MSU Signs Juco 4/5 Wade Knapp

[rchif0]

Missouri State has landed a key basketball recruit for next season, signing 6-foot-9 power forward/center Wade Knapp from Dodge City (Kan.) Community College.

"I just felt comfortable with the coaching staff. coach (Barry) Hinson is a great guy and I felt like I fit in so well with the player," Knapp said of a recent campus visit. "They made me feel part of the team. I had a feeling it was the place for me."

Knapp selected Missouri State over Nevada, though Wichita State and Illinois State made late recruiting pitches.

Knapp averaged 11.9 points and 5.1 rebounds as a sophomore in helping Dodge City finish 26-6.

Knapp is the second juco player to select MSU in the last week, joining 6-4 guard Chris Cooks of Redlands (Okla.) College.

http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070423/BLOGS0701/70423026

[Majik45]

Bradley was also after Knapp. Bradley loses out on both him and his college teammate Charlie Coley as he just signed with Charlotte. Congrats to MSU as Knapp sounds like a good get.

[SubGod22]

That's funny. When he came up recently on SN everyone talked about how he looked like he should play at MSU. I think the Bears found themselves a solid post.

[Canevision]

That's funny. When he came up recently on SN everyone talked about how he looked like he should play at MSU. I think the Bears found themselves a solid post.

Do you mean situation wise he should play there, or looks wise? I'm a bit confused by that comment is all.

It's been a long time since Barry has gone head to head with bigger programs on back to back kids, so I'm excited for this signing.

[goaces]

I love Coach Hinson and really respect the program at MSU. Sounds like they landed a goood player, but it does seen a little odd that a 6'9 power forward/center only averaged 5.1 rebounds. But then again, Coaches see things that I don't, and Coach Hinson usually gets the most out of his team.:valley:

[BearChief]

But then again, Coaches see things that I don't, and Coach Hinson usually gets the most out of his team.:valley:

You just lost A LOT of cred with that statement. :bears:

[Majik45]

Knapp's teammate Charlie Coley that Bradley was also after averaged is a 6'7 slashing small forward that averaged nearly 9 boards a game, so that's where some of Knapp's rebounds went to.

[NoBSU]

I love Coach Hinson and really respect the program at MSU. Sounds like they landed a goood player, but it does seen a little odd that a 6'9 power forward/center only averaged 5.1 rebounds. But then again, Coaches see things that I don't, and Coach Hinson usually gets the most out of his team.
You just lost A LOT of cred with that statement. :bears:
Funny thing about VT board cred is that many feel or fake love for Hinson, so the group cred for those who like Hinson remains decent. Most Bear fans know that Hinson gets more out of a handful of boosters than he ever does out of a handful of players.

Too bad the Evansville administration didn't share goaces opinion when Hinson was recently applying for their basketball coach position.

[Canevision]

I love Coach Hinson and really respect the program at MSU. Sounds like they landed a goood player, but it does seen a little odd that a 6'9 power forward/center only averaged 5.1 rebounds. But then again, Coaches see things that I don't, and Coach Hinson usually gets the most out of his team.:valley:

I agree the rebounds are low. From what I understand he isn't a banger PF type, he'll be out facing the basket and on the perimeter a bit. It also could stand to reason that they play a slow down type of game (I don't know the answer to that question).

If they play slower, that means fewer shots and fewer opportunities to get a rebound. Cooks, our new SG/SF averaged over 7 rebs. a game, but that is a tad misleading because they play a "hectic" style where many shots are fired up each game (though his 7 did lead his team).

I'd be satisfied if he is more offensive minded at the PF spot than defensive/rebounding minded.

[SubGod22]

I meant that looks wise. I really think he'll be a nice player. He wasn't at the top of my wish list for WSU but if we miss out on Sampay he would have been close.

[MikeKennedyRulz]

I think the Shox are looking at Coley also.

[Ron Mexico]

I think the Shox are looking at Coley also.

Coley signed with Charlotte today did he not?

[MikeKennedyRulz]

Don't know maybe, I just got home from work.

[MikeKennedyRulz]

Yes he did:

http://charlotte.com/456/story/96035.html

[MikeKennedyRulz]

Is it just me, or is there no way in h e l l that this dude is only 210 lbs like the article says?

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a258/mbrayfield/marks_brian_small.jpg

[MikeKennedyRulz]

Okay, no I see. They had the wrong name under his picture. He is actually #33.

http://www.dc3.edu/basketball/picroster.htm

[Ron Mexico]

How many scholly's do the shox have left for next year?

[MikeKennedyRulz]

If all of the signees come and Sampay signs, none. But that is unlikely. My guess is a couple of the signees/commits will back out. I get the feeling one will prep school for a year and mysteriously end up at aTm next year. Just a hunch though.

[BeeLine]

Coley is a physical talent with a 40" + vertical, but is not a real polished basketball player. He's a 50% type foulshot and has limited range on his jumper, but still can make plays defensively and around the boards; he would have been a good get for any Valley team.
I really like the two players the Bears got in Cooks and Knapp. Cooks brings a level of toughness , leadership and athleticism we've been missing, and Knapp gives us a skilled low post offensive player. With the two redshirts, Jehle and Kirk, and the 4 frosh, Austin,Weems,Cline, and Brock , I think we more than make up for the loss of the 3 seniors, no disrespect intended. In fact I think we are now a bigger/stronger and more athletic team than we've been at any time in the last few seasons. While several of the frosh will redshirt now with these additions, don't be surprised if Austin isn't one and shares the point with Laurie from the start. We can now put combinations on the court with quickness and athleticism at the 1-3 spots and a pair of 6'9" players down low.

