GW Hoops / 2024 Transfer Portal Szn

**Posted by LA Colonial** 4/14/2024 12:48 pm

LSF, Castro's stats are for 314 minutes mostly against the Big East; Akinbola's are for 848 minutes, mostly against the A-10. I have no idea if we will or can get Castro but remember we need two big men, not just one. Besides he also did have 15 blocks.

**Posted by Florida Colonial** 4/14/2024 3:23 pm

I think we also have to be realistic about where our NIL most likely stands (including against our fellow A10 schools). I hope I'm wrong but I dont get a sense I am.

Last edited by Florida Colonial (4/14/2024 3:24 pm)

**Posted by FredD** 4/14/2024 4:59 pm

Florida Colonial wrote:
I think we also have to be realistic about where our NIL most likely stands (including against our fellow A10 schools). I hope I'm wrong but I dont get a sense I am.

NIL is the Alpha and Omega until GW is upper division in NIL in the A10 nothing else GW can offer is going to get GW in the Top 4 and that should be the goal IMO.

**Posted by Free Quebec** 4/14/2024 8:46 pm

LSF, you should know better by now to look at stat rates, rather than raw stats.

Castros stat rates show a player with immense upside, but some big holes in his game (which is prob the best we’ll do in this NIL world).

In fact, his rates in many areas compare favorably to his teammate Josh Oduro. Castros weaknesses are he fouls too much, has a low assist rate, and really really can’t shoot FTs (sub-50% for his career).

BUT some of his stats are eye-popping 👀

—Ortg 110.5 (roughly equal to Garrett Johnson), on medium usage

—68.6% effective FG%!!!

—Combined Rebounding rate of 29.9% (11.4 offensive, 18.5% defensive). That’s higher than anyone our team last year (max led at 25.5) and higher than Oduro.

— good block rate of 4.9% (and 7.9 in limited time as a freshman)

- Steal rate of 1.7% (block and steal rates both better than Oduro, only stretch had better combined block/steal rates than Castro from our team).

- shot 68.4% on two pointers (not a three point shooter, but hit 1-2).

Stretch had good block and steal rate in his limited playing tome at Auburn, but nothing else these stats.

These numbers suggest Castro is raw, but has some real ability to finish around the basket and play some defense (though, as I said, he fouls too much, though he prob didn’t have to worry about fouls as a bench guy).

I think he’s probably still pretty raw, but I think he would be a really nice pickup for us.

Last edited by Free Quebec (4/14/2024 8:49 pm)

**Posted by jf** **Online!** 4/14/2024 8:56 pm

The best big man we can get and a couple of more would be welcome. The sooner the better.
Plenty of playing time as well as a starting role available.

**Posted by MG14** 4/15/2024 12:29 pm

gwstudent2024 wrote:
GW0509 wrote:
Jamie Kaiser Jr. from UMD has entered the portal. Was a one-time recruit of JC before blowing up on the AAU and HS circuits.

George Mason may have the inside track on this one given Tony Skinn's connection at UMD.

https://twitter.com/247HSHoops/status/1774803368436793633

We've reached out and the tweet that mentions us doesn't mention Mason.

https://x.com/ColbyGHoops/status/1775216925561286911?s=20

Butler

https://twitter.com/TiptonEdits/status/1779917870777909254

**Posted by GW0509** 4/15/2024 2:43 pm

FredD wrote:
Florida Colonial wrote:
I think we also have to be realistic about where our NIL most likely stands (including against our fellow A10 schools). I hope I'm wrong but I dont get a sense I am.
NIL is the Alpha and Omega until GW is upper division in NIL in the A10 nothing else GW can offer is going to get GW in the Top 4 and that should be the goal IMO.

This is correct. If a P5 (RIP PAC-12) transfer has any sort of meaningful stats, they are commanding significant money in the portal, sometimes more than what we have for our entire roster next season. Zed Key admitted as much when he committed to Dayton, even though Dayton should be able to get transfers by virtue of their success on the court.

