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RGBIII

Certifiably Surly
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Posts posted by RGBIII

  1. 55 minutes ago, Getafix said:

     

    Tajh Ariza - 2026 6'9" SF, Top-10 national overall, #2 SF.  OVing to Texas, likely September.

     

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    FULL ARTICLE

     

    Top-10 Tajh Ariza will miss Peach Jam, locks in first four official visits
    Eric Bossi (247 Sports)

     

      Reveal hidden contents

     

    Top-10 Tajh Ariza will miss Peach Jam, locks in first four official visits
    Eric Bossi (247 Sports)

     

    Five-star Tajh Ariza may be out for the rest of the summer, but he's making excellent use of his time away from the grassroots circuit, has locked in four official visits and is looking forward to returning better than ever.
     

    The No. 8 ranked player in the class of 2026, 6-foot-9 small forward Tajh Ariza was identified early on as an elite prospect. Now, the rising senior at Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco is tasked with navigating the recruiting waters while proving that he's deserving of his status as one of the top players in the country.

    Unfortunately, an injury is going to keep him from playing the final few weekends of his grassroots career. While he was looking forward to bouncing back from a spring that didn't quite live up to his lofty standards, he's moving forward and embracing the opportunity to prepare himself to come back better than ever while also having the time to dive deeper into figuring out which school will be the best place for him to take the next step in his journey.

    "It's rough considering it's my last year playing AAU and especially because it's EYBL and Peach Jam so that part is tough for me," said Ariza of having to miss the end of the summer with Team Whynot. "I did plan to leave it all on the court and play my hardest when I was going to go to Peach. It's not the worst thing in the world and I think it happened for a reason to give me time to reset, change my mindset and mentality."


    Some time away from the grind of summer basketball has allowed Ariza to lock in and really focus on what he needs to do in order to show the best version of himself as a senior.

    "I've been working on all the details, physically and mentally.  It starts and ends with my daily habits. Consistency is my focus," Ariza told 247Sports.

    "For the past month, I've been working on body for 4-5 hours a day. PT, Yoga, strengthening my entire body, working on my biomechanics and prioritizing recovery. On the court, form shooting and ball handling with an intentional focus. I'm itching to get back on the court, but I know this mindset on consistency and details will change the trajectory of my career.

    I'm returning to the court with a chip on my shoulder for all the people who wrote me off this summer and are counting me out. But more importantly, I'm coming back with a strong foundation and belief in myself.  When I come back, I will be returning stronger than ever and, on a mission, to win a state championship.

    I'm anchoring my game on the defensive end. My calling card will be the energy and effort that I bring night in and night out."

    While he's putting in the work to get back to full strength, Ariza has been able to lock in four official visits. He'll take his first trip to Oregon on the weekend of September 6th. The next weekend he'll head to North Carolina and after that he'll stay local to check out USC while details for a visit to Texas are being finalized.

    He discussed each of those four programs in depth.

     

    NORTH CAROLINA

    "I like North Carolina because it's also a sense of a full circle moment for me because I grew up there for a little bit, I was out there for middle school. Just seeing the battles between Duke and UNC was just crazy and it's like a second home for me.

    "I like Hubert Davis because when we were at USA Basketball minicamp, he was a coach there and I was playing for him a lot. I couldn't perform to my best and he understood that. Him coming to me as a person, man to man, and not just seeing me as a basketball player he saw me as a person first and it really changed the way I viewed him as a person and it helped me out. He liked that I was personable and saw how hard I was working and decided to start recruiting me heavy and is another person who could help me grow on and off the court."

     

    OREGON

    "Coach Stubbs (Tony Stubblefield) has been on me pretty heavy since I was young. I think the connection there with me and him is pretty good. He saw my potential and what I can be and he's willing to help me. He saw it from early so I just appreciate that.

    "Their program is pretty good and I see a lot of people going through there and coming out of there. (Dana Altman) has been there for a while and it's a good option for me."

     

    TEXAS

    "The funny thing is that they don't really see me as a wing, they see me as a guard. I think that's pretty intriguing that they see me as a guard. A lot of schools see me as a three and very versatile but they see me as a wing because I have the body type for a wing. (Texas) sees me as a two, a one and also as a three. They like my playmaking which I think is underrated and I like that about them that they see me as a guard and would develop me as a guard for the League.

    "(Sean Miller) had a lot of freshmen that played during his time at Arizona, a lot of one and dones and he's had a lot of people that have played under him and done what I'm trying to do. That could be a good thing for me."

