2020-21 GNAC Recruiting Thread

[northernGNAChoopfan]

Emanuel Gant, a good 6-6 forward for WOU, is transferring out. Bummer, I really liked his game, tough rebounder, good passer and scorer. Had high hopes for him. His journey was interesting to come to WOU, Jim Shaw signed him out of an Arizona JC (where he was also a standout QB and also the all-time passing leader in Arizona high school football); he didn't make it into WOU, the Wolves stuck with him. Shaw re-signed him, new coach Pifer stuck with him.

I don't know the details of his departure, seemed like a good guy, hope he finds his niche somewhere. As a fan, I'm going to miss his game.

Oooh. That is a major bummer. That kid was fun to watch. I thought if he could pick up where he left off he'd be in good position to be a major impact player next year and 1st team all-conference....

[tsull]

Oooh. That is a major bummer. That kid was fun to watch. I thought if he could pick up where he left off he'd be in good position to be a major impact player next year and 1st team all-conference....

I don't get it, WOU waited more than a year to get him, signing him twice. He missed part of the season this year, maybe trying to get eligible, I don't know. WOU stuck by him for a long time and he bails? Verbal commits said he was transferring, not quitting basketball. Before I get too judgmental, I don't know what happened, whether it was a mutual decision with the coaching staff or not. I also realize there are not a ton of WOU fans and most don't know about this, and before the internet no one would no about it until the season started. It just seems odd all the way around. I believe at this stage NAIA with their flexible eligibility requirements, might be his only option. The whole thing seems weird ... oh well, college is a trying time for young kids. I hope he does well wherever he lands. I liked his hustle and talent.

[CWU Wildcat Nation]

CWU picks up Eastern Arizona forward from Davis HS in Yakima, Collin Kelley. Was 2 time CBBN conference Defensive POY in high school. https://www.yakimaherald.com/sports/..._medium=social

[tsull]

CWU picks up Eastern Arizona forward from Davis HS in Yakima, Collin Kelley. Was 2 time CBBN conference Defensive POY in high school. https://www.yakimaherald.com/sports/..._medium=social

Nice pick up, the Arizona JC league is a good one, NNU's three best players the last two years came from that conference.

[tsull]

WOU's Emanuel Gant to UT Tyler ... hey, he flipped the script: Leaving a 19-8 (13-7 in league) team to join an 8-19 (5-17) team ... guess he can be "the man" there, at least he better hope so, they're not good.

[Anchorage]

WOU's Emanuel Gant to UT Tyler ... hey, he flipped the script: Leaving a 19-8 (13-7 in league) team to join an 8-19 (5-17) team ... guess he can be "the man" there, at least he better hope so, they're not good.

The head coach at UT Tyler, Louis Wilson, is from up here. He’s been a long time college assistant, and if I’m not mistaken this is first (or maybe he had one other opportunity) head coaching gig. Nice guy, all about giving kids a second chance. Doesn’t surprise me.

There was a kid from up here, very talented but 5’9. Played on a loaded team his sophomore year, all sophomores. The other big 3 moved out of state after that year to gain exposure. 1 ended up at North Carolina, one at Utah and one at Arizona St. This kid in particular ended up staying (dad was the coach). So he gets very few offers, ends up at a good JC and puts up a lot of stats. Ends up with no offers he likes, sits out a year before getting offered at UT-Tyler by Wilson. He played a little bit at the beginning of the year it seems but then stopped playing. No idea if he got injured or what, he still appears on their roster but no mention of him anywhere else.

But regardless I think that’s how Tyler is building that program, trying to find talented, out of place kids that slipped through the cracks. It’s a tough way to build that way but it has been done before. Tark made a career at it but it blows up more often than not.

[tsull]

The head coach at UT Tyler, Louis Wilson, is from up here. He’s been a long time college assistant, and if I’m not mistaken this is first (or maybe he had one other opportunity) head coaching gig. Nice guy, all about giving kids a second chance. Doesn’t surprise me.

There was a kid from up here, very talented but 5’9. Played on a loaded team his sophomore year, all sophomores. The other big 3 moved out of state after that year to gain exposure. 1 ended up at North Carolina, one at Utah and one at Arizona St. This kid in particular ended up staying (dad was the coach). So he gets very few offers, ends up at a good JC and puts up a lot of stats. Ends up with no offers he likes, sits out a year before getting offered at UT-Tyler by Wilson. He played a little bit at the beginning of the year it seems but then stopped playing. No idea if he got injured or what, he still appears on their roster but no mention of him anywhere else.

