2016 New Zealand recruit just landed in Lexington

[lacocat]

Yesterday KSR reported a big man from New Zealand might be interested in Kentucky after announcing he was interested in playing basketball in the United States.
ICYMI: Tai Wynyard - a 6-foot-9 power forward, the son of two world champion woodchoppers, really - will visit Texas next weekend and will also look into visits to Kentucky and Villanova. Well. We can confirm he is at least interested thanks to this picture from Logan Johnson from the Lexington Airport.

According to Zagblog.com, Winyard will be in Kentucky today through Tuesday's Mizzou game[/B] and then head to Villanova ad Texas.

Tai Wynyard 6-9 PF

 

[Smashcat]

Highlight reel from Zagoria


http://zagsblog.com/articles/2016-pf-tai-winyard-to-visit-kentucky-villanova-and-texas/

 

[Dirt Court King]

Coach Cal has a nice 6'9" kid on the bench and won't play him for some reason....

 

[Cat Ballou]

This is kind of an out of left field recruitment - unless Cal thinks the guy has immense untapped potential - ala WCS. After Giles and Maker, there's not a lot of PF talent in 2016. Perhaps Cal sees this guy as a backup plan to those guys or someone that can provide front court depth.

 

[Cats192]

Originally posted by Dirt Court King:
Coach Cal has a nice 6'9" kid on the bench and won't play him for some reason....

If we're talking Willis, it's because he's not good enough.

I can't find a lot on this kid. I think it's an interesting story. But, no idea how good he is. With 2016 looking loaded, and no idea who all we'll be getting back--not sure how much momentum we'll look to take with him early on.

 

[Smashcat]

Originally posted by Dirt Court King:
Coach Cal has a nice 6'9" kid on the bench and won't play him for some reason....

Good point.

 

[RondoBaller21]

Anybody have a scouting report on this guy? Where would he be ranked?

 

[WonderBraa]

I don't want him. Those overseas folk rarely work out.

 

[Blueworld_3.0]

Originally posted by WonderBrow:
I don't want him. Those overseas folk rarely work out.

signed,
- Dirk Nowitzki

 

[Cats192]

Originally posted by Blueworld_3.0:

Originally posted by WonderBrow:
I don't want him. Those overseas folk rarely work out.

signed,
- Dirk Nowitzki

AKA The Exception that Proves the Rule

 

[uk78]

First, I wonder if he knows how to do that New Zealand pre-game dance (if you remember the Pro All-stars playing this summer).

But, I believe this would be a waste of a scholly as everyone is forgetting the NCAA has the "Kentucky only" rule that a foreign player is ineligible if they come to Kentucky. Otherwise, please explain how the guy from West Virginia with the same exact background as Kanter got to play along with so many others currently?

 

[Kycatspaws]

 

[Samwise Ganjee]

Son of two woodchoppers??

Sign that man-man up!!!

 

[WonderBraa]

Ok pick the greatest overseas player of all time to prove a point. That makes sense.

 

[miracle7s]

Originally posted by Cats192:

Originally posted by Blueworld_3.0:

Originally posted by WonderBrow:
I don't want him. Those overseas folk rarely work out.

signed,
- Dirk Nowitzki

AKA The Exception that Proves the Rule

I know a lot of our fans don't pay attention to a lot of basketball outside of UK but have you ever heard of Steven Adams? Top 10 5* recruit just a couple years ago. Lottery pick by the Thunder after his freshman year enforcer and starter in their frontcourt. Maybe Andrew Bogut? Not a New Zealander but Aussie who came over played a few years, dominated college and was the #1 pick. Dante Exum last year, Patty Mills, a few years ago. Come on people. If a guy can play he can play.

 

[cats#1again]

Doesn't look like much.
U of L has been signing some interesting bigs lately. Maybe IU

 

[AnarchoNeoLuddite]

Signed,
Joel Embid
Al Hortford
Francisco Garcia
Luol Deng
Sam Dalembert
Festus Ezili
Georgi Deng
Jeff Taylor
Enes Kanter
Grevus Vasquez
Tim Duncan

Just a few of the "over seas" players that have played college and are now in the L.

 

[wild mandu]

No idea how good he is, but a school can show interest and still not go balls to the wall for a recruit. I'm sure Cal and staff is in an observation stage. You want to have your hand in a lot of cookie jars, doesn't mean you eat them all.

