2014-2015 Clemson player evaluations

Mar 11, 2015, 5:07 PM

I actually get paid (a small amount) to do basketball write ups and analysis for another team (not disclosing the team because I don't trust you guys) but I'll give you tigernet folks a freebee today.

Here are my 2014-2015 player evaluations (excuse any typos, I don't edit free posts):

Rod Hall: Rod is decent ACC point guard. There is no shame in that, but Clemson needed more from him, and frankly, I expected a little more from Rod this year. I was looking for progress, and instead got stagnation. He is slightly down in points (9.7 to 8.6) and assists (4.0 to 3.4) and slightly up in turnovers (2.0-2.1). More troublesome than statistical stagnation was his inability to really lift the team with his experience and leadership when they needed it the most. Three games in particular sealed the fate of Clemson this year: Winthrop, Gardner Webb, and Rutgers. In those 3 games, at worst, Clemson needed Rod to cancel out the other team's PG. Against Winthrop and G.W. he was clearly outplayed by the opposing PG. Against Rutgers he did manage to go head up with Myles Mack, but nothing more. When the team needed a leader in the early season, Rod looked disinterested at best. Maybe he isn't a ra-ra type leader, but having your senior guard sulk on the court isn't good. That said, Rod turned it around and put together a decent season. He got his head back on straight in league play and put up a few solid games. Rod Hall came in as a 3* talent and pretty much played up to his billing. He seems like a good kid and a good Tiger, and I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.

Demarcus Harrison: Harrison is another guy that just couldn't put it together his senior year, and Clemson really needed him to put it together. He is another player that didn't progress from his junior to senior year. He was slightly up in points from last year (7.8-8.0) but also up in TOs (.9 - 1.5) and seriously regressed as a foul shooter (83% to 69%). More maddening is his no show games. As the other senior leader on the Harrison needed to be tuned in every game. I mean, nothing left to wait for, it's pretty much now or never in terms of his basketball career, but he actually showed up to play every other game. If you look at his overall stat sheet, you see a bunch of 10 point games followed up by 2 point games. In Clemson's last 7 games, he only managed to break double figures once, and that was in a Clemson win against G. Tech. Strangely enough, Clemson lost 6 of those 7 games. Harrison came in as a 4* player, and played more like a 3* player. The talent was there, because you could see it in flashes, but the will to put it together every game and grind was missing. Again, seems like a good guy and I wish him luck in the future.

Donte Grantham: Donte pretty much did what he needed to do as a Freshman playing major minutes in the ACC. He provided Clemson with the raw talent that it lacks at many positions. Grantham averaged 8.9 pts, 4.6 rebs, and 1.5 assists per game. His 1.7 turnovers per are excusable considering that he was being thrown into the fire as a freshman. Grantham did what he needed to do to help Clemson win games, but did not get enough assistance from the more experienced players on the roster. Sometimes it was hard to tell who was the freshman and who was the junior/senior players on the court. However, much like the rest of the team, Donte hit the wall at the end of the season, putting up some of his worst performances in the last 7 games. Donte will be beast in the ACC next year.

Jaron Blossomgame: Jaron Blossomgame made the kind of leap I was expecting out of Hall and Harrison. In only 7 more minutes a game, Blossomgame destroyed his production from last year. His points (4.9 to 13.1) improved tremendously as did his rebounding (5 to 8.2). His turnovers did increase from (.8 to 1.8) but so did his time with the ball in his hands, so that is to be expected. Without K.J. everyone needed to step their games up, and Jaron did so. Not only did his statistics improve, but so did his on court leadership. You could always count on Jaron bringing it when he was on the court. While some of his teammates appeared to sleepwalk through games, Blossomgame was still blocking shots, diving on the floor, and trying to will his team to a victory. It appears that his gruesome leg injury is a thing of the past. Jaron will be in contention for a spot on one of the All-ACC teams next season if he can figure out how to shoot the ball.

