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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 09-07-2017, 01:33 PM:

Gabriel is a 6-foot-9, 205-pound power forward who was born in Sudan and played high school basketball in Massachusetts. He was rated the No. 4 power forward and No. 12 overall prospect in the Class of 2016 by Scout.com.

Given the way last season ended, it’s easy to forget that Gabriel is a guy who averaged 22 points, 14 rebounds, 7 blocks and 6.3 assists as a senior in high school. And that he recorded a double-double for the Wildcats in his fifth college game — which began a three-game stretch in which he averaged 11.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

Gabriel will have to fend off a long line of similar-sized forwards: former 5-stars Kevin Knox, Jarred Vanderbilt, P.J. Washington and Sacha Killeya-Jones. But each of those players is versatile enough to play multiple positions — Knox and Vanderbilt at the 3 or 4, Washington and Killeya-Jones at the 4 or 5 — and Gabriel’s energy and experience are too valuable to keep him on the bench.

He should contend for a starting job or, at the very least, be a top reserve who plays heavy minutes. If his 3-point shooting is more consistent this season and he continues to be a shot-blocking threat, that opens up more paths to playing time as Calipari mixes and matches all his talented and “positionless” forwards.

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Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 09-07-2017, 01:57 PM:

Remember the old '1-4' teams that Lute Olsen at illinois used? One big man and four guards? With the long, lean, agile bigs that we have, we could easily field a '4-1' team...one guard and four awesome forwards.

Imagine.

Diallo or Green at point, along with Knox, Washington, Gabriel, and Vanderbilt (or Jones, or Wynard, or... wow).

Posted by ukcatfannfl (Member # 1425) on 09-07-2017, 02:16 PM:

only thing i would add tip

there will be no Diallo "and" he will start period!!

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 09-08-2017, 07:55 AM:

Hi Ed,

Why no Diallo? I know he is more of a shooting guard, and Green will likely be the point guard, but Diallo by all reports is a sensational athlete (if not a great shot, but we have had plenty of those over the years, from Rondo up through Fox).

Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 09-08-2017, 09:08 AM:

Ed.... I'm getting a little 'long of tooth' and not as sharp as I once was, but I don't understand your post at all. Please clarify. Norm

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 09-08-2017, 03:22 PM:

I think what he is saying is there will be no "Diallo or Green". I WILL be Diallo at some position, even if Green is the PG.

Posted by ukcatfannfl (Member # 1425) on 09-08-2017, 06:27 PM:

Woops Tip and Norm

Tip said Diallo "or" Green and what I was trying to say that there won't be an "or" with Diallo as he will start from day one over anyone else.

Sorry my fingers don't type what my mind is trying to say! lol

tks Bama you said it much better than me! [Smile]

Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 09-08-2017, 06:31 PM:

Got it. Thanks.