For anyone who knows.....

[joester5612]

what is the deal with Tai Waynard? I may be spelling that wrong, but is he for sure going to join the team in January? Or, has that yet to be decided? I am not very familiar with him, will he help us out immediately?

 

[Smashcat]

I'd be surprised if he joined UK mid season. Just turned 17 and needs a full summer of S&C imo. Should be part of 2016 class.

 

[O C-A-T-S 06]

I'm sure it all depends on who finishes out the class and if we get another big. Still have Diallo, Maker, Idunzu, and the Greek guy who have yet to decide. Seems like we will add Mulder and Murray could possibly be an option. So right now we have 4 open scholarships, if Cal strikes out on all the bigs listed above and has room open I can see Wynyard coming. Seems the consensus at the hoops summit was that he wasn't used to the speed and strength in America yet so Cal may want to wait and get him on campus in the summer.

 

[joester5612]

Thanks for the replies, I heard he had struggled a bit at the hoop summit; I am not real familiar with him at all other than reading his parents were lumberjacks or something of that nature.

 

[mj2k10]

People are projecting him to come to UK in January because the Australian school year ends in January (that's summer for them). No one is saying he'll come to UK and only play the 2nd half of the 15-16 season. The idea is that he comes in early, with no expectations, gets a lot of extra time to adjust to playing for UK, then is ready to go for 16-17.

That may or may not be worth it, as he could theoretically be better served just waiting until the summer of 2016 to come over. Regardless, it's a possibility. Wynyard is clearly physically ready- there's no "waiting for him to fill out", as he already has- but he has had little exposure to high level competition.

 

[permdaddy]

I read or saw an interview with him and he said he was most likely going to be in the 2016 class but 2015 would be an option if he changes his mind.

 

[caneintally]

Thanks for the replies, I heard he had struggled a bit at the hoop summit; I am not real familiar with him at all other than reading his parents were lumberjacks or something of that nature.

he impressed me at the Summit. Kid is a pro but needs work . Had a few nice Offensive moves .

 

[dezyDeco]

Either way, he can still practice with the team at mid-year... or not?

 

[gossie21]

He was a lot bigger than I expected, 6'10 and 263#.

I don't see him getting any playing time if he comes mid season (unless we absolutely need him). If he does come mid season then he will probably just practice with the team and get ready for next year.

 

[VT/UK Rondo]

Just my 2 cents but the last thing he needs is S&C...kids a beast! He set a screen on Briscoe in one of the all star games and damn near knocked him out of his shoes. If he showed up today he would probably be the strongest player on the team (and that includes the 7 leaving). From what I seen he just needs somebody to help him with his footwork and mechanics so that his strength can be applied to his game and the court. Hes a bruiser but he seems to get lost in the flow of the game sometime. We got staff that can fix that. This kid could be Harrelson x 10 after a few seasons at UK.

 

[DY9ASTY]

If we don't get Diallo then he would be a very big addition at mid-season. He impressed me at the hoops summit too....He wasn't great, but he was WIDE, strong, and looked like he had some go-to post moves.

 

[Teachable Moe]

he impressed me at the Summit. Kid is a pro but needs work . Had a few nice Offensive moves .

Once he learns some footwork, he'll be fantastic. Very strong looking kid. Built like a boxer. Pretty rare to see a 17 year old with shoulders and lower back muscles. Usually even the biggest are just shoulders and arms.