UPDATED hoops summit 1st practice report/scrimmage Nick Richards

[Jakarii]

Richards was the best player on the floor tonight. Showed a bit of everything. Nice touch, rim protection/bounce, power game #HoopSummit








Nick Richards – The Patrick School, New Jersey (C, 6’11.75, 239) length + mobility, good athlete, has touch on baseline jumpers, lacks offensive awareness, good touch on jumpers (stand still shooter).

Richards possesses good length and good awareness on defense. Is not quite the fast-twitch athlete in the mold of Nerlens Noel or Willie Cauley-Stein, but is a sturdy 240lbs with a wingspan that measures just under 7’4’’. A strong two-footed jumper. Showed plus shot-blocking ability and will be a good help defender. Displayed an ability to get low in his stance on defense and switch on the perimeter. Will have to learn to use his length on switches, as the foot speed and dexterity might not be at a level to handle quickest perimeter players. Offensively, Richards at times seemed lost, unsure where to go on the floor and lacking awareness at times. This could be attributed to lack of familiarity with teammates. Has big hands, and though slightly robotic in his movements in the post, displays good touch on baseline and elbow jumpers as a stand-still shooter and around the basket.

 

[Smashcat]

good touch on jumpers (stand still shooter).

 

[warddr]

Seems perfect for high-low with Bamba

 

[Brando Mac]

Bamba at the 4 and Richards at the 5 would be bonkers defensively.

 

[KY Long Rifle]

If he wants to play next year, he will have to be able to guard on the perimeter. Cal will not budge on that skill it would seem.

 

[WildMoon]

If he wants to play next year, he will have to be able to guard on the perimeter. Cal will not budge on that skill it would seem.

huh?

 

[Jakarii]

Maybe he means on the pick and switch. I'm guessing unless he has him confused with Shai

huh?

 

[Cawood86]

Richards is a kid who really just started playing 4 years ago. A couple of years with Cal and staff will do wonders with this kid, Excited to see what he can do. Also, he seems to play with a little bit of an edge.

 

[BassProCat]

Richards is a kid who really just started playing 4 years ago. A couple of years with Cal and staff will do wonders with this kid, Excited to see what he can do. Also, he seems to play with a little bit of an edge.

That's what I really like about him is that he is gonna have that enforcer mentality.

 

[floatingyou]

If he wants to play next year, he will have to be able to guard on the perimeter. Cal will not budge on that skill it would seem.

And why do you think that is?

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

And why do you think that is?

He's talking about switching on D.

 

[floatingyou]

He's talking about switching on D.

I understand that.

 

[jwhite123]

huh?

Cal likes to switch on defense causing his bigs to have to guard on the perimeter at times.

 

[shutzhund]

Why would he be guarding the perimeter players away from the basket? Sounds like poor defensive strategy. Just don't switch in his case.

He'll probably play in the pros, be a solid player for UK but be nit picked to death on our board of super stars. Just like all our players past and present.

Nothing new.

 

[BBUK]

Richards is a kid who really just started playing 4 years ago. A couple of years with Cal and staff will do wonders with this kid, Excited to see what he can do. Also, he seems to play with a little bit of an edge.

I just hope he didn't play volley ball... I'd rather football.

 

[catrecruit]

Richards is a kid who really just started playing 4 years ago. A couple of years with Cal and staff will do wonders with this kid, Excited to see what he can do. Also, he seems to play with a little bit of an edge.

Ha! He's not at UNC or UL

 

[KYtotheCore]

Richards was the best player on the floor tonight. Showed a bit of everything. Nice touch, rim protection/bounce, power game #HoopSummit








Nick Richards – The Patrick School, New Jersey (C, 6’11.75, 239) length + mobility, good athlete, has touch on baseline jumpers, lacks offensive awareness, good touch on jumpers (stand still shooter).

Richards possesses good length and good awareness on defense. Is not quite the fast-twitch athlete in the mold of Nerlens Noel or Willie Cauley-Stein, but is a sturdy 240lbs with a wingspan that measures just under 7’4’’. A strong two-footed jumper. Showed plus shot-blocking ability and will be a good help defender. Displayed an ability to get low in his stance on defense and switch on the perimeter. Will have to learn to use his length on switches, as the foot speed and dexterity might not be at a level to handle quickest perimeter players. Offensively, Richards at times seemed lost, unsure where to go on the floor and lacking awareness at times. This could be attributed to lack of familiarity with teammates. Has big hands, and though slightly robotic in his movements in the post, displays good touch on baseline and elbow jumpers as a stand-still shooter and around the basket.

Thanks for the update. Love to hear our boys are progressing all the time! Looking forward to this season.

 

[Cawood86]

Ha! He's not at UNC or UL

Unless he just dominates I don't think he's a OAD kid. Of course with Cal and staff you never know.