 

[Born and raised Big Blue]

What about skai

 

[BLUEHILLS]

Originally posted by AnarchoNeoLuddite:
Signed,
Joel Embid
Al Hortford
Francisco Garcia
Luol Deng
Sam Dalembert
Festus Ezili
Georgi Deng
Jeff Taylor
Enes Kanter
Grevus Vasquez
Tim Duncan

Just a few of the "over seas" players that have played college and are now in the L.

Don't forget about this guy......

Signed, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippin

 

[jauk11]

If this is one of those wildlife flying migration things doesn't he have it backwards, isn't it summertime down there now?

 

[Samwise Ganjee]

Jeez you people will carp about anything

The kid is from NEW effin ZEALAND....that's on the OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD you boneheads

John Calipari is NOT going to fly to THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD to see this kid play

Nor for that matter will Barnes or Wright

So he comes here, Cal lets him hang out with the guys, play some pick-up ball in the Craft Center, let them judge whether the kid is Kentucky material or not, maybe work him out individually if he's got some potential...and that is the end of that, or the beginning maybe

Just sit back down in your rockers and stir the coals up in the potbelly stove grouchy old men!!!

 

[BLUEHILLS]

And my boy....

Signed, Ramel

 

[Dirt Court King]

Yes, I'm talking Willis, and he doesn't get enough playing time to get better or prove he can play....He would fit in nicely right now in the platoon system until next year just saying...Give the kid more playing time to get experience....))

 

[caneintally]

Originally posted by miracle7s:

Originally posted by Cats192:

Originally posted by Blueworld_3.0:

Originally posted by WonderBrow:
I don't want him. Those overseas folk rarely work out.

signed,
- Dirk Nowitzki

AKA The Exception that Proves the Rule

I know a lot of our fans don't pay attention to a lot of basketball outside of UK but have you ever heard of Steven Adams? Top 10 5* recruit just a couple years ago. Lottery pick by the Thunder after his freshman year enforcer and starter in their frontcourt. Maybe Andrew Bogut? Not a New Zealander but Aussie who came over played a few years, dominated college and was the #1 pick. Dante Exum last year, Patty Mills, a few years ago. Come on people. If a guy can play he can play.

Yes good to see someone else actually follows cbb . I wasn't even going to respond to Brow as he was so off it wasn't funny. There a tons of good foriegn players and what is most funny about brow's comment is THIS YEAR the best player in the country is from Austrailia .- Simmons .

 

[Cats192]

Originally posted by miracle7s:

Originally posted by Cats192:

Originally posted by Blueworld_3.0:

Originally posted by WonderBrow:
I don't want him. Those overseas folk rarely work out.

signed,
- Dirk Nowitzki

AKA The Exception that Proves the Rule

I know a lot of our fans don't pay attention to a lot of basketball outside of UK but have you ever heard of Steven Adams? Top 10 5* recruit just a couple years ago. Lottery pick by the Thunder after his freshman year enforcer and starter in their frontcourt. Maybe Andrew Bogut? Not a New Zealander but Aussie who came over played a few years, dominated college and was the #1 pick. Dante Exum last year, Patty Mills, a few years ago. Come on people. If a guy can play he can play.

Ok, well 1, read the context before insulting someone's knowledge of a subject.

Dirk Nowitzki is probably the greatest foreign born NBA player ever, but he in and of himself doesn't prove that over-seas guys are good.

Moreso, you listed what, 5 guys?

Go check the list of foreign born players that tried to come to the states to play, or even did and never did anything.

All of that said, I don't agree with just eliminating him because he comes from overseas. I think that's a case by case sort of thing, just like if they're here in the states. I would have LOVED it if Kanter had gotten to play.

I don't know ANYTHING about this kid. There doesn't appear to be much in the way of highlight clips available. If he can play, I'm sure Cal will offer him.

 

[Sawnee Cat]

Originally posted by Samwise Ganjee:
Son of two woodchoppers??

Sign that man-man up!!!

On a cold winter Kentucky night a wood chopper is worth his weight in gold.

 

[wild mandu]

Originally posted by Dirt Court King:
Yes, I'm talking Willis, and he doesn't get enough playing time to get better or prove he can play....He would fit in nicely right now in the platoon system until next year just saying...Give the kid more playing time to get experience....))

We haven't been in games lately that allow us to experiment.

I agree that if we're up by 25 in the second, he should play Willis. We haven't been there since UCLA, and Willis did in fact play.