But regardless I think that’s how Tyler is building that program, trying to find talented, out of place kids that slipped through the cracks. It’s a tough way to build that way but it has been done before. Tark made a career at it but it blows up more often than not.

Interesting story, I thought Gant was a guy who would start next year at WOU. That said, I do know he was recruited and signed by the previous coach and then signed again by the new coach, Wes Pifer. I've heard Pifer stands for the right things: academics, citizenship, etc. (not that the previous coach did not), so I'm wondering if grades came into play with Gant ... I don't know. I think he'll be UT-Tyler's best player or close to their best player next year. WOU stuck by him for a very long time when it appeared he was going to slip through the cracks, so I was hoping he'd in turn honor the school. Then again, I don't know exactly what happened. Luckily WOU signed two very good JC forwards for next year.

[Anchorage]

Well the D2 Verbal Commit twitter feed is slowing down considerably over the last week or so. Looking at verbal commits, teams in the GNAC, PAC West and CCCA all have over 11 players on their roster for next season save for Hilo. Some teams have up to 14 or 15 on their roster for next year. Teams may add another player late but it’s clear we are very near the end of recruiting for the 2020 season. How are you feeling about your team’s performance and the recruits they brought in?

[tsull]

Well the D2 Verbal Commit twitter feed is slowing down considerably over the last week or so. Looking at verbal commits, teams in the GNAC, PAC West and CCCA all have over 11 players on their roster for next season save for Hilo. Some teams have up to 14 or 15 on their roster for next year. Teams may add another player late but it’s clear we are very near the end of recruiting for the 2020 season. How are you feeling about your team’s performance and the recruits they brought in?

I'm very excited about the off-season for the Wolves. They signed two 6-7 JC guys who look like they're very athletic on film: Cameron Benzel of Umpqau (Oregon) and Eilhu Cobb of College of the Sequoias (California). They are still on a 6-4 shooting guard from San Diego, whose prep film blew me away with his very deep shooting range and great hops Then again, most HUDL tapes are great, but he looked really good. I hope they get him.

I'm equally as pleased with 3 guys they redshirted. One was Etan Collins, a good power forward who started as a true frosh in 2018-19, not sure why he redshirted last year, I just know he's good and hope he comes back. Drew Rippingham (Lassen and Umpqua) is a fine sharp-shooting JC guard, who redshirted; and R.J. Velez had a nice prep career in Woodburn (Oregon) and redshirted as a frosh last year, he's a point guard.

On the down note, very disappointed Emanuel Gant transferred out, as noted here a couple times. He brought a lot to the team, but it's time to move on. Wolves now seem to have depth at most positions.

[Anchorage]

UAA added a lot of shooting with Gilbert, Sweet and Garrity. 6’9 forward Ruzek will add size and versatility up front. And playmaking in the form of 5’11 freshman Moses. UAA also adds 2 redshirt freshman in 6’9 Center Hoosier and 6’2 SG Guzman.

UAA had a very successful recruiting class adding talented players that fit their system and fill needed roles. UAA should also be much bigger next year, size being something they have been lacking the last couple seasons.

[tsull]

UAA added a lot of shooting with Gilbert, Sweet and Garrity. 6’9 forward Ruzek will add size and versatility up front. And playmaking in the form of 5’11 freshman Moses. UAA also adds 2 redshirt freshman in 6’9 Center Hoosier and 6’2 SG Guzman.

UAA had a very successful recruiting class adding talented players that fit their system and fill needed roles. UAA should also be much bigger next year, size being something they have been lacking the last couple seasons.

I thought UAA and CWU both had outstanding recruiting seasons, with a fine mix of transfers and excellent preps coming in. I didn't follow WWU or St. Martin's that heavily on the recruiting trail this spring.

I'm thinking NNU will pick it up this summer, they usually add an outstanding JC player; and I don't think Western Oregon is done just yet.

[tsull]

duplicate post

[tsull]

NNU picked up their annual quality JC player in Brandon Recek this week, a 6-6 forward from Yuba (California) CC. Watched his tape, can really shoot it -- 45% from 3 this year, and can really jump. He'll make an immediate impact for NNU.

[Anchorage]

Another Concordia player finds a home at UAA. 5’10 freshman guard Caleb Larsen has signed with the Seawolves. 3 years of eligibility remaining,

[tsull]

Nice pick up, he had some good games as a freshman and comes from a great high school program. UAA very aggressive and successful on the recruiting trail this year.