offense). For being a Cali guy, he has an east coast swagger. Very nice passer although I don't think Sean will allow him to showboat it nearly as much as he does in high school. I'd really like to see what this kid can do for us.
Quote from: Bob A on April 05, 2018, 04:18:38 AM
How would landing Akinjo effect our recruitment of Brandon Williams?
IMO, it doesn't matter. BW is going to do whatever he's going to do. UA has to go all in with Akinjo at this point.
https://twitter.com/jeffborzello/status/982378103518498816
Arizona will host Akinjo on an official visit next weekend!
https://arizona.rivals.com/news/twitter-tuesday-latest-on-romeo-akinjo-and-oklahoma-s-targets
What's the read on this kid?
He's going everywhere!
Georgetown/Tennessee/Arizona all getting visits?
Then we have Cal/Gonzaga/SDSU all trying to get in, AND UConn trying to get back in the mix?
Who do we have to fend off for this kid?
Quote from: mvpreed2 on April 10, 2018, 09:51:56 AM
What's the read on this kid?
He's going everywhere!
Georgetown/Tennessee/Arizona all getting visits?
Then we have Cal/Gonzaga/SDSU all trying to get in, AND UConn trying to get back in the mix?
Who do we have to fend off for this kid?
haha yeah, it seems like he's not really concerned with staying out west. It's got to be playing time. If that's the case, AZ could be the spot but I wonder if he's concerned with the possibility of having BW in the back court. I don't believe BW is concerned about it but I get the feeling it's going to end up being a one or the other type of situation for Akinjo. If that's the case I wonder if he holds off on making a decision until BW has announced his commitment.
Quote from: Tucsandman on April 05, 2018, 10:36:48 AM
After watching some video on Akinjo, he looks to have some abilities that exceed PJC. He's more aggressive offensively. He has a ankle breaking cross over. He has a really quick first step (a key to creating your own offense). For being a Cali guy, he has an east coast swagger. Very nice passer although I don't think Sean will allow him to showboat it nearly as much as he does in high school. I'd really like to see what this kid can do for us.
The thing that stands out to me about Akinjo is his frame. His shoulders are broader than PJC's. One of Parker's issues was that he was so slight of frame. He was never able to really put muscle on and strength is so crucial when you're trying to cut drives off. I think his weight hurt him just as much as his height.
Quote from: Paper_Bag on April 10, 2018, 11:21:53 AMhaha yeah, it seems like he's not really concerned with staying out west. It's got to be playing time. If that's the case, AZ could be the spot but I wonder if he's concerned with the possibility of having BW in the back court. I don't believe BW is concerned about it but I get the feeling it's going to end up being a one or the other type of situation for Akinjo. If that's the case I wonder if he holds off on making a decision until BW has announced his commitment.
Well the LSP starts in about a week so someone is going to have to commit.
Even with Williams, I believe both BW and JA are better than Barcello at this point so both would get 30mins/game as long as they can play defense.
Well this is pretty good news. I hope Miller can lock this kid up on his visit!
https://twitter.com/coreyevans_10/status/984065697478307840
I wonder if Miller is trying to get Williams AND Akinjo or just the first one to sign. I know we need bodies but I think we need big men. Williams, Akinjo and Barcello would seem like a glut of point guards. Even if the plan is to play one of them at the two, we seem to have an over abundance there also.
Would love to get one of the two and Jordan Brown.
we have plenty of scholarships so get them all, imo
Agreed. That's what all those scholarships are for. You don't just want enough guards to fill your starting lineup. Anyone coming in should know, although there's a great opportunity to start next year, it's still not guaranteed and you still have to beat other guys out for your spot. Of those 4 guards (Barcello, Akinjo, Williams, Doutrieve, maybe more), it's not likely that Miller will be in a position that he has 4 guards all performing really well at the same time.
Quote from: Tucsandman on April 11, 2018, 11:04:51 AM
Agreed. That's what all those scholarships are for. You don't just want enough guards to fill your starting lineup. Anyone coming in should know, although there's a great opportunity to start next year, it's still not guaranteed and you still have to beat other guys out for your spot. Of those 4 guards (Barcello, Akinjo, Williams, Doutrieve, maybe more), it's not likely that Miller will be in a position that he has 4 guards all performing really well at the same time.
And don't forget Randolph and Dylan Smith. Guards aplenty!
Quote from: Tucsandman on April 11, 2018, 11:04:51 AM
Agreed. That's what all those scholarships are for. You don't just want enough guards to fill your starting lineup. Anyone coming in should know, although there's a great opportunity to start next year, it's still not guaranteed and you still have to beat other guys out for your spot. Of those 4 guards (Barcello, Akinjo, Williams, Doutrieve, maybe more), it's not likely that Miller will be in a position that he has 4 guards all performing really well at the same time.
I think in a perfect world you take everybody and everyone, through fighting for minutes, gets stronger. But, in reality, what you'll have is attrition, poor team chemistry, and underdeveloped talent. Look at Justin Simon. We brought in a load of guards and he felt he was recruited over and split. This past season he averaged 12pts, 7rbs, 5ast, 2.5stls along with a 5.8 dbpm which would have made him far and away our top defensive player. Simon needed time on the court and when you overload your roster, players can't get enough time on the court to get comfortable and develop.
