Transfer Target Bradone Francis to Visit

[Scarlet Shack]

With a roster right now of 4 juniors, 4 Sophs and 2 frosh ...I really would prefer to only get 5th year guys and have 3 to give for the class of 2017

Certaintly be happy with the twins but I really worry that after year 3 it becomes a big time do over with major scholarship unevenness

 

[bac2therac]

while we should give him a look I would lean toward pass given his weak stats and academic issues

 

[bac2therac]

And was ruled ineligible because ACD is under an extended evaluation period by the NCAA and several of their courses have been denied by the NCAA Eligibility Center

Thiam going to this school so late in the year worries me

 

[RUMBA-JK]

Thiam going to this school so late in the year worries me

may or may not be a point of concern - Thiam has only been at ADC for a few months - so, maybe what ever classes he has taken at ADC are outside of his NCAA list of required courses - or if he took any required courses, they were ones that the NCAA has found to be acceptable. Maybe he already had previously taken all of his NCAA required classes & just needed to be "attending school" - maybe because he was in the country on a student visa? .... needed to be enrolled somewhere and he also wanted to keep playing highly competitive basketball.

The whole Thiam / NCAA clearance issue has been a point of curiosity - things have been a bit cryptic at times & not a lot of details out there - but most of the folks who seem to have above-average info & access are saying that this (academic matters) is not a show-stopper, that if there have been any concerns - academics was not one of them.

But - we shall see ... and I for one, look forward to the info release that says he is officially, fully cleared to play.

 

[knights1212]

I did some reading on Brandone and he was a Top 100 rated kid, a 4 star coming out of high school. He did sit out the 2014-15 season and played little this past season. He did win the 3 point shooting contest that Florida had I believe at Midnight Madness this past October. The gators were expecting big things from him this past season but for some reason he seemed to lose his confidence. The coaches spoke very highly of him and he apparently was a great guy who always supported the team. I guess I will have to trust Pikiell on whether he can help us or not. On Brandone's twitter he does say that he must sit one year and play two. Thus that answers that question. His tape was quite impressive. His passing is really good. Someone needs to bring his confidence back. Maybe he put too much pressure on himself at Florida.

 

[Russ Wood]

Brandone Francis-Ramirez was ranked No. 25 by Rivals when he verbally committed to Florida. In the final rank for his class he was No. 35.

Of course he was known as Brandone Francis back then. He had a nice midrange game back then

 

[RU85inFla]

He would have to sit and then have

may or may not be a point of concern - Thiam has only been at ADC for a few months - so, maybe what ever classes he has taken at ADC are outside of his NCAA list of required courses - or if he took any required courses, they were ones that the NCAA has found to be acceptable. Maybe he already had previously taken all of his NCAA required classes & just needed to be "attending school" - maybe because he was in the country on a student visa? .... needed to be enrolled somewhere and he also wanted to keep playing highly competitive basketball.

The whole Thiam / NCAA clearance issue has been a point of curiosity - things have been a bit cryptic at times & not a lot of details out there - but most of the folks who seem to have above-average info & access are saying that this (academic matters) is not a show-stopper, that if there have been any concerns - academics was not one of them.

But - we shall see ... and I for one, look forward to the info release that says he is officially, fully cleared to play.

There is Arlington Country Day and Arlington Country Day Academy. I don't know when he transferred. The first is a normal private school. The later is a 9 month program that offers SAT/ACT training, tutoring and academic courses. Who knows where he went.

 

[PaKnight]

while we should give him a look I would lean toward pass given his weak stats and academic issues

It seems that his academic issues were mainly about the classes he took at ADC, not his academic ability. I don't see that as an issue.

Just seems like he would not be an option if the twins come. It would be too hard to have three guys sitting out next year to play two.

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

Honestly, i would take the twins over Francis as the twins have already proved they can be more than productive in a major conference. Give the final ship to a grad transfer or just hold it open.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

We need to load up on as many talented players as possible. If Pikes is confident he can improve the team and program, bring him in.

