After a disappointing season, the Hoyas, with a sense of urgency, made all the right moves revamping the back court. With six guards on the current roster, and a great hire for the Hoya guards snatching well seasoned assistant guard coach Anthony Solomon from former Big East foe Notre Dame.
In the back court junior point guard Tre Campbell and outstanding junior college transfer (Allegheny) point guard John Mulmore will be wrecking havoc. Tre is a veteran now. He knows he has something to prove. His floater has improved. He’s attacking more. His development will be proven without a doubt on a consistent basis. I can imagine he and Mulmore practicing against one another. I’ve noticed when I’ve had two of my best players playing against each other in practice they click well together like magic and wreck havoc on the defensive end because of their quickness.
I had the opportunity to see Mulmore play in the Kenner League along with other Hoya fans. What I saw was his quickness, toughness (ability to get to the rim and finish at will), good decision making on a consistent basis, unselfishness and a good communicator. His defense was on point as well.
Also, Mulmore has the ability to bring his team back from large deficits by attacking the basket which stops the clock during crucial moments of a game. He keeps his big’s in the game, and I really like seeing this. Last season decision making and clock management were inconsistent. Inability to make simple passes into your post players on a consistent basis. For instance the lob pass, bounce pass. Throw the ball to the basket and let your big go and get it. Yell out to them “go to work.” Remember, one of the duties of a a point guards is to make his teammates better. Know where your teammates like to receive the ball.
Video’s (courtesy NPC) below showing John Mulmore’s ability to be patient, distribute the rock, and throw the lob pass.
#2 in the black jersey, Mulmore.
While watching freshman Jagan Mosely this summer I was really impressed at how aggressive, smart and strong he was. His ability to break down his defenders and attack the basket at will. He’s also a good decision maker. His team defense and communication is notable as well. I said to myself, “this kid is a man and he’s relentless. Jagan is going to be a star. Playing for the legendary high school coach Bobby Hurley and highly respected and ranked St. Anthony’s, I think we all knew what the Hoyas were getting in Jagan Mosely. A gem. Here’s a photo courtesy of Nike Pro City (Kenner League) and a video of Jagan in rare form in Kenner League action.
Robert Morris transfer Rodney Pryor is a very special player. His energy level cannot be matched. This young man just keeps coming at you, and after a missed shot will hustle down on the defensive end to defend or perhaps block a shot. Rodney averaged over 30 points a game in summer league. He was unstoppable knocking down three pointers, attacking the paint and making smart passes. I think Pryor has the opportunity to be all Big East first team. He has range and can shoot the ball with lots of confidence anywhere on the court. Rodney Pryor looked like a man possessed and a man among boys. Rodney will definitely be a crowd pleaser and the reason why because he knows he’s that guy. Check him out on the video below.
The point guard/area was an area that needed to add depth into the back court.Players that were smart, and tough that could lead a team to it’s destiny. The old blue and gray needed guards that can make good decisions on a consistent basis. Last season, when the Hoyas guard play went bad, so did everything else. Defense included. Why? Because this is where the game of basketball begins and ends with good to great guard play. When you have a coach on the court it makes the game a lot easier because he/she knows just about everything there is to know about the game of basketball and are great leaders. I’m hoping for the Hoyas guards to make good decisions, stay tough and have good clock management skills. This team is still very talented and highly skilled with Paul White transferring to Oregon. White will be missed. He was a very smart and highly skilled basketball player.
I hope Hoyanation is ready for an exciting come back season. I can’t wait! HOYA SAXA!
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Glidehoyas 