Tennessee Vols Basketball Recruiting

[patrick]

Estrella to Tennessee??? Thoughts?

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Estrella to Tennessee??? Thoughts?

Check the 2023 thread, lots of talk on him.

 

[RyanWalkerPGH]

From Basilio's blog this morning:

Freddie Dilione 6-4 Guard Raleigh NC:

Has EXPLODED this summer. He's tracking to be a top 30 player when the rankings are re-released in a few weeks. This is a sweet spot player. Here's a kid that Bama and Steve Forbes want that Tennessee is in amazing shape with. Tennessee was thinking of reclassifying Freddie but his family seems steadfast on him being a 2023 signee. This is the kind of guy we've talked about here with the Gainey Effect. Tennessee Assistant Justin Gainey is adept at finding prospects that are very good players yet off the Duke, UNC radar. Dillione is exactly the kind of player that Villanova won Natty's with under Jay Wright. BTW, he's currently the #2 player in the state of North Carolina according to 24/7. I'm calling Tennessee an absolute borderline lock for him after Dilione visited Alabama but left less than blown away.

https://facebook.com/AdventKnoxville
Silas DeMary Update Charlotte, NC:

Tennessee is in wonderful shape for him but will he be a take? Is he an and or with Dillione. These two guys share a home-state and similar styles of game. Will Tennessee take both? Dilione projects to be the better player at this point in time. He's higher ranked and thought to have more upside.
https://collinsinsurancetn.com/
JP Estrella:

The borderline 5 star center from Maine is announcing September 2nd which happens to the be the day after Tennessee's season opener in football. Tennessee feels very good about where they are with him. Syracuse and Iowa are in it as well. NIL will not come into play here as this young man is looking for a place that will develop him for a future in the NBA. Estrella is thought to be one done candidate or he could be a two year player. Think Walker Kessler and a lot of other big people. It's tough for big guys unless they're complete freak athletes, to be one and done big men at this level. If Tennessee lands Estrella, it's huge.

If Tennessee adds Estrella and Dilione to go with Phillips they're probably going to add one more in the November class. Tennessee wants to get 3 or 4 in the fall with an eye on saving a few spots for the spring. Do the math! It's hard to see who's going to use their cover year or jump into the portal. Therefore if Tennessee lands the aforementioned 3 +1 it will be a great step toward a very good class.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Very weird how so much of what Basilio said is like word for word what has been said on this board

 

[AngryButchJones]

Either Basilio reads VN and uses that info himself or his sources also happen to be VN posters lol or his sources have the same people they talk to as our VN insiders. Either way, always funny to see a lot of the same stuff that's posted here ending up on his blog

 

[cncchris33]

I've thought the same thing for several updates of his, now. There is always that one little bit of info, or missing info, that gives me a tinge of faith that it isn't just a blatant rip-off. This week, it was the absence of anything related to Cosby. It would be funny to see someone start up a rumor that is completely false and baseless just to see if it made its way to his blog. That would remove all doubt about the authenticity of his information. I tend to believe he has some connections inside the basketball department, but I also can't ignore the fact that the updates look like a Cliffs Notes version of VolNation, at times.

 

[cardvolfan]

He certainly is the most scrutinized writer I can remember that has any association to the Vols. At times, I’ve thought he was ahead of other writers in his info, and at times I’ve thought just the opposite. I’ve learned, over the years, to take everything with a healthy grain of salt until a preponderance of evidence surfaces.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I mean I had not heard the Demary comments about whether or not he was a “take” until yesterday from BTO and Stoerner. Then the discussion about how Demary is a similar prospect to Dillone. Like, just obvious things that popped up on here yesterday and now found it’s way to Basilio’s blog this morning coincidentally.

 

[cncchris33]

I mean I had not heard the Demary comments about whether or not he was a “take” until yesterday from BTO and Stoerner. Then the discussion about how Demary is a similar prospect to Dillone. Like, just obvious things that popped up on here yesterday and now found it’s way to Basilio’s blog this morning coincidentally.

