Kentucky Bound Bam Adebayo Is A Beast - 2015 City of Palms Debut Highlights
- Thread starter preacher_tom
- Start date
He reminds me of a larger Poythress. Don't know the height difference between the two but their games looks pretty much identical to my untrained eye.
Watched him play on Saturday. Here's some thoughts I wrote for another source:
Ripped, strong, bouncy, skilled
I thought he was 6'9 and 230. Wrong. 6'10 and 260 according to the City of Palms program. (His upper arms are as big as my thighs) (Not really, in case Bev stalks us)
He has tremendous lift for a big. Several times his head was rim high.
Here is what is different from a lot of our former players. He has guard skills. Has a great handle, I mean killer. A crossover maneuver from 20 out, and the rest is history, SLAM.
Stats for this ONE game: 23 points, mostly dunks in the paint, except for a nice 18 footer swish and an up and under pivot for the layup.
The guy can sky, Wigginsish.
I have this silly performance evaluation thing I do. The good news is that on athletic ability I gave him top scores on speed, quickness, stamina, and coordination. He has the best crossover of ANY big we've had since Cal came. EXPLOSIVE, and quick.
I do see some things not so rosy.
He is NOT a center. He is a power forward, imo. He doesn't play in the paint. Like a Wiggins, he camps on the outside waiting for the rock in order to make his amazing, and I mean amazing, moves that freezes opponents and he's elbows above the rim. (He missed a dunk....the ball hit so hard on the back rim it almost left the gym)
On shooting, I rated him highest for paint production, high on mechanics and craftiness. I didn't rate him high on outside the paint shooting, though he did swish an 18 footer. MOST OF HIS 23 POINTS were authoritative crams.
Guys, Bam has guard skills, and at least for this ONE game I took in, he played like one.....camped outside, waiting for the pass on the wing, and when he got it, he went to work, and scored on a variety of dunks. I can't name a former Calipari player who is like Adebayo. Patterson, maybe.
Cal will eat his lunch. The guy coasts and takes time off......last one down the court sometimes. I have the opinion that his coach is letting him think he is a guard.
BOTTOM LINE: A one and done. Way big hops, strong, talented. Stronger than Cousins even. He needs Cal.
Ripped, strong, bouncy, skilled
I thought he was 6'9 and 230. Wrong. 6'10 and 260 according to the City of Palms program. (His upper arms are as big as my thighs) (Not really, in case Bev stalks us)
He has tremendous lift for a big. Several times his head was rim high.
Here is what is different from a lot of our former players. He has guard skills. Has a great handle, I mean killer. A crossover maneuver from 20 out, and the rest is history, SLAM.
Stats for this ONE game: 23 points, mostly dunks in the paint, except for a nice 18 footer swish and an up and under pivot for the layup.
The guy can sky, Wigginsish.
I have this silly performance evaluation thing I do. The good news is that on athletic ability I gave him top scores on speed, quickness, stamina, and coordination. He has the best crossover of ANY big we've had since Cal came. EXPLOSIVE, and quick.
I do see some things not so rosy.
He is NOT a center. He is a power forward, imo. He doesn't play in the paint. Like a Wiggins, he camps on the outside waiting for the rock in order to make his amazing, and I mean amazing, moves that freezes opponents and he's elbows above the rim. (He missed a dunk....the ball hit so hard on the back rim it almost left the gym)
On shooting, I rated him highest for paint production, high on mechanics and craftiness. I didn't rate him high on outside the paint shooting, though he did swish an 18 footer. MOST OF HIS 23 POINTS were authoritative crams.
Guys, Bam has guard skills, and at least for this ONE game I took in, he played like one.....camped outside, waiting for the pass on the wing, and when he got it, he went to work, and scored on a variety of dunks. I can't name a former Calipari player who is like Adebayo. Patterson, maybe.
Cal will eat his lunch. The guy coasts and takes time off......last one down the court sometimes. I have the opinion that his coach is letting him think he is a guard.
BOTTOM LINE: A one and done. Way big hops, strong, talented. Stronger than Cousins even. He needs Cal.
