Gary Bell Jr. Update
by Ben Pearson on Dec 13, 2010 5:07 PM PST
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PrintIt's safe to say that not many people thought the Zags would be under .500 at this point of the season. While it's too early to write the season off, it's never too early to look ahead to next season. Over the weekend I had a chance to see Gary Bell Jr. play, Gonzaga's heralded shooting guard recruit for next season. I quickly saw why nearly every Pac-10 school recruited him.
Bell's final state line: 27 points on 10-20 shooting (4-5 from 3 point land) to go along with eight rebounds.
Bell and his Kentridge Chargers were playing Tahoma in the Les Schwab Preview at Highline Community College in Des Moines, WA on Saturday and he stole the show. From his amazingly quick first step to his silky smooth jump shot, Bell put his skill and athleticism on display. He was knocking down three's, getting to the rim at will, and he even took a charge (a staple of Zags defensive strategy).
Bell brought the ball up for the Chargers, but I wouldn't expect him to see him playing the point for the Zags. First of all, the Zags will have four point guards on their roster next year with the addition of Canada's Kevin Pangos. Secondly, despite Bell's 6'2" frame, he truly is a shoot-first guard (he ended the game with only one assist).
Even though Bell ended up with 20 field goal attempts and one assist, he was not a selfish player by any means. For the most part, his shots came within Kentridge's drive and dish offense. At times he reminded me of Jeremy Pargo with the way he could slither his way through traffic to get to the rim. Often Bell was met at the rim by the 6'8" Christian Behrens, a forward for Tahoma HS who is getting college looks himself, but was able to draw contact and get to the line. Bell also has great leaping ability (he led his team in rebounds) and an incredibly quick release, which will help him shoot over taller defenders.
Despite being his team's main offensive threat, he didn't take any time off on the other side of the floor. He outmatched every player he guarded and even while defending off the ball, his intensity never wavered and he played the entire game at 100% speed.
Bell is the most athletic recruit Gonzaga has ever gotten out of Western Washington and with the departure of Steven Gray he will battle Mathis Monninghoff for the starting 2 guard spot. Check back in at TSSF in upcoming weeks for more GBJ updates.
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When Gray is out of the line up
Who replaces him?
Bell is a shoe-in next year. I suspect you are at least half right about the point guard thing. Bell can (not his nature but . . .) subordinate his offensive game and play a pure point guard. He did a lot of that this past summer as you may recall.
I think part of what you are seeing is the relative talent on his team compared to his AAU team and how much Bell needs to score to make his high school team successful as opposed to what he needed to do for his AAU team. As this guy has yet to step on a D-1 floor, I think it may be a bit early to pigeon hole him.
I strongly suspect you will see an interchangeable guard tandem like we had back when Q and Santangelo were on the floor. It won’t matter who is at point — just a matter of who gets the ball first.
mjc
Ay more insight on his defense?
I like hearing that he goes 100% all the time, out of curiosity did his team play man or zone? Hearing he outmatched every one he guarded is a relief considering we are losing one of our best defenders next year in Gray. However I was wondering how he looked on defense when his guy did not have the ball, was he ball watching too much? Did he provide sufficient help defense? We do not always have the luxury of getting to analyze a prospect like this so taking advantage of the opprotunity.
Who is BP
and why would his analysis be more valuable than Mikes, Zachs, or Max’s, not being weird, but just wondering why this is front page material
Ben's going to help Max and I out....
I probably should have made that clear before. Ben had the chance to see Gary and approached us about writing a piece. He did a great job and has some journalism/broadcast experience so I think he’s a great fit.
The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!
AND GAZ BETTER not quit!!
But if you ever do, tell me where you go, o tireless researcher of Zags past and present online.
I won't "quit"...just goofin. Besides, don't I have to be hired first? ;-)
They will have to kick me off this site, and it might happen yet. I do get kinda CRAzY during some of these live game threads, lol!
GO ZAGS!!~
Let’s throw up a couple hundred on Lewis-Clark State tonight…they ARE 7-2 though. Could a NAIA team give us a tussle? nah.
Its gonna be gLoRiOUS!!~
He's right on with GB
except I’m with quidveritas regarding placing him at the 2. He can play point just fine and actually plays just a little bit better under control at that position, IMO. He is Kentridge’s team! Just like KD and KS are at their HS, he will have inflated numbers for HS play.
I’ve been watching him since he was a Freshman and Mr. Pearson was spot on with his analysis, IMO. GREAT POST! Thank’s
I'm in Seattle
I guess I’d better see this guy play while it’s still CHEAP. Last I checked it’s just a couple bucks for a HS game.
by GU.AmericasTeam on Dec 14, 2010 11:49 AM PST reply actions
Nooo
Gary Bell isn’t going to battle with Monninghoff, Gary Bell isn’t going to battle at all, I think Mark Few will bow to him and hand him the point guard position…
PG
It sounds like he’s more of a natural SG, and with Steven leaving we’ll need one.
Plus, I really doubt Few will “bow down and hand” any freshman the pg position, since it is the key to the offense and Meech will have had 4 years in it. He may see significant minutes there by the end of the season, but I doubt he’ll start there (especially with Pangos there).
