We watched Latham for an entire season

[NickRU714]

Add only mature players is a one year solution that will have mixed results with our lack of NIL. You still need HS recruits to try and reestablish the foundation so that the program is more attractive because it's winning again.

It's all the same ultimately.
Retention or transfers will likely cost the same in revenue/NIL allocation for equal talent.

HS recruits are only a one year solution as well.
It's just that the one year is in a couple years.

Dortch/Grant for example:
They are cheap for next year because their talent level is low/undeveloped.
Suppose Grant turns into a legit B1G starting wing.
His retention for 2026-2027 is going to be higher and likely equal to the same as a transfer (of similar talent).

Grant would be a one year solution before getting expensive.

Alternatively, Dortch remains a project and develops just a little bit.
His retention for 2026-2027 would stay low.
But if he becomes a real player then he's more expensive the year after.

HS players are cheaper because you're getting less production. But as they produce, they will be just as expensive as transfers.

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

It's all the same ultimately.
Retention or transfers will likely cost the same in revenue/NIL allocation for equal talent.

HS recruits are only a one year solution as well.
It's just that the one year is in a couple years.

Dortch/Grant for example:
They are cheap for next year because their talent level is low/undeveloped.
Suppose Grant turns into a legit B1G starting wing.
His retention for 2026-2027 is going to be higher and likely equal to the same as a transfer (of similar talent).

Grant would be a one year solution before getting expensive.

Alternatively, Dortch remains a project and develops just a little bit.
His retention for 2026-2027 would stay low.
But if he becomes a real player then he's more expensive the year after.

HS players are cheaper because you're getting less production. But as they produce, they will be just as expensive as transfers.

You're overestimating the market for Grant, he would have to be one of the top wings in the B1G to get that type of money.

 

[NiTeKnight]

Lathan actually has negative value to a RU team looking to be defensive team and connected on both sides of the floor.

What I liked best about Lathan is we finally had a big man who could make free throws!

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Fifth time, but whatever. It's is amazing that none of the transfers stunk at their prior programs. With all of the attention Dylan and Ace got it should have actually helped their games.

I’m still unsure what your point is. The reason having Ace and Dylan didn’t help anyone else on our roster excel, is because at the HIGH MAJOR LEVEL, nobody else on the team, including Lathan, was very good. “Stink” is a relative term.

 

[SirScarlet]

Lathan actually has negative value to a RU team looking to be defensive team and connected on both sides of the floor.

This was clear in the first 10 mins he was on the floor. The fact that ogbole started over him told all of us something was very very off...

 

[S.W.A.I.N]

This was clear in the first 10 mins he was on the floor. The fact that ogbole started over him told all of us something was very very off...

You mean like he was a true freshman not ready from day 1 defensively to play in the B1G? There was a time when that was anticipated - not very off. Meanwhile, best FT shooter on the team, only big that could finish in the post, played hard. There's a reason he's gonna make a million at a power conference school.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

What I liked best about Lathan is we finally had a big man who could make free throws!

82-95

If he shot 65% we lose 20 points on offense. That doesnt sound like a lot but it is definitely significant.

.01 points per possession as a whole and double that because he plays half the game.

.1 points per possession is a monumental move so if you find 10 improvements or enhancements like that you get there

 

[satnom]

I think Lathan is and will continue to be a decent player but his ceiling is not that high in my opinion. He’s not a true 5 at this level. Doesn’t have length:height, low work rate, doesn’t scream athletic and not a leaper. He’s an old school, playground, nifty in the paint, light feet bucket maker. He’s a non-stretch four who will be most effective next to a true five. Needs to learn how to pass out of the double team. Excellent foul shooter but his mechanics to shoot from the outside are slow. If he gets after it on the boards he could be a double double type guy.

He’s a loss for RU but he’s not a RU program type player. Don’t see as a leader but as a follower [of the cash]. Good luck to him.

GO RU

 

[SirScarlet]

You mean like he was a true freshman not ready from day 1 defensively to play in the B1G? There was a time when that was anticipated - not very off. Meanwhile, best FT shooter on the team, only big that could finish in the post, played hard. There's a reason he's gonna make a million at a power conference school.

he did not play hard. not sure what you're talking about.

and call me old fashioned, but I dont like kids who ooze super negative body language. couldnt stand watching him from the get-go.

