And I for one can't wait to see to him. I honestly don't know how much he'll contribute right away, but having another body will help in practice esp for skal....GO CATS!
Tai looking forward to join this team...........
- Thread starter blueblood65
- Start date
Kiwi youngster Tai Wynyard is Kentucky-bound to continue his hoops career on the American collegiate scene.
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Watch out Kentucky, Tai Wynyard sounds like he's ready to go all Steven Adams on the American college hoops scene.
The 17-year-old North Shore schoolboy sensation leaves on Tuesday to finally join the University of Kentucky where he may or may not step immediately on to their roster for the rest of the college season.
The common assumption, given Wynyard's late arrival and his lack of familiarity with the American college game, was that the Breakers development player and youngest ever Tall Black would come in as a practice body for John Calipari's Wildcats and red shirt the season, meaning he doesn't play, but also doesn't lose a year of his eligibility.
But after Calipari recently confirmed he was having a rethink on that strategy, Wynyard has declared himself ready to add some much-needed "physicality" to the Wildcats frontcourt. Kentucky, ranked No 5 in the country, are currently 9-1 for the season and top of the SEC. Their only loss was 87-77 at UCLA on December 4.
"What I notice is they're not really playing very physical, and that's an area I can come in and try to help them out," Wynyard − son of Kiwi woodchopping legend Jason Wynyard − said when asked about what he'd picked up watching the Wildcats so far this season.
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"They have really good talent and outstanding players, but I don't think they're dominant physically, so that should be good for me."
There's no doubt the strapping Kiwi teen can take a leaf out of the Adams book and make an immediate impact on the American hoops scene with his big body (2.08m and 115kg) and liking for the more confrontational aspects of the game. Adams, of course, went straight into the NBA after just a single season of college ball at Pittsburgh.
Calipari indicated that he's intrigued by what Wynyard could offer his squad, which as usual is packed with elite talent but does not have the size of recent Wildcats groups.
"We have Tai [Wynyard] coming," Calipari told reporters after an 88-67 win over Eastern Kentucky. "He's 6-10, 260. Could he be the answer to the toughness? Then the other guys got to take a back seat. I don't know until we get him here and we let him get in there and mix it up."
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Watch out Kentucky, Tai Wynyard sounds like he's ready to go all Steven Adams on the American college hoops scene.
The 17-year-old North Shore schoolboy sensation leaves on Tuesday to finally join the University of Kentucky where he may or may not step immediately on to their roster for the rest of the college season.
The common assumption, given Wynyard's late arrival and his lack of familiarity with the American college game, was that the Breakers development player and youngest ever Tall Black would come in as a practice body for John Calipari's Wildcats and red shirt the season, meaning he doesn't play, but also doesn't lose a year of his eligibility.
But after Calipari recently confirmed he was having a rethink on that strategy, Wynyard has declared himself ready to add some much-needed "physicality" to the Wildcats frontcourt. Kentucky, ranked No 5 in the country, are currently 9-1 for the season and top of the SEC. Their only loss was 87-77 at UCLA on December 4.
"What I notice is they're not really playing very physical, and that's an area I can come in and try to help them out," Wynyard − son of Kiwi woodchopping legend Jason Wynyard − said when asked about what he'd picked up watching the Wildcats so far this season.
READ MORE:
* Coach's plan coming together
* Vukona inspires the Breakers
* Abercrombie hitting the mark
"They have really good talent and outstanding players, but I don't think they're dominant physically, so that should be good for me."
There's no doubt the strapping Kiwi teen can take a leaf out of the Adams book and make an immediate impact on the American hoops scene with his big body (2.08m and 115kg) and liking for the more confrontational aspects of the game. Adams, of course, went straight into the NBA after just a single season of college ball at Pittsburgh.
Calipari indicated that he's intrigued by what Wynyard could offer his squad, which as usual is packed with elite talent but does not have the size of recent Wildcats groups.
"We have Tai [Wynyard] coming," Calipari told reporters after an 88-67 win over Eastern Kentucky. "He's 6-10, 260. Could he be the answer to the toughness? Then the other guys got to take a back seat. I don't know until we get him here and we let him get in there and mix it up."
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I'm holding out hope he can contribute. One thing is certain, he's got the big body we've been needing.
I feel confident he can contribute but it will be the kinda contribution where he goes for 4 and 5 but can change a game with his nature bugging other centers inside and making it uneasy on them. All though if you watch him practice in the all star game and play last spring you could see he has offensive talent as well and can really make the 15 footer kinda like Humph can and had a good drop step move .
I can hardly wait. 6' 10" 260 lbs. before the strength coach, training table and weights . . . Boom . . . Boom . . . Boom
Let me tell you what will get Tai on the floor: if he can box out, grab rebounds, and move his feet well on defense, he will get minutes. It's that simple. If he can hit a 15 footer and make a jump hook here and there, he'll play a lot. I'm not expecting the latter, but if he does the first part he'll get on the floor.
I think he's eligible for the OSU game but there is pretty much zero chance he plays. I wouldn't put a nickel on his playing against UL either. Is he even at UK yet?
HAHAHA . Yeah no way he gets more then 20 minutes in any game this season much less that one . He will need to get in game shape and IMO his first game where he sees action will be the 2nd or 3rd SEC game. We don't need him anyway for UL IMO as they are not a good team.
I was leaning toward the full 40 but your guess might be more realistic. Gotta ease him in a bit for his first game.
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