Don't get me wrong. If Brandon Williams and Akinjo are both willing to come here and fight for playing time with Barcello at the 1, I'm all for it. It's just that looking at this roster construction right now (assuming we add at least one of those two) I see a lot of 1's, 2's and 3's but a real dearth of big men. As we know from last year, we need depth at ALL positions. Injuries, foul trouble and suspensions always seem to crop up. Like to see Miller reel in some Pinder-types to bang the boards.
Unless Miller is planning on running an offense like Villanova (4 Out, 1 In), then he needs to be on the trail trying to get Brown and any two of the Old Dominion transfer (Porter?), the Idaho State transfer or the HS prospect from Brewster Academy that decommitted from UConn.
We need three bigs coming in to go with Jeter/Lee so Miller can run a two-deep rotation with that 5th guy as insurance or a developmental project.
We always have a chance to win when we have a (or some) quality bigs to control the paint.
Right now, Jeter is our best option, and I for one am not comfortable with that.
I'm hearing that if everything goes as planned Akinjo will commit during his visit this weekend.
Lot of buzz that the trip was cancelled and he is going to Georgetown
https://twitter.com/coreyevans_10/status/984633411267637248
Looks like family got involved with Akinjo and ultimately had him cancel his visit because they want him to go to Georgetown.
Quote from: WILDcatAZfan on April 12, 2018, 08:33:02 PMLooks like family got involved with Akinjo and ultimately had him cancel his visit because they want him to go to Georgetown.
Seems like they want him to get as far away from Richmond as possible.
First, it was to UConn, and now he is going to Georgetown?
Oh well, good luck to you in the future JA, I know you are going to get all the minutes you can handle at Georgetown.
I'm now getting word that Miller is the one who canceled Akinjo's visit...
That should lead me to believe that he already has some guards already in the fold?
I have about three names I REALLY want us to bring in, but I'll sit on my hands until the dominoes fall.
Things that make you go 🤔. Wonder why Miller would cancel it??
Quote from: YumaCat on April 14, 2018, 07:48:07 AM
Things that make you go 🤔. Wonder why Miller would cancel it??
IF, and that's a big IF, Miller was really the one to cancel it, it has to have something to do with his confidence in Brandon Williams still deciding to re-commit. I never could understand why he would need Akinjo if he has Williams, Barcello, and even Dylan Smith who could play the point.
Now if Williams isn't coming here, we're back at the beginning and still need a functional point guard to compliment Barcello.
My other crazy theory is that maybe Trier wants to come back?
Quote from: Seansbiggestfan on April 14, 2018, 08:31:44 AM
My other crazy theory is that maybe Trier wants to come back?
Didn't he hire an agent?
Quote from: Seansbiggestfan on April 14, 2018, 08:31:44 AM
My other crazy theory is that maybe Trier wants to come back?
Plz not. I still think he is one of reasons that freshmen didn't improve and develop
Doutrive is committed.
Looking to add Thielemans and Luther soon.
Thinking Williams is headed our way too.
My thoughts here.
Anything else would be a plus, but this would be a solid class even with Luther being here only one year.
Quote from: Seansbiggestfan on April 14, 2018, 08:31:44 AM
My other crazy theory is that maybe Trier wants to come back?
Please NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...... I truly believe he is chemistry buster.
Trier isn't coming back. He's going all in on the NBA.
Quote from: Little George on April 14, 2018, 09:02:27 AM
Doutrive is committed.
Looking to add Thielemans and Luther soon.
Thinking Williams is headed our way too.
My thoughts here.
Anything else would be a plus, but this would be a solid class even with Luther being here only one year.
Love to see all that and I'll raise you a Jordan Brown. 😉
Quote from: Seansbiggestfan on April 14, 2018, 08:31:44 AM
My other crazy theory is that maybe Trier wants to come back?
I think we need to let that shop sail.
Trier has done his due here and I think we need to move on.
He would be taking 30-32mins/game from these young guys that NEED it to develop.
Let's not talk about the shots he would take on offense, and give up on defense.
Quote from: mvpreed2 on April 14, 2018, 09:19:58 AM
Quote from: Seansbiggestfan on April 14, 2018, 08:31:44 AM
My other crazy theory is that maybe Trier wants to come back?
I think we need to let that shop sail.
Trier has done his due here and I think we need to move on.
He would be taking 30-32mins/game from these young guys that NEED it to develop.
Let's not talk about the shots he would take on offense, and give up on defense.
Agree completely, time to move on and develop some diamond in the rough players.
Another possibility in the Akinjo situation (obviously 100% speculation) would be that the Akinjo recruitment got... $ketchy and Miller said "we out" with all the recent events.
Could be but if BW told SM he was coming and SM was honest with Akinjo, then why would he come here?
Quote from: Little George on April 14, 2018, 12:02:57 PM
Could be but if BW told SM he was coming and SM was honest with Akinjo, then why would he come here?
This I can see.
Miller tried selling both on the idea of playing together.
Miller tells Akinjo that Williams is in, now it's on you, and Akinjo is like "Naw I'm good coach."