I do agee he was our best FTer. I dont agree he could finish in the post (he'll get so much better once he learns not to always put the ball on the floor instead of going straight up). I agree on being just a freshman. In the old world, we'd have clay to work with .... but now, he wants to be treated as a diva and get the bag (I dont blame him...I just dont like the sourpuss act).

 

[seansherm]

I think Lathan is and will continue to be a decent player but his ceiling is not that high in my opinion. He’s not a true 5 at this level. Doesn’t have length:height, low work rate, doesn’t scream athletic and not a leaper. He’s an old school, playground, nifty in the paint, light feet bucket maker. He’s a non-stretch four who will be most effective next to a true five. Needs to learn how to pass out of the double team. Excellent foul shooter but his mechanics to shoot from the outside are slow. If he gets after it on the boards he could be a double double type guy.

He’s a loss for RU but he’s not a RU program type player. Don’t see as a leader but as a follower [of the cash]. Good luck to him.

GO RU

I don't think we can say he has a low work rate, the kid did seem to work his ass off in the preseason to get in better shape, which I wasn't expecting based on what I'd seen of him in high school

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

82-95

If he shot 65% we lose 20 points on offense. That doesnt sound like a lot but it is definitely significant.

.01 points per possession as a whole and double that because he plays half the game.

.1 points per possession is a monumental move so if you find 10 improvements or enhancements like that you get there

Yes it is. But it simply offsets his poor shooting efficiency - 50.6% is poor for a BIG.

 

[RU677381]

Something else about him………he does not have good instincts. Some players who are double teamed realize that
someone must be open. In 30 some games, he rarely looked for an open teammate.

 

[seansherm]

Something else about him………he does not have good instincts. Some players who are double teamed realize that
someone must be open. In 30 some games, he rarely looked for an open teammate.

I thought he got slightly better with that down the stretch.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Yes it is. But it simply offsets his poor shooting efficiency - 50.6% is poor for a BIG.

According to bart his effective FG% was right at D1 average of 50.9%.

The lack of assists.

Obviously the huge negative offset on the defensive end

 

[RUGiddy777]

Two way players who can shoot aren’t going to come cheap but yeah, we’re going to need at least one above average one like that along with a center.

Since we’re only going to be able to afford a maximum of 3 expensive guys - I really hope we go for defense and gritty thrashers to fill out the rest of the roster from the bargain bin. I will scream if we start adding guys like PJ, Noah F, etc. who grade out as projects on the defensive end. I get that we need scoring, but those types do not work out for us ever - if can’t defend you don’t play for Pike unless you have 4 or 5 stars next to your name like Gavin did (and he still didn’t play that much). We already have one offense only recruit coming in Kaden Powers. Kid who the scouting report says can really shoot it but is a project on D.

I have been thinking about Abdul Bashir from Monmouth since he torched us for 38 - and then I found out that he’s being targeted by Kansas, Bama, etc and is going through draft prep…

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

According to bart his effective FG% was right at D1 average of 50.9%.

The lack of assists.

Obviously the huge negative offset on the defensive end

Being right at the D1 average at something that’s supposed to be your big selling point isn’t exactly a great note of endorsement. The frosh thing keeps getting thrown around but should only be a factor in terms of one year growth potential. Thinking ahead 2-3 years of development is a thing of the past.

Meanwhile - all this talk about a whole collection of big time schools pining for him, and so far the only reported visit is to the BIG team that finished dead last in the conference about to graduate every single forward and center on their roster. Let’s see how much high major interest there actually is to shell out a million to him.

 

[motorb54]

Rutgers did not bring in an experienced center and part of the reason was a threat from Latham was a warning of the type of player he was going to be. Is that a fact?

