John Camden...
He accomplishes a lot of the same things VT wanted out of Tyler Nickel. 6'8, can play wing or 4 depending on opponent lineups as well as who is with him on the floor.
Right now I hesitate to say he can guard on the wing, but being 6'8 helps. He will also not be at his potential to guard 4s until he gets a little stronger in the shoulders, but I imagine he will spend a lot of time there to begin
I would bet Memphis envisioned a role for him similar to Nolley, and Id also bet that his role at VT will be closer to Nolley than to Mutts or PJ Horne. It allows VT to draw up designed plays to get him the ball on the perimeter rather than simply being a threat should he be left open.
I know Tyrell Ward checks a lot of boxes for people with his ranking and ties to MJ, but he simply wasnt going to be a great fit within the offense at VT. He needs to go somewhere that will allow him to play in space in transition and use his length and athleticism to be a matchup problem rather than just the piece of a puzzle. Camden is a better piece to that puzzle.
Camden can play with either Reid or Basile. Basile and Camden gives VT a helluva spread option much like what VT wanted to do this season, but better. Reid would cover up some defensive shortcomings of Camden (and others) by being a true rim protector on that end of the floor. Basile and Camden would leave open some matchup issues defensively that VT would need to (and could) gameplan for
Long story short...I think he and Ward were an either/or situation and I like Camden better for the system than Ward
Right now I hesitate to say he can guard on the wing, but being 6'8 helps. He will also not be at his potential to guard 4s until he gets a little stronger in the shoulders, but I imagine he will spend a lot of time there to begin
I would bet Memphis envisioned a role for him similar to Nolley, and Id also bet that his role at VT will be closer to Nolley than to Mutts or PJ Horne. It allows VT to draw up designed plays to get him the ball on the perimeter rather than simply being a threat should he be left open.
I know Tyrell Ward checks a lot of boxes for people with his ranking and ties to MJ, but he simply wasnt going to be a great fit within the offense at VT. He needs to go somewhere that will allow him to play in space in transition and use his length and athleticism to be a matchup problem rather than just the piece of a puzzle. Camden is a better piece to that puzzle.
Camden can play with either Reid or Basile. Basile and Camden gives VT a helluva spread option much like what VT wanted to do this season, but better. Reid would cover up some defensive shortcomings of Camden (and others) by being a true rim protector on that end of the floor. Basile and Camden would leave open some matchup issues defensively that VT would need to (and could) gameplan for
Long story short...I think he and Ward were an either/or situation and I like Camden better for the system than Ward
22 Replies
H
HokieSA
4y
and what he needs personnel-wise and that doesn't change much, or..the exact system he came to VT envisioning has changed year to year? Obviously you adapt to your personnel. In other words, when you say "spread option much like what VT wanted to do this season"...is that what Mike has wanted to do from day one? Just trying to understand how much his philosophies might have changed once he's gotten into the league a few years now and seen what the guys he has recruited do well and what they don't..
(In response to this post by GCHokie34)
I'm hopeful that he can play on the wing.
If he can't, and he can only play the 4, then we've got both him and Buchanan at that spot. One a true freshman, the other a r-freshman, so no separation.
(In response to this post by GCHokie34)
4y
If they are blowing by him then don’t have much of a choice, offensively I think he’s more a wing guy
(In response to this post by Chris Coleman)
4y
Its just a matter of where he is when he gets on campus. Did his injury slow his development in year 1? How quickly can he pick up defensive concepts away from the ball?
All that will determine how quickly he can move to the wing, but I do think he eventually slots there
All that will determine how quickly he can move to the wing, but I do think he eventually slots there
(In response to this post by Chris Coleman)
4y
Itll really help against teams like UNC this past year. Leaky Black doesnt have near the advantage guarding Camden as he would over Cattoor or Alleyne. That means VT would have favorable matchups against Black and whoever is guarding Cattoor/Maddox/etc.
(In response to this post by atlhokie1)
4y
Goose at 5 Camden 4 and three snipers at point and wings.
(In response to this post by Chris Coleman)
You can have 5 snipers
That all can play at the same time but if you don’t have a couple guys that consistently break down defenses, you won’t be able to maximize that shooting. Gotta get around people before you open up people
(In response to this post by millmtnhokie)
W
win-tech
4y
(In response to this post by Rev.Zeke Vodka)
E
EDGEMAN
4y
We've seen those results.
We need to be able to attack the basket, not just shoot 3s.
We need to be able to attack the basket, not just shoot 3s.
(In response to this post by millmtnhokie)
4y
(In response to this post by GCHokie34)
Excellent analysis
Always thought the Camden/Ward situation was an either/or deal just as you described. Also thought with such young talent, defense at first may be wanting and the Hokies really could use another big guy to protect the rim. Having Wessler and Reid would answer that need. Getting Reid and Basile in addition to Camden would be incredible.
Am now trying to remember the last time so much talent came into the program in one incoming class. I know back in the late 70s when they signed Dale Solomon, Gordy Bryan, et. al, there was a lot of excitement. But that pales in comparison to this Fab 5 - and growing - group of freshman who will hit the floor this fall....
Am now trying to remember the last time so much talent came into the program in one incoming class. I know back in the late 70s when they signed Dale Solomon, Gordy Bryan, et. al, there was a lot of excitement. But that pales in comparison to this Fab 5 - and growing - group of freshman who will hit the floor this fall....
(In response to this post by GCHokie34)
V
VT One
4y
of excellence with Curry, Beecher, and Colbert.
(In response to this post by AshburnFarmHokie)
4y
Was a flashy player and arrived in Blacksburg with a lot of hype. One recruiting mag had him as 2nd team HS All-American. But he played sparingly until his Jr year and was never the impact player people thought he would be.
Dale Solomon was a different story.
Dale Solomon was a different story.
(In response to this post by AshburnFarmHokie)
Yes he was...
But I remember Charlie Moir thinking Gordy was going to be the best of the group. As we've all learned over the years, sometimes highly rated high school players don't translate to the college game. Gordy was one of them...
(In response to this post by YBYSAIAHokie)
4y
keep you on CMY bench . . . See Maddox.
(In response to this post by GCHokie34)
4y
have the quick feet you want to see. Since High School he has put on about 15 pounds and it appears to be good weight in terms of strength so I think defensively he is better suited guarding a 4 now. He is a shooter with great range and will be a huge asset on the floor at the 4 especially if we can land Reid because it will force teams to play our 5 straight up without help and Reid is very good with space to operate.
(In response to this post by MidloHokie)
I see Memphis center Sam Onu....
lived with Camden's family while attending prep school in Pennsylvania. The 6'11" center just transferred to Florida Gulf Coast. His sister is a 6'3" forward at Penn State.
(In response to this post by GCHokie34)
4y
Nickel can really shoot it. He also rarely played anyone who could match up with him.
I think its safe to say both are very high level shooters
I think its safe to say both are very high level shooters
(In response to this post by YBYSAIAHokie)