 

[SkyPrince1]

Originally posted by Cats192:

Originally posted by Dirt Court King:
Coach Cal has a nice 6'9" kid on the bench and won't play him for some reason....

If we're talking Willis, it's because he's not good enough.

I can't find a lot on this kid. I think it's an interesting story. But, no idea how good he is. With 2016 looking loaded, and no idea who all we'll be getting back--not sure how much momentum we'll look to take with him early on.

Harrellson wasn't good enough until Cuz and Orton went pro and Enes was ruled ineligible.

Suddenly he's good enough to start on a FF team.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Originally posted by wild mandu:

Originally posted by Dirt Court King:
Yes, I'm talking Willis, and he doesn't get enough playing time to get better or prove he can play....He would fit in nicely right now in the platoon system until next year just saying...Give the kid more playing time to get experience....))

We haven't been in games lately that allow us to experiment.

I agree that if we're up by 25 in the second, he should play Willis. We haven't been there since UCLA, and Willis did in fact play.

Yeah, 3 straight close games mean no time for the 10th man to play much (in reality the 11th man if not for Poy's injury).

 

[Cats192]

Originally posted by SkyPrince1:

Originally posted by Cats192:

Originally posted by Dirt Court King:
Coach Cal has a nice 6'9" kid on the bench and won't play him for some reason....

If we're talking Willis, it's because he's not good enough.

I can't find a lot on this kid. I think it's an interesting story. But, no idea how good he is. With 2016 looking loaded, and no idea who all we'll be getting back--not sure how much momentum we'll look to take with him early on.

Harrellson wasn't good enough until Cuz and Orton went pro and Enes was ruled ineligible.

Suddenly he's good enough to start on a FF team.

But in this scenario, Cuz and Orton are still here. Enes is still eligible. You STILL trying to put Harrelson on the court? Or do you play your better options?

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Originally posted by Cats192:

Originally posted by SkyPrince1:

Originally posted by Cats192:

Originally posted by Dirt Court King:
Coach Cal has a nice 6'9" kid on the bench and won't play him for some reason....

If we're talking Willis, it's because he's not good enough.

I can't find a lot on this kid. I think it's an interesting story. But, no idea how good he is. With 2016 looking loaded, and no idea who all we'll be getting back--not sure how much momentum we'll look to take with him early on.

Harrellson wasn't good enough until Cuz and Orton went pro and Enes was ruled ineligible.

Suddenly he's good enough to start on a FF team.

But in this scenario, Cuz and Orton are still here. Enes is still eligible. You STILL trying to put Harrelson on the court? Or do you play your better options?

Yeah, I'm sure the 2011 team would have been worse off with Kanter playing that year. LOL. If we have Kanter that year we probably win the title.

I agree with you man, some people want to play the less talented people over the superior talented guys.

 

[SkyPrince1]

Originally posted by UKWildcats#8:

Originally posted by Cats192:

Originally posted by SkyPrince1:

Originally posted by Cats192:

Originally posted by Dirt Court King:
Coach Cal has a nice 6'9" kid on the bench and won't play him for some reason....

If we're talking Willis, it's because he's not good enough.

I can't find a lot on this kid. I think it's an interesting story. But, no idea how good he is. With 2016 looking loaded, and no idea who all we'll be getting back--not sure how much momentum we'll look to take with him early on.

Harrellson wasn't good enough until Cuz and Orton went pro and Enes was ruled ineligible.

Suddenly he's good enough to start on a FF team.

But in this scenario, Cuz and Orton are still here. Enes is still eligible. You STILL trying to put Harrelson on the court? Or do you play your better options?

Yeah, I'm sure the 2011 team would have been worse off with Kanter playing that year. LOL. If we have Kanter that year we probably win the title.

I agree with you man, some people want to play the less talented people over the superior talented guys.

I hope your not putting this years guys in the same category as Cuz and probably none are better than Enes.

Not one of our frontline guys have been consistant this season(Trey comes the closest).

Cal personally called out Dakari and Marcus for not being ready to play.

As stated in other posts, Willis does SOME things better than our other frontline guys.

 

[Cats192]

Originally posted by SkyPrince1:

Originally posted by UKWildcats#8:

Originally posted by Cats192:

Originally posted by SkyPrince1:

Originally posted by Cats192:

Originally posted by Dirt Court King:
Coach Cal has a nice 6'9" kid on the bench and won't play him for some reason....

