Listed as a PG, was probably more of a combo guard at least in HS. Started alongside Brayden Burries who is the 11th overall recruit a SG comitted to Arizona and Myles Walker (5'9" PG unrecruited). All three guys played together on Compton Magic Elite as well. Won the California Open Boys State Championship (highest division) as well as being the 2nd ranked team in the nation according to MaxPreps. Is athletic with nice bounce and solidly built on a 6'1" frame. Good outside shooting range and comfortable shooting off the dribble, but only hit 35% 3pfg at a very high volume as a prep. Very good defender. Not a pure lead guard and small for a college wing which probably hurt his overall stock. His teammate Myles Walker was one of the best PGs in California last year, but because he's 5'9" 165 he's not been highly recruited--might be worth taking a flyer on since we're rebuliding the roster anyway.

This is a nice signing, but how he converts to being a lead guard will determine his success at the collegiate level. I actually think that CJP can develop a kid like this, it might be a good barometer next year of how this coaching staff is doing.

LVRebel2000 said:

There are a lot of schools, IMO, that would take a chance on him. The question though, is how much they'd be willing to pay him. It's unlikely that anyone is going to give him the $2M he was getting at Tennessee and no chance he's getting the $4M he was trying to squeeze them into paying.

He probably ends up playing somewhere else next year for a lower dollar amount, hoping to increase his value, then transfer again the following season, unless he blows up and takes a shot at the NFL.

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Yep you can be sure he will be in the portal again a year from now. They said so far only UCLA and Tulane have expressed interest 🤣 🤣

RebelScrub said:

There’s wut..130 Division 1 schools in 2025?

Someone will take a chance on him.

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There are a lot of schools, IMO, that would take a chance on him. The question though, is how much they'd be willing to pay him. It's unlikely that anyone is going to give him the $2M he was getting at Tennessee and no chance he's getting the $4M he was trying to squeeze them into paying.

He probably ends up playing somewhere else next year for a lower dollar amount, hoping to increase his value, then transfer again the following season, unless he blows up and takes a shot at the NFL.

All 15 do not deserve NIL that is for sure. The last few spots should act like the previous walkon roles. Maybe be a specialist or a project, but should not expect regular minutes.

RebelScrub said:

There’s wut..130 Division 1 schools in 2025?

Someone will take a chance on him.

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True. James Madison took a chance on Sluka. We'll get to see him take on Texas State this season.

I wonder how much he's getting in NiL.

WhiteMamba said:

Great so he’s going to blow layup after layup

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Says the guy named after Team Katie..

hrz702 said:

Hawkins recruit

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Great so he’s going to blow layup after layup

RebelinWA said:

Pressure growing on Nico Iamaleava’s dad after $8 million Tennessee standoff went wrong

Like many already suspected, Nico Iamaleava’s father, Nic, played a major role in his son’s drama and departure from Tennessee — despite his denial.

www.yahoo.com

Worse than a greedy agent is a greedy dad. Iamaleava’s dad just ruined his future.

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There’s wut..130 Division 1 schools in 2025?

Someone will take a chance on him.

Worse than a greedy agent is a greedy dad. Iamaleava’s dad just ruined his future.

rebel5280 said:

I notice on 247 that UNLV composite rank is higher than USF….

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The usf coach was never unlv’s top choice.

j. spilotro said:

We are allowed to 15. I sure as hell wouldn’t use them all. Extra money for schollies for players that won’t play, can eat into the collective … and schollie guys that get zero minutes, can be a problem. I’d probably go 12-13 and not bother with the last two.

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Agree 100 percent, also allows flexibility for Pastner in terms of recruiting. There’s no NEED at 13 players but if someone pops up that’s an absolute difference maker, then ok.

In that instance it would be less risky because the team probably won’t be a .500 team and probably would be in the hunt for a bid. When you are winning games, locker room and practices have a different vibe.

