Justin Hamilton

**CyValley** · 03-07-2009, 03:40 PM

I was able to see very few games this season (work). I'm hoping a few compadres here who know the game of basketball inside-out might say a word or three about Justin's development from game one through game 31.

How important is Justin to next year's team? What areas of his game are most in need of improvement? What are the best features of his game currently? Did he ever hit a freshman wall?

Where does Justin rank on the list of Big 12 post players heading into next season . . . that is, can he stand toe-to-toe with the best of them?

Thanks.

**Bobber** · 03-07-2009, 03:42 PM

I think he has great hands and a good frame to bang around in the Big 12. He didn't develop as quickly as I wanted this year, but he's only a freshman.

All the players are important for next year, but we need Ham to get better to take the double team pressure off Brackins.

**cstrunk** · 03-07-2009, 03:44 PM

I think he'll be a little bit better next year, but I don't think we'll see him become anything close to a consistent top-performer until at least his junior year, maybe his senior year. He is definitely important to this team and will be getting a lot of minutes next year. I think everything depends on his ability to continue learning the game, and he has shown some progress this season. He needs to learn to finish a little bit stronger around the rim.

He has all kinds of potential to be a great player by the time all is said and done.

**chuckd4735** · 03-07-2009, 03:45 PM

McDermott has proven that he can develop bigs, IMO. Hamilton could end up be a very good player!

**Incyte** · 03-07-2009, 03:45 PM

High ceiling but he seemed to hit a major wall. Needs to put on some mass and learn how to finish. McD has demonstrating an abiltiy to develop post players. No reason to think he won't do the same with JH.

**chuckd4735** · 03-07-2009, 03:51 PM

I remember awhile back someone was comparing Cole Aldridge's numbers freshman year to Hamilton's numbers freshman year, and Hamilton's were better. Not saying Hamilton will put up similar number next year to Aldridge's this year, but I think he has the capability of doing so!

**Bader** · 03-07-2009, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by chuckd4735

I remember awhile back someone was comparing Cole Aldridge's numbers freshman year to Hamilton's numbers freshman year, and Hamilton's were better. Not saying Hamilton will put up similar number next year to Aldridge's this year, but I think he has the capability of doing so!

The only reason Cole had lesser numbers was his playing time and the fact that he was the 165th option on that team (which goes to show you how much talent that school brings in)

Ham has incredible hands, which puts him in good position on offense. But he really needs to work on his positioning on defense and could pack on some muscle in order to take it strong to the hole

**cybsball20** · 03-07-2009, 03:56 PM

I think the sky is the limit for Hamilton, but it will be a while before anything is centered around him. I would say 95% of his points were wide open from double teams or follow ups, which isn't bad, but he will need to learn to finish with a guy guarding him...

**singsing** · 03-07-2009, 04:45 PM

I'm a believer! If Justin continues to develop at the pace he's going he will be a first team big twelve center. He's got the frame and the work effort to become a big time horse. I doubt he'll ever be flashy, but flashy doesn't win games. I see him being a bigger version of Homan and that aint a bad thing.

**cyismydog** · 03-07-2009, 04:47 PM

Also, next year, he'll be able to get a lot of garbage points, and dump-downs from a penetrating Gilstrap.

**PolkCityClone** · 03-07-2009, 04:50 PM

My expert opinion is that he is better now than game 1.

**San Francisco Cy** · 03-07-2009, 04:52 PM

I have been pleasantly surprised with Hamilton's play this season. I was expecting either a redshirt for him, or just scrub minutes. But, he really bulked up and came along more quickly than I expected. I would say he definitely hit a wall a few weeks ago, though, and hasn't really recovered.

I fully expect him to add a little more muscle in the offseason, and develop some more low post moves. One more year of Brackins would allow him another year of development. And we will really rely on him his junior and senior season to provide some more offense, boards, and blocks.

**isucyfan** · 03-07-2009, 04:53 PM

I'm an unabashed Hamilton fan. I think he kind of hit a wall in the last quarter of the season, but he has such great potential.

He has the best hands of any ISU big man I can remember...he made some catches in the post he had no business making this season.

He has a nose for the ball, and is a big body...he's only going to get better at using it, and his positioning this year was already pretty good.

He has a nice midrange jumpshot.

I think he only needs to develop one or two "go-to" post moves to be pretty effective down low, and I think Mac will certainly teach him that.

His attitude appears great...you would always see him up off the bench cheering the rest of the guys, even if he wasn't getting big minutes.

He's got a great pedigree...his dad played on a national championship football team, and his mom is a pretty good VB player, if I remember correctly.

Great kid, great find for the Clones!