‘23 NC SG Freddie Dilione (Tennessee commit)

[VOLINVONORE]

Grant Ramey cautioned us that even if Freddie comes in early, it will likely be to redshirt and not play this season. He reminded us that was the plan with Santi until injuries forced us to play him.

The practice will help a lot for next year. He will also learn how much Barns requires from his players before he hits the floor for real.

 

[VolArmy74]

Grant Ramey cautioned us that even if Freddie comes in early, it will likely be to redshirt and not play this season. He reminded us that was the plan with Santi until injuries forced us to play him.

I could see utter lack of firepower/JJJ injury as being a reason to play him some and hope for the best. No reason to red shirt him, he's very unlikely to be a 4 year guy if he's as talented as he seems to be this year.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

If he can come in and contribute, don’t redshirt him. Even just a little extra scoring juice would go a long way with this team.

 

[Vol49er]

Is he old enough to play after New Years and then enter the draft or will he be here next year also

I was also wondering how this worked

 

[TrapVol]

I could see utter lack of firepower/JJJ injury as being a reason to play him some and hope for the best. No reason to red shirt him, he's very unlikely to be a 4 year guy if he's as talented as he seems to be this year.

Maybe. I was just passing on the message.

 

[cncchris33]

I think it’s worth mentioning that I wouldn’t expect him to come in and help at PG this year, I could be wrong on that but if he’s going to help us this year I think it will be as a 2.

Just having his ball-handling available would be invaluable to this team. Even if he isn't "playing PG", per se, I'd be so bold as to say that he's immediately our 2nd best ball-handler the second he steps on campus.

And I still stand by my previous belief that unless Barnes pulls a PG from the portal, which is always very possible, then Dilione is going to play there quite a bit, next year. Getting this headstart only further solidifies that belief. Truthfully, the way he plays reminds me a lot of Zakai Zeigler if ZZ was 7" taller.

 

[Willy14]

Just having his ball-handling available would be invaluable to this team. Even if he isn't "playing PG", per se, I'd be so bold as to say that he's immediately our 2nd best ball-handler the second he steps on campus.

And I still stand by my previous belief that unless Barnes pulls a PG from the portal, which is always very possible, then Dilione is going to play there quite a bit, next year. Getting this headstart only further solidifies that belief. Truthfully, the way he plays reminds me a lot of Zakai Zeigler if ZZ was 7" taller.

This would be huge for the team if he actually comes in the next couple of weeks. I would have to think that he at least gets some minutes since he probably wont be here 4 years right? Also he won't be eligible for the draft after this season right? Don't think it would happen but the Sharpe incident last year with Kentucky makes me cautious lol

 

[larjoranj]

He looks smooth as silk on offense in his game videos. I noticed sometimes when he's guarding the ball he gets blown by. If he can help offensively but can't guard up to Barnes expectations will Barnes still play him?

 

[walkenvol]

He looks smooth as silk on offense in his game videos. I noticed sometimes when he's guarding the ball he gets blown by. If he can help offensively but can't guard up to Barnes expectations will Barnes still play him?

Depends on how desperate we are for scoring and whether the added points Dilione brings more than offsets the points he gives away if indeed his defense is lacking. Is he a net positive? If yes, play him. JMO

 

[Dallasbowlin]

If he comes in and looks like he can contribute he’s playing IMO. Also, if he were to come in, get to play, and look really good is there any chance he would jolt for the Draft? Would suck to only have him for less than half of a season.

 

[JRVOL11]

 

[JRVOL11]

 

[cncchris33]

Sounds official per his coach. This was following the championship game of the John Wall Invitational in which WOG lost to Prolific Prep, but Dilione was named Most Outstanding Player...

"Williams, following the game, confirmed tournament Most Outstanding Player Freddie Dilione (18 points) will be graduating early and enrolling at Tennessee. “It was mutual between the family and I,” Williams said. “It’s good for Freddie to go and get a jump start with coach (Rick) Barnes."

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article270584247.html#storylink=cpy

 

[Vol49er]

Sounds official per his coach. This was following the championship game of the John Wall Invitational in which WOG lost to Prolific Prep, but Dilione was named Most Outstanding Player...

"Williams, following the game, confirmed tournament Most Outstanding Player Freddie Dilione (18 points) will be graduating early and enrolling at Tennessee. “It was mutual between the family and I,” Williams said. “It’s good for Freddie to go and get a jump start with coach (Rick) Barnes."

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article270584247.html#storylink=cpy

What a great day to be a Tennessee fan

 

[JRVOL11]

wow, this will benefit big for him next season.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Come sit and learn, then kill it next year, go pro.

 

[Willy14]

Sounds official per his coach. This was following the championship game of the John Wall Invitational in which WOG lost to Prolific Prep, but Dilione was named Most Outstanding Player...

"Williams, following the game, confirmed tournament Most Outstanding Player Freddie Dilione (18 points) will be graduating early and enrolling at Tennessee. “It was mutual between the family and I,” Williams said. “It’s good for Freddie to go and get a jump start with coach (Rick) Barnes."

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article270584247.html#storylink=cpy

That’s awesome. I’m excited to see him in warmups and maybe the games. Even if he doesn’t play a minute this season, I have to see this as a positive for everyone involved. Get to build chemistry with players, coaches, and get in college weight room early along with many other things

 

[TrippieRedd]

This kid just has the "it" factor.

Keon Johnson but a better scorer

 

[cardvolfan]

Sounds official per his coach. This was following the championship game of the John Wall Invitational in which WOG lost to Prolific Prep, but Dilione was named Most Outstanding Player...

"Williams, following the game, confirmed tournament Most Outstanding Player Freddie Dilione (18 points) will be graduating early and enrolling at Tennessee. “It was mutual between the family and I,” Williams said. “It’s good for Freddie to go and get a jump start with coach (Rick) Barnes."

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article270584247.html#storylink=cpy

If nothing else, this makes for some interesting news. I would love to be a fly on the wall when Barnes, Gaines, Clark etc are discussing this move and why this move was made. I’m going to let the process play out to see what transpires, and trying to stay away from that “expectations” word.

 

[VolArmy74]

I'd have to imagine he agreed to come early thinking he's going to actually get to play. He's a scorer and we need that badly. Hopefully he's so good in practice that they feel confident in putting him on the floor.

 

[Willy14]

I'd have to imagine he agreed to come early thinking he's going to actually get to play. He's a scorer and we need that badly. Hopefully he's so good in practice that they feel confident in putting him on the floor.

I hope so, but I’m trying to temper my expectations since he is coming in mid year and hasn’t ever played with the team before

 

[bleedingTNorange]

This kid just has the "it" factor.

Keon Johnson but a better scorer

Not sure I see that comp, Keon was an elite level athlete and better defender than scorer…Dilione‘s athleticism is more average and probably something that will limit his stock, and is a much better scorer than defender at this stage.

 

[VolArmy74]

Have we ever taken on anyone mid-year and sat them? It's pretty rare to even take anyone on. But I know Vescovi and Stokes played.

If JJJ were playing I wouldn't worry either way. Without him we need someone who can get a basket and DiLione looks the part.

 

[JRVOL11]

if he comes in and does well in practice, i have a hard time thinking they will not play him some given his scoring abilities.

 

[Vols till I fall]

I think it would be insane to redshirt him if he comes in within a few days.

This team has the parts to compete for a natty, just need a reliable scorer and that's Freddie. I understand he's not a true PG, but he can play the one. We need someone to take the scoring pressure off of Vescovi

Key isn't providing enough points for us