Even though this has gotten a little sidetracked, high end prep school coaches like the NEPSAC are often times still influencers in recruitments. More than an average high school in Missouri or something like that.
Hands down, if you have a prep school coach at Findlay, Prolific, LaLu, Huntingtonā¦much more influential than a typical HS coach. But then again, that is because the prep school is nothing more than a glorified AAU team
With Charles Matthews on the roster, I donāt see the fit for Gaines. I donāt mind checking in on him though. Sure hope weād press for Cain 1000xās more than Gaines though.
1 Like
Honestly, Gaines is a power forward that is the size of Jordan Poole (perhaps smaller). I have no idea what utility he would have at UM.
Jaāsean Tate?
Tate had much better ball skills than Gaines.
Iāve seen very limited film on Gaines, and it wasnāt great. But, and itās a big but, he absolutely got it done this spring summer against elite competition on the eybl circuit. This is a guy who averaged nearly 10 rebounds per game over 20 eybl contests (including Peach Jam) in about 26 minutes per game, averaged almost 15 ppg on 53%+ shooting (almost all from inside the arc), and had a very solid 54/39 assist/turnover ratio. If weāre going to knock a guy like, say, Brendan Johns for not playing well against top competition, and extrapolate from that that heās overrated with respect to his potential college production, why wouldnāt Gainesā stats (top 15 out of about 400 kids in regular season eybl efficiency stats) suggest that heās underrated? Yeah, he doesnāt look the partāhe looks like a very undersized 4 without eye-popping athletic ability or explosion who has limited range on his shotābut why then does he produce like he does?
I honestly donāt know how I feel about himālike Eli Brooks, limited film says one thing while the numbers, even against good competition, say something else. What intrigues me about Gaines is that he seems all wrong for what JB likes to do, and he does not have the athletic ability of wings like Matthews and GR III and Casey Prather who were/are not great perimeter threats, but were coveted by Beilein, yet weāre still visiting and involved. That says something about something.
2 Likes
His production is based on motor, and I love motor. Just donāt know if that translates as a 6ā3-6ā4 power forward with very little skill
Iāll speculate what M might like about Gaines.
He could thrive running the baseline in Mās offense
He can score. Heās a scorer. Scoring is an important skill in basketball. Heās unorthodox but he can score
Looks like he might have a knack on offensive rebounding. This too is a skill.
He looks like a kid who can put his head down and force his way to the bucket. Donāt need to be a great ball handler to do this, especially the way the game was called last year.
Maybe Donlon likes him? Looks like he could guard 2, 3 and 4
Personally Iām partial to guys who can score in the lane, itās my favorite aspect of Eli Brooksā game. I think his touch in the paint is elite. William Douglas, same thing, shows potential to get in paint and create havoc, now Gaines is another who can potentially be productive in numerous ways in the paint. Maybe a trend? My 2Ā¢ās
1 Like
I can see all of that with Gaines, but Eli Brooks scores in the lane? Not sure I see that at all on film
You know Iām a hundred percent with you on Tillman so no argument there. I was hoping he was our 4 of the future. Gaines would be a three though. Like people are saying probably nothing to it but Iād be ok with adding him for sure.
Hey mattd is there any chance gaines is reclassifying? Not sure his age, I should have looked it up but Iāve noticed a trend of city Rock kids prepping. Maybe heās next to garner greater interest?
Iām starting to get why Gaines is so effective. He appears to be a heady player, very quick up and down jumping thatās why heās a great rebounder/ tip artist. His handle appears to be better then we realize he just doesnāt use it as much as other guards. Looks like heās nice scoring in the lane / nice head fakes and obviously running the floor and finishing at the rim heās a beast.
Iām kinda hoping if we donāt take banba that Gaines might get the nod.
1 Like
Nice get for them. Collins is getting some guys.
1 Like
Really felt like butler was the move for him. I have a feeling heās just the guy to give us headaches. Then again Mathews will be here