True, dat.
Thiam lacks the athleticism to be a truly elite defensive player ... in my opinion. He has the length, and looks like he is developing the focus, to be a solid, to very good defensive player. But it does not look like he will have the explosive athleticsim to be truly elite.
On the other hand, he has offensive potential that a player like Sanogo (and I am not pointing out Sanogo, but just that type of player) cannot even dream about. If I had to pick a college player - maybe from RU's past, that Thiam might be able to resemble, perhaps it is Herve Lamizana ... which would be nice. Thiam may not be quite as purely athletic as Lamizana was, but has similar length. I expect Thiam to be a more consistent and better outside shooter over his entire career than was Lamizana, but is more of a true Wing Forward, so may never have the interior moves Lamizana had - Lamizana was really a Power Forward who aspired to be a Wing Forward. Also, remember, Lamizana came into college much more polished as a player than has Thiam - who still has a lot of basketball growth ahead of him.
I am not saying Thiam will be better than Lamizana - just as a general "type." That said, Lamizana played 3 years for RU (was he ineligible as a Freshman?).
Year 1 (Soph): 6.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg - 38% FG, 41% 3-point FG (44 attempts), 67% FT, 2.7 blocks/g
Year 2 (Junior): 10.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 44% FG, 37% 3-point FG (43 attempts), 65% FT, 3.0 blocks/g
Year 3 (Senior): 13.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 43% FG, 28% 3-point FG (92 attempts), 70% FT, 3.1 blocks/g
Thiam will NOT be a shot blocker - and is NOT a power forward (nor will he be), so also fewer rebounds per game. BUT ... it looks like he has a chance to be a more efficient offensive player - and a better shooter.