Right now we are WAY too small. Stephan 7' , Bannarbie 6'9". and down. The top 4 teams in conference last year averaged 4 players 6'9" or over.

j. spilotro said:

We are allowed to 15. I sure as hell wouldn’t use them all. Extra money for schollies for players that won’t play, can eat into the collective … and schollie guys that get zero minutes, can be a problem. I’d probably go 12-13 and not bother with the last two.

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I agree, quality over quantity.

dcut03 said:

My preferred method is smoking it low and slow then searing it hot and fast. The local HEB also offered dry aged texas Wagyu ribeye's so that helps as well.
Restaurants almost exclusively do steaks hot and fast except for prime ribs of course. Almost impossible to get it perfectly uniformly cooked throughout that way.

I have a small Kamado for smoking and a giant Blackstone. I tedn to finish on the black stone since it is more predictable, but you can do the smoke/reverse sear with your smoker if you can get that thing to 400+ deg.

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I actually do that, smoke and then reverse sear it and it does turn out good! I still prefer restaurant steaks but I have never made a steak outside of what I get at Whole Foods. Brisket, ribs and Chuck Roast is another matter...or shotgun shells!

Boston Rebel 2 said:

Steak is the one thing I always like better in restaurants. The cut has a lot to do with it I am sure. I'm not cooking Snake River Farms Wagyu at home vs what you get at a steakhouse.

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My preferred method is smoking it low and slow then searing it hot and fast. The local HEB also offered dry aged texas Wagyu ribeye's so that helps as well.
Restaurants almost exclusively do steaks hot and fast except for prime ribs of course. Almost impossible to get it perfectly uniformly cooked throughout that way.

Boston Rebel 2 said:

I actually smoke a lot got rid of my grill. My smoker is the bomb though and I have put out some good stuff from that! The one time I did Snake River Farms brisket was amazing.

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I have a small Kamado for smoking and a giant Blackstone. I tedn to finish on the black stone since it is more predictable, but you can do the smoke/reverse sear with your smoker if you can get that thing to 400+ deg.

billd99s said:

Compton is the best defensive team in SoCal. Hated to play them when I was coaching. They are inside your shirt, they guard so hard.

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I LOVE having this pipeline open!

rebel5280 said:

So we need to have 15 scholarship guys?
Was that you who posted the new rules… 15 guys on scholarship, no walk-ons?

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Yes.

WarthogRebel said:

So, we have 9 players and need 6 more.

I'm thinking 2 more 6'10" + bigs, three 6'7" + forwards and a true, seasoned point.

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So we need to have 15 scholarship guys?
Was that you who posted the new rules… 15 guys on scholarship, no walk-ons?

billd99s said:

Compton is the best defensive team in SoCal. Hated to play them when I was coaching. They are inside your shirt, they guard so hard.

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We must have run into each other then if you coached against the Magic. Glad to see someone on this board thats familiar!

Hoopsnstuff said:

Originally signed to New Mexico but decommitted after Pitino left. This is a great pickup. Good lead guard that played with one of the nations best players and still put up good numbers. Defensive player of the year in the Southern Section of the CIF in California and All-CIF this year. This will go down as an underrated pickup that will blossom into a good college player and teammate.

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Compton is the best defensive team in SoCal. Hated to play them when I was coaching. They are inside your shirt, they guard so hard.

Boston Rebel 2 said:

I actually smoke a lot got rid of my grill. My smoker is the bomb though and I have put out some good stuff from that! The one time I did Snake River Farms brisket was amazing.

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Got rid of your grill!

Blocked and muted...

Boston Rebel 2 said:

I actually smoke a lot got rid of my grill. My smoker is the bomb though and I have put out some good stuff from that! The one time I did Snake River Farms brisket was amazing.

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See I knew there was something I liked about you Boston!

Hoopsnstuff said:

This is like the third or fourth time youve asked lol. JJ Taylor was never going to visit here; it was just brought up that he was Mikeys teammate and good friend and that he was in the portal. I personally dont see how theres space for Mikey, but I may be wrong.

Perhaps we just stockpile talent and let them fight it out.

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I would go with that last one there is no guarantee this guy pans out and I sure wouldn't be hanging my hat on him being a quality starter.