 

[ruman]

He's going to Washington ---

 

[Danielson381]

He's going to Washington ---

Exactly, he went for the biggest bag lol

 

[RUFan20231]

Is that a joke? I guess if they spent 2 mil on Geeat Osobor, they like wasting money on non-difference makers.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

https://www.nj.com/rutgersbasketbal...aying-in-big-ten-here-is-his-destination.html

 

[Salvi's Headband]

Maybe Mulcahy suggested it

 

[PiscatawayMike]

Former RU players certainly like the Pacific Northwest... EO, Young, Mulcahy, Sommerville

 

[bac2therac]

lmfao..he will be there one year and then bolt for his next bag IF his stock doesnt fall

they wont be making the ncaa next season

 

[FinalFourOrBust]

lmfao..he will be there one year and then bolt for his next bag IF his stock doesnt fall

they wont be making the ncaa next season

So salty smh

 

[FinalFourOrBust]

Rutgers did not bring in an experienced center and part of the reason was a threat from Latham was a warning of the type of player he was going to be. Is that a fact?

No it’s made up BS posted by disgruntled lunatics in here

 

[bac2therac]

So salty smh

very telling where he went

 

[seansherm]

No it’s made up BS posted by disgruntled lunatics in here

Except it came from the editor of the site, not the lunatic posters

 

[ScarletDog]

Who the hell would pay $2MM for this junk. If that’s the case then I can’t see how we can even field a team. System is more than broken. He’s not a good player and he would command that kind of $$. I’m losing more interest by the day.

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

Rutgers did not bring in an experienced center and part of the reason was a threat from Latham was a warning of the type of player he was going to be. Is that a fact?

That's correct and it came directly from TKR's site owner.

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

lmfao..he will be there one year and then bolt for his next bag IF his stock doesnt fall

they wont be making the ncaa next season

It's telling that he ran to the worst team in the conference for a bag. The big question is can they get out of the basement. Lathan's D won't help a shred with that though.

 

[goru7]

very telling where he went

Why is that ? Sprinkle is a very respected coach . They ran offense thru their center and featured the center in the low post so the system seems like a fit. Sprinkle had to get 8 transfers to play together and they were more than competitive in a number of games . Sprinkle will get it done maybe not this coming year but after that. Washington like the other west coast teams will be competitive in the BiG 10. Not sure Lathan will be going anywhere else. We still have no offense and losing our best returning scorer that was getting better the last 10 games does nothing but hurt us.

 

[RUChow]

I’m still unsure what your point is. The reason having Ace and Dylan didn’t help anyone else on our roster excel, is because at the HIGH MAJOR LEVEL, nobody else on the team, including Lathan, was very good. “Stink” is a relative term.

Considering that they were great offensively and drew constant double teams, the other guys should have been open all day long. Of course the offense did tend to stop when the ball was in Ace or Dylan's hands.

 

[FinalFourOrBust]

very telling where he went

Grow up kiddo. Sprinkle is an excellent coach and their team will look nothing like it did last year.

 

[FinalFourOrBust]

That's correct and it came directly from TKR's site owner.

Life must be easy being this naive

 

[FinalFourOrBust]

Who the hell would pay $2MM for this junk. If that’s the case then I can’t see how we can even field a team. System is more than broken. He’s not a good player and he would command that kind of $$. I’m losing more interest by the day.

lol people like you love to say they’re leaving but unfortunately never do

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

Life must be easy being this naive

Site owner with sources inside the program vs free board troll…I’ll be naive & listen to the guy that runs three sites.

 

[BigEastPhil]

And Latham will be returning to the RAC next year with Washington.

 

[seansherm]

Grow up kiddo. Sprinkle is an excellent coach and their team will look nothing like it did last year.

Are you Lathan's nut sack or something? I've only seen you post in support of him or against other current players, no other topics. I wanted him back, but damn you just know the kid has some limitations at this level.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Are you Lathan's nut sack or something? I've only seen you post in support of him or against other current players, no other topics. I wanted him back, but damn you just know the kid has some limitations at this level.

Husky media reported the news using a tone that suggests it’s assumed Lathan will be the back up center. He’s not even likely to start.

Washington basketball adds Rutgers C Lathan Sommerville from NCAA transfer portal

Danny Sprinkle and the Washington Huskies have their first addition of the transfer portal in Rutgers center Lathan Sommerville.

uwhuskieswire.usatoday.com