[bears1]

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20070412/SPORTS/104120097

[bears1]

http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/19/194495.jpg

[Clawinball]

With Knapp and Cooks i think we'll be a force to be reckoned with! b:bears:

[Ron Mexico]

With Knapp and Cooks i think we'll be a force to be reckoned with! b:bears:

I like them too but....

Did we get a new coach or something?

[Aargh]

If all of the signees come and Sampay signs, none. But that is unlikely. My guess is a couple of the signees/commits will back out. I get the feeling one will prep school for a year and mysteriously end up at aTm next year. Just a hunch though.

That would be the recruit who hasn't qualified yet. If he goes to aTm next year, he'd be one year behind one of the best frontcourt recruiting classes in the nation.

Knapp looks like a better fit at MSU than WSU. From the News-Leader:

Knapp believes he can be a good complement to Drew Richards, the Bears' 6-9 true post.

Knapp seems better suited to complement another frontcourt player than to be "the" dominating frontcourt player. Great fit for MSU.

Unfortunately, WSU is looking for "the" dominating frontcourt player. Knapp will likely do better at MSU than he would have done at WSU.

[Canevision]

That would be the recruit who hasn't qualified yet. If he goes to aTm next year, he'd be one year behind one of the best frontcourt recruiting classes in the nation.

Knapp looks like a better fit at MSU than WSU. From the News-Leader:



Knapp seems better suited to complement another frontcourt player than to be "the" dominating frontcourt player. Great fit for MSU.

Unfortunately, WSU is looking for "the" dominating frontcourt player. Knapp will likely do better at MSU than he would have done at WSU.

What kind of logic is that? Knapp was the 20th rated JUCO in the entire country, and is a 6'9" post player that can shoot the ball. Seems to me that WSU had NOTHING in the post last year, and lost a guy who did play post (out of necessity) that could shoot it.

He meant that he could complement Richards talents in the post. Richards is a banger who plays the 5, preferring to stay back to the basket and under the goal. Knapp plays the 4, and can make his man step out on the court and defend.

Complement his talents does not mean "defer" to Richards. In fact, quite the contrary. Saying he'd do better at MSU than WSU makes zero sense honestly, especially since your new coach just had a big post who could shoot and he made Winthrop's offense go. The ability to pull the opposing teams bigs out of the post and defend opens up so many things on the court.

Don't mistake my post for attacking you, I just feel that your reasoning for your comments is a little unfounded.

[SubGod22]

We already have Clemente that fits the face up type of post who can score with his back to the basket. But what we're looking for is a banger. That's why we want Sampay. That's the current need in the post for the Shox and why Knapp wasn't at the top of our lists. We also have Arbry Butler who is a 3/4 guy who can step out and create problems.

[douglasdmb]

Knapp seems better suited to complement another frontcourt player than to be "the" dominating frontcourt player. Great fit for MSU.

Unfortunately, WSU is looking for "the" dominating frontcourt player. Knapp will likely do better at MSU than he would have done at WSU.

Agreed. This should take some pressure off Richards next year and hopefully he'll produce a little more.

[Canevision]

We already have Clemente that fits the face up type of post who can score with his back to the basket. But what we're looking for is a banger. That's why we want Sampay. That's the current need in the post for the Shox and why Knapp wasn't at the top of our lists. We also have Arbry Butler who is a 3/4 guy who can step out and create problems.

That reasoning makes more sense than taking a quote from a newspaper and saying that somehow shows Knapp is not a stud but an accessory piece. Especially when that quote in no way shows anything like that.

If you need a banger, and are looking for one, Knapp would not be the choice, no. I would think you'd look for the best talents to fit your system, but it is what it is.

[Aargh]

Cane, apparently my post could be read with a different intent than when I wrote it.

On paper, Knapp looks like a natural 4 who will work very well with a natural 5. MSU has Richards, so bingo! MSU has the right pieces for a solid frontcourt.

WSU doesn't have an established post player, so Knapp at WSU would likely need to be converted to a post player. That wouldn't have been the best situation for either Knapp or WSU.

"Complement" doesn't mean "accessory". It means Knapp will be better with Richards than without him. And Richards will be better with Knapp than without him. The 2 working together will each be improved because of the presnce of the other guy.

[Canevision]

Cane, apparently my post could be read with a different intent than when I wrote it.

On paper, Knapp looks like a natural 4 who will work very well with a natural 5. MSU has Richards, so bingo! MSU has the right pieces for a solid frontcourt.

WSU doesn't have an established post player, so Knapp at WSU would likely need to be converted to a post player. That wouldn't have been the best situation for either Knapp or WSU.

"Complement" doesn't mean "accessory". It means Knapp will be better with Richards than without him. And Richards will be better with Knapp than without him. The 2 working together will each be improved because of the presnce of the other guy.

It's all good. A little on edge, but I see what you're saying now...

Hopefully WSU fills some of their needs, because when momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy...