Mystro
Years ago
17yo NZ school boy Jack Salt whom recently signed as a Development Player with the Breakers and debuted with the Tall Blacks has apparently committed to the University of Virginia for the 2013/14 NCAA season.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/9184757/Breaker-Jack-Salt-off-to-US-college-reports
Tasman
Years ago
Still seems a bit young to be going off to College! Shouldnt a 17 YO be in yr.11
Some_Fulla
Years ago
Don't know much about this guy...
Who's a good comparison for him? Loe?
What's his floor/ceiling?
NBA potential?
Cell
Years ago
He isnt going until the 2014-15 season, so he will be 18 when he gets there.
He is a left handed, mobile big. He has a nice left hook and can crash the glass pretty well. He will get alot stronger over the next couple years.
Seems like a Loe level recruit right now, might take him a couple years to contribute at college but will likely be the Tall Blacks back up big for many years behind Adams (and could start in games Adams is unavailable for).
Im liking the pick of Virginia though, the ACC will be very strong in a couple years time!
paul
Years ago
He has a long way to go before he nudges out Pledger or Adams (or Loe) for minutes!
Mystro
Years ago
I agree Paul, at the moment all he has is some size which is at least a start.
Cell
Years ago
Pledger is 26 (Salt is 17), Loe is power foward and Adams will probably not play for the Tall Blacks every year. Im pretty sure he will get his chances at the international level by the time he is out of college
Mystro
Years ago
Loe is 7ft, only way he'll play PF in a Black Singlet is if Adams and Pledger are both locked in at Centre especially as Vukona has plenty of games left and Isaac Fotu is developing nicely.
paul
Years ago
Not to mention BJ Anthony, or the fact Loe lacks mobility to guard a lot of PFs. It would take a new coach with a 'go big' philosophy for that move to happen I think.
Salt will get some chances thanks to injuries etc but he is fourth in the centre pecking order for now and prob will be for a number of years to come.
MACDUB
Years ago
All indications from the Breakers are that he will actually get minutes here and there this season.
His success at college will really depend on how much he improves in the next year. The best thing is that he is still young. But in the next year, he needs to:
- Add some serious mass. Im talking a good 10-15kgs. this is especially important, given he is still growing.
- Refine his post work a bit more and develop a mid-range game.
- Continue to improve his power game.
Hopefully he does continue to grow about.
Realistically, he isn't ready at the moment.
The speed, strength and power of 6"10 players in the states is absolutely frightening.
Though it drops off considerably with each incremental inch. If he can be a legit footer by the time he goes, it will be good.
Alpha
Years ago
Well said MAC, he is not ready yet, has a good potential so hope he will use all these opportunities to his benefit.
Some_Fulla
Years ago
Four 7 foot centres to choose from in a few years for the tall blacks!
Never thought I'd see the day.. we are spoilt!
Mystro
Years ago
Agreed, can remember when we only had big Ed Book and Tony Rampton to play the paint.
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