re: Wesley Yates III enters the portal

quote:

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Just a year ago, we were complaining about guards, and now we are going to turn away a top 50 recruit? For what? This isn't 1996, teams especially in college run 3 guards and 2 forwards. This year we pushed the pace quite a bit and had an issue with our guards fatigued at the end of the year yet you are telling me we shouldn't take another kid that will for sure average 8-10ppg efficiently? Yates is way more polished than Ward was coming out of hs and he's also got size that Ward still doesn't have. That's why his game hasn't translated as much until this season. Size, release speed, and shooting off the dribble.

Miller will be the same as Ward. He's 170 soaking wet and he will be in an off guard role. He will get his arse thrown all around the court. Wesley has already been in a major d1 program, practicing with those guys. He's 210lbs, he's ready to go now.

It would be foolish not to take him. His teammate in high school is Terrance Arceneaux who plays at Houston and tore his ACL late in the year and also might consider the portal. 6'6 200 and was a Top 30 prospect. I'd take him too.

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The poster you are replying to said they aren't sure Yates would want to come to LSU...not that LSU shouldn't take him.

Semantics aside, of course he would (likely) be a take...if LSU had unlimited roster spots and scholarships. They don't. So the staff has be be selective with how they use them.

Currently, LSU is set to have the following at guard:

Williams
Givens
Miller
Carter
Ward is a guy who can play 2/3

All of those guys are more "off guards" though. So you have a bit of a glut at that position relative to other spots where you have a greater need. Namely PG and Center. As it stands now, LSU has only two more open spots (maybe 3). So the coaching staff has to evaluate whether it is more beneficial to take another SG...at the potential expense of a PG and/or Center. A SG perhaps with a lot of potential. But one that is completely unproven at the college level.

If the staff thinks they have a spot and role for him, great! But you don't want to go through another average to bad season next year saying "boy it would be nice to have a good PG and/or center instead of 5 SGs). We know you have a personal connection with the guy, but the timing may not be right. That's for the staff to decide.