Ray Kasongo

[Big Ogie]

Apparently Ray has told ESPN we are showing interest in him. Looks like he is a 6'8" 245lb forward out of Tennessee hailing from Canada. Anybody know the scoop on him? Looks like he didn't play much this season at Tennessee. The other schools he listed as showing interest were: Wash St, Colorado, USC, UNLV, Cal, and San Diego St.

 

[mryankee2397]

very unimpressive stats. i dont know why we would even consider a player of this low caliber.

 

[B-Westy]

very unimpressive stats. i dont know why we would even consider a player of this low caliber.

Don't be this dense cmon now.

 

[nagemj02]

Was he a highly-rated HS player or someone that's been projected to have lots of "potential" or a "high-ceiling"? Those are the only reasons why I could imagine the coaching staff would be interested in him after his non-impactful first season at Tennessee.

 

[mryankee2397]

not being dense. just look at these astonishing stats
2014-15 - FRESHMAN (at College of Southern Idaho)

• Played in all 34 games as a freshman at the College of Southern Idaho (NJCAA), averaging 6.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 15.6 minutes per game while shooting .592 from the field.
• He logged two double-doubles on the year, and his best offensive outing was an 18-point performance against Impact Academy on Nov. 1, 2014.
• Helped power CSI to the round of 16 at the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan.

 

[New Pal Boiler]

Apparently Ray has told ESPN we are showing interest in him. Looks like he is a 6'8" 245lb forward out of Tennessee hailing from Canada. Anybody know the scoop on him? Looks like he didn't play much this season at Tennessee. The other schools he listed as showing interest were: Wash St, Colorado, USC, UNLV, Cal, and San Diego St.

Unranked in high school, then didn't play much as a freshman for a mediocre SEC team. Pass.

 

[FiveWeight]

Unranked in high school, then didn't play much as a freshman for a mediocre SEC team. Pass.

Or could say "saw the court in 22 of 34 games his freshman year at a middle-of-the-pack power conference school." lol.

Not sure how unusual that a typical freshman at Tennessee would have more PT, but his PT as a frosh isn't a red flag to me.

His rebounding and blocks are good for the minutes he played (would actually have averaged a double-double at TN if his productivity extrapolated out to 40 minutes). And though he doesn't seem to take a lot of shots, he hits 52% (doesn't ever take 3's).

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/ray-kasongo-1.html

He comes with a year of power conference experience. He wouldn't lock up 4 years of schollies, but could still develop more than a grad transfer with only 1 year of eligibility. Depending on character, attitude, ceiling, etc. - I could see him as a potential target if the roster needs to be replenished. Most of all, I think Painter has excelled at identifying transfers with good potential and who fit well into the program so if he does pursue this guy I bet it's for good reason.

 

[tjreese]

Or could say "saw the court in 22 of 34 games his freshman year at a middle-of-the-pack power conference school." lol.

Not sure how unusual that a typical freshman at Tennessee would have more PT, but his PT as a frosh isn't a red flag to me.

His rebounding and blocks are good for the minutes he played (would actually have averaged a double-double at TN if his productivity extrapolated out to 40 minutes). And though he doesn't seem to take a lot of shots, he hits 52% (doesn't ever take 3's).

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/ray-kasongo-1.html

He comes with a year of power conference experience. He wouldn't lock up 4 years of schollies, but could still develop more than a grad transfer with only 1 year of eligibility. Depending on character, attitude, ceiling, etc. - I could see him as a potential target if the roster needs to be replenished. Most of all, I think Painter has excelled at identifying transfers with good potential and who fit well into the program so if he does pursue this guy I bet it's for good reason.

Think ZO has any insight into him? We will know more tomorrow.

 

[nagemj02]

Think ZO has any insight into him? We will know more tomorrow.

Was Cuonzo's staff the one that recruited Kasongo or was it someone on Donnie Tyndall or Rick Barnes' staff?

 

[Cevol03]

Was Cuonzo's staff the one that recruited Kasongo or was it someone on Donnie Tyndall or Rick Barnes' staff?

Barnes

 

[nagemj02]

Barnes

gotcha, thx

So, tjreese, it's not likely that 'Zo knows much about Kasongo.

 

[BigRed3588]

IU recruited him for a short period of time. He and some PG from Canada moved to Kentucky to play their HS ball. From what I remember, he was a Hanner Perea type of prospect. He had the tools physically but wasn't highly skilled.

 

[tjreese]

gotcha, thx

So, tjreese, it's not likely that 'Zo knows much about Kasongo.

I guess I got the years mixed up...thought he was at Tennessee when Zo was there. Seeing him live for several days would be a much better feel than who recruited him, but I never checked out the years that close.