Recruiting as of 2/15/25

[mileskishnish72]

Really like this kid.Hopefully he is a priority

He looks pretty far off the floor, for a traditional.

[JakeBarnes]

So did we figure out what 2 recruits Shaka was seeing this weekend?

[Scoop Snoop]

So did we figure out what 2 recruits Shaka was seeing this weekend?

That was a Big Fat Lie. He was talking to guys who he knows are going to be in the portal. If he named them, he would be busted for tampering.

[Newsdreams]

So did we figure out what 2 recruits Shaka was seeing this weekend?

Two mid range guys

[BCHoopster]

Two mid range guys

Maybe a kid who has a jump shot!

[GoldenEagles03]

https://x.com/LeagueRDY/status/1890964917353697338?t=nykcysS6PNjjgQQuhqmsZQ&s=19

[DoctorV]

Having Nigel and Sean's speed, elusiveness, and diminutive size on the same team will be interesting and fun

[Newsdreams]

Maybe a kid who has a jump shot!

Nope Shaka only recruits guys who can't shoot.

[willie warrior]

Having Nigel and Sean's speed, elusiveness, and diminutive size on the same team will be interesting and fun

Yes especially when it comes to rebounding in BEast. Real fun, and very interesting

[Uncle Rico]

Yes especially when it comes to rebounding in BEast. Real fun, and very interesting

Thanks, Wingdings.  Shaka's Big East record through 4 years is pretty bad.

[HutchwasClutch]

https://x.com/LeagueRDY/status/1890964917353697338?t=nykcysS6PNjjgQQuhqmsZQ&s=19

Thanks for posting.   Looks like an excellent overall skill set- handle and hops especially

[marqfan22]

Any word on where Shaka is recruiting this weekend?

[GoldenEagles03]

Looks like the game must've been on FloSports based on the quality of video but

https://x.com/steve_hewitt/status/1891213748741853675?t=OqGdc7wIe5S-dbvs4pra8g&s=19

[onepost]

So did we figure out what 2 recruits Shaka was seeing this weekend?

Asking around and trying to find out too, Jake. Hopefully hear something soon.

[onepost]

Don't know with total certainty, but I think Shaka's focus has been with JJ Andrews, Ethan Johnston, and Alex Egbuono. Not sure where we stand with Vaughn Karvala or Sheek Pearson but I'm pretty confident in the first 3.

Will gladly defer to Brew or Mark who may have a better idea than me. But even Shaka publicly acknowledging "guys who'd look great in a Marquette uniform" is exciting for a guy who prides himself on keeping things close to the chest.

[Newsdreams]

Don't know with total certainty, but I think Shaka's focus has been with JJ Andrews, Ethan Johnston, and Alex Egbuono. Not sure where we stand with Vaughn Karvala or Sheek Pearson but I'm pretty confident in the first 3.

Will gladly defer to Brew or Mark who may have a better idea than me. But even Shaka publicly acknowledging "guys who'd look great in a Marquette uniform" is exciting for a guy who prides himself on keeping things close to the chest.

Hard pass on all

[K1 Lover]

Found this interesting read. Not related to our own recruiting per se, but still a recruiting topic.

Pitino details how he won't be looking at high school recruits this year (or possibly at all in the future) and will instead be focusing 100% on the transfer portal to replace the talent/experience he's losing. He basically argues that, unless you're recruiting Cooper Flagg, the value of high school recruiting is little compared to what you can get from the portal, stating, "I probably will never go to a young man's home again. We just go straight to the negotiating table at St. John's."

In other words, what Pitino's doing is the exact opposite of Shaka, which is kinda ironic considering that Shaka used to study Pitino's coaching philosophy. Not trying to imply one approach is better than the other, but I do think this makes the Big East coaching dynamic that much more entertaining.

[GoldenEagles03]

Donovan Davis a Sophomore from Freedom (WI) posted an Instagram story at Marquette practice today.

[Newsdreams]

Found this interesting read. Not related to our own recruiting per se, but still a recruiting topic.

Pitino details how he won't be looking at high school recruits this year (or possibly at all in the future) and will instead be focusing 100% on the transfer portal to replace the talent/experience he's losing. He basically argues that, unless you're recruiting Cooper Flagg, the value of high school recruiting is little compared to what you can get from the portal, stating, "I probably will never go to a young man's home again. We just go straight to the negotiating table at St. John's."

In other words, what Pitino's doing is the exact opposite of Shaka, which is kinda ironic considering that Shaka used to study Pitino's coaching philosophy. Not trying to imply one approach is better than the other, but I do think this makes the Big East coaching dynamic that much more entertaining.

He is just lazy, he tried coaching the PR national team, basically failed. Resigned as he couldn't handle the complexities of FIBA, he doesn't really like to develop players.

[rocky_warrior]

He is just lazy, he tried coaching the PR national team, basically failed. Resigned as he couldn't handle the complexities of FIBA, he doesn't really like to develop players.

It's lazy - and also smart.  Let other coaches do the recruiting and first one or two years of coaching/development, then once a player proves he has high D1 capabilities, grab him off the portal. 

We trust Shaka to develop guys, but if every MU player hit the portal after this year, Pitino would go after a couple of them, but not many.

[PJDunn]

Other than Chase, I wonder who Pitino would target. Maybe Parham? The rest need too much development.

[JakeBarnes]

Other than Chase, I wonder who Pitino would target. Maybe Parham? The rest need too much development.

Maybe Chase. Pitino doesn't seem that keen on the teaching side. Just on the paying side. Kadary is the same player he was at Hall--no real change or development.

[Zog from Margo]

Pitino is smart if he can get guys who mesh and can outbid other schools. He may have a nice pot of money, but I can't see SJU competing regularly with schools with much larger fan bases and deeper pockets. Makes me think Ricky P will again be looking for "greener" pastures.

[JakeBarnes]

Don't know with total certainty, but I think Shaka's focus has been with JJ Andrews, Ethan Johnston, and Alex Egbuono. Not sure where we stand with Vaughn Karvala or Sheek Pearson but I'm pretty confident in the first 3.

Will gladly defer to Brew or Mark who may have a better idea than me. But even Shaka publicly acknowledging "guys who'd look great in a Marquette uniform" is exciting for a guy who prides himself on keeping things close to the chest.

Thanks for the update. I'd have guessed Sheek was up there too (given the JJ Andrews connection). Hopefully we are in good standing with JJ--he's an absolute beast.

Looking forward to updates on these recruits. It'd be huge to get some early commits.

[bilsu]

Pitino is smart if he can get guys who mesh and can outbid other schools. He may have a nice pot of money, but I can't see SJU competing regularly with schools with much larger fan bases and deeper pockets. Makes me think Ricky P will again be looking for "greener" pastures.

He also is in his 70's. Time is not on his side to wait for a freshman to develop.