Long Beach State Sports : Re: MBB Roster to Date

Don’t think I did, they are listed in the original post and I commented on each. That JJ is an unknown due to time at CSUN being ehhhhh, and Jones I mentioned as being the likely starter at PG or SG along side McCaden

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You forgot JJ Chaikovsky - A big and Christian Jones Guard as returners.

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The most prototypical big lineup we will have seen in ages. The young guy Vanlandingham seems to have a chip on his shoulder. Amenhauser and Smith are solid mid major bigs, Smith couldn't crack the rotation until injuries hit GCU so he didn't make a leap heading there from Riverside.

I don't know what to make of wings. Jones isn't a wing to me, he's a 2 guard. The other newcomer JJ isn't an elite athlete but knocks it down at lower levels. JJ didn't do much at CSUN, so if CSUN role players get us excited, I need to see it first. I would put Jack Payne in this category, and say he is a solid role player who can shoot. I even would have him in a stretch 4 situation as he doesn't have elite wing athleticism.

Let's hope JUCO scoring carries over for McCaden, and agree he might have ball handling duties to a degree. I have more confidence in mature JUCO guys who were high volume and high percentages to come in adjust more quickly. I see Jones being here as the backup, or the two of them starting at this point.

Bahr is a backup PG who you expect to play smart and give the other guards a breather. I don't see him starting or getting many minutes once roster is finalized. Could surprise though, and his shooting percentages in lower volume are encouraging.

Either way, this seems like a type of roster we haven't had in ages. Much more what you would see UCI roll out for the last 15 years. Not saying that's a bad thing, just different.

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Early look at the roster to date and where we may have strengths / weaknesses. Projecting how they might do under an assumption that the development (been decent) and coaching (big if) improves to a decent level.

So far, the roster has 10 slots filled and if I got the class level correctly, there will be 3 seniors, 4 juniors, 1 sophomore, and 2 freshmen. * is my best guess to be a starter.

Centers/Power Forwards
Noah Amenhauser, Sr 7-2 290*
Kaleb Smith, Sr 6-10 245*
Max Vanlandinghamn, Fr 6-8 215

Assessment: Amenhauser is the biggest center we've had since I think since Andrew Betts who was also 7-2 290 ish. His stats two years ago at Coastal Carolina are more likely what we can expect as he started 30 games and played 23 minutes a game. He averaged 10.8 pts, 6.0 rebounds, shot 56% FG, 64% FTS, and was 4-10 from 3, and almost 1 block per game. 40 turnovers though.

Kaleb same issue, two years ago his production at UCR is probably a better indicator when he started 34 games, 27 minutes a game, and avgd. 11 points, 4.6 rebounds, 37% FGs, 76% FTs, 33% on high volume of 3s. 0 blocks in two years at UCR! 56 TOs.

Max Vanlandingham is a physical player in the mold of a Grant Stone or Kevin Roberts and is athletic and brings aggressive defense. Big time shotblocker probably less in DI but he'll get some. Nifty inside offense, runs the court well, decent outside shooter and from 3. I bet he gets the bulk of minutes up front off the bench.

Overall this seems like a strong group, could use one more big maybe a decent walk on who can balance out the practice squad. I don't think as a whole they are good rebounders, feels like the two starters are below avg rebounders and bangers.

Small Forward / Wings
Brett Wright, Jr 6-7 195*
JJ Chaikovsky, Jr 6-7 190
Christian Jones, Jr 6-4 195

Finally some depth at the wing / small fwd, especially Wright who played in 19 games and started all averaging 22 minutes a game. His stats are good, 12.3 ppg, 2 rebounds, 8 assists and 13 TOs, but shot 49% FGs, 51% from 3, and 82% FTs. Can't remember the last time we had someone incoming with over 50% 3 pt shooting. He's a gunner and with his size he'll be well positioned to do well in the BW.

Our two returnees round out the depth, Jones was a hard worker in his 18 games (injured 13 games) but didn't do much other than he seemed to dig in on man defense. Maybe with more minutes he can improve.

Chaikovsky is all defense no offense. Good to have and while he didn't impress much he had some good moments on defense. He can play PF in spots he's a banger.

This is a decent group especially if Wright really pans out and gets near 30 mpg. If we have to rely too much on Jones and Chaikovsky that is an issue.

Shooting / Combo Guards
Jack Payne, Sr 6-6 195
McCaden Adams, Jr 6-3 170*
Ethan Chung, Fr 6-6 190

Sykes production will be missed but McCaden will get his. At a very successful JUCO, he started 32 games and averaged 29 minutes a game, 18.2 pts, 4.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, around 2 TOs. Shot 46% FGs, 79% FTs, 40% 3s on high volume. Almost 2 steals a game. Very likely will be our leading scorer but feels like he can do more than just bomb away.

Payne played a lot the last two years with Idaho, last years stats for 21 mpg might be a good indicator, 6.6 pts, 4.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, shot 38% FGs, 82% FTs, 32% 3's. Solid and experienced backup.

Ethan Chung could redshirt depending on who else we sign, but if he doesn't, he'll be a project maybe he can play some spot defense minutes and try a 3 now and then.

Point Guards
Blake Bahr, So 6-2 190*

Depth is a problem right now, maybe McCaden can play some pg but we absolutely need one more bona fide pg. Bahr is decent, despite not even being a starter for Snow Valley alongside McCaden. His stats were good, started 10 of 34 games, 21 minutes a game. 5.6 pts, 2.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, low TOs. 48% FGs, 85% FTs, 39% 3's.

Overall So Far: I'm ok with how the team has been assembled so far, the big signing being McCaden Adams and Max Vanlandingham who may be another candidate for BW FOY if the minutes go more his direction. We really need another pg and both Diaz and Lewis haven't hooked up with a new team, would be happy to have either back but prefer Diaz. Combo guard Josiah Johnson, HS Sr, son of Ron and Crystal Johnson, we have a shot at him still, but some comments I saw indicated Cal Baptist might have the edge. If we did resign Diaz and signed Johnson, we would do well to get one more big for insurance.