The news spread like wildfire Wednesday night, breaking up an otherwise monotonous evening of #BuffsTwitter infighting: the transfer rumors were true, but it was two Buffs, not just one, who were leaving the program. As it became clear, both junior wing Tre'Shaun Fletcher and sophomore forward Kenan Guzonjic had decided to continue their playing careers elsewhere, shaking up the narrative I had laid out in last week's Tuesday Grab Bag. Colorado, rather than hitting the summer with a fully complimented roster of 13 scholarship players, would indeed be hitting the break with two open slots.
The surprise here isn't that there is a transfer scenario playing out in Boulder, or even the players involved. In fact, when I had a discussion with a good friend of the blog a few weeks back about the transfer rumors, the first two speculative names out of my mouth were Kenan and Tre'. What is a surprise, at least to me, is that it was multiple players pulling the trigger, making this the second consecutive offseason that it's transfers, plural, emanating from the program (Dustin Thomas and Jaron Hopkins left last spring). I guess, in retrospect, we all should've seen the writing on the wall. Coach Boyle himself alluded to the potential for multiple transfers in his post-season presser Tuesday afternoon, citing a plan for a second scholarship to open up. It is what it is, and I view these moves in a significantly different light than I did those from a year ago, but it still means the coaching staff will have to stay active on the recruiting trail this spring, probably in the hunt for at least one incoming transfer to even out class balance.
But, those are all matters for another day. What this article is about is remembering the contributions of Fletcher and Guzonjic to our beloved Colorado Buffaloes. After the jump, I'll give each the farewell treatment, focusing, as always, on the best aspect of their games, what they will best be remembered for, and their best single efforts in Black and Gold.
Click below for the article...
Showing posts with label roster moves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label roster moves. Show all posts
Monday, April 4, 2016
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Quick Post: XJ Tears Achilles
Just like the Daily Camera, in the wake of the news...
For the second time in as many weeks, BSN Denver's @RyanKoenigsberg was the first to bring BuffNation dispiriting tidings. Colorado Basketball's Xavier Johnson has torn his Achilles tendon, and will be out for an extended amount of time. The injury was sustained earlier this month during offseason workouts. Coach Boyle reports that reparative surgery went well, and that recovery is already underway.
According to this article from Philly.com, recovery time can usually be expected to last anywhere from 6-9 months, leaving the Buffs without their star wing until at least the start of conference play. (For his part, this is the time frame XJ is shooting for) Realistically, there's a very good chance that this injury has cost the senior to be the entirety of his 2015-16 campaign before true summer even started.
It's a blow. A big blow. Recovery was already a buzzword for BasketBuffs, with the fan base looking forward to a bounce-back season after 2014-15's losing malaise. Now that recovery is also physical, rather than just results-oriented. The three year veteran can play a number of positions, is a nightmare to guard when he's in form, and is 1st Team All-Pac-12 material - extremely difficult to replace. To lose him before the season schedule is even finalized alters the landscape significantly.
If there's any silver lining to this, there is the fact that the injury happened early in the cycle, giving the roster and coaching staff plenty of time to adjust to life without Johnson. 'Tweener wing/forwards like Wes Gordon, Tre'Shaun Fletcher, George King, and Kenan Guzonjic will see their projected roles adjusted, and minutes increased. Their summer needs to be busy and productive.
The real question I have is: what does the future hold for Johnson? Will he still want to play in Black & Gold next winter? This was to be his last collegiate campaign, and it's anyone's guess at this point as to what his plans will be post-recovery. Assuming he can return to form, there's the prospect of pro ball (domestic or international) or a transfer out of the program for his final year of eligibility. However, should he stick in Boulder, as friend of the blog @TZiskBuff points out, the 2017 roster could be overloaded with veteran talent.
Get well soon, XJ! I hope to see you back at the CEC!
For the second time in as many weeks, BSN Denver's @RyanKoenigsberg was the first to bring BuffNation dispiriting tidings. Colorado Basketball's Xavier Johnson has torn his Achilles tendon, and will be out for an extended amount of time. The injury was sustained earlier this month during offseason workouts. Coach Boyle reports that reparative surgery went well, and that recovery is already underway.
