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'22 TNFR SG Jalen Gabbidon (SIGNED to COLORADO)

WasianCU

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Yale Bio

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Yale University (New Haven, CT) / Glenelg Country School (Ellicott City, MD)

AAU:

Eligibility: 1 year to play 1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabbidon_0
Instagram:

Ht: 6'5"
Wt: 190

247s rating: unrated SG
ESPN rating:
Rivals rating:

247sports Composite: unrated

Reported Offers:
 
Captain. Defensive stopper. Efficient offensive game (despite a bad last season from 3pt range).

This is mostly about defense and leadership, but he's also a double digit scorer who led the state of PA in scoring as a prep so he can definitely put the biscuit in the basket. He'll have games for us when he scores a bunch of points, but defense is what he'll deliver consistently every night.
 
This is why Tad makes the big bucks. Choosing versatility on D versus a third true big after losing Klintman!

Yes, it puts Tristan at 4, after Tad liked him at 3 last year. But 2nd grad transfer gives us 2 open spots for '23 recruits- who should give us everything Klintman would have: we'll get a 4 and a 3, w/ 1 of them being ball-handler/point forward type like Klintman. Go big w/ Diop & Ndango? Small w/ Normand & Betts? Ball & High?

Hadley played 1-5 in junior college the last couple years, and he'll likely play more back-up 4 for Colorado than Luke or Quincy.

Gabbidon played 2-4 in college, & showed he can defend bigger guys. He seems to identify as more of a natural 3 wing, who can defend bigger small forwards in 3 & 4-guard line-ups for us - key for position-less Tad ball!

I think interesting question is do RJ & maybe Julian redshirt if Javon, Nique, Wright or even Hadley & Gabbidon show they can handle back-up point? I especially like Hadley at 4 & 1- always give him chance at good mis-match! Yes, laugh all you want.

But future upper-classmen Julian & RJ backcourt together would be elite defensive back-court. Since Baylor won title w/ guards who defend 3-spot, all-in on Tad Ball!

Also, Gabbidon averaged 37 points a game in HS. So I don't see him purely as D & leader. He may also become open-court slashing specialist- like Kountz's role?
 
This is why Tad makes the big bucks. Choosing versatility on D versus a third true big after losing Klintman!

Yes, it puts Tristan at 4, after Tad liked him at 3 last year. But 2nd grad transfer gives us 2 open spots for '23 recruits- who should give us everything Klintman would have: we'll get a 4 and a 3, w/ 1 of them being ball-handler/point forward type like Klintman. Go big w/ Diop & Ndango? Small w/ Normand & Betts? Ball & High?

Hadley played 1-5 in junior college the last couple years, and he'll likely play more back-up 4 for Colorado than Luke or Quincy.

Gabbidon played 2-4 in college, & showed he can defend bigger guys. He seems to identify as more of a natural 3 wing, who can defend bigger small forwards in 3 & 4-guard line-ups for us - key for position-less Tad ball!

I think interesting question is do RJ & maybe Julian redshirt if Javon, Nique, Wright or even Hadley & Gabbidon show they can handle back-up point? I especially like Hadley at 4 & 1- always give him chance at good mis-match! Yes, laugh all you want.

But future upper-classmen Julian & RJ backcourt together would be elite defensive back-court. Since Baylor won title w/ guards who defend 3-spot, all-in on Tad Ball!

Also, Gabbidon averaged 37 points a game in HS. So I don't see him purely as D & leader. He may also become open-court slashing specialist- like Kountz's role?
Again, another one of these posts where you start off fine then go off the rails.
1) Stop assigning numbers to positions. It's not 1982.
2) Hammond is not redshirting. Good lord man, he basically started every game down the stretch last season.
3) daSilva is not a point forward and won't be bringing the ball up the floor given we have at least 5 true guards on the roster next year and 3 other small forwards.
4) Hadley may have guarded 1-5 (though, I highly doubt it) in Juco, but this ain't Juco. And he's not a "back-up 4." He's an off guard or wing. Yes, we're all laughing.
5) Clifford will play zero point next year. He'll be on the wing or working through the paint. He's by far our best returining rebounder and Tad's not going to have him handling the ball on a regular basis with...ah, screw it. See #3 above.
6) Gabbidon WILL NOT be a scorer here. He is here to offer mental toughness, defensive capabilities and some seasoning. He'll MAYBE be a 6ppg, 3rpg, 1apg glue guy next year and that's fine.
 
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I've not heard anything official about Jabari. I suppose this means his leaving is a done deal, or maybe this leaked too soon? Regardless, JG looks like a fine addition to the team and engineering school. I trust that Tad knows what he's doing, but we have lost some overall team length and are thin on experience in the PF position.
 
