Transfer U brings in Another.

 

 

UNM Transfer Damien Jefferson Joins the Jays.

Creighton has overtaken Iowa State as “Transfer University”.  The Jays have reeled off a string of incoming transfers that began with Louisville’s Chad Millard a few years back and has culminated with Syracuse’s Kaleb Joseph & Adelphi’s Manny Suarez, both who begin play next season.  Coach Mac has skillfully negotiated the transfer market and has reaped the benefits of selective accessions to the team.  While not enumerating the entire list, it is sufficient to say that the staff have skillfully added to the Bluejays’ successes via transfers.

The latest accession came out of the Blue and was a complete surprise to the vast majority of us in Jaysdom.  New Mexico Lobo Damien Jefferson has committed to the Jays on the 24th of June, after the gates opened at UNM upon a coaching change.

Damien is from E. Chicago, Indiana and is a SG/SF player.  He stands 6-5/190 and started 6 games at UNM, scoring 5.3 ppg as a frosh.  Damien was a 2016 Rivals 150 3-star out of HS and is known for his athleticism, growing defensive prowess, and hustle.  He will sit 1/play 3.

The Jays are still in on the UMass duo so we may not be done in the transfer market.

Furthermore the 2018 visit cycle is gearing up as Ian Steere, Chris Bishop/Yor Anei , Marcus Zegarowski, Xavier Foster, & Jeff McInniss have all visited in the last week or 2. Boston (Cambridge), MA 2018 center Dimon Carrigan (defensive monster and shot blocker) is on deck for an official visit soon.

 

LE: former Jay SF/PF Cole Huff will play in the 2017 NBA Summer League for the Toronto Raptors.  If he plays as he should he will make the club, and potentially give CU 5 men in the NBA.

Good luck and go git’em Cole.

Creighton begins the 2018 Campaign with Electric Start!

The Jays recruiting list is long for 2018, with over 30 kids by accounts from BJB and BJU, including a couple of surprises in C/PF Dimon Carrigan and CG Keyshawn Embry, etc.  Carrigan is a defensive nightmare from Boston.

Old git’s list is a bit shorter:  SF Chris Bishop, PG/CG Torrence Watson, both from Mizzou, and SF/PF Brandon Johns of Michigan.  If there is a 4th billet, add C Brady Heiman (Nebraska kid).

Creighton currently has 5 open slots counting the 2 unfilled 2017 billets.  However those may be filled by 2017 UMass transfers Gresham and Jarreau (currently #4 transfer for 2017).

Yesterday, with short notice, Creighton kicked off its’ 2018 campaign with one of git’s favorite recruits for the year:  Lee Summit, MO’s SF Chris Bishop.  I will save the laudatory rants extolling Chris’ virtues and game for later – although I am tempted – and put forward an optimistic, but tempered account of what he brings to the team.

Chris Bishop – 6-8/180, SF, 2018, #140 Rivals, NR other rating services.

 

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/creighton-lands-rivals150-forward-christian-bishop

http://www.omaha.com/creighton/mens-basketball/recruiting-unofficial-visit-helps-ensure-wing-christian-bishop-s-pledge/article_ce16b706-56e1-11e7-b2e6-4b7585b931c0.html

Bishop has been a Jay for a long time, as his Mom posted this amongst other videos yesterday, after Chris’ commit.  https://youtu.be/NVaCbUPXqeY

Chris is a fast rising SF over the last 6-9 months, primarily based upon an excellent Junior year in HS and having a good spring with AAU Team Rush in KCMO.  A good summer will further enhance and elevate his game and ratings stature.  Eric Bossi thinks Chris’ rise is incomplete and I agree.  IMO he will settle in into the 50-75 range when all is said and done nationally during the cycle.

What he brings to the team:  E. Bossi – “A smooth athlete who can shoot with range, play above the rim and be utilized as either a big wing or a stretch four man, Bishop feels that he’s a good fit. And as a prospect on the rise, his best days are ahead of him in Omaha.”

“I think my skill set can help a lot,” said Bishop. “Being as tall as I am I can play the perimeter and I can do a lot of things. I also think I’m a good passer and I can defend multiple positions.

Chris said it best when Eric Bossi asked what he intends to improve upon:

“I think I need to get stronger. The consistency on my jump shot when it comes and my ball handling when I get that where I want to be, I think I can be deadly.”

His frame is slight, so efforts to add weight may be limited.  He will probably max out at 200-210, and as long as he is not asked to play much stretch 4 that should be sufficient.

Conversely both Watson and Johns should be able to add considerable weight if needed. Watson up to 200 and Johns up to 230 due to heavier, wider frames.

Creighton’s move to the Big East has resulted in a noticeable uptick in recruiting these last 2-3 years.  Last years’ (2017) class hauled in three 4-star recruits, with league politics preventing a 4th.  IMHO this is about right and the Jays should maintain such a trend, with an occasional 5-star along with 3 or so 4-stars as their normal recruiting haul.

It should be noted that both Rivals and Scout appear to have an eye on Creighton and the Jays have not dissappointed – being in the mix on numerous high level recruits annually. 2018 should prove to be no different.  Chris Bishop makes for an excellent start!

Go Creighton!

– gtmoBlue

#LetItFly  # RollJays  #TakeFlight  #MakeNewHistory