I thought Gus could play a role as more of an "energy big" off the bench.
You would think that a guy with some experience that just wants a scholarship (and not NIL big bucks) would be a welcome addition on many D1 teams that may be looking for front-court depth.
Not sure what you guys were looking at, but I saw a kid who was completely overwhelmed in conference play. So much so that Aimaq had to play way too many minutes. IMHO that contributed to the Bears' struggles at the end of the season; Aimaq was gassed. I'm sure he's a smart kid (not easy to get into Wharton) but likely best suited to a mid-major or D2 if he wants to play. I won't be surprised to see him come back after zero scholarship offers come his way.
He's a walk-on. He's not supposed to play any meaningful minutes. Despite that, he leapfrogged Curtis and Okafor and proved he can play limited minutes in specific matchups. He's too good for D2 but not good enough for the ACC. However, he has an uncommon and intriguing skillset and I hope he returns because our post depth right now is sorry.
I like your first two sentences, but as others point out he did not leapfrog ND. He was the next man up though when ND went out. He did leapfrog Devin and proved to be more capable at critical junctures. His best contribution was to spell Aimaq on a discretionary basis. When he was forced to play because Aimaq got into foul trouble, he was often in over his head. And this was in the Pac-12. In the ACC, he would’ve been back to his walkon role especially if Devin stays and shows even the littleness improvement in terms of court awareness. Devin is obviously the more gifted athlete. Gus generally seemed to know what to do but often was physically overmatched. Some other program must be offering him a better chance for a scholarship and PT.
Fair point, though he didn't "leapfrog" Okafor; ND got hurt & missed the rest of the season. Curtis was too raw, but clearly a better post defender than Gus. I wish him all the best, but I believe he shouldn't play meaningful minutes for a high major program that wants to be competitive.
He did, but that doesn't make him better. I recall that one of those games ND was (as he often was) in foul trouble, restricting his minutes. Is your position that Gus is better than ND? Maybe, but to me that's like shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic. 🤷♂️
His value last year was significantly better than expected for a walk-on. Probably earned himself a scholarship, but it's possible one from Cal was not forthcoming. Anyway, I was impressed with his play and appreciate him stepping up so well.
I thought Gus could play a role as more of an "energy big" off the bench.
You would think that a guy with some experience that just wants a scholarship (and not NIL big bucks) would be a welcome addition on many D1 teams that may be looking for front-court depth.
Thank goodness the portal is about to close.
Not sure what you guys were looking at, but I saw a kid who was completely overwhelmed in conference play. So much so that Aimaq had to play way too many minutes. IMHO that contributed to the Bears' struggles at the end of the season; Aimaq was gassed. I'm sure he's a smart kid (not easy to get into Wharton) but likely best suited to a mid-major or D2 if he wants to play. I won't be surprised to see him come back after zero scholarship offers come his way.
He's a walk-on. He's not supposed to play any meaningful minutes. Despite that, he leapfrogged Curtis and Okafor and proved he can play limited minutes in specific matchups. He's too good for D2 but not good enough for the ACC. However, he has an uncommon and intriguing skillset and I hope he returns because our post depth right now is sorry.
I like your first two sentences, but as others point out he did not leapfrog ND. He was the next man up though when ND went out. He did leapfrog Devin and proved to be more capable at critical junctures. His best contribution was to spell Aimaq on a discretionary basis. When he was forced to play because Aimaq got into foul trouble, he was often in over his head. And this was in the Pac-12. In the ACC, he would’ve been back to his walkon role especially if Devin stays and shows even the littleness improvement in terms of court awareness. Devin is obviously the more gifted athlete. Gus generally seemed to know what to do but often was physically overmatched. Some other program must be offering him a better chance for a scholarship and PT.
Fair point, though he didn't "leapfrog" Okafor; ND got hurt & missed the rest of the season. Curtis was too raw, but clearly a better post defender than Gus. I wish him all the best, but I believe he shouldn't play meaningful minutes for a high major program that wants to be competitive.
Larson played more minutes in the same games that ND also played in.
He did, but that doesn't make him better. I recall that one of those games ND was (as he often was) in foul trouble, restricting his minutes. Is your position that Gus is better than ND? Maybe, but to me that's like shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic. 🤷♂️
We’re currently not competitive in the post.
Hopefully this is because the rest of the scholarships are already more or less spoken for. Hopium is a powerful drug.
His value last year was significantly better than expected for a walk-on. Probably earned himself a scholarship, but it's possible one from Cal was not forthcoming. Anyway, I was impressed with his play and appreciate him stepping up so well.
Yet another interesting decision. Best of luck to Gus. Wonder where he ends up…hope he gets a scholarship.
Damn, I was on the Gus bus.