 

[caneintally]

He Bamba wont play much together but those as our 2 headed center with Hump as the 3rd is just insane. Both Bamba and Richards will be top 15 picks next season.

 

[caneintally]

Unless he just dominates I don't think he's a OAD kid. Of course with Cal and staff you never know.

Most have him going in the top 12 or so of next year's draft. Who knows if they are right but he is expected to be an OAD. So is Bamba and so is Vanderbilt along with Diallo if you look at the mocks.

 

[Cawood86]

Most have him going in the top 12 or so of next year's draft. Who knows if they are right but he is expected to be an OAD. So is Bamba and so is Vanderbilt along with Diallo if you look at the mocks.

After Bledsoe and Booker nothing surprises me with these kids.

 

[Jakarii]

No they don't. Stop making things up. Most don't. As a matter of fact no one does, just stop

Most have him going in the top 12 or so of next year's draft. Who knows if they are right but he is expected to be an OAD. So is Bamba and so is Vanderbilt along with Diallo if you look at the mocks.

 

[Catzman]

That was written like a long winded text to a buddy, but I get it. Doesn't say anywhere he was the best player on the court but solidifies our ideas/hopes for the young man. Big body, very athletic though not quite to the par of Noel and WCS (which very few bigs are). Knows his role and rebounds and blocks shots very well. On top of it all, has the ability to make a jumper if left open. Sounds good. If he's never going to be super mobile, pack on the pounds and make him and athletic bruiser I say.

 

[LeonThe Camel]

If he wants to play next year, he will have to be able to guard on the perimeter. Cal will not budge on that skill it would seem.

May not be an option. It is possible he is the only center on the team.

 

[KY Long Rifle]

And why do you think that is?

Why do I think what is? Not being smart, just wasn't sure which part of the statement you were referring to.

 

[floatingyou]

Why do I think what is? Not being smart, just wasn't sure which part of the statement you were referring to.

Cal has bigs switch on guards. Lets say in a pick and roll situation

 

[UKDC80]

He Gone!

 

[502 Wildcat]

Cal likes to switch on defense causing his bigs to have to guard on the perimeter at times.

This is true. And this system flat out works, as we saw in 2012 and 2015...but you must have a rim protector to clean up the occasional breakdowns. We used this in 2012 particularly well. Switch on the perimeter, and essentially create a "funnel" that leads directly to Anthony Davis in the post. Sacrifice a brief mismatch on the perimeter, but make sure that the only lane to the basket leads through Davis. It was just awesome to watch. Truly a prime example of what TEAM defense is all about.

With the versatility we will have on next year's roster, we have an opportunity to run this concept better than ever before. Washington, Richards, and Vanderbilt are all remarkably mobile for players of their size and length. Having that extra splash of mobility (even if it's relatively minor...depending on the exact matchups) is so important. If we are fortunate enough to add Bamba to the mix, then we are looking at (possibly) fielding one of the best defensive teams (at least on paper for now) in the modern era of college basketball. Bamba I don't think is "critical" for us to be stellar defensively, as I said before, the versatility and mobility of our fowards will be huge...but he is the one piece of the puzzle that will take our defensive potential from "great" to "historic".

People focus a lot on things like stars, NBA potential, what the talking heads say, and individual accolades and standout skills that players have...sometimes intangibles are just as important. This is a team sport, it's always important to remember that.

That's why I really like the class Cal has put together so far.

 

[KY Long Rifle]

And why do you think that is?

Cal has bigs switch on guards. Lets say in a pick and roll situation

That's the way he prefers to handle it, I guess. You'd have to ask him.

 

[floatingyou]

That's the way he prefers to handle it, I guess. You'd have to ask him.

It gets them ready for the NBA.

 

[Cats192]

If he wants to play next year, he will have to be able to guard on the perimeter. Cal will not budge on that skill it would seem.

It's just a random thing to bring up. Is it not true of all bigs?

The Scouting report even complimented his ability to switch on the perimeter.

 

[mj2k10]

This is true. And this system flat out works, as we saw in 2012 and 2015...but you must have a rim protector to clean up the occasional breakdowns. We used this in 2012 particularly well. Switch on the perimeter, and essentially create a "funnel" that leads directly to Anthony Davis in the post. Sacrifice a brief mismatch on the perimeter, but make sure that the only lane to the basket leads through Davis. It was just awesome to watch. Truly a prime example of what TEAM defense is all about.