Shooting guard = KD
KD can fill it up from the 2 spot. Long term he may be the starter at the 2 or 3. I suspect his defense will have more to do with his minutes than anything else.
Next year will be more of a ‘transition’ year than this one — at least where the guard spots are concerned. I got a feeling that if someone is ‘effective’ and clearly heads and shoulders above the rest, that guy is gonna play.
Might be Meech, might be Pangos, might be Bell, might be Carter, might be just about anyone. Let’s face it, right now, PG is not exactly the team’s strong suit.
mjc
True Freshmen
Usually aren’t handed the keys to the offense, especially when there is a 4 year player with experience.
He may work into the starting role later in the season, but it’s unlikely.
by CLT_ZagsFan on Dec 15, 2010 10:39 AM PST up reply actions
Bell will get major minutes
I remember when Paulus at Duke started for 3 years and then he was benched his senior year, it could happen here but I know it’s not likely. If a player is good enough he can come in and dominate in his true freshman year. We’ve seen plenty of point guards over the years to confirm that.
This time it's different...
Walk-ons usually aren’t brought in until garbage time too…not much choice this year…I think it’s more likely than not to see GBJ or KP starting later in the season.
"You can't have everything...where would you put it?" Stephen Wright.
Pangos
Any news on Pangos? I’m really excited to hear the great news about Spangler and GB lighting things up, has anybody seen Pangos recently?
Redshirts....
I think either KD or Pangos will redshirt…
Obviously GB wont RS….
Pangos has developed quite the name for himself playing at an elite level and KD has done some great things as well…
I am excited about all these guys, honestly KD intrigues me most, but for some reason I see him Redshirting..IMO
Joe Hennessy
No offense but, IMO
KD is better than any guard we have at GU right now coming back next year! If so, why would he redshirt? The only difference between him and Matt Bouldin at the same time frame in their career’s is his weight! Talent is the issue, believe me, JMO.
Redshirt one, Rotate the Others
Ideally, all of them would get some pt. However, Meech and Carter will be on the roster.
Still, it gives one guy an extra year to develop and extends this class’ impact.
by CLT_ZagsFan on Dec 15, 2010 10:36 AM PST up reply actions
I'm clueless on this but do have an opinion. In order of some possibilities that could happen to help make the Resdshirt decision
1) I think it hinges on “E” coming back. (If so, Spangler redshirts, if not Spangler plays) If Spangler plays it will take either KD or KP position. 2) Attrition (Keita, Carter, Hyland) One or all. 3) Summer development in strength for KD. 4) Kevin Pangos’ ability to beat out GB and KD for the point playing minutes. Lot’s of variables to consider and I didn’t even include INJURIES!
I’ve not seen Kevin Pangos play live so it’s impossible to give you my take on him vs. GB and KD. If they were here now, however, on GB, I would start him right now at point and KD would be the first off the bench for Steven or GB. That’s based on this years look at Gary and KD’s last year’s look. I might change my mind on KD after his 54 points the other day but I haven’t seen him this year to compare him to Gary Bell so my edge goes to Gary. Maybe somebody else can give you info on K Pangos. Since I can’t fairly evaluate him on my own, I must leave him out to redshirt. Just food for thought but fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JMO
Unless Harris performs some miracles
he’s coming back. It’s impossible to speculate on redshirts, but I know that Gary Bell isn’t redshirting. Who knows about the rest? It seems like Few is playing the lottery with the way he’s been recruiting guards…
I would love to see Harris back...
Especially with the guards coming in next year, but I’m not holding my breath.
For the NBA draft, It seems it’s all about how you look in March – there’s still plenty of time for E to get healthy and his legs back. A miracle is not necessary yet!
"You can't have everything...where would you put it?" Stephen Wright.
Agree
I was saying last year that maybe E comes back for his junior year too and practically got laughed off the planet.
Yet, as we can see, things do not always go according to plan.
On the one hand you want him to do well this year, but…if not doing well means he comes back next year? It gets interesting.
Its gonna be gLoRiOUS!!~
More hedging his bets than playing lottery
Carter and Hyland were necessary in response to all the transfers. Getting 3 outstanding guards in the next class is far from playing the lottery.
Hopefully we’ll see some bigs get recruited in the years to come.
by CLT_ZagsFan on Dec 16, 2010 12:22 PM PST up reply actions
And with all these guards coming in next year...
Wouldn’t it be amazing, and surprising {not}, if a couple of scollys just happened to open up for some bigs?
Its gonna be gLoRiOUS!!~
If Hart doesn't get a scholie
Hart is on the move - UP
A defensive specialist this year so far. You have to like his hustle and attitude. I think he is going to get some serious minutes before all is said and done.
mjc
Ill be surprised
If we see Hyland next year, I’ll be really surprised. I have a feeling that Keita will stick around, and DS and Hart aren’t on schollies.
by CLT_ZagsFan on Dec 17, 2010 10:30 AM PST up reply actions
It just sucks
that guards get recruited and before they get a decent chance to prove themselves they’re squeezed out of the system. I know that’s part of the business though…
Good Post
Yeah I guess time will tell, all these guys seem very talented…. And with E it will be interesting to see how he finishes the season.
JSH
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