 

[RUMBA-JK]

He would have to sit and then have

There is Arlington Country Day and Arlington Country Day Academy. I don't know when he transferred. The first is a normal private school. The later is a 9 month program that offers SAT/ACT training, tutoring and academic courses. Who knows where he went.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is the Arlington Country Day School that Issa Thiam is attending:

Arlington Country Day School
5725 Fort Caroline Rd Jacksonville, FL
(904) 762-0123
- a private, non-sectarian, co-educational, college prep school offering classes Kindergarten thru 12th grade.
http://arlingtoncountrydayschoolfoundation.org/

 

[RBNY87]

Brandone Francis-Ramirez was ranked No. 25 by Rivals when he verbally committed to Florida. In the final rank for his class he was No. 35.

Of course he was known as Brandone Francis back then. He had a nice midrange game back then

In DR they use both parents last names.

 

[RU85inFla]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is the Arlington Country Day School that Issa Thiam is attending:

Arlington Country Day School
5725 Fort Caroline Rd Jacksonville, FL
(904) 762-0123
- a private, non-sectarian, co-educational, college prep school offering classes Kindergarten thru 12th grade.
http://arlingtoncountrydayschoolfoundation.org/

The academy is run by the basketball coach. The school is 5 miles away from where I type this. Are you 100% sure he was in the school. Could easily be in the academy and taking classes online thru Florida Virtual school. If you are 100% certain he Is in the school than that is great news. If in the academy then there would be reason for concern. Both are ACD.

 

[Russ Wood]

The ACD basketball team uses Florida Virtual School, which I think is part of their problem with the NCAA.

It was basically run by Rex Morgan who was the basketball coach until he died of throat cancer sometime in the past 12 months.

 

[RutgHoops]

I like Francis the best out of him, Caleb and Cody Martin.

 

[Russ Wood]

I like Francis the best out of him, Caleb and Cody Martin.

Interesting.

Caleb Martin had a 107.5 ORtg and shot 49-110 (.445) on two-point field goals and 79-219 (.361) on three point field goals.

Cody Martin had a 104.0 ORtg and shot 75-160 (.469) on two-point field goals. He didn't even attempt 10 three-pointers.

Brandone Francis-Ramirez had an ORtg of 66.9 and shot 11-45 (.244) on two-point field goals 10-59 (.169) on three point field goals.

 

[RutgHoops]

Interesting.

Caleb Martin had a 107.5 ORtg and shot 49-110 (.445) on two-point field goals and 79-219 (.361) on three point field goals.

Cody Martin had a 104.0 ORtg and shot 75-160 (.469) on two-point field goals. He didn't even attempt 10 three-pointers.

Brandone Francis-Ramirez had an ORtg of 66.9 and shot 11-45 (.244) on two-point field goals 10-59 (.169) on three point field goals.

Certainly can't argue that both Martin's have been better than Francis (Francis-Ramirez) thus far. I just think Francis has more ability than either of the Martin's and will perform better at his next stop than either of the Martin's.

That written I think Caleb and Cody are nice players and would be happy if they decided on RU.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Who defends out of this bunch?

 

[RutgHoops]

Who defends out of this bunch?

Everyone will learn to play defense under HC Pikiell. Or they'll sit.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Everyone will learn to play defense under HC Pikiell. Or they'll sit.

That hurts my chances of getting minutes at the 2

 

[Russ Wood]

Who defends out of this bunch?

Not Francis-Ramirez

 

[michstfr]

Jeff Goodman ‏@GoodmanESPN 1 hour ago
Texas Tech and Rutgers both in the mix for Florida transfer Brandone Francis, source told ESPN.

 

[knights1212]

That was reported a while ago. He is supposed to visit RU the weekend of June 10-12.

 

[RU at the shore]

Not Francis-Ramirez

Then we should pass ..

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

Zags article:

https://www.sny.tv/college-recruiti...irez-considering-texas-tech-rutgers/181718084

 

[RUTGERZ_R00LZ]

Zags article:

https://www.sny.tv/college-recruiti...irez-considering-texas-tech-rutgers/181718084

Doesn't sound too promising. From the Zags' article:
He averaged just 2.0 points and 1.0 rebounds and struggled to remain in coach Mike White's rotation due to shooting woes and defensive lapses, according to one report.

 

[AshCatchEm]

Doesn't sound too promising. From the Zags' article:
He averaged just 2.0 points and 1.0 rebounds and struggled to remain in coach Mike White's rotation due to shooting woes and defensive lapses, according to one report.

if texas tech wants this kid, then we should want this kid. end of story.