Landry Nnoko: Landry had a difficult time living up to his new responsibilities on the court. Last year he was expected to rebound, block shots, and occasionally score. This season, Clemson needed Landry to score, and started the season by throwing it into the post. Unfortunately, Landry excels at rebounding, blocking shots and occasionally scoring, but is still too raw to be a primary scorer. Clemson attempted to use his size and athleticism against some of our smaller non conference opponents, and he just couldn’t get the job done on a consistent bases. For every basket he scored, it seemed like there was a corresponding turnover or missed 3 footer. After breaking double digits 6 times in the non-conference, he only managed to go for ten or more twice in the ACC. Even more frustrating was his inability to stay out of foul trouble, which pushed his minutes down from last year (28.1 to 24.3). He did manage to improve marginally improve his scoring average (6.5 to 7.6) but his rebounding suffered, going from (6.2 to 5.3). Junior Nnoko was asked to do more than Sophomore Nnoko, and he just wasn’t up to the task. It will be interesting to see if Landry can improve his game to the point where he can be a credible post threat, or if he is always going to be rebounding, shot blocking, and garbage point scoring specialist.

Jordan Roper: If it weren’t for Harrison’s dud of a season, Roper would far and away be the most disappointing player on the roster. He crumbled under the pressure of increased expectations, and provided Rod Hall with little or no relief at the PG spot either on offense or defense. What’s maddening about Roper is that you can see the talent but you don’t see the results on a consistent basis. He is talented enough to go for 24 against V. Tech but is inconsistent enough to go for 0 against Georgia Tech. Even worse, at 6’0-175 pounds, Roper still hasn’t figured out how to play PG at even a passable backup level. This leaves him matched up larger 2 guards that just physically dominate him on the defensive and often times offensive side of the ball. With Filer leaving early, Roper had to step up as the backup PG and he couldn’t do it, being replaced in the PG rotation by Gabe Devoe by the end of the year. Roper’s point production went down from (7.4 to 6.5) this season, while his minutes stayed the same. He was negligibly better at passing the ball improving his assists from (1.3 to 1.6) but maintained a 1 to 1 Assist to Turnover ration, which is unacceptable for someone Clemson was counting on to be a primary ball handler. Roper is going to need to figure it out, or he is going to get passed over by the younger guards on the team next year. The skill is their, but he has to get his mind right.

Austin Ajukwa: Ajukwa had the opportunity to grab minutes from the struggling Jordan Roper, but couldn’t put it together enough on the offensive or defensive side of the ball to get the job done. He is another player that has the physical tools to get the job done, but lacks much in basketball skill and savvy. I’m going to bet that he is a killer in pick up basketball, but once things start getting more complicated on the court, he just doesn’t have it yet. Of course, coming from a South Carolina High School probably has something to do with that, as the coaching in South Carolina on both the AAU and High School level is notoriously poor to the point of being pitiful. Clemson could have used a solid sophomore campaign from Ajukwa, but only got more of the same from his freshman year. His points went up slightly from (2.3 to 3.2) but that is to be expected as his minutes also increased from (7.5 to 12.3). His rebounding improved slightly from (1 to 1.9) but everything else remained stagnant despite his increase in minutes. What’s worse is that Ajukwa has the physical talent to be a lockdown defender, but still struggles with his assignment, often times getting hung up on screens and letting his man hit open 3’s. This, more than anything else, limits his utility as a player. His offense simply isn’t good enough to cover for his lack of focus on the defensive side of the ball. He is another player that will either get better or get benched for younger talent next season.

Josh Smith: Josh Smith is who he is, and that’s what Brad Brownell recruited him to be, a banger that can give minutes and fouls in the paint when needed. Josh is going to get his points, including game winning baskets, by hustling. He is not, and probably will never be, a skilled basketball player. Unlike some of the above mentioned players, Josh did his job this year. He came in when needed, and actually picked up a few points along the way. Josh’s minutes from this year to last year were essentially the same (9.9 to 10) but his point production (1.6 to 2.1) and rebounding (2.1 to 2.8) did improve slightly. Josh Smith will play the role as the bruiser against big lineups again next season, and I expect he will have similar results.

Sidy Djitte: I really liked what Djitte brought to the table this season. No, he wasn’t and probably will never be a dominant force in the paint, but when Nnoko was inevitably sent to the bench with foul trouble, Djitte looked much more like a basketball player this year as opposed to last year, and as a “project” that’s the way it should go. When Djitte hits the floor, the one thing you never have to worry about is hustle. He might screw up, in fact, he often screws up, but it’s usually because he is trying too hard, and not because he isn’t trying. Djitte was up in minutes (8.9 to 11.2), points (1.1 to 2.2) rebounds (2.7 to 3.2) and blocks (.3 to .6) this season. He filled in well for Nnoko when needed, and I expect him to continue to improve and provide Clemson with an athletic, rebounding and shot blocking big by the time he finishes his career. If Djitte is a stock, I’m buying, because at 6-10, 240 he is only going to get better the more basketball he plays.

Gabe DeVoe: I’m not sure what everyone else was expecting, but DeVoe delivered what I thought he would a freshman. In high school, the game plan was to get the ball to Gabe and get out of the way. Sure he scored 34 a night, but he probably never played against an athlete close to his equal in high school. The ACC, as Gabe found out, is an entirely different ball game. That being said, you’ve got to love what Gabe showed late in the season, coming in and providing much needed minutes and scoring while the upperclassman continue to scuttle along. He is probably going to have to refine his “mad bomber” approach as he matures, but he showed his talent in an 18 points in 6 minute explosion against NC. State. Clemson hasn’t seen a pure scorer like DeVoe since Will Solomon was chucking and ducking for Larry Shyatt (not saying that DeVoe is in Solomon’s league just yet, but the talent is there). DeVoe averaged 7.6 minutes,1.8 points, and .6 assists a game this season, but came on strong at the end of the year, taking some of Jordan Roper’s minutes, and using them to great effect. DeVoe is a player that will only continue to get better as his game becomes more refined and under control. Roper and Adjukwa better be ready to fight for their position next year, because Gabe DeVoe is coming on strong.

Patrick Rooks: It’s really unfair to even evaluate Patrick at this point. Honestly, I just feel bad for the guy. You can see his shooting ability, but he just isn’t mobile enough to play defense, and that keeps him off the floor. His freak hip injury has obviously stunted his growth to the point where he simply can’t be on the floor against good teams. Hopefully another year of strengthening brings him back athletically because Clemson could use his shooting ability.

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I think you expected to much from Hall. Being experienced doesn't overcome his limitations. For me he's an "is what he is"

Harrison never found it in 4 years of college, not just his senior year.

Roper and Nnoko were disappointments probably because of unrealistic expectations. 6'0 shooting guards who are consistent are few and far between in the ACC. Nnoko's biggest issue is his hands, something you either have or you don't.

Foundation is clearly Jaron and Dante. Highest upside on the team now by far.

I still think Ajukwa can emerge. Played much better late in the year when he got aggressive. His length is needed at 2G. Remember, not only did he play SC high school ball, but private league SC high school ball.

I think Devoe's future depends on how hard he'll work. He could wind up the next Billy Williams, or Devon Coleman.

Smith and Djitte are what they are, and I really have no issue with either. Unless Rooks gains some athleticism back as JB did, he'll never play.

That said, I think we can be good next year. JB and Grantham get better. Holmes will bring much needed shooting. Those 3 if they perform would allow the others to play roles instead of looking to them to be something they aren't. Key year next season. First time in Brownell's tenure he returns his 2 most talented, and arguably best players.

2014-2015 Clemson player evaluations

Not much disagreement

Our front line of Nnoko, Blossomgame, and Grantham

Holmes to me is crucial

Spell correct changes Sidy to Dudu, lol***

Lulz.. read that and wondered who the heck you were talking

+1 for a great post

Question - Do you think that we have maybe 4 or 5 players

Not a bad point. We really don't have

Not many people pushing Nnoko and Blossomgame around

Roper, you can't shoot jump shots with your body

It's really hard, in fact, almost impossible

This is the most reasonable piece I have ever read on TN

So..you're saying we have a pretty lousy and/or non-

Re: 2014-2015 Clemson player evaluations

What about an Evaluation of Brownell?***

That's easy

Great post. Thanks for the overview.

There's only one thing that bothers me ab this...

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