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| Air XJ has been grounded, for the time being. |
It's a blow. A big blow. Recovery was already a buzzword for BasketBuffs, with the fan base looking forward to a bounce-back season after 2014-15's losing malaise. Now that recovery is also physical, rather than just results-oriented. The three year veteran can play a number of positions, is a nightmare to guard when he's in form, and is 1st Team All-Pac-12 material - extremely difficult to replace. To lose him before the season schedule is even finalized alters the landscape significantly.
If there's any silver lining to this, there is the fact that the injury happened early in the cycle, giving the roster and coaching staff plenty of time to adjust to life without Johnson. 'Tweener wing/forwards like Wes Gordon, Tre'Shaun Fletcher, George King, and Kenan Guzonjic will see their projected roles adjusted, and minutes increased. Their summer needs to be busy and productive.
The real question I have is: what does the future hold for Johnson? Will he still want to play in Black & Gold next winter? This was to be his last collegiate campaign, and it's anyone's guess at this point as to what his plans will be post-recovery. Assuming he can return to form, there's the prospect of pro ball (domestic or international) or a transfer out of the program for his final year of eligibility. However, should he stick in Boulder, as friend of the blog @TZiskBuff points out, the 2017 roster could be overloaded with veteran talent.
Get well soon, XJ! I hope to see you back at the CEC!
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
The Attrition Files: Jaron Hopkins
It's taken me a while to pump this out out. More than a while, in fact, as Jaron Hopkins announced his decision to transfer nearly a month ago on April 8th. It's not that I don't care or don't see the importance - quite the contrary - it's just that I've waged an internal struggle over the proper way to sum up Jaron's time in Boulder.
Hopkins started his CU career as the recruiting salve to soothe the post-RMS wounds of another football failure; the happy news to offset an otherwise dour weekend. The promise - his potential - was clearly evident from the offset. A uniquely talented, highly athletic combo guard out of Mesa, possessing of size, speed, and versatility, JHop seemed to be the perfect compliment to Coach Boyle's system. That the Buffs had plucked him out from Arizona, home of two budding Pac-12 rivals, only made the recruiting coup all the more sweet. Eventually, he became known as the top-100 center-piece of the 2013 recruiting class, the followup to one of the most heralded in program history. Needless to say, expectations were high.
Every once in a while, you'd see a flash of that potential. Usually against a team from his home state, the Arizona product would seem to score at will. You'd see the whole package - some shooting, a lot of slashing, good defense, pugnacious activity. THAT's the Jaron Hopkins that helped CU be their best. THAT's the Jaron that kept me high over the future of the program.
Unfortunately, that's not always the JHop the team got. There'd be whole stretches where he'd disappear on the court. Maybe indecision on his part, maybe miss-management on the coaches' part, but these stretches are what held the overly talented sophomore back. When on his game, the sky was the limit. When not...
The lesson I take from the Jaron Hopkins era, then, is that promise does not always equal results. With Hopkins, it's easy to see the talent, but it became harder and harder to see how he fits into the mold the Buffs were trying to shove him into. The prototye of what Coach Boyle looks for in a recruit - lanky, athletic, versatile - could never settle into a role, and found himself behind a number of his peers, as a result. With 6/3 averages last year, he seemed to have settled into a rut,
posting a nearly identical 91 Ortg to the one he posted as a freshman. His defensive leadership, which, BuffNation had hoped, would blossom in year two, only seemed to wilt. Headed into his junior season, he would've still been coming off the bench, with prospects not much better for his senior season. With that in mind, this move makes a lot of sense.
I still view him a a good basketball player, clearly capable of D-I performance, but JHop just couldn't figure out how to consistently make an impact in Black and Gold. While he stood out as of the best - if not the best - athlete on the roster, it never seemed to translate, and it makes sense for both sides to part ways at this point. Believe me, he would've contributed in '15-'16 as the always vital 6th man, but a kid with his talent deserves the opportunity to seek out starter's minutes. Hopkins should quickly find a school eager to offer him the playing time he wants, while CU has the Derrick White era to look forward to in a few winters. No hard feelings whatsoever, it's just business.
Much like with Dustin Thomas, I will remain a JHop fan, and look forward to seeing him kick as in another uniform over the coming years.
Thank you, Jaron! Good luck at your next stop, and keep grinding!
