Kunc expected to use COVID year, return for second season in Ames

[Thomasrickj]

Good deal! Hopefully we can land that big man from Wright State and secure a backup tall man so that Kunc can step out and shoot outside a little more. Dude has a solid stroke, but with a weak frontcourt he wasn’t able to venture out as much.

 

[ClonesTwenty1]

Any word on Gabe?

 

[CloneGuy8]

He was a 39% 3 point shooter this year. If we get the Wright State guy and they're on the floor at the same time, that should offer some good spacing and allow our guards to drive to the hoop easier.

 

[ISUTex]

Yaz Koonce!!

 

[allfourcy]

Why does the wording on his return say "expected" to return, versus "will" return? Guess I just thought it wasn't usually worded like that.

 

[RustShack]

Any word on Gabe?

I’m assuming he’s back, I know two years was the plan when he signed. Tristan is kind of the wild card. You’d think he would stay after using his one time transfer already, but who knows.

 

[cyfanatic13]

Kunc is one of those patented "love him if he's on your team, hate him if he's on the other" guys and since he's on our team, I love him. Looking forward to seeing him again next year

 

[cyclonepower]

 

[ChickenNuggetMan]

That’s one solid piece we needed for next year!

 

[Dannynoonan]

Significant news for 2022-23.

Kunc expected to use COVID year, return for second season in Ames

At least one Cyclone will be using his extra year of eligibility and returning for another season in Ames. Aljaz Kunc is expected to use his COVID year in order to play a fifth year of college basketball and his second season in Ames, as first reported by NCAA Basketball Slovenia. Kunc av

cyclonefanatic.com

Nice!

 

[CyDawg23]

Great to have him back!
Question - not meant to be dig at him. How do you shoot 39% from 3 and then 42% overall. Don't think you see stats like that very often.

Just looked up Niang’s numbers this season. 39.6% from three. 43.1% total field goals. I know NBA vs college is a stretch, but there’s a percentage base comparison.

 

[Brett44]

He’s a great guy to have who will flash to the ball and he good with the ball against pressure and traps.

 

[ClonesInDallas]

Not sure of the reason, but Jaz went from really struggling to rebound to becoming arguably our best guy on the glass late in the year. Really stepped up defensively as well. He always brought the energy, but he really put it together starting about when ISU had the late 4 game W streak.
This is great news.

Probably because he changed from immediately trying to tip the ball to someone to going up with two hands to come down with it

 

[Raywswartz]

If you don’t get easy layups the shooting percentage difference between 3s and 2s isn’t as large as you’d think. Also a bunch of Jaz’s 3s were awesome looks where he was pretty open and that’s a higher % shot than a tough 2.

Hoiball stuff, man.

Key there is finishing the easy layups. That along with having the talent to get good 2 looks. We struggled as a team to finish around rim. Kunz just never got those looks close.

 

[exCYtement]

4 open schollies?

Is Tristan confirmed as heading out, or is that just a technicality due to Gabe being a senior who hasn’t publicly said he’s returning?

This keeps throwing me off too, but I keep forgetting that Javan Johnson, Blake Hinson, and Xavier Foster left so late last year TJ never used those three scholarships this year.

So they have 4 out: Brockington, Conditt, Jackson, Walker
Then they have 4 in: Lispey, Watson, Tre King, Eli King

Even if Gabe comes back, there are still those three scholarships left over from last summer to be used for transfers.

 

[isucy86]

The Cyclones have 3 open scholarships, to clarify with returnees/recruits by position:

• PG (2)
  
  • Hunter
  • Lipsey
• Wing (4)
  
  • Grill
  • Kalscheur
  • Eli King
  • Demarion Watson
• Post (4)
  
  • Tre King
  • Kunc
  • Jones
  • Enaruna

 

[Trudie]

Jaz is a high-energy guy who makes a difference every time he steps on the court, even if it doesn’t show up on the stats sheet. His rebound numbers improved as the season went on and I loved the way he’d rip down a rebound, then protect the ball with his body. His leadership and ability to set the tone next year will be available. He’s tough!

 

[CyBri]

I do feel like at the end of the season he was putting the ball on the floor from the high post. Hopefully that's another tool he can improve and have in his arsenal next season.

 

[theshadow]

Why does the wording on his return say "expected" to return, versus "will" return? Guess I just thought it wasn't usually worded like that.

It's a hedge due to the random/unofficial source.