If we're talking Willis, it's because he's not good enough.

I can't find a lot on this kid. I think it's an interesting story. But, no idea how good he is. With 2016 looking loaded, and no idea who all we'll be getting back--not sure how much momentum we'll look to take with him early on.

Harrellson wasn't good enough until Cuz and Orton went pro and Enes was ruled ineligible.

Suddenly he's good enough to start on a FF team.

But in this scenario, Cuz and Orton are still here. Enes is still eligible. You STILL trying to put Harrelson on the court? Or do you play your better options?

Yeah, I'm sure the 2011 team would have been worse off with Kanter playing that year. LOL. If we have Kanter that year we probably win the title.

I agree with you man, some people want to play the less talented people over the superior talented guys.

I hope your not putting this years guys in the same category as Cuz and probably none are better than Enes.

Not one of our frontline guys have been consistant this season(Trey comes the closest).

Cal personally called out Dakari and Marcus for not being ready to play.

As stated in other posts, Willis does SOME things better than our other frontline guys.

Sure. He shoots 3's better.

But he doesn't defend better. He doesn't rebound better. I'm going to go ahead and assume Cal cares more about those things--especially since those are a big part of why we're UNDEFEATED.

 

[SkyPrince1]

Originally posted by Cats192:

Originally posted by SkyPrince1:

Originally posted by UKWildcats#8:

Originally posted by Cats192:

Originally posted by SkyPrince1:

Originally posted by Cats192:

Originally posted by Dirt Court King:
Coach Cal has a nice 6'9" kid on the bench and won't play him for some reason....

If we're talking Willis, it's because he's not good enough.

I can't find a lot on this kid. I think it's an interesting story. But, no idea how good he is. With 2016 looking loaded, and no idea who all we'll be getting back--not sure how much momentum we'll look to take with him early on.

Harrellson wasn't good enough until Cuz and Orton went pro and Enes was ruled ineligible.

Suddenly he's good enough to start on a FF team.

But in this scenario, Cuz and Orton are still here. Enes is still eligible. You STILL trying to put Harrelson on the court? Or do you play your better options?

Yeah, I'm sure the 2011 team would have been worse off with Kanter playing that year. LOL. If we have Kanter that year we probably win the title.

I agree with you man, some people want to play the less talented people over the superior talented guys.

I hope your not putting this years guys in the same category as Cuz and probably none are better than Enes.

Not one of our frontline guys have been consistant this season(Trey comes the closest).

Cal personally called out Dakari and Marcus for not being ready to play.

As stated in other posts, Willis does SOME things better than our other frontline guys.

Sure. He shoots 3's better.

But he doesn't defend better. He doesn't rebound better. I'm going to go ahead and assume Cal cares more about those things--especially since those are a big part of why we're UNDEFEATED.

Shoots 3's better

Feeds the post better

Can push the ball up court off def rebound

Overall best ballhandler among frontline players

 

[Cats192]

Originally posted by SkyPrince1:

Shoots 3's better

Feeds the post better

Can push the ball up court off def rebound

Overall best ballhandler among frontline players

But you realize

You are describing the skillset of a small forward, and comparing him to the power forwards on the team.

I think you could argue Lyles and Towns do some of those things better than Willis (though I guess Lyles is an SF for now). But if we're talking about SF skills, let's compare him to Booker, Aaron, Lyles---not the guys playing PF

 

[WonderBraa]

Ok well since dirk and Tim Duncan were from over seas then chances are this guy is the second coming of them. Right? That's what you're saying?

 

[AnarchoNeoLuddite]

Cal wouldnt know if the kid is worth it, yeah his eye for talent sucks


Add Thon Maker to the "over seas" list.

 

[docholiday51]

Originally posted by Samwise Ganjee:
Son of two woodchoppers??

Sign that man-man up!!!

bet he can make some violent cuts
This post was edited on 1/11 9:00 PM by docholiday51

 

[EMMCAT]

Basketball popularity and proficiency is growing by leaps and (re) bounds overseas. The Spurs have 6 or 7 guys who play regularly who were raised overseas. Parker, Duncan, Ginobli, Mills, Bellinelli ,,Diaw,Splitter, etc.
How many really good players are from overseas now?
The fact that a 16 year old is from New Zealand means nothing. Many overseas players are highly skilled. They spend their time learning to shoot and pass rather than dunk.Can he play? Cal will figure this out.