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Best Remembered for -
The #GameShooter meme. Let's be honest, Jaron is not a good shooter. The stories of his exploits in practice are particularly worrisome. His form makes me cringe each time he raises up, and opponents seem to dare him to take long jumpers. But, that said, he shot an acceptable 33% from the floor this winter, and learned to know his spots. He could burn the lazy with a well-timed look, but only when it really mattered. Not that CU would ever draw up a shot for him, but, when it went in, it was always worth a bemused smirk.
Best Aspect of his game -
Extreme athleticism. Jaron can flat jump out of the gym and has outstanding speed. Essentially, he is a one-man fast break. JHop runs the court like a gazelle, turning the table on a bunch of punk-ass lions. The hunted becoming the hunter. Lightning quick, and with a nose for the rim, Hopkins is always at his best when in the open floor.
Best game as a Buff -
You want me to say the 20/7/5/4 he put up this January in Tempe. Certainly, that was his best statistical output in Black and Gold, and would normally carry the day. For my money, however, Jaron's best game was up in the Fort his freshman year, playing Robin to Spencer Dinwiddie's Batman in a crucial road win that was far more important than a random loss to ASU. JHop hit both of his threes that day (#GameShooter), scoring 10 points in a very hostile environment. Other than the Mayor, no other Buff was as good that day, and his performance proved vital. Without that win, CU isn't in the Tournament in 2014. Hopkins' effort helped secure that spot.
Hopkins started his CU career as the recruiting salve to soothe the post-RMS wounds of another football failure; the happy news to offset an otherwise dour weekend. The promise - his potential - was clearly evident from the offset. A uniquely talented, highly athletic combo guard out of Mesa, possessing of size, speed, and versatility, JHop seemed to be the perfect compliment to Coach Boyle's system. That the Buffs had plucked him out from Arizona, home of two budding Pac-12 rivals, only made the recruiting coup all the more sweet. Eventually, he became known as the top-100 center-piece of the 2013 recruiting class, the followup to one of the most heralded in program history. Needless to say, expectations were high.
 |
| From: the BDC |
Unfortunately, that's not always the JHop the team got. There'd be whole stretches where he'd disappear on the court. Maybe indecision on his part, maybe miss-management on the coaches' part, but these stretches are what held the overly talented sophomore back. When on his game, the sky was the limit. When not...
 |
| I kept hoping for a definitive step forward from Hopkins, searching for the reality in the potential. |
I still view him a a good basketball player, clearly capable of D-I performance, but JHop just couldn't figure out how to consistently make an impact in Black and Gold. While he stood out as of the best - if not the best - athlete on the roster, it never seemed to translate, and it makes sense for both sides to part ways at this point. Believe me, he would've contributed in '15-'16 as the always vital 6th man, but a kid with his talent deserves the opportunity to seek out starter's minutes. Hopkins should quickly find a school eager to offer him the playing time he wants, while CU has the Derrick White era to look forward to in a few winters. No hard feelings whatsoever, it's just business.
 |
| There's a lot of good basketball left in Jaron. From: the Post |
Thank you, Jaron! Good luck at your next stop, and keep grinding!
--
Best Remembered for -
The #GameShooter meme. Let's be honest, Jaron is not a good shooter. The stories of his exploits in practice are particularly worrisome. His form makes me cringe each time he raises up, and opponents seem to dare him to take long jumpers. But, that said, he shot an acceptable 33% from the floor this winter, and learned to know his spots. He could burn the lazy with a well-timed look, but only when it really mattered. Not that CU would ever draw up a shot for him, but, when it went in, it was always worth a bemused smirk.
 |
| See? Smirk. |
Best Aspect of his game -
Extreme athleticism. Jaron can flat jump out of the gym and has outstanding speed. Essentially, he is a one-man fast break. JHop runs the court like a gazelle, turning the table on a bunch of punk-ass lions. The hunted becoming the hunter. Lightning quick, and with a nose for the rim, Hopkins is always at his best when in the open floor.