I agree. I just wonder if that bit of information has made it from its original source to the sources of those posters and whoever is feeding Basilio information, as well. Maybe that source is VN. I won't discount that possibility.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Estrella will have an NIL deal here, assuming he comes. While that may not be his top priority, it is something that distinguishes us from other offers. One observation that Basilio makes that I agree with is the one on Gainey’s ability to read elite talent before ACC schools do. Duke/UNC definitely are recruiting national five star talent at the expense of rising regional players. Bennett caught Dilione’s star early, but the rest of their conference missed one of the best players in the region.

 

[Chemvol]

I've thought the same thing for several updates of his, now. There is always that one little bit of info, or missing info, that gives me a tinge of faith that it isn't just a blatant rip-off. This week, it was the absence of anything related to Cosby. It would be funny to see someone start up a rumor that is completely false and baseless just to see if it made its way to his blog. That would remove all doubt about the authenticity of his information. I tend to believe he has some connections inside the basketball department, but I also can't ignore the fact that the updates look like a Cliffs Notes version of VolNation, at times.

AF is low on fresh water.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

AF is low on fresh water.

Tryin to start a big battle?

 

[Chemvol]

Tryin to start a big battle?

Just win one for the good guys

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

The math on 2023 and 2024 is going to make my head spin.

2 certain openings (assuming there’s not a late 2022 addition). Key and the open 13th scholarship.

3 nearly certain spots. JJJ and SV. Julian Phillips one and done.

2 unknowns. Uros and ON.

2 probable core veterans return with lots of minutes available. ZZ and Aidoo.

1 very much unknown veteran. Will Mashack thrive in 2022-23 and secure a spot in the core or will his playing time be sparse? He’s a long way from home and it could get very frustrating for him to win regular minutes. He has an opportunity to become an all-time 4 year favorite if he makes it through the challenges he’s facing battling for playing time.

3 freshman newcomers that could go in any direction. BJ Edwards. DJ Jefferson. Tobe Awaka.

Even an over/under for 2023-24 returnees is a complete guess. 5.5? 6.5?

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Your best best imo as a coach is to probably try and sign at least 3-4 every fall, another 1-2 in the spring and maybe the numbers clear up, and then look to the portal for any further additions.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I’d sure like to see Mashack get regular minutes so that there’s a chance of not having 75% or more turnover in playing time every year. If Aidoo develops too fast he could leave for the NBA. BJ could become a 4-year anomaly. I just have no idea what to expect from Awaka or DJ.

It wouldn't be a bad thing to grab several high 3-star, low 4-star players in the next couple of classes to have some players potentially be around the program for 3 or 4 years. It’s hard to believe how much it has changed since Bernard skipped his senior year. That was kind of shocking. I can’t imagine having anybody close to a Grunfeld, Ellis, Johnson, or Houston ever being 4 year players again.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I’d sure like to see Mashack get regular minutes so that there’s a chance of not having 75% or more turnover in playing time every year. If Aidoo develops too fast he could leave for the NBA. BJ could become a 4-year anomaly. I just have no idea what to expect from Awaka or DJ.

It wouldn't be a bad thing to grab several high 3-star, low 4-star players in the next couple of classes to have some players potentially be around the program for 3 or 4 years. It’s hard to believe how much it has changed since Bernard skipped his senior year. That was kind of shocking. I can’t imagine having anybody close to a Grunfeld, Ellis, Johnson, or Houston ever being 4 year players again.

Those are the Aidoo’s, Mashacks, Dj etc you are talking about and in the same breath saying they could be departures…that’s the thing, no matter the ranking everyone is a risk to transfer now.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

4 year players that are major contributors for most of their time are becoming very rare. There were 4-year players in the 1950s and then about a 20 year hiatus. Mike Jackson and Ernie Grunfeld were the first after freshmen were again eligible. JJJ will likely be the last NBA level talent to play for four years. I’d sure like to see TN blessed with several more Zakai Zeiglers going forward. It’s going to be rare to find players good enough to play substantial minutes on good teams as freshmen that aren’t also so talented that they would leave early for a professional opportunity or get recruited over and transfer. Maybe in an odd turn the NIL money could create a few going forward.

Wayne Chism. Ron Slay. Kyle Alexander. Admiral Schofield. Jordan McRae. Josh Richardson. Vincent Yarbrough. Robert Hubbs. Lofton and Smith. Kenny Hall. Brian Williams. CJ Watson. Brandon Crump. Isiah Victor. Tony Harris. Might not see many more of these types again.

