Corey Kispert/Filip Petrusev/Joel Ayayi - 2020 NBA Prospects

[Zag1203]

I bet more so its all the summer classes the athletes take. Really cuts down on the total timeline to get a degree when you are a year round student versus the traditional 3/4 of a year.

He is also much more intelligent than your typical student athlete. He wasn't named Academic All Conference for no reason.

[Shanachie]

I think the uncertainty of the NCAA season makes this a much tougher decision for Corey than it otherwise would have been. In normal times, I think the lure of coming back for a potential national championship would outweigh the prospects of staying in the draft. The way things are, I just don't know. Who knows what will happen - normal length season, partial season, games with no fans, no season at all? The chance of choosing to come back only to have the season cancelled later, causing him to miss a whole season of organized basketball, would be something he'd have to consider. Heck, they already play G-League games with practically no fans, so we know they can do that at a minimum.

[jsnider]

I think the uncertainty of the NCAA season makes this a much tougher decision for Corey than it otherwise would have been. In normal times, I think the lure of coming back for a potential national championship would outweigh the prospects of staying in the draft. The way things are, I just don't know. Who knows what will happen - normal length season, partial season, games with no fans, no season at all? The chance of choosing to come back only to have the season cancelled later, causing him to miss a whole season of organized basketball, would be something he'd have to consider. Heck, they already play G-League games with practically no fans, so we know they can do that at a minimum.

Shanachie - I want more than anything for all 3 guys to come back. I do think this could be a historic year for Gonzaga Men's basketball with a full roster. But as of today 5/6/20, I agree with you 100%. I do think the uncertainty surrounding everything makes this decision for anyone who is drafted much more difficult. Fingers crossed we get them back.

[zag67]

My fingers are crossed that all of them can play. NCAA,NBA, or G-league. Fans or no fans, in the beginning and then full stadiums in the end. Hope that the NCAA gets to play.

[willandi]

My fingers are crossed that all of them can play. NCAA,NBA, or G-league. Fans or no fans, in the beginning and then full stadiums in the end. Hope that the NCAA gets to play.

Mine too. I read, on another forum, that there are rumblings that MLB is shooting for a July 1 start. They didn't say if it is the 'all games played in Arizona or Florida" scenario, and I suspect it is, just to get the games going. Football, NFL style will be another to watch.
If those two can figure out a way to let the teams practice and then play, it will bode well for the NCAA. Without fans would not be as nice, losing the Kennel experience and home court advantage, but just having the games played would help the country.

[CDC84]

I think Tillie is going to rise in this draft once he shows off his skills and passes his physicals (and whatever concerns teams have about him medically). Aside from his tendency towards injuries, the guy is a perfect PF for the modern NBA game, even if he just comes off the bench. The ability to shoot it from deep, mid range, and his defensive versatility is going to be valued by several teams. Sadly, I think he was hurt by the NCAA tourney being cancelled. I really felt he was primed and ready for a Zach Collins like break out to elevate his stock. i am saying he would've been taken as highly as Collins, but he really was ready to elevate his stock to a new level (provided he stayed healthy).

Other than his size, I am frankly surprised Kispert is getting as much love as he is. He is so slow on the fast break (how many times did we see him get his lay up blocked this past season)? He's also mediocre (and poor at times) on defense, and he doesn't have a great mid range game.

All of these guys (besides Tillie, whose eligibility has ended) need to come back, and I am not saying that for selfish reasons. They are not ready, but I am afraid because this isn't the greatest draft. Something could happen at the combine that blows up somebody's draft stock. Sometimes that occurs.

[zagamatic]

One reason I can think of as to why Kispert may go pro is that he knows all too well how easy it is to essentially lose your spot to something like a sprained ankle, which happened his freshman year. He came busting out of the gates with a put back jam, then a few games later he was injured and saw his spot go to Norvell. Never was quite the same that year. And he knows that Watson and Strawther are capable of taking his minutes. So he may be thinking about taking the money route while it's available. Just pure speculation on my part as I have no idea what the young man is thinking. But I could definitely see this playing a part in his decision.

[MDABE80]

Few is notorious for his loyalty to the guys who’ve been in the program . I think Coreys minutes are mostly safe u less something untoward happens. The young guns will get minutes though...

[OntZags]

One reason I can think of as to why Kispert may go pro is that he knows all too well how easy it is to essentially lose your spot to something like a sprained ankle, which happened his freshman year. He came busting out of the gates with a put back jam, then a few games later he was injured and saw his spot go to Norvell. Never was quite the same that year. And he knows that Watson and Strawther are capable of taking his minutes. So he may be thinking about taking the money route while it's available. Just pure speculation on my part as I have no idea what the young man is thinking. But I could definitely see this playing a part in his decision.

I love Strawther's upside but as a frosh he isn't gonna even sniff Corey's minutes. Watson too has yet to shown he can play the 3 consistently at this level and I suspect most - if not all - of his minutes will be at the 4.

There is no ankle sprain that's losing Corey's minutes. He's fully entrenched as the starting 3. (especially with next years' lineup that is kinda lacking in 3 point shooting)

[willandi]

I love Strawther's upside but as a frosh he isn't gonna even sniff Corey's minutes. Watson too has yet to shown he can play the 3 consistently at this level and I suspect most - if not all - of his minutes will be at the 4.

There is no ankle sprain that's losing Corey's minutes. He's fully entrenched as the starting 3. (especially with next years' lineup that is kinda lacking in 3 point shooting)

It was the ankle sprain his freshman year, after starting over Norvelle, that allowed Zach to take the starter spot.
It is always the possibility that a serious ankle sprain will sideline a player for a lengthy time, and a younger and unimpaired player may receive extended minutes because of that. Getting the minutes back, while still rehabbing, could turn out to be difficult.

