Sophomores:
Abdul Gaddy G 6-3 195lb
Just the Facts
Despite being named the No.2 point guard in his class behind John Wall, Abdul has a subpar freshman year. Scoring only 3.9 points per game and shooting a measly .564 from the free throw line. Showed flashes of brilliance that earned him his No.2 rating. Spent the summer with the USA U18 team, having only turned 18 in late January. Started 29 games over all including the final 28 games of the season.
The Spin
His freshman season was from what most expected from the McDonald’s All American. Low scoring games, combined with higher than expected turnovers and fouls led to a lot of criticism. He has a keen ability for finding open teammates and making passes through multiple defenders. His 13 point outing against Arizona showed off the kind of talent he possesses and will hopefully be unleashed this year. He spent the summer training and playing with the U18 basketball team and Ryan Applebee. Ryan Applebee helped Quincy Pondexter develop his shot before his senior season in which he scored nearly 20 points a game. If Applebee can produce half that kind of offense with Gaddy it will have been a great success and make the team into an even deeper and more dynamic team. It also gives us an NBA sized line up, even with Isaiah on the floor *cough* Nate Robinson* *cough* Muggsy Bouges.
Expectations this year should be reserved until he proves he is the kind of player he was in High School, or at least a full Pac-10 point guard. Three things that will make him a great player should he improve on them: shooting confidence, defensive stops, free throw shooting. I am a big believer in free throws and shooting at a high percentage. Every college player should shoot at least .800 from the line. Free throws win ball games, especially close ones. Overton can testify to this as his free throw shooting skills have been excellent year in and year out in clutch and pressure situations. What do I expect from him? I expect him to continue his passing skills and decreases his turnovers, preferably break the 2/1 ratio and hopefully reaching into the 3/1, 4/1 range. I expect him to increase from 4 points a game to 6 or 7, even higher if he can drive the lane with openings created by Isaiah or Overton’s presence on the court. I don’t expect any super defensive performances, though I would like to see the occasional steal, maybe a .5 steal per game average. I would also like to see him pick up a board or two. There is no reason Isaiah Thomas at 5-9 can pick up 3 rebounds a game and Adbul at 6-3 can’t nab a few off the glass. I can see Romar letting Abdul keep his starting role especially while Overton is out with his injured ham string. If he can prove himself during Overton’’s down time he may end up keeping his starting role through out the year. Abdul is the player I believe will allow us not only to reach the elite 8, but also break into the final four for the first time in over 50 years. Of course that is all contingent on him becoming a much better player offensively and a tad better on defense. He cannot afford to be so foul prone. He had multiple 4 foul games, which is unacceptable if he wants to play longer periods. He may take the most improved award at the end of the year after all is said and done.
Aziz N'Diaye C 7-0 260lb
Just the Facts
Played a year for College of Southern Idaho, a junior college where he averaged 8.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. He has career highs of 24 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 blocks. Experienced a torn ACL which he spent last year healing and recovering, using a medical redshirt to preserve his play time.
The Spin
Not a lot is known about this big man’s style of play. All we know is he likes to run, he likes to block, and he is goddamn huge. He is 7-0, 260 lbs of pure muscle. Having seen this tower up close I can testify how terrifying it is to stand next to him, let alone play against him. I can’t imagine many Pac-10 players are going to be able to contain him for long. His offensive game is said to be fairly raw, but Romar is good at developing talent and Aziz seems to be picking up the UW game pretty well. One challenge is learning how to use his size to our advantage. We haven’t had many 7 footers in our program, Joe Wolfinger never really played and shot the 3 ball. He had no inside game, was thin and weak and could not enforce his will on those inside the paint. Jon Brockman at 6-7 was much tougher and menacing by far. Spencer Hawes only spent a year with the program before moving to the NBA.
With Aziz having 3 years of eligibility remaining (after this year he will have two years left), UW has some size that will hopefully be sticking around to keep our program competitive after MBA departs following this, his senior season. The addition of Aziz also allows us to play him and MBA on the court at the same time, letting MBA play his more natural 4 spot versus the 5. If we can get 10-20 minutes a game out of him with reasonable offensive production we will have hit a jackpot. The guy loves to play D and is good at it. He averages over 2 blocks a game and almost 8 rebounds a game. If he puts up those same kind of numbers this year as well as 6 to 8 points a game he may become our fifth starter along side Isaiah, Holiday, MBA, and Gaddy/Overton. Realistically, I see him taking a reserve role until later in the season when he finds his niche in the program and has had a chance to develop his offensive game a little more against division 1 opponents.
Tyreese Breshers F 6-7 255lb
Just the Facts
Averaged 3 points per game, played in 34 of the 36 games his freshman year, including 12 starts. Shot .524 from the free throw line. 26 block and 5 steals over the season. Has retired from basketball due to an undisclosed medical condition. Plans on staying in school to complete his degree.
The Spin
Not much to say since he will no longer play for the team. Its sad to hear he has to end his basketball career, but we wish him the best. He was a big body down low the Huskies were hoping they could use to allow MBA some more 4 position play time. He fouled often, usually getting four fouls in a few minutes. Best of luck to Breshers and hope you develop some good cheering lungs and a tough palm for some big high fives.
Post by:John
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