Couple more thoughts:
Bam's monster dunks were not garbage (right place, right time) points. He created those, often from starting 20 feet away. High Point had a set where the rest of the team cleared out to the wings in order to let Bam start from the top of the key. He'd juke to his right then cross explosively to his left, find an opening, and forget it, SLAM. Most of his slams were created, not given to him on oops or putbacks.
He appears to be coachable. Saw no complaining attitude or whining. High-fived his teammates on good plays.
After the game, a crowd of probably a hundred folks surrounded him for photo ops and autographs. Finally the organizers had to clear away the crowd because the next team didn't have enough floor space to warm up. He was cordial with old and young alike and stayed until he was forced to leave.
If you remember Darryl Dawkins, he has a similar beast presence on the court?
Met some UK fans there, and also met a man named Harris who played for St Louis U. I later found out that he was the reason the Billikens beat Rupp twice.
Bam's monster dunks were not garbage (right place, right time) points. He created those, often from starting 20 feet away. High Point had a set where the rest of the team cleared out to the wings in order to let Bam start from the top of the key. He'd juke to his right then cross explosively to his left, find an opening, and forget it, SLAM. Most of his slams were created, not given to him on oops or putbacks.
He appears to be coachable. Saw no complaining attitude or whining. High-fived his teammates on good plays.
After the game, a crowd of probably a hundred folks surrounded him for photo ops and autographs. Finally the organizers had to clear away the crowd because the next team didn't have enough floor space to warm up. He was cordial with old and young alike and stayed until he was forced to leave.
If you remember Darryl Dawkins, he has a similar beast presence on the court?
Met some UK fans there, and also met a man named Harris who played for St Louis U. I later found out that he was the reason the Billikens beat Rupp twice.
The consistant height weight for Bam is 6'9" and around 235. He is not 260lbs and doesn't look like he is. Physically, he is very similar to Poy, but he does seem to have a bit of a mean streak. Can't wait to see him in blue.
"Bam" Adebayo makes big impact for High Point
http://www.news-press.com/story/sports/2015/12/21/bam-adebayo-makes-big-impact-high-point/77364334/
http://www.news-press.com/story/sports/2015/12/21/bam-adebayo-makes-big-impact-high-point/77364334/
BAM ADEBAYO
Status: UK commitment
Power forward | 6-10 | 260
School: High Point Christian
Hometown: Washington, N.C.
Status: UK commitment
Power forward | 6-10 | 260
School: High Point Christian
Hometown: Washington, N.C.
And I have said it before, this is what separates him from Alex. This is what Alex lacks, and is what will put him in Europe, instead of the NBA. Bam has that "take no prisoners" attitude, that bigs need to wade into a crowd and come out with the rebound.
Love the info, Dave.
@davekersey What did you see from him on the defensive end? What's his potential there? Do you think he can guard Giles or Tatum?
What do you see his ceiling being as a Draft prospect?
@davekersey What did you see from him on the defensive end? What's his potential there? Do you think he can guard Giles or Tatum?
What do you see his ceiling being as a Draft prospect?
I know it's hard to tell from the highlight films but if there are better front court players in this class they must be like AD.
He will be on Sports Center Top 10 every time he plays.
He will be on Sports Center Top 10 every time he plays.
That dude plays like a demon unleashed from the depths of hell.
Last edited:
That may be true, I haven't seen Adebayo play. I will say, however, that Randle wasn't exactly chopped liver; and if Adebayo is as productive as Randle I'll be very content.
Watching the highlight video right now he puts me in mind of Terrence Jones with a better motor. I thought for a while that he'd strictly be a bruiser down low type of big man (and that probably will be his role most of the time), but he can actually put it on the floor and take it to the rim like a guard, at least against high school competition. A lot more fluid of a mover than I would've thought considering he's built like Dwight Howard was in high school. He should be very comfortable in the DDMO.
I love it. Having two guys at least 6'9" who can move like that (Gabriel) and a third who is long and rangy (SKJ) will be a beautiful thing to behold next year. I'd love for Cal to secure Bolden in the spring to have a true 5 man who can supplement all the athletic forwards.
