2. this is true but why is this relevant? maybe i need to reread my original post.
My point is if these guys had played earlier in their careers and not been behind such talented players, it's possible they would have blossomed into good players. They weren't given a bunch of minutes and failed miserably. They mostly couldn't get on the floor because of the talent ahead of them. Decent Big 12 recruits don't have to be instant impact guys, players usually take development. I think we are a little spoiled with our players contributing instantly at ISU.
3.SDW had better offers than most on the team (baylor, indiana, mich) as did okoro (arizona, pitt). both of them still haven't proven they are high major players. they still have time to do so and may end up proving themselves, but it is far from a given at this point.
He was a top 130 recruit. He was a big 12 level recruit. He's been stuck behind a lot of talented players. Not good enough to play on a top 20 team is not that same as not being a big 12 level recruit.
4. we all love naz. he has turned into a great player/leader and critical component of this team. but he was a little bit of a project coming out of high school just like ejim was. both had a few decent offers but were far from thoroughbreds. naz has turned himself into a different player (as did ejim). he didn't come to isu as an elite shooting guard, but worked his ***** off to become one.
I think Long is a perfect example. He didn't play his freshman year, and was slated to be a limited type role player his SO year. People brought up the same transfer rumblings that you heard about KO, Gibson, and SDW. Then Ejim got hurt and a spot opened up for him to play more significant minutes and he flourished. Of course that had to do with him working hard and getting thousands of shots up in the offseason, but if Ejim doesn't get hurt or if KJ Bluford was as good as, say, Tyrus McGee he wouldn't have seen the floor nearly as much. I think that lack of a spot or lack of playing time is what really hurt those guys.