     

    USC

    "I think a benefit of potentially staying home is that everything is here for me. All of my trainers are here, my family is here and I've spent a lot of time here. They call me like every other day, they are recruiting me pretty heavy and just letting me know how they see me in their program and what they would need from me.

    "Earl Boykins just got hired and the first day he got hired the first person he called was me. That means a lot to me and we talk almost every day. He will call me and we will talk for like an hour every day. He's also gotten to know me as a person and it's not just about basketball for him. It's about me and how I'm doing as a person. Especially with me sitting out and this injury I've been dealing with."

    With four visits locked in, Ariza has taken a big step towards making his college choice. He's leaving room to add another visit or two in the process and as he works his way towards a decision, he and his circle have identified what will be most important when he picks the spot where he'll play his college ball and it will be about more than just what anybody can help him with on the floor.

    "We all talk about how we want to see them run practice, how they are off the court, how they would develop me as a player and as a person as well," said Ariza. "Your character is very important off the court and how they would pour into me is pretty important to me."

     

     

     

    If this is the son of Trevor Ariza, I may commit seppuku. Ariza couldn't have retired more than 2 years ago...how fucking old are we?

    • Haha 2
  2. 1 hour ago, UDontKnow said:

     

    Dumb question amnesty: Do these NIL offers come with financial counseling for the players?

    Most collectives offer some form of program, course or even incentive to take counseling. I think you can guess how many of both kids and collectives follow through or give two shits about it

    • Like 1
  3. 11 minutes ago, Longhornfrenzy said:

    Billy Liucci 

     

    • With the revenue sharing model, now everyone will be competitive with the money.
       
    • The only thing I'll say about Texas right now is I don’t think they should’ve paid that much for Felix Ojo‍. For that amount, I don’t know what these other guys got. I would’ve never recruited him. I won't say A&M never did, but they were going over Zaden Krempin‍ and John Turntine‍. You could say the Aggies got Krempin and Samuel Roseborough,‍ who have just as much of a chance to be successful college players. Same with Turntime.
       
    • Here’s where Texas fans are going right now. They eye the NIL deals getting turned down by Deloitte. They think they’re doing nothing in the grey and everyone else is in the grey and that all these recruits will decommit. The deals being turned down in those things will affect the players on campus. The players on the roster. Some of these recruits that you think will decommit will get to their schools and not get what they thought. If you say man, that portal is going to be insane in another year or two, then I'd agree with you.
       
    • Let’s not do this thing that A&M isn’t losing Brown over money. That A&M didn’t lose Boobie Feaster‍ over money. They could have gotten more at those other schools. They didn’t lose them over money. Texas isn’t losing people over money. What they're doing is their threshold for any individual player is different than the A&M, USC, Alabama, Houston, Texas Tech and Baylor. You mention Tilman Fertitta. This has nothing to do with Cody Campbell. These guys can take it to the other level, but when you talk about Baylor, Texas Tech, Houston, Virginia, Kansas and Arizona, they don’t have this crazy alumni base. Fertitta and Houston basketball alumni are different. Now, they have $14-17 million to spend that they didn’t have.
       
    • Can they do an 85-man roster that competes with LSU, Florida, Georgia and Michigan? No. Can they do that for one player? Yes. A handful of players? Yes. With the Cody Campbell money. Texas Tech can fight. What they’ve done is they went all in on what I thought was not that impressive of a portal haul. I think it's impressive for them, but they’re playing in the Big 12. I like what Tech is doing. I think Tech understands Tech. Like softball, “Why would you pay that money?” Look at the spotlight it got them. Why would you pay that money for Ojo? Personally, I’d buy two linemen for that. When I first saw that number, I thought you could get three five stars for that money. Now, you see the reality of a little under eight a year guaranteed. You could’ve got two for the price of one. I think Mike Elko would do that. I think Steve Sarkisian would do that, but that’s Texas Tech. The pop they got from beating out Texas for Ojo is worth it for them.

     

    4 minutes ago, 6th Street said:

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    Who got a hold of Billys keyboard, no way he actually typed that out himself without spontaneously combusting, shockingly accurate tbh

  4. 39 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

    I was looking at the mock draft (1st round) from a scout on Twitter this morning. Who are our guys that are expected to go from the HS ranks? Cunningham and Fein? He had them like 15 and 16 overall. I lost the post or I’d link it. 

    Also, Liam Doyle has absolute bust written all over him. This dude had the Angles taking him 2nd overall. “Yeah, that’s about right.” I thought. 

     

    30 minutes ago, MuellerHorn said:

    Yep, that's about right. We've expected little-to-no chance they make it to campus for a while.

