These are my thoughts on CJG's recruiting grades at UTEP so far (knowing he had a short cycle after he was hired) and also some immediate needs and targets for 22-23'.
21-22:
Keeping Boum, Kennedy, JB, Saucy, Z and getting TV to come back: A
Allowing BW to linger for months: F
Sibley: A
Potential future star for the Miners. He displayed a variety of skills including athleticism, running the floor, finishing around the rim, 3 point shooting and shot blocking. Led the team in blocked shots and was second in defensive rebounding. Per 40 minutes averaged 10/8 with 2 blocks and shot 35% from 3. Needs to shoot better than 68% from the line and maybe add 10-15lbs.
Saterfield: C
We saw that he could be very hot from 3 (led the team at 43% on 113 attempts and shot 100% from the line) , but was also very one dimensional and seemingly lost his confidence/mojo the 2nd half of the year. Props for destroying UTSA, but needs to add to his offensive skill set and pick up the D. Next year will tell us a lot.
Hollins: C+
He was a a very decent pick up for a transitioning coach in a mid-major. He played good minutes and did a lot of small things well, but nothing really stuck out. He provided some depth and experience.
Kalu: D-
Good size and strength. Powerful finisher, but failed to use any explosion come game time. Per 40 minutes he is our best rebounder, so there is potential there if he can tap in. Sits behind Z on the depth chart, but potential good contributer as an upperclassmen
Maring: F
Great size and looked the part, but his game never transitioned to this level. Has 2 years left so transfers out.
Giffa: F?
He played the least minutes of any scholarship player, despite no true PG behind JB. Displayed poor shooting when he had the chance
22-23:
Evans: ?
Highly touted. Good gurad size and apparently can shoot. We didn't get to really see anything at SDSU. Will be a freshman and has been practicing with the team. Should compete with Saterfield behind Kennedy.
Dos Anjos: ?
Upperclassmen with good size. Comes in as a Sophmore maybe given the COVID year? Started the most games at his JC. Played forward, but shot 40% from three and 75% from the line. Averaged 12/5.5 with a decent amount of blocks. Decent mid range I believe per Lil Train. I suppose he could play 3 or 4 with UTEP. Replaces Hollins.
Hamilton: ?
BIG body to help control some of the bigs in our conference? Seems like a project and will be same class as Z and Kalu. I can't imagine he makes an immediate impact at this level right away, but who knows. Average 11/5.5 and 1 block shooting 70% from the floor, but only 55% from the line.
Needs: PG and center
Our biggest targets are obviously the Newton brothers, however Tristan may be out of our league unless we get some help. I can't imagine White and Giffa staying if we land those 2. Sessoms from Penn State could probably offset the loss of JB as long as we keep Boum and Kennedy. Not sure if any of the others we are recruiting are point guards.
Center is a big need if we are going to win now, especially since we are left with 3 young guys. Z has grown a lot, but I'm not sure that he is ready to be 'the guy' yet. There are a lot of bigs out there that could step in now and help us win. Micheal Durr Indiana would probably be a great fit for us. Manny Bates NC State. Xavier Foster ISU is young, but has tons of size and potential. KJ Williams is a beast and probably looking to transfer up, but still a guy that Golding should offer. Fardaws Aimaq Utah Valley too. Stevenson and Pleasant are smaller, but warriors at this level.
21-22:
Keeping Boum, Kennedy, JB, Saucy, Z and getting TV to come back: A
Allowing BW to linger for months: F
Sibley: A
Potential future star for the Miners. He displayed a variety of skills including athleticism, running the floor, finishing around the rim, 3 point shooting and shot blocking. Led the team in blocked shots and was second in defensive rebounding. Per 40 minutes averaged 10/8 with 2 blocks and shot 35% from 3. Needs to shoot better than 68% from the line and maybe add 10-15lbs.
Saterfield: C
We saw that he could be very hot from 3 (led the team at 43% on 113 attempts and shot 100% from the line) , but was also very one dimensional and seemingly lost his confidence/mojo the 2nd half of the year. Props for destroying UTSA, but needs to add to his offensive skill set and pick up the D. Next year will tell us a lot.
Hollins: C+
He was a a very decent pick up for a transitioning coach in a mid-major. He played good minutes and did a lot of small things well, but nothing really stuck out. He provided some depth and experience.
Kalu: D-
Good size and strength. Powerful finisher, but failed to use any explosion come game time. Per 40 minutes he is our best rebounder, so there is potential there if he can tap in. Sits behind Z on the depth chart, but potential good contributer as an upperclassmen
Maring: F
Great size and looked the part, but his game never transitioned to this level. Has 2 years left so transfers out.
Giffa: F?
He played the least minutes of any scholarship player, despite no true PG behind JB. Displayed poor shooting when he had the chance
22-23:
Evans: ?
Highly touted. Good gurad size and apparently can shoot. We didn't get to really see anything at SDSU. Will be a freshman and has been practicing with the team. Should compete with Saterfield behind Kennedy.
Dos Anjos: ?
Upperclassmen with good size. Comes in as a Sophmore maybe given the COVID year? Started the most games at his JC. Played forward, but shot 40% from three and 75% from the line. Averaged 12/5.5 with a decent amount of blocks. Decent mid range I believe per Lil Train. I suppose he could play 3 or 4 with UTEP. Replaces Hollins.
Hamilton: ?
BIG body to help control some of the bigs in our conference? Seems like a project and will be same class as Z and Kalu. I can't imagine he makes an immediate impact at this level right away, but who knows. Average 11/5.5 and 1 block shooting 70% from the floor, but only 55% from the line.
Needs: PG and center
Our biggest targets are obviously the Newton brothers, however Tristan may be out of our league unless we get some help. I can't imagine White and Giffa staying if we land those 2. Sessoms from Penn State could probably offset the loss of JB as long as we keep Boum and Kennedy. Not sure if any of the others we are recruiting are point guards.
Center is a big need if we are going to win now, especially since we are left with 3 young guys. Z has grown a lot, but I'm not sure that he is ready to be 'the guy' yet. There are a lot of bigs out there that could step in now and help us win. Micheal Durr Indiana would probably be a great fit for us. Manny Bates NC State. Xavier Foster ISU is young, but has tons of size and potential. KJ Williams is a beast and probably looking to transfer up, but still a guy that Golding should offer. Fardaws Aimaq Utah Valley too. Stevenson and Pleasant are smaller, but warriors at this level.