[OntZags]

It was the ankle sprain his freshman year, after starting over Norvelle, that allowed Zach to take the starter spot.
It is always the possibility that a serious ankle sprain will sideline a player for a lengthy time, and a younger and unimpaired player may receive extended minutes because of that. Getting the minutes back, while still rehabbing, could turn out to be difficult.

I realize that but the difference between Corey as a freshman vs Corey as a senior is leaps and bounds difference and the gap between frosh Corey and redshirt Norvell was pretty minimal, even prior to injury.

Of course Corey runs the risk of an injury affecting his senior season but in no way is his starting spot going to be jeopardized by Strawther/Watson. Between leadership, 3 point shooting and overall versatility, I think Corey is the most important player for GU's success next season.

[LTownZag]

I realize that but the difference between Corey as a freshman vs Corey as a senior is leaps and bounds difference and the gap between frosh Corey and redshirt Norvell was pretty minimal, even prior to injury.

Of course Corey runs the risk of an injury affecting his senior season but in no way is his starting spot going to be jeopardized by Strawther/Watson. Between leadership, 3 point shooting and overall versatility, I think Corey is the most important player for GU's success next season.

It's also possible, even if Joel, CK, and Filip all return, and we have a graduate student transfer in Aaronc Cook, that CK will be the only Zag on the roster with any experience playing a minute in the NCAA tournament. Neither Ayayi nor Petrusev, who would be juniors, saw a minute of tournament time in 18-19.

I don't know if that kind of thing matters for much, but it's pretty bizarre given our recent history of 3-6 game runs.

[23dpg]

It's also possible, even if Joel, CK, and Filip all return, and we have a graduate student transfer in Aaronc Cook, that CK will be the only Zag on the roster with any experience playing a minute in the NCAA tournament. Neither Ayayi nor Petrusev, who would be juniors, saw a minute of tournament time in 18-19.

I don't know if that kind of thing matters for much, but it's pretty bizarre given our recent history of 3-6 game runs.

That is bizarre but I think Filip got a few minutes in the first round game.

[willandi]

Fairleigh Dickensen Box Score. Both Filip and Joel got a few minutes.


Basic Box Score Stats
Starters MP FG FGA FG% 2P 2PA 2P% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Zach Norvell Jr. 28 4 12 .333 1 4 .250 3 8 .375 2 2 1.000 2 4 6 7 0 0 2 1 13
Rui Hachimura 24 8 15 .533 8 15 .533 0 0 5 5 1.000 3 5 8 1 0 1 1 0 21
Corey Kispert 24 1 5 .200 0 1 .000 1 4 .250 0 0 1 4 5 1 3 0 0 5 3
Brandon Clarke 23 5 8 .625 5 8 .625 0 0 2 5 .400 3 5 8 2 1 3 1 1 12
Josh Perkins 21 2 3 .667 1 1 1.000 1 2 .500 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 0 0 3 5
Reserves MP FG FGA FG% 2P 2PA 2P% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Geno Crandall 26 4 5 .800 2 2 1.000 2 3 .667 0 0 2 2 4 1 1 0 2 3 10
Killian Tillie 18 7 8 .875 5 6 .833 2 2 1.000 1 2 .500 0 2 2 4 1 1 1 1 17
Jeremy Jones 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 4 3 1 1 2 0 0
Filip Petrusev 9 2 3 .667 2 3 .667 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 0 0 0 2 2 4
Joel Ayayi 6 1 3 .333 1 3 .333 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 3 2
Greg Foster Jr. 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Jack Beach 2 0 1 .000 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Matthew Lang 1 0 1 .000 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Alex Martin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
School Totals 200 34 64 .531 25 43 .581 9 21 .429 10 16 .625 14 30 44 22 9 6 11 20 8

[Zag1203]

Fairleigh Dickensen Box Score. Both Filip and Joel got a few minutes.


Basic Box Score Stats
Starters MP FG FGA FG% 2P 2PA 2P% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Zach Norvell Jr. 28 4 12 .333 1 4 .250 3 8 .375 2 2 1.000 2 4 6 7 0 0 2 1 13
Rui Hachimura 24 8 15 .533 8 15 .533 0 0 5 5 1.000 3 5 8 1 0 1 1 0 21
Corey Kispert 24 1 5 .200 0 1 .000 1 4 .250 0 0 1 4 5 1 3 0 0 5 3
Brandon Clarke 23 5 8 .625 5 8 .625 0 0 2 5 .400 3 5 8 2 1 3 1 1 12
Josh Perkins 21 2 3 .667 1 1 1.000 1 2 .500 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 0 0 3 5
Reserves MP FG FGA FG% 2P 2PA 2P% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Geno Crandall 26 4 5 .800 2 2 1.000 2 3 .667 0 0 2 2 4 1 1 0 2 3 10
Killian Tillie 18 7 8 .875 5 6 .833 2 2 1.000 1 2 .500 0 2 2 4 1 1 1 1 17
Jeremy Jones 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 4 3 1 1 2 0 0
Filip Petrusev 9 2 3 .667 2 3 .667 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 0 0 0 2 2 4
Joel Ayayi 6 1 3 .333 1 3 .333 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 3 2
Greg Foster Jr. 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Jack Beach 2 0 1 .000 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Matthew Lang 1 0 1 .000 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Alex Martin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
School Totals 200 34 64 .531 25 43 .581 9 21 .429 10 16 .625 14 30 44 22 9 6 11 20 8

Even Matt Lang got a minute. He will have the 4th most tournament experience on the team next year behind Corey, Filip, and Joel.