    Otherwise, Cozart has had an amazing summer, though it seems like he's destined for campus. However, I wouldn't be shocked if he ended up being drafted and went. There hasn't been much talk of that, so maybe he wants too big of a signing bonus for teams to really consider him. If this were 10 years ago, no chance he ends up in Austin. But, times sure have changed in regards to HS pitching prospects and the draft. 

    Cunningham and Fien are gone. Cozart is up in the air, I would call it 60/40 on him not making it to campus. We are watching two portal guys Freeman and Moroknek as well

    • Hook 'Em 4
  5. 30 minutes ago, Hellraiser97 said:

    My brother suggested DCC to me a while back and I added it to my audiobook queue.  Just finished it last week.  Absolutely brilliant!  The voice actin on the audiobook really takes it to the next level.  Need to get the next book.

    The voice acting is truly incredible! Jeff Hays is incredible, makes the entire book come alive and turns all the characters 3D

    • Hook 'Em 1
  6. 12 hours ago, Doc Sam Beckett said:

    Thanks for starting this. Awhile back I was between Dungeon Crawler Carl and Spells, Swords and Sheath by Drew Hayes. I ultimately went with SSS by Hayes and I raced through it. It was basically as you describe DCC. They seem like very similar series, but this rec has convinced me to try Dungeon Crawler Carl now

    Here's a link to Spells Swords and Sheath if anyone is interested in it 

    https://www.goodreads.com/series/167002-spells-swords-stealth

    I will check it out…after my third DCC reread

  7. This series needs it own post! This is the most fun I have had reading a new book series since A Song of Ice and Fire. The premise sounded pretty silly at first, and I have never read a LitRPG book, but I blitzed through the entire series (7 books) in 2 weeks, about 90 hours on Audible, and I wish I could relive it all over again.

    The story follows Carl and his cat, Princess Donut as they try to survive to the 18th level in an intergalactic game show, the World Dungeon. It is essentially a "video game" book as the characters gain new abilities, powers, and levels while exploring each level of the dungeon, which provides a new setting and objective in each book. The characters start very 2D before really getting fleshed out in subsequent books, but the constant throughout is the humor. This is the funniest fucking book I have ever listened to, multiple laugh out loud moments that made me look like a crazy person while listening in HEB. Extremely Surly brand of humor!

    I highly recommend listening on Audible instead of just reading; the voice actor Jeff Hays is absolutely incredible. It is one dude, but you would legitimately think that it is a full cast. The audio also adds bonus sounds, and there is an "immersion tunnel" version that is even more insane with sound effects (this one was a bit much for my taste). The narration blows all other audio books out of the water.

    If you are looking for a fun read that doesn't take itself too seriously, I promise you this is the one to start. It is soon to be adapted into a television show, and if done right, it has the potential to be one of the biggest IPs on the planet. It's Hunger Games meets Running Man meets South Park meets Fallout 4 all rolled into one easily consumable package. My entire friend group has been addicted, and I can guarantee the same here. God dammit Donut!

    do-you-have-a-moment-v0-bdwntnp5kqxd1.webp

    • Hook 'Em 3
  8. I fucking love it. Goodbye Jalen Green, I will not miss trying to defend you to the haters. Goodbye Dillon Brooks, I fucking hated signing you and was very wrong, you will be missed. HELLO KEVIN DURANT WELCOME HOME!

    Not giving up the 2027 or 2029 Phoenix picks plus hanging on to Sheppard, Jabari, Eason and Whitmore is crazy! I think there is another move left here plus should have room for the MLE even after resigning FVV and Adams

    Rockets just replaced the worst player in their starting 5 with a top 15 player of all time....lets fucking gooooooooooooooooooo!

    • Hook 'Em 3
    • Like 1
  9. Quick trade thought: Stros should go after Keller, Reynolds and Frazier from the pirates. Keller screams like a dude that the Astros could sprinkle pixie dust on and turn into a monster, he has hella stuff. Frazier is meh but he’s an upgrade over Rodgers and is a lefty. Reynolds has a big contract but with money freed up next year it wouldn’t be an issue. Switch hitter as well and just steady as hell (slower start this year)

     

    Probably can’t afford it in terms of prospects but maybe a dezenzo, Myers/chas, blubaugh, melton, janek type package peaks their interest

    • Hook 'Em 1
  10. 3 minutes ago, WBT said:

    Everyone?  The reason NIL was banned and outside employment were heavily regulated for decades were to attempt to prevent thinly veiled pay for play.  As soon as the NIL ban was lifted, pay for play was inevitable.

    Everyone in the Texas AD did, absolutely no one was prepared for this outside of Oregon and a group on this message board

    • Hook 'Em 9
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