'14 Lithuania PF/C Rokas Gustys (Hofstra Commit)

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

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Jerry Meyer @jerrymeyer247
Rokas Gustys didnt put up big number but he physically matched Jahlil Okafor. UAB, Georgia, Rhode Island top his list bit.ly/1haoI8f

hrstrat57 · Unread post by **hrstrat57** » 10 years ago

This one needs to get done....

BFC · Unread post by **BFC** » 10 years ago

6’8 Senior Rokas Gustys of Oak Hill: When Oak Hill needed a bucket in the crucial fourth quarter, Coach Smith went to the strength of his physically mature big man, who finished with 17 points and 9 rebounds on the day. Simply put, Gustys brings passion and intensity every single game. He is a blue-collar workhorse around the rim and no one plays the game as hard on both ends of the court.

http://phenomhoopreport.com/phenom-hoop ... -word-god/

BFC · Unread post by **BFC** » 10 years ago

Early in the game, OHA relied on the relentless inside work of 6-foot-9, 245-pound senior forward Rokas Gustys from Lithuania.

“Rokas is so strong. I haven’t seen anybody in the country that can stop him yet,” Stith said.

Gustys, who battled with Duke bound Jahlil Okafor of Whitney Young on national television, followed an interesting path to the rural OHA campus in Mouth of Wilson, Va., last year.

“I played against Oak Hill with my national team in a tournament in China, and then I emailed Coach Smith and his wife asking for a chance to play at Oak Hill,” Gustys said.

Thanks to a far-flung schedule stacked with prep powers, Gustys feels his development is on track.

“I’m working hard on my game and in the weight room. The coaches are helping me with my post moves and mid-range shot,” Gustys said.

http://m.tricities.com/sports/article_1 ... l?mode=jqm

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 10 years ago

Definitely sounds like the type of player we could really use on the insider right now.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Make lots of noise Sunday, and make this kid want to
become a Rhody Ram!
I love the idea of Gustys, Gil, Martin and Watson up front.
We could finally absorb fouls and not pay such a price for them.
Plus, Gustys and Watson are hard nosed players, and this team needs
some of that toughness.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

Yes. Hurley wants a team that is "Ram Tough".

They aren't right now. Especially on the road.

Iggy1979 · Unread post by **Iggy1979** » 10 years ago

He loves the weight room so maybe this is the first recruit that is swayed by the new workout facility.
I would think Gil would play a critical role here convincing him that Hurley and URI are the place to be.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Make lots of noise Sunday, and make this kid want to
become a Rhody Ram!
I love the idea of Gustys, Gil, Martin and Watson up front.
We could finally absorb fouls and not pay such a price for them.
Plus, Gustys and Watson are hard nosed players, and this team needs
some of that toughness.

Do you hear that, students?!?!?!?!?!!!

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Unless, we have the damned storm predicted for Sunday,
and he never gets here.
Love this global warming.

Speaking of storms, when is the team leaving for Virginia?

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 10 years ago

We all complain about the lack of toughness. But, really, how tough can they play this year? We've only have a few big men and they have enