2014 SG/SF Ronnie Harrell (Signed)

[Savannah Jay]

While I agree pretty much every high school player needs to get stronger to play in college, regardless of the school/conference, the idea that this kid needs to achieve a certain weight or bulk in order to be a really good player is overstated, IMO.

I am NOT saying that this kid is Kevin Durant...but Durant was listed in UT's roster as 6-9, 225 lbs. At the draft combine/draft results, he came out as 6-10, 190 lbs and could only bench 150 lbs. Remember all the doubters who questioned his physical stature heading into the NBA draft?

If Harrell can shoot as advertised and can handle the ball as advertised, I think the bulking up is overstated (not saying getting stronger is unnecessary...just that skinny kids can play, too).

[Jaysker12]

If Harrell can shoot as advertised and can handle the ball as advertised, I think the bulking up is overstated (not saying getting stronger is unnecessary...just that skinny kids can play, too).

It would be a different story if he was 6'1 or 6'2 and that skinny...but he's 6'8

[bluejayfan00]

If Harrell can shoot as advertised and can handle the ball as advertised, I think the bulking up is overstated (not saying getting stronger is unnecessary...just that skinny kids can play, too).

It would be a different story if he was 6'1 or 6'2 and that skinny...but he's 6'8

And projected to be 6'10

[Savannah Jay]

If Harrell can shoot as advertised and can handle the ball as advertised, I think the bulking up is overstated (not saying getting stronger is unnecessary...just that skinny kids can play, too).

It would be a different story if he was 6'1 or 6'2 and that skinny...but he's 6'8

Well, the comparison I used was someone who measured out at 6'10" and weighed 190 lbs. Perhaps you missed the reference.

So it's not necessarily a different story. My point, since it was missed, is that people said that the 6'10", 190 pounder was too skinny and would not be able to handle the rough play of bigger dudes. I did not use a 6'2" player as a comparison.

[Chicagojayfan]

If Harrell can shoot as advertised and can handle the ball as advertised, I think the bulking up is overstated (not saying getting stronger is unnecessary...just that skinny kids can play, too).

It would be a different story if he was 6'1 or 6'2 and that skinny...but he's 6'8

Well, the comparison I used was someone who measured out at 6'10" and weighed 190 lbs. Perhaps you missed the reference.

So it's not necessarily a different story. My point, since it was missed, is that people said that the 6'10", 190 pounder was too skinny and would not be able to handle the rough play of bigger dudes. I did not use a 6'2" player as a comparison.

Is a comparison to the MVP of the NBA really relevant? Sure, it can happen that a slender player has the quickness and skills to make their bulk/size irrelevant, but how often does it really happen?

A better comparison might be Reggie Cameron. #63 recruit in the country last year. 6-7, 210 lbs (I think the weight was over inflated, however). A pure shooter with excellent skills, but growing into his body and needed to gain quickness and strength while adjusting to the Big East.

What were the results: 13.3 minutes per game (remember, they were desperate for bodies after Smith and Trawick went out last year), 36.2% overall, 32.1% from 3 pt, 77.8% FT, 3.8 ppg, 1.3 rebounds per game, 0.4 assists per game, 0.5 turnovers per game. Not exactly setting the world on fire, and that was the #63 guy in the country who played his HS ball at the upper levels of NJ.

I think 13 minutes a game makes it worthwhile for burning a shirt, definitely, but given that Kreklow is coming here, I think Harrell burns the RS only if he's really ready and that means more ready to play than Cameron was last year.

Gilmore is a slam dunk IMO, as I think he's physically ready to go out and play and be productive. Harrell, I think the coaches will find out when they start practices. The CU S&C program should do wonders for him once he's on campus, if he's not already there.

[Savannah Jay]

It would be a different story if he was 6'1 or 6'2 and that skinny...but he's 6'8[/quote]

Well, the comparison I used was someone who measured out at 6'10" and weighed 190 lbs. Perhaps you missed the reference.

So it's not necessarily a different story. My point, since it was missed, is that people said that the 6'10", 190 pounder was too skinny and would not be able to handle the rough play of bigger dudes. I did not use a 6'2" player as a comparison.[/quote]

Is a comparison to the MVP of the NBA really relevant? Sure, it can happen that a slender player has the quickness and skills to make their bulk/size irrelevant, but how often does it really happen?

A better comparison might be Reggie Cameron. #63 recruit in the country last year. 6-7, 210 lbs (I think the weight was over inflated, however). A pure shooter with excellent skills, but growing into his body and needed to gain quickness and strength while adjusting to the Big East.

What were the results: 13.3 minutes per game (remember, they were desperate for bodies after Smith and Trawick went out last year), 36.2% overall, 32.1% from 3 pt, 77.8% FT, 3.8 ppg, 1.3 rebounds per game, 0.4 assists per game, 0.5 turnovers per game. Not exactly setting the world on fire, and that was the #63 guy in the country who played his HS ball at the upper levels of NJ.

I think 13 minutes a game makes it worthwhile for burning a shirt, definitely, but given that Kreklow is coming here, I think Harrell burns the RS only if he's really ready and that means more ready to play than Cameron was last year.

Gilmore is a slam dunk IMO, as I think he's physically ready to go out and play and be productive. Harrell, I think the coaches will find out when they start practices. The CU S&C program should do wonders for him once he's on campus, if he's not already there.[/quote]

Maybe you missed the part where I said I am not saying RH is KD, but that I was just pointing out the most obvious/famous/okay he is the MVP example of folks saying someone is too skinny. I am sure you can point out other skinny players who did not contribute much their freshman year. I will see your 6'7", 210 lbs (that's actually not that skinny) #63 recruit and raise you a 6'7" 185 lbs player, NOT in the top 150, who was targeted for a redshirt year, ultimately emerged as the team's best player his freshman year after the decision to NOT redshirt him. I think we all know THAT guy.

We could go back and forth all day with examples to make our point...my only point being every high schooler needs to add strength for college game, skinny is not the end of the world or the automatic ticket to redshirt. That is all.

[mredle]

I think the point that Savannah Jay and Jaysker are making is that a player can compensate for a physical quality he lacks with strength while another may do it with length. A 6'7"-6'8" SG brings a lot of length to the table that may more than compensate for a lack of muscularity.

[vivid_dude]

With regards to whether either of the freshmen should redshirt, I think this is one of those issues - more than any coaching decision that is made - that needs to be trusted to Coach Mac and the staff. As fans, we see but a glimmer of all of the facts and information which goes into these types of decisions. I have no problem questioning coaches on playing rotations, in-game management, etc. But if either guy is redshirted, I'm sure there are VERY good reasons for it.

At this stage, before we've really even gotten into full practices, I think it's IDIOTIC to say it's IDIOTIC that these guys shouldn't be redshirted. WAY TOO EARLY to make that determination.

[mredle]

With regards to whether either of the freshmen should redshirt, I think this is one of those issues - more than any coaching decision that is made - that needs to be trusted to Coach Mac and the staff. As fans, we see but a glimmer of all of the facts and information which goes into these types of decisions. I have no problem questioning coaches on playing rotations, in-game management, etc. But if either guy is redshirted, I'm sure there are VERY good reasons for it.

At this stage, before we've really even gotten into full practices, I think it's IDIOTIC to say it's IDIOTIC that these guys shouldn't be redshirted. WAY TOO EARLY to make that determination.

+1 and even then...

[Jaysker12]

As fans, we see but a glimmer of all of the facts and information which goes into these types of decisions.

Here's what the fans know: Ronnie Harrell is a 6'8 guard with long arms, (at least) decent ball skills and NBA range. It would speak volumes to how far the program has come in the past 18 months for the coaching staff to decide to redshirt such a player.If it happens, fine. I'd trust that the coaches made the right call. But as it stands now, I think Creighton is a better basketball team in 2013-2014 if Ronnie plays. And that's why you don't redshirt him.