With the versatility we will have on next year's roster, we have an opportunity to run this concept better than ever before. Washington, Richards, and Vanderbilt are all remarkably mobile for players of their size and length. Having that extra splash of mobility (even if it's relatively minor...depending on the exact matchups) is so important. If we are fortunate enough to add Bamba to the mix, then we are looking at (possibly) fielding one of the best defensive teams (at least on paper for now) in the modern era of college basketball. Bamba I don't think is "critical" for us to be stellar defensively, as I said before, the versatility and mobility of our fowards will be huge...but he is the one piece of the puzzle that will take our defensive potential from "great" to "historic".

People focus a lot on things like stars, NBA potential, what the talking heads say, and individual accolades and standout skills that players have...sometimes intangibles are just as important. This is a team sport, it's always important to remember that.

That's why I really like the class Cal has put together so far.

Good post. 2012 probably represented Cal's platonic ideal D even more than 15. 15 was more consistently good (thus better statistically), but I think that had more to do with depth than actual talent.

I always thought one of the greatest examples of what Cal is trying to do was the 2011 Tournament game against Ohio State. That 10-11 team was not great defensively, but when they played that OSU team, which was an offensive juggernaut, they were bigger and more athletic at almost every position, and you saw the effect. Everything OSU had excelled at all season was way more difficult than normal against UK.

When Whitey Herzog was in his managerial heyday in the 70's and 80's, his philosophy was to get as much speed as possible on the field, because it effected every aspect of the game except one (power). I think Cal has the same general philosophy about recruiting, but sub in length and athleticism for speed, and shooting for power.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

Good post. 2012 probably represented Cal's platonic ideal D even more than 15. 15 was more consistently good (thus better statistically), but I think that had more to do with depth than actual talent.

I always thought one of the greatest examples of what Cal is trying to do was the 2011 Tournament game against Ohio State. That 10-11 team was not great defensively, but when they played that OSU team, which was an offensive juggernaut, they were bigger and more athletic at almost every position, and you saw the effect. Everything OSU had excelled at all season was way more difficult than normal against UK.

When Whitey Herzog was in his managerial heyday in the 70's and 80's, his philosophy was to get as much speed as possible on the field, because it effected every aspect of the game except one (power). I think Cal has the same general philosophy about recruiting, but sub in length and athleticism for speed, and shooting for power.

That 2011 team although had lost several games had a bunch of games decided in the last seconds of the game and couldn't close out. One of those is the horrible awful officating at UNC.
That team lost 9 games that year but out of those 9 losses only 1 was a game where we got outplayed which was UConn at the beginning of the year. We later played them in the FF and lost by 1 point with awful officiating in that game as well.

UConn 67-84
@UNC 73-75 led most of this game until the very last where we had a bunch of guys foul out. UNC won it at the ft line.
@Georgia 70-77 Actually led in the second half
@Bama 66-68 led in first half and scoring drought down by 16 and almost won the game at the last
@Ole Miss 69-71 Ole Miss hit a last second 3 to win the game
@Florida 68-70 was leading in this game in the closing minutes
@ Vandy 77-81 Led in this game as well but Vandy hit FT's to pull it out
@Ark 76-77 OT lost in OT when they hit a layup with 13 seconds left on the clock
UConn FF 55-56 Lost to UConn in the FF which was the real title game of the tournament. Lot of phantom fouls against UK by our favorite referee.


http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game?gameId=303380153

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

Yeah, Cal is not afraid to go big, and Duke is, so Bamba's decision is a no-brainer.

 

[Bluegrass79]

Richards demeanor is too quiet. I need some Cousins attitude in Nick Richards.

 

[shutzhund]

Cal has bigs switch on guards. Lets say in a pick and roll situation

Which leaves our guard guarding a big. The resulting pass goes to the big on the way to the basket. The very reason for the pick and roll. Doing the same thing every time may not be a strength or may be I missed something.

 

[Cat Ballou]

Richards demeanor is too quiet. I need some Cousins attitude in Nick Richards.

Did you see him take out the kid who tried to dunk on him in the McDonalds game? I didn't see him apologize afterwards either.

I think next year's team is going to have some dog in it. Washington, Green, Richards, JV, etc are all really good kids, but they aren't nice on the court and they're not soft.

 

[Wall2Boogie]

Please don't let him be skj 2.0. I think he would be good in 2-3 years and will show flashes his first yr. I do expect to see something from skj this yr if not he will transfer

 

[Jakarii]

Don't be fooled. He has some nasty in him. Had some flagrant fouls in H.S, had one hat was t called in the McDonald's game and instead of helping the kid up he just walked away, he also got into a first fight during this high school season

Richards demeanor is too quiet. I need some Cousins attitude in Nick Richards.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

Please don't let him be skj 2.0. I think he would be good in 2-3 years and will show flashes his first yr. I do expect to see something from skj this yr if not he will transfer

Hmmm. Skal, SKJ. Ok, I don't want Cal to ever recruit anybody named Skip, or have a last name like Skupin or Skarsgard.