Nothing against this guy but I think we are going to have real problems rebounding, defending bigs, and distributing minutes next year. I guess I'm in the minority here but I think position-less basketball is a fantasy that only applies to teams with much better talent than their competition. To do it effectively you need five players that can rebound, defend, shoot, pass, and handle the ball. You wouldn't trot five traditional centers out there because they obviously don't have all those tools. Trotting five wings out is also dumb when they don't have the required skills to play every position. Like in all things, people excel in different areas and it is important to put people in positions that maximize their strengths and hide their deficiencies. It is no coincidence that our best teams have featured a true point guard and a good balance of bigs, guards, and wings.
 
Rebounding was always going to be a struggle next year. You don’t replace guys like Jabari and as good of a boxing out big man we’ve ever had in Evan. You just don’t. So, you try to get good rebounding from the other spots in the floor. The team will look different, but can still be successful, it will just need a different approach. As for guarding bigs, we’ll, I’m just not worried about guarding bigs. The only teams you might have problems with are Arizona and UCLA, and you’re going to have problems with them however your roster is constructed. Oregon doesn’t use bigs in a way to be worried about.
 
That's my concern as well. Last year's Arizona was blowing out shorter teams because they could score at will from the post with Koloko (among other things). We beat them with a great team effort, but mostly because of great defense from Evan and Jabari. Without that length and girth we will have a tougher path to victory against larger and longer teams. We don't have much experience down low other than Tristan and Lawson. Will add Quincy too, hopefully he will be ready for big minutes.
 
That's my concern as well. Last year's Arizona was blowing out shorter teams because they could score at will from the post with Koloko (among other things). We beat them with a great team effort, but mostly because of great defense from Evan and Jabari. Without that length and girth we will have a tougher path to victory against larger and longer teams. We don't have much experience down low other than Tristan and Lawson. Will add Quincy too, hopefully he will be ready for big minutes.
That Houston team that knocked Arizona out of the Dance... 1 player listed at over 6'8".

Give me depth with a roster of 13 guys with at least 10 of them in the 6'4" - 6'8" range.
 
Again it looks like Tad is not only looking for guys who are quality all-around players but also are culture guys. Losing Evan is going to leave a big hole to fill in the locker room, you don't "replace" that but it looks like Tad recognizes it and is working to make the transition.
 
Rebounding was always going to be a struggle next year. You don’t replace guys like Jabari and as good of a boxing out big man we’ve ever had in Evan. You just don’t. So, you try to get good rebounding from the other spots in the floor. The team will look different, but can still be successful, it will just need a different approach. As for guarding bigs, we’ll, I’m just not worried about guarding bigs. The only teams you might have problems with are Arizona and UCLA, and you’re going to have problems with them however your roster is constructed. Oregon doesn’t use bigs in a way to be worried about.
I worry a bit as well. Our best returning rebounder is 6’6 though.

Lovering 7’1
DaSilva 6’10
Hurlburt 6’10
O’Brien 6’8
Allen 6’8

We’ll just have to see…
 
Nothing against this guy but I think we are going to have real problems rebounding, defending bigs, and distributing minutes next year. I guess I'm in the minority here but I think position-less basketball is a fantasy that only applies to teams with much better talent than their competition. To do it effectively you need five players that can rebound, defend, shoot, pass, and handle the ball. You wouldn't trot five traditional centers out there because they obviously don't have all those tools. Trotting five wings out is also dumb when they don't have the required skills to play every position. Like in all things, people excel in different areas and it is important to put people in positions that maximize their strengths and hide their deficiencies. It is no coincidence that our best teams have featured a true point guard and a good balance of bigs, guards, and wings.
Positionless basketball doesn't mean everyone has all the tools to play every position or defend every position. That's not what it means at all.
 
Positionless basketball doesn't mean everyone has all the tools to play every position or defend every position. That's not what it means at all.
Uh, what does it mean then? I think you'll have a hard time coming up with another definition that doesn't start defining positions/roles.

I have a feeling that most people are thinking about playing small ball when they refer to position-less basketball with the only real difference from a standard lineup being that they play without a center. I like that style and I think it can be effective but the most important thing you need to play small is an athletic 6'6" or taller guy that is a physical paint protector/rebounder. I think you need that type of guy on your team even with a center. Oregon and Houston always have someone (or multiple someones) who fit this role. CU currently does not.

Having ten 6'5" guys that can't really rebound and can't really handle the ball is a recipe for disaster imo.
 