Best game as a Buff -
You want me to say the 20/7/5/4 he put up this January in Tempe. Certainly, that was his best statistical output in Black and Gold, and would normally carry the day. For my money, however, Jaron's best game was up in the Fort his freshman year, playing Robin to Spencer Dinwiddie's Batman in a crucial road win that was far more important than a random loss to ASU. JHop hit both of his threes that day (#GameShooter), scoring 10 points in a very hostile environment. Other than the Mayor, no other Buff was as good that day, and his performance proved vital. Without that win, CU isn't in the Tournament in 2014. Hopkins' effort helped secure that spot.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Josh Fortune is a Buff!
The news broke quickly yesterday afternoon: the herd is getting larger. As CBS's Jon Rothstein first reported, Coach Boyle has decided to spend the open scholarship left in the wake of Spencer Dinwiddie's jump to the professional ranks by bringing in former Providence Friar swingman Josh Fortune.
A 6-5 two-guard, originally from Kecoughtan High School in Virginia, Fortune played a key role on a Providence squad that finished 3rd in the Big East this past season. He started all 38 games as a sophomore, averaging 8/3/2 in the process. Key to CU's purposes going forward, he's known as a shooter (check out this video from the Big East Tournament), and improved greatly on the defensive end as the season wore on. By the time February and March came around, he was one of PC's better players, averaging over 12 points per game in the lead up to the NCAA Tournament. He looked to continue to be an important part of the Friar rotation moving forward, which is why his decision to transfer raised a few eyebrows in Rhode Island.
Fortune reportedly chose CU over offers from other high major schools like Cal, Purdue, Minnesota, and Virginia. Despite early rumors that he was interested in playing closer to home, it looks like Josh was particularly keen on moving for "professional reasons." To that end, Fortune's mother told BuffStampede.com's Ryan Koenigsberg that her son was especially impressed with Colorado's recent reputation of developing guards. Certainly, with Coach Boyle's guard-oriented system, and an ongoing need for perimeter scoring, a player of Fortune's mold has a golden opportunity to thrive in Boulder.
Josh's message for the fanbase is "get ready, because I'm coming," but BuffNation won't see immediate dividends from this addition. As a traditional transfer, Fortune will have to sit out the coming season due to NCAA rules. After that, however, the young guard will have two years of remaining eligibility. This is the long-term addition that Coach Boyle has always stressed that he's looking for, and it marks an important step in future roster construction. With Askia Booker's graduation only a season away, look for the Virginia native to fill that soon-to-be-vacated shooter's role.
In the mean time, Fortune gets to play the Carlon Brown role from 2010-11 - back before the former guard earned his place in CU lore. Brown helped that famous Burks-Higgins-Relphorde-Knutson team excel through a strong work ethic in practice, and it paved the way for even greater success the following season when Carlon took the court. In that vein, I expect that Josh will be a behind-the-scenes practice dynamo who can help the roster by making his presence felt on the practice squad. By the time he finally takes the court in 2015, he will already have made an impact on the roster, and be in a position to play a key role in the continued success of Colorado Basketball.
Welcome to Boulder, Josh!
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| The newest Buff: Josh Fortune! |
Fortune reportedly chose CU over offers from other high major schools like Cal, Purdue, Minnesota, and Virginia. Despite early rumors that he was interested in playing closer to home, it looks like Josh was particularly keen on moving for "professional reasons." To that end, Fortune's mother told BuffStampede.com's Ryan Koenigsberg that her son was especially impressed with Colorado's recent reputation of developing guards. Certainly, with Coach Boyle's guard-oriented system, and an ongoing need for perimeter scoring, a player of Fortune's mold has a golden opportunity to thrive in Boulder.
Josh's message for the fanbase is "get ready, because I'm coming," but BuffNation won't see immediate dividends from this addition. As a traditional transfer, Fortune will have to sit out the coming season due to NCAA rules. After that, however, the young guard will have two years of remaining eligibility. This is the long-term addition that Coach Boyle has always stressed that he's looking for, and it marks an important step in future roster construction. With Askia Booker's graduation only a season away, look for the Virginia native to fill that soon-to-be-vacated shooter's role.
 |
| Uh oh, 3-goggles. |
Welcome to Boulder, Josh!
Monday, April 28, 2014
Monday Grab Bag: Hey, who left this scholarship just laying around?