Virginia Tech just got a kid from Cal who averages the following: 3.5 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 0.9 APG. I assume the NIL cost for that is not very much but given where GW is in the college basketball landscape, it's more likely than not that we are going to have to take risks. FWIW, Castro's stats per 40 minutes are roughly equivalent to Matt Cross' prior to coming to UMass. We all saw what Cross did once he got to the right level.

Another thing working against us is our coaching staff has all been working at the A10 level or above the last few years. Some A10 schools, like George Mason, have been able to get solid transfers from lower-level schools because their ACs have a previous relationship with them. The transfers we probably do have relationships with, and have a shot at, are the ones who went to a big school and then sat on the bench.

**Posted by GWRising** 4/16/2024 9:11 am

CC and staff are very close to getting two front court guys. Expect some good news shortly (might take a week or two or be sooner).

**Posted by Florida Colonial** 4/16/2024 9:32 am

As always. Thanks GWRising for the news.
How is our NIL doing

**Posted by Mike K** 4/16/2024 9:44 am

GWRising wrote:
CC and staff are very close to getting two front court guys. Expect some good news shortly (might take a week or two or be sooner).

Thanks Rising, keep the info coming.

**Posted by Free Quebec** 4/16/2024 12:43 pm

GWRising wrote:
CC and staff are very close to getting two front court guys. Expect some good news shortly (might take a week or two or be sooner).

Players you are excited about?

**Posted by Long Suffering Fan** 4/16/2024 12:51 pm

Thanks, Rising. With the final 4 in the rear view mirror, I would think we are now in prime signing season, and was starting to worry that the only post season news we have received has been disappointing (the loss of Edwards, the rumored possible loss of another player, the loss of Boisvert). A shot of good news is most welcome.

**Posted by Mike K** 4/16/2024 1:10 pm

Mike K wrote:
GWRising wrote:
CC and staff are very close to getting two front court guys. Expect some good news shortly (might take a week or two or be sooner).
Thanks Rising, keep the info coming.

Welcome Rafael Castro. Good luck on and off the court!

**Posted by MG14** 4/16/2024 1:13 pm

https://twitter.com/Derek__Murray/status/1780295314756251869

Looks like it's official

https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/article/college-basketball-transfer-portal-rafael-castro-chris-caputo-230520291/

Last edited by MG14 (4/16/2024 1:15 pm)

**Posted by jf** **Online!** 4/16/2024 1:33 pm

Big man (or those who can play big) commits are very important for us.
Welcome Rafael and family to our GW basketball family. You all look good in the Buff and Blue.
Still plenty of playing time and opportunity for a few more, after the Castro commitment.

**Posted by Long Suffering Fan** 4/16/2024 1:53 pm

I guess we can assume that Castro was one of the 2 bigs that Rising was referring to.

**Posted by gwfan25** 4/16/2024 2:31 pm

https://www.a10talk.com/2024/04/gw-lands-providence-big-man-rafael-castro/

**Posted by Free Quebec** 4/16/2024 2:39 pm

MG14 wrote:
https://twitter.com/Derek__Murray/status/1780295314756251869

Looks like it's official

https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/article/college-basketball-transfer-portal-rafael-castro-chris-caputo-230520291/

Fantastic! As I posted, he has great rates for rebounding, blocks/steals, and elite rates for finishing 2 pointers.

**Posted by Long Suffering Fan** 4/16/2024 3:59 pm

"Offensively I bring versatility. I'm a big energy guy and I'll bring a lot of dunks. Defensively, I'm blocking shots, real active on the glass, and will push in transition to get my teammates involved and pump up the crowd." Sound like anyone we knew? Glad he is coming and hoping the "raw stats" translates into higher numbers over increased minutes, but I will temper my expectations for the time being.

Last edited by Long Suffering Fan (4/16/2024 5:15 pm)

**Posted by Alum1** 4/16/2024 4:21 pm

This is great news. He can actually catch the ball down low, rebound and make put backs. Great catch amd love the Miami connection paying off. Way to go CC. This is no Stretch desperation pick up.