Bam is the big presence we need inside. A mobile big man that can bang inside and put it on the floor from the perimeter.
If Fox, Monk, and Gabriel are as good as advertised on the perimeter, then we are in business.
I love this year's team and have not given up on them like some have, but I am looking forward to next year's team as well. I love the team Cal has put together for next year:
Starters
G Fox(6'3)- top 5 player, PG that can score.
G Monk(6'4)- top 5 player, talented scorer.
F Gabriel(6'9)- top 15 player, long versatile wing.
F Killeya-Jones(6'10)- top 25 player, very athletic.
F Adebayo(6'10)- top 10 player (maybe top 5 with Giles injury), powerful and athletic scoring big.
Key Reserves
G Matthews(6'6)- first backcourt player off the bench, defensive stopper, slasher.
F Humphries(7'0)- first big off the bench, banger inside.
F Willis(6'8)- experienced player off the bench, shooter.
The biggest question for me right now is shooting (seems like that is the question every year). Can Fox, Monk, and Gabriel (and Willis off the bench) consistently knock down perimeter jumpers and stretch the defense to open up the paint for all these talented scorers we have?
I am excited to see these guys play together.
If Fox, Monk, and Gabriel are as good as advertised on the perimeter, then we are in business.
I love this year's team and have not given up on them like some have, but I am looking forward to next year's team as well. I love the team Cal has put together for next year:
Starters
G Fox(6'3)- top 5 player, PG that can score.
G Monk(6'4)- top 5 player, talented scorer.
F Gabriel(6'9)- top 15 player, long versatile wing.
F Killeya-Jones(6'10)- top 25 player, very athletic.
F Adebayo(6'10)- top 10 player (maybe top 5 with Giles injury), powerful and athletic scoring big.
Key Reserves
G Matthews(6'6)- first backcourt player off the bench, defensive stopper, slasher.
F Humphries(7'0)- first big off the bench, banger inside.
F Willis(6'8)- experienced player off the bench, shooter.
The biggest question for me right now is shooting (seems like that is the question every year). Can Fox, Monk, and Gabriel (and Willis off the bench) consistently knock down perimeter jumpers and stretch the defense to open up the paint for all these talented scorers we have?
I am excited to see these guys play together.
I really think we get either Ulis or Briscoe back too. Go 3 guards and then pick your forward.
You could be right. I don't think either comes back. It's not out of the question, though. I think there is a slight chance Lee comes back as well. I think the best case (realistic) scenario would be Ulis and Lee coming back.
Starters
G Ulis(5'9)
G Fox(6'3)
G Monk(6'4)
F Lee(6'9)
F Adebayo(6'10)
Key Reserves
G Matthews(6'6)
F Gabriel(6'9)
F Humphries(7'0)
A Senior, a Junior, two Sophs, and four Freshmen in the 8-man rotation. Good combination of talent and experience.
Randles verts were mesured at 29inch standing and 35 running. Those totals are nothing to sneeze at all. And that was at 6'9 and 250lbs,which is basically Bam.
What made Randle great was his combination of physicality, athleticism and TOUCH. Kid had a great touch around the rim. Adebayo can probably match or even surpass him on those first two, but I'll have to wait and see on the third.
It's common to say the new guy coming in will be better than the last stud once we've seen his flaws on the big stage.
It's common to say the new guy coming in will be better than the last stud once we've seen his flaws on the big stage.
Obviously college is a step up from high school, but the numbers I saw from Monk a couple days ago for this season were 42% from three and 52% overall. If he can approach 40 next year I'd be happy as a clam.
Randles footwork was amazing as well. The potential of the top 4 of that draft class was insane. Randle, Wiggins, Parker and Embiid.
Agree JR has touch, handles and passing that I doubt Bam will measure up against. He does look longer and id bet his reach is indeed longer
Parker regardless of his acl is what i thought he'd b at least now, solid nothing special, isnt a great athlete.Lot a dudes like him in the L>
Personally I'm sick of a three guard offense. Sounds exciting but sucks on the floor.
