Looks like we may be interested in Issa Thiam, 6-9 forward from Canarias for 2016 according to 247Sports. Anyone have info on an upcoming visit, etc.?
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Issa Thiam
- Thread starter ScarletLongIsland
- Start date
Some info on him in this article:
http://www.maxpreps.com/news/wmJrb0...0-miles-to-play-in-a-tournament-this-week.htm
I love this description in the article:
"- Issa Thiam, a wiry 6-9 wing from Senegal. Showed range to the 3-point stripe and was a hound on the defensive end."
http://www.maxpreps.com/news/wmJrb0...0-miles-to-play-in-a-tournament-this-week.htm
I love this description in the article:
"- Issa Thiam, a wiry 6-9 wing from Senegal. Showed range to the 3-point stripe and was a hound on the defensive end."
class of 2016? so right now he should be about 17 /18 years old ... ? sounds good
Just don't want another guy (like Etou) who you think can grow into something truly phenomenal ... but then it turns out he is older than claimed & already 'full grown'
Just don't want another guy (like Etou) who you think can grow into something truly phenomenal ... but then it turns out he is older than claimed & already 'full grown'
Issa Thiam got a crystal ball prediction in favor of Rutgers yesterday on 247Sports. Anyone have any info on this kid? Did he visit over the weekend?
In 4 games in 2014-15, he averaged 28.6 from 3, 5.5 rebounds on a 21.4 mpg clip.
I know Shoes keeps in contacts with these coaches in the Canaris. Just saw a video of him. At 6 8, he is probably about 175-185 pound. Definitely needs weight. He should be around 215-220, at least. Seems to have a decent handle for his size, keeps it close.
Good man defense for his size. Knows how to keep sight of ball and man on help defense. In general, he gets to the right position on the floor for rebounds. Size is definitely his issue. For a guy 6 8 though, his defense is impressive.He seems to run the floor well. At this game I saw him in, he was 16 or 17. The competition was pretty decent. Lots of tall kids with some speed.
A part of me thinks that we keep in touch with this player, but still have an option we are scoping before him(providence day). Thiam would be a slight project who would definitely need a livingston dining hall 4 credit course. After that, I like his focus on defense and willingness to get to spots and run the floor. Height is there.
I know Shoes keeps in contacts with these coaches in the Canaris. Just saw a video of him. At 6 8, he is probably about 175-185 pound. Definitely needs weight. He should be around 215-220, at least. Seems to have a decent handle for his size, keeps it close.
Good man defense for his size. Knows how to keep sight of ball and man on help defense. In general, he gets to the right position on the floor for rebounds. Size is definitely his issue. For a guy 6 8 though, his defense is impressive.He seems to run the floor well. At this game I saw him in, he was 16 or 17. The competition was pretty decent. Lots of tall kids with some speed.
A part of me thinks that we keep in touch with this player, but still have an option we are scoping before him(providence day). Thiam would be a slight project who would definitely need a livingston dining hall 4 credit course. After that, I like his focus on defense and willingness to get to spots and run the floor. Height is there.
The one thing this team has been sorely missing over the past decade or so is a 6'9 wing (an athletic 3&D).
20-30 pounds and he is that guy. Can run well, plays solid defense. Almost reminds me of a more raw form of Bashir Ahmed.
Still, have no idea if we are still expressing interest.
OK - so back on Sep 4, 2015 when the original question was posed, he was listed as 18 - and has now just turned 19 .. that would make him about the same as a kid who did a post-grad prep school year - which should be fine...
I just googled the Canarias Basketball Academy (CBA) and found out a little bit about it. It appears to provide the equivalent of what we call a prep year but without the academic component. It is based on the island of Gran Canarias, one of the two major islands of the Canarias archipelago, Tenerife being the other. The archipelago is part of Spain, despite its location off the coast of Morocco.
Its founder's goals include among other things preparing players (mostly European but a mix of others as well) to play Division 1 basketball in the USA, and several of its graduates have gone on to fulfill that goal. So it would seem that players coming out of that program would pass the mustard in terms of NCAA eligibility, so long as their academics are in place.
Aside from basketball, the players learn a lot about nutrition, which sounds like a good thing based upon what others have stated above about how thin Thiam is at this point.
Its founder's goals include among other things preparing players (mostly European but a mix of others as well) to play Division 1 basketball in the USA, and several of its graduates have gone on to fulfill that goal. So it would seem that players coming out of that program would pass the mustard in terms of NCAA eligibility, so long as their academics are in place.
Aside from basketball, the players learn a lot about nutrition, which sounds like a good thing based upon what others have stated above about how thin Thiam is at this point.
Rutgers is the strong favorite. Good kid. Plays the SF but also could play the 2. I have more details on our pay site about him.
One of the best players at CBA.
He'll be coming to the States in November to scrimmage teams in NJ/NY before playing a tournament in Conn.
One of the best players at CBA.
He'll be coming to the States in November to scrimmage teams in NJ/NY before playing a tournament in Conn.
OK - 88K+ posts and no likes? I had to fix that for you. Just remember I was your first ;)
Joking aside, thanks for the update.
That's no likes on this site as I don't post here often.
But thanks for the thought. :)
CBA and Thiam (6-9 190 lbs wing) will be in the US next week for a tournament in Conn. They will be playing multiple exhibition games beforehand in NY/NJ.
Below might be of interest.
Wednesday Nov 18
2 games @ St Benedict's
Newark NJ
They will also be in attendance for
Thursday Nov 19
St John's vs Rutgers
Below might be of interest.
Wednesday Nov 18
2 games @ St Benedict's
Newark NJ
They will also be in attendance for
Thursday Nov 19
St John's vs Rutgers
Did not sign early as his CBA coach doesn't like to have players sign until the spring.
RU is still the strong favorite. Thiam has been CBA's best player to date on their US trip which includes two games up in Conn against quality opponents. The first starting in about 3 hours.
RU is still the strong favorite. Thiam has been CBA's best player to date on their US trip which includes two games up in Conn against quality opponents. The first starting in about 3 hours.
Jeff Borzello tweeted this re Thiam:
"Senegal native Issa Thiam has looked good in both games this weekend. Smooth offensively, very good outside shooter, long. 2016."
"Senegal native Issa Thiam has looked good in both games this weekend. Smooth offensively, very good outside shooter, long. 2016."
Thiam and CBA won both of their games this week in Conn. Thiam was probably the team's best player.
He's leaning to RU over St John's and should make a commitment well before the spring signing period.
Lean athletic shooter who must work on his handle. Right now he's a 3 who wants to some day play the 2.
Not a game changer but he will be a good get if he commits to Rutgers.
He's leaning to RU over St John's and should make a commitment well before the spring signing period.
Lean athletic shooter who must work on his handle. Right now he's a 3 who wants to some day play the 2.
Not a game changer but he will be a good get if he commits to Rutgers.
Even if we get a verbal its a long time until the spring signing period. If he continues to play well he will have more suitors. Gotta work him hard until the paperwork is signed.
Seems like he should commit to the 3. At 6 8, when he adds pounds it will be tough to defend the two.
