Joel Embiid

[Jordanj6502]

Kansas' Joel Embiid has come out of nowhere to become perhaps nation's best freshman - ESPN

"I was curious because I want to be great, I want to be the best at my position one day," he said. "I'm trying to learn everything and what other people did. All of the great big men went to college at least two or three years. I think it's a big factor. I don't know if it will always work, but I think it's the best choice."

I know I hope he is gone after this year, and I still think he does leave for the NBA after this year. But this is a scary thought that he may stick around.

 

[cybsball20]

It just amazes me how good his footwork is for someone who has barely played the game

 

[bawbie]

Out of nowhere? He was a 5* recruit, #25 in the nation.

That's not "out of nowhere".

 

[Jordanj6502]

Out of nowhere? He was a 5* recruit, #25 in the nation.

That's not "out of nowhere".

I agree with you there.. It is ESPN just trying to cover the fact that they never really talked about any freshman outside Wiggins, Randle and Parker in the preseason.

But I am not sure most people thought he would be this good this fast.

 

[CysRage]

I hope him and Wiggins are gone so maybe KU will finally have that down year but let's be real..it's KU. Just when I think they may have a down year, they reload.

 

[bos]

Out of nowhere? He was a 5* recruit, #25 in the nation.

That's not "out of nowhere".

Its a cinderalla story. From zero to hero.

 

[Knownothing]

Kid is the best center I have seen in college since Shaq. He is that good. He need to learn the step in, fade away that Hakeem made pretty much unstoppable. All great centers need a go to move that is unstopable. kareem had the hook. Shaq was the bully you down and dunk it. Hakeem the step in fade back.

 

[ILiftWithRoyce]

Hard to stay when you are getting looked at as a top 3 pick in the draft and you have nerlens noel in your hindsight. Someone hate at me with Marcus Smart though. You can never be sure. Would be foolish of him to stay with his stock this high though IMO

 

[Cyclonin]

I hope him and Wiggins are gone so maybe KU will finally have that down year but let's be real..it's KU. Just when I think they may have a down year, they reload.

Nailed it. This was a somewhat "down year" for them...

 

[Bigman38]

Hard to stay when you are getting looked at as a top 3 pick in the draft and you have nerlens noel in your hindsight. Someone hate at me with Marcus Smart though. You can never be sure. Would be foolish of him to stay with his stock this high though IMO

I think he only stayed because of an injury before the combine.

 

[heitclone]

he went from being a top 3 pick to the top pick that night in Ames.

 

[twocoach]

I hope him and Wiggins are gone so maybe KU will finally have that down year but let's be real..it's KU. Just when I think they may have a down year, they reload.

KU has already signed #3 recruit Cliff Alexander to take Tarik Black's scholly and #10 recruit Kelly Oubre to take Wiggins' scholly when he leaves. If Embiid leaves as well, KU is in on #2 recruit Myles Turner. THIS YEAR is our down year this year after losing all five starters from last year's team.

 

[bawbie]

The only player I could see going before him is Parker. I think he has a complete game, where Wiggins, Randle and Smart all have at least one hole. Embiid has more upside than any of them though.

 

[CyJack13]

KU has already signed #3 recruit Cliff Alexander to take Tarik Black's scholly and #10 recruit Kelly Oubre to take Wiggins' scholly when he leaves. If Embiid leaves as well, KU is in on #2 recruit Myles Turner. THIS YEAR is our down year this year after losing all five starters from last year's team.

Saw Cliff Alexander a lil bit this weekend in the HS tournament ESPN was showing, he is a beast. He looks NBA ready right now.

 

[Go2Guy]

Out of nowhere? He was a 5* recruit, #25 in the nation.

That's not "out of nowhere".

It may refer to his limited High School background and basketball experience - 1.5 years; and because he was from Cameroon. I know he's exceeded all expectations of most KU fans, who said even had difficulties dribbling 6-months ago.

 

[Go2Guy]

Will Perry Ellis leave? I think he's a projected 1st rounder. they could be losing: Wiggins, Embiid, Ellis....and maybe Selden?

 

[StevieISU23]

Good God- With Arms that long....He could easily hook not one, but two defensive players on every post move he makes..

 

[Cyclonesince78]

Yeah, any dreams you guys have of KU having a down year, might as well be put it to rest. Oubre and Alexander are studs. Even on a down year, they don't have a down year.

This was also supposed to be ISU' down year as well since we lost 80% of our scoring. I'm actually looking forward to taking them on next year, should be a good matchup.

 

[bawbie]

Yeah, any dreams you guys have of KU having a down year, might as well be put it to rest. Oubre and Alexander are studs. Even on a down year, they don't have a down year.

This was also supposed to be ISU' down year as well since we lost 80% of our scoring. I'm actually looking forward to taking them on next year, should be a good matchup.

Yeah, I'd think KU will have Tharpe, Ellis, Seldon, Traylor, Greene, Frankamp and Mason back next year, on top of the two stud recruits.

 

[CyTwins]

KU has already signed #3 recruit Cliff Alexander to take Tarik Black's scholly and #10 recruit Kelly Oubre to take Wiggins' scholly when he leaves. If Embiid leaves as well, KU is in on #2 recruit Myles Turner. THIS YEAR is our down year this year after losing all five starters from last year's team.

You signed one of the best recruiting classes of all time even before Wiggins announced, don't pretend like this was a down year. Kentucky could say the same thing every year