That is why I listed him again, even though we posted the previous information about him almost a year ago-
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2025 and beyond recruits
- Thread starter Da Coach
- Start date
daveineureka
Member
Great to see that staff are still looking for that elusive big man who can hopefully be a impact player at some point. With all the players the coaching staff have been in contact with, perhaps we will hear news going forward.
Yes it's odd for sure, but Gustavo would redshirt, work more on healing whatever leg injury he had last season ( only played 17 games but avg 10.8 ppg 8.5rpg less than 1 turnover pg, less than 1 foul pg. Could use the time to get bigger stronger then he and Yu can challenge each other. We will be a bit fragile at the 5 though this year, any injury there would be big..That is interesting for sure....can you imagine the Braves with three 7' centers...
Yes, Coach Wardle has been tracking Gustavo for a year...since last summer...(July 2024)
Finally got him to come for a visit, he loved the campus & the staff and has committed
If I'm not mistaken you can't have more than 15 on the roster that includes walk ons. It's tough to keep up with and interpret the rules anymore they seem to change quickly.
I just looked it up and if we signed anyone else than someone has to be removed from the active roster, Gus Rugaard would be that guy, he could practice with the team but couldn't be on active roster, dress for games etc. So I'd say we are done signing any new guys. Cant see Wardle doing that to Gus
Quinton Kitt, a 6'6" sophomore from East Peoria HS who Bradley has offered, just got an offer from Illinois head coach Brad Underwood.
He also got an offer yesterday from Northwestern head coach Chris Collins. Kitt just finished an impressive weekend at a Nike EYBL event in Memphis.
East Peoria all-stater gets offer from Illinois basketball program
Illinois is the third Division I program to offer the East Peoria all-stater, joining Bradley and ISU.
www.pjstar.com
He also got an offer yesterday from Northwestern head coach Chris Collins. Kitt just finished an impressive weekend at a Nike EYBL event in Memphis.
On this thought process, his best bet unless he ends up being a 5 star, would be to go to BU for 2 years and then go portaling.
Jaxon Clark is starting the summer circuit with some terrific performances. Bradley still following, and would fill a need for a big power forward-
https://x.com/TheHoopGrid/status/1923756684918309336
His teammate at MidPro Academy, Cooper Knowles, who Bradley is also following, also getting accolades for his performance this past weekend-
https://x.com/RL_Hoops/status/1924264648590733334
https://x.com/TheHoopGrid/status/1923948521289298154
https://x.com/RL_Hoops/status/1923398594708574266
tomahawk chop
Member
We need to find a couple more recruits that can play inside since we now have 2 open scholarships and are in need of inside players, We now have 13 scholarship players yet 2 of them are suppose to be red shirting so if their are a few injuries we could be a few men short. We made the mistake last year in not going after more capable players and ended up coming short of winning a championship. We need more help now.
I think it will happen.
daveineureka
Member
Hope your optimism comes true, as we are now in need of help along the front line. Hope we hear something in the next few days.
houstonbrave
Member
In the PJSTAR article Brian indicates they are likely done adding players for this year.
LittleBrave
Well-known member
Maybe I'm missing something, but our front line isn't bad right now:
C: Kai Yu, Meta
FW: Thomas, AJ Smith, VanDerKnapp
Plus we have good size at wing, guard.
With Kai a big ??, I suppose we could use 1 more big in place of Meta for foul trouble or a breather.
I could see Smith and Thomas playing together with Meta on the bench and holding their own.
C: Kai Yu, Meta
FW: Thomas, AJ Smith, VanDerKnapp
Plus we have good size at wing, guard.
With Kai a big ??, I suppose we could use 1 more big in place of Meta for foul trouble or a breather.
I could see Smith and Thomas playing together with Meta on the bench and holding their own.
Dubl R 1
Active member
AJ is only 6'5"...that's shorter than Zek, Shorter than CD, he's a good rebounder, but tough to consistently defend the 4 position in D1 at that height.....especially against P5 teams.
I think this team is missing a mobile, athletic rim protector....maybe CT, or Kai can be that...not sure
I agree, I don't like the idea of relying on AJ to be a true post player. I hope we find at minimum a 6"8 big bodied rebounder.
That is not exactly what he said. Here is the exact quote-
"As of today, we will not be filling this open scholarship," Wardle said. "We feel very excited and confident in the talented group we have on our current roster."
The way he carefully worded that, suggests to me that they are still recruiting and if the opportunity comes along that they could add another player that could improve this team, they will take it.
Not sure where it shows A.J. Smith is 6'5". He has always been listed at 6'6", in high school, at USI, and at JMU.
And to repeat what I've said a few times, I do believe this team should add another good rebounding forward who can also defend. But A.J. Smith has proven to be a very effective rebounder. In 2023-24 at USI he averaged 8.8 rpg. Last season at JMU he averaged 6.3 rpg.
For comparison, Bradley's top rebounder last season was Darius Hannah with only 5.8 rpg.
The last Bradley player who averaged 8.8 rpg or better in a season was Luke Jackson (9.4 rpg) in 1988-89
And to repeat what I've said a few times, I do believe this team should add another good rebounding forward who can also defend. But A.J. Smith has proven to be a very effective rebounder. In 2023-24 at USI he averaged 8.8 rpg. Last season at JMU he averaged 6.3 rpg.
For comparison, Bradley's top rebounder last season was Darius Hannah with only 5.8 rpg.
The last Bradley player who averaged 8.8 rpg or better in a season was Luke Jackson (9.4 rpg) in 1988-89