 

[Russ Wood]

if texas tech wants this kid, then we should want this kid. end of story.

If it were me, I'd save the scholarship and either use it on a grad transfer next year or a 2017 HS kid.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Other than 5th year graduate transfers...Really would push back from the table and concentrate on class of 2017

 

[higgins3]

Still wondering what Staff see in this kid, lol.

 

[AshCatchEm]

Still wondering what Staff see in this kid, lol.

So why does Texas tech want him if he isn't somewhat talented? They certainly aren't in our position as far as total rebuild

 

[higgins3]

So why does Texas tech want him if he isn't somewhat talented? They certainly aren't in our position as far as total rebuild

7th in the big 12 is not exactly an extraordinary program.You see his stats and he comes off as a kid who did well in HS and did not have the mental for the college game. People are still relying on his HS abilities.You know how many players are in his situation?

 

[RutgHoops]

Last years Big 10 POY Denzel Valentine averaged 5 points and 4 rebounds as a frosh.
Kris Jenkins, who hit the winning shot for NCAA champ Villanova, averaged 4 points and 1.8 rebounds as a frosh.
Our own Jonathan Mitchell averaged 1.4 points and 1.2 rebounds as a frosh at Florida

Way too early to write off a kid as talented as Francis imo.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

I don't think RU gets a game ready freshman player at guard for the 2017-18 season, that has had a chance to sit a year, get acclimated to the new staff and system and can ultimately "redshirt" while sitting out this coming season.

If Sanders eventually develops more, he is not coming back next year, NBA ready or not and we would be left with Nigel Johnson, Mike Williams and Bullock as potential guards. You still need a frosh PG and frosh combo/shooting guard in the 2017 class, whether it's a recruit, JUCO or transfer.

I don't know if Francis can contribute to a rebuild that is needed here, but on the surface, it doesn't look he's any worse than a kid that went to JUCO, suddenly piled up a bunch of Points Per game and suddenly becomes a hot commodity again next spring. Might as well take him on now, vs waiting for the light switch to go on. Do I think this player outperforms Johnson, Sanders or Mike Williams?? Not at this time, but you need players that can practice against our kids and raise the bar of the program.

I also think some of the "can't miss names" we read about 2 to 3 years ago in state and in our region, frankly didn't pan out as much as others thought they would and the region is not as deep in recruiting targets as we want to believe. This is a staff that understands what's out there and for Year 2 and 3 of Pikiell, winning games is a huge hurdle we have to overcome as a program. I'm sure Year 4 isn't going to be a year we want to discuss about where we are as a program, if Pikiell doesn't have a winning season in any of his first 3 years at RU.

This is the right move IMO......regardless of what has to happen after Year 3, the program needs consecutive winning seasons in Years 2 and 3 of the Pikiell regime, in order to secure a contract extension to recruit beyond that and to take advantage of the depth we've accumulated with this excellent staff. Perhaps another player falls into our lap for 2017 as far as a transfer in and we are moving forward, but most programs cannot wait around for potential frosh to develop. Teams and staffs at this level need to win ASAP to regain credibility.

 

[B1GNJHoops]

It'll most likely come down to coaching and luck.

Our last few transfers have had HS accolades.

Kerwin Okoro

Wally Judge

Bishop Daniels

You take a risk because we can't afford not to. The Big Ten is adding four stars and bigger name transfers and we need talent no matter how flawed.

 

[Russ Wood]

Jonathan Mitchell averaged just 6.2 minutes per game but that was on a team that won a national championship.

Valentine led MSU in assists 10 times as a freshman and had multiple double-doubles.

BFR on the other hand, averaged 10 minutes per game (7 per SEC game & 2 per NIT game). His defense and inability to make shots kept him on the bench. A true freshman passed him in the rotation.

With that freshman returning, Canyon Barry transferring in plus an incoming freshman combo guard, BFR was looking at even fewer minutes at Florida next year.

Can BFR turn things around at Texas Tech or Rutgers? Maybe. I just think he would be better off at a mid-major. But he, nor his father would accept that.

I wish BFR well, he is a good guy. Fun to be around

 

[BigEastPhil]

He chose Texas Tech today per Rothstein.....

 

[PiscatawayMike]

https://www.sny.tv/college-recruiti...a-transfer-brandone-francis-ramirez/184022486

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Same opinion as above