 

[ndubvols]

4 year players that are major contributors for most of their time are becoming very rare. There were 4-year players in the 1950s and then about a 20 year hiatus. Mike Jackson and Ernie Grunfeld were the first after freshmen were again eligible. JJJ will likely be the last NBA level talent to play for four years. I’d sure like to see TN blessed with several more Zakai Zeiglers going forward. It’s going to be rare to find players good enough to play substantial minutes on good teams as freshmen that aren’t also so talented that they would leave early for a professional opportunity or get recruited over and transfer. Maybe in an odd turn the NIL money could create a few going forward.

Wayne Chism. Ron Slay. Kyle Alexander. Admiral Schofield. Jordan McRae. Josh Richardson. Vincent Yarbrough. Robert Hubbs. Lofton and Smith. Kenny Hall. Brian Williams. CJ Watson. Brandon Crump. Isiah Victor. Tony Harris. Might not see many more of these types again.

I may be completely wrong, but I think there’s a chance JJJ stays for a 5th year. Definitely could see him moving on, but seems to really enjoy being a vol and could have a lucrative NIL

 

[Allvols1996]

I may be completely wrong, but I think there’s a chance JJJ stays for a 5th year. Definitely could see him moving on, but seems to really enjoy being a vol and could have a lucrative NIL

Well, that depends what you mean by lucrative. I’d be a little disheartened by an incoming freshmen who’s never played a minute gets $700k upfront and just bought a $180k car to drive around campus.

I don’t get how these companies are fronting this money. I’d love to have JJJ as the face of my company. A true VFL and character guy, versus some unknown who is likely out of here first chance they get.

 

[SJAVol32]

Well, that depends what you mean by lucrative. I’d be a little disheartened by an incoming freshmen who’s never played a minute gets $700k upfront and just bought a $180k car to drive around campus.

I don’t get how these companies are fronting this money. I’d love to have JJJ as the face of my company. A true VFL and character guy, versus some unknown who is likely out of here first chance they get.

Who?

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Well, that depends what you mean by lucrative. I’d be a little disheartened by an incoming freshmen who’s never played a minute gets $700k upfront and just bought a $180k car to drive around campus.

I don’t get how these companies are fronting this money. I’d love to have JJJ as the face of my company. A true VFL and character guy, versus some unknown who is likely out of here first chance they get.

Players that were grandfathered into NIL and already on a team know that this is just how the game is played. This isn’t unique to Tennessee. Other than Tshiebwe getting his $2 million deal, the vast majority of big money is going to be used on recruiting. Particularly in basketball where so many of the elite recruits are one-and-done.

Does it suck that JJJ might make less than Julian Phillips? Yeah, maybe so. But, Phillips is likely a one-year player due to his talent and JJJ is a 4-5 year player. The one-year player is always going to make more than a 4-5 year player.

 

[Allvols1996]

Players that were grandfathered into NIL and already on a team know that this is just how the game is played. This isn’t unique to Tennessee. Other than Tshiebwe getting his $2 million deal, the vast majority of big money is going to be used on recruiting. Particularly in basketball where so many of the elite recruits are one-and-done.

Does it suck that JJJ might make less than Julian Phillips? Yeah, maybe so. But, Phillips is likely a one-year player due to his talent and JJJ is a 4-5 year player. The one-year player is always going to make more than a 4-5 year player.

Which goes against logic. If you’re a local business and you want to market your product/brand, who do you want to pay? That’s the idea of NIL. Not collectives brokering donor money to lure recruits. In fact, I believe it’s a violation of professional rules to use 3rd parties to attract a player to a specific team.

 

[Allvols1996]

Who?

Phillips

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Which goes against logic. If you’re a local business and you want to market your product/brand, who do you want to pay? That’s the idea of NIL. Not collectives brokering donor money to lure recruits. In fact, I believe it’s a violation of professional rules to use 3rd parties to attract a player to a specific team.

I hate to break it to you, but if you think NIL is actually about local businesses using athlete profiles to promote a brand, you’re way off the mark. That is not what NIL is right now.