I'd like to thank everyone who read my piece on Spencer Dinwiddie's departure. It's the #1 most-viewed non-Top Gear post in the history of this blog (Note to self: more Top Gear posts). It probably helped that the Mayor himself gave it a shout, to which I am both humbled and grateful. For those who have just recently discovered this little corner of the interwebs, welcome! I hope you find something that encourages you to stick around. For those who are regulars, your patronage, as always, is greatly appreciated.
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Today in the bag, I'm talking scholarship math, lacrosse, and the NBA playoffs.
Click below for the bag...
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Today in the bag, I'm talking scholarship math, lacrosse, and the NBA playoffs.
Click below for the bag...
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Farewell to Shannon Sharpe
The news broke yesterday in yet another informative Ryan Thorburn Wednesday chat: Shannon Sharpe is leaving the program. According to the Camera, the reserve guard is planning to transfer to a school closer to his family home in SoCal to take care of family business. Speculation on Allbuffs has said Cal State Fullerton is a possibility, but I will update when there's confirmation of his new home.
It was only two years ago that I wrote this about Shannon: "I haven't been this excited to see a CU freshman since I heard about Richard Roby tearing up preseason practices in 2004." He was recruited as a hyper-athletic project guard, with a tantalizing vertical ability. His practice court exploits were the talk of fall camp when he arrived on campus in '09, and it's no wonder when watching this tape:
But, as is often the case, hyper-athleticism doesn't necessarily translate into in-game ability. Shannon was never able to develop the kind of jumper required to earn chunks of playing time under either Coach Bzdelik or Boyle, and his on-ball defense, an absolute necessity under Boyle, was often lacking when he jumped into a game. What's more, a devastating knee injury, just minutes into his first practice in Boulder, set back his development.
While he proved to be an important reserve on the '10-'11 squad, appearing in all 38 games, he saw his minutes cut drastically this season as the incoming freshmen duo of Askia Booker and Spencer Dinwiddie proved ready to play from opening night. All told, he only saw 103 minutes of action this past season, with none coming in leverage situations.
Still, he was capable of moments of pure athletic joy. I will never forget his game-capping dunk in the 2011 NIT regional semi-final against Cal. When you talk hops, this is hops:
By all accounts, Shannon was a fantastic guy, and a solid teammate. It's a shame he isn't able to complete his career in Boulder, but I wish him the best of luck in the future. Maybe we'll run into him in post-season play come spring.
--
The immediate impact on the program is that it opens up a scholarship to offer to the bountiful 2013 recruiting class. Prior to Shannon's departure, the coaching staff had only been able to offer a speculative spot for new recruits, with limited hope of landing someone in the early signing period. Now, all avenues are open. Should Ben Mills also transfer out, that will only further to improve the staffs recruiting position.
With numerous big-name players not only available, but interested in coming to CU, the program should be able to take this departure in stride.
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| Good luck, Shannon, and God bless. |
But, as is often the case, hyper-athleticism doesn't necessarily translate into in-game ability. Shannon was never able to develop the kind of jumper required to earn chunks of playing time under either Coach Bzdelik or Boyle, and his on-ball defense, an absolute necessity under Boyle, was often lacking when he jumped into a game. What's more, a devastating knee injury, just minutes into his first practice in Boulder, set back his development.
While he proved to be an important reserve on the '10-'11 squad, appearing in all 38 games, he saw his minutes cut drastically this season as the incoming freshmen duo of Askia Booker and Spencer Dinwiddie proved ready to play from opening night. All told, he only saw 103 minutes of action this past season, with none coming in leverage situations.
Still, he was capable of moments of pure athletic joy. I will never forget his game-capping dunk in the 2011 NIT regional semi-final against Cal. When you talk hops, this is hops:
By all accounts, Shannon was a fantastic guy, and a solid teammate. It's a shame he isn't able to complete his career in Boulder, but I wish him the best of luck in the future. Maybe we'll run into him in post-season play come spring.
--
The immediate impact on the program is that it opens up a scholarship to offer to the bountiful 2013 recruiting class. Prior to Shannon's departure, the coaching staff had only been able to offer a speculative spot for new recruits, with limited hope of landing someone in the early signing period. Now, all avenues are open. Should Ben Mills also transfer out, that will only further to improve the staffs recruiting position.
With numerous big-name players not only available, but interested in coming to CU, the program should be able to take this departure in stride.
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