I'm also pretty sure that Hurlburt will be 6'10" but play like he's 6'7". Much like O'brien doesn't play as though he's 6'8", which actually I don't think he is, but....
 
I'm also pretty sure that Hurlburt will be 6'10" but play like he's 6'7". Much like O'brien doesn't play as though he's 6'8", which actually I don't think he is, but....
Very true. It's going to be a concern for sure. I'm still a little baffled that we didn't sign a big from the portal. There were/are certainly players that fit Tad's criteria and would've replaced some of the production, size and toughness we lose with Evan and Jabari.
 
I worry a bit as well. Our best returning rebounder is 6’6 though.

Lovering 7’1
DaSilva 6’10
Hurlburt 6’10
O’Brien 6’8
Allen 6’8

We’ll just have to see…
Kansas had one rotation player above 6'8 last year in David McCormick. 2 players listed at 6'8 in rotation in Jalen Wilson and Mitch Lightfoot. Everyone else was 6'-6'6.

Baylor last year had a similar situation. One player at 6'10, two at 6'8 everyone else was a wing, guard and 6'-6'6. Size is overrated. Our wings will need to rebound and luckily Tad is our coach.

When we beat Georgetown in the tourney. Their big had 20 points and 12 rebounds. We beat them by 23.

Guards win in College basketball. Arizona had the biggest team in college basketball and one of the most dominant front courts I've seen recently. They only made it to the sweet 16.
 
Kansas had one rotation player above 6'8 last year in David McCormick. 2 players listed at 6'8 in rotation in Jalen Wilson and Mitch Lightfoot. Everyone else was 6'-6'6.

Baylor last year had a similar situation. One player at 6'10, two at 6'8 everyone else was a wing, guard and 6'-6'6. Size is overrated. Our wings will need to rebound and luckily Tad is our coach.

When we beat Georgetown in the tourney. Their big had 20 points and 12 rebounds. We beat them by 23.

Guards win in College basketball. Arizona had the biggest team in college basketball and one of the most dominant front courts I've seen recently. They only made it to the sweet 16.
Or look at the size Purdue had. They got taken out by St. Peter's.
 
Kansas had one rotation player above 6'8 last year in David McCormick. 2 players listed at 6'8 in rotation in Jalen Wilson and Mitch Lightfoot. Everyone else was 6'-6'6.

Baylor last year had a similar situation. One player at 6'10, two at 6'8 everyone else was a wing, guard and 6'-6'6. Size is overrated. Our wings will need to rebound and luckily Tad is our coach.

When we beat Georgetown in the tourney. Their big had 20 points and 12 rebounds. We beat them by 23.

Guards win in College basketball. Arizona had the biggest team in college basketball and one of the most dominant front courts I've seen recently. They only made it to the sweet 16.
I'm more concerned with outside shooting. If you're making shots consistently (3s especially) rebounding becomes less of a concern. It feels as if Tad's moving the make up and personality of the team in a slightly different direction for next year. On paper it will be a better shooting team, a tenacious defensive team and we'll run and get after it a lot more given we'll probably go 10 deep.
 
I'm more concerned with outside shooting. If you're making shots consistently (3s especially) rebounding becomes less of a concern. It feels as if Tad's moving the make up and personality of the team in a slightly different direction for next year. On paper it will be a better shooting team, a tenacious defensive team and we'll run and get after it a lot more given we'll probably go 10 deep.
In other words, we need to be Houston. I'm on board with that.
 
I’d be on board with an uber-athletic team like Houston or the FSU team we lost to last year. High scoring track meet style. This is not the Tad ball we’ve seen before. Defense will have to involve more trapping, zone and double teaming.
 
Uh, what does it mean then? I think you'll have a hard time coming up with another definition that doesn't start defining positions/roles.

I have a feeling that most people are thinking about playing small ball when they refer to position-less basketball with the only real difference from a standard lineup being that they play without a center. I like that style and I think it can be effective but the most important thing you need to play small is an athletic 6'6" or taller guy that is a physical paint protector/rebounder. I think you need that type of guy on your team even with a center. Oregon and Houston always have someone (or multiple someones) who fit this role. CU currently does not.

Having ten 6'5" guys that can't really rebound and can't really handle the ball is a recipe for disaster imo.
Positionless basketball means your bigs need to be able to shoot from the outside and at least be able handle it enough to keep the ball moving crisply. You don't have anyone parked in the paint on offense or defense, and it definitely doesn't mean playing small ball. The Nuggets play positionless basketball, and last I checked no one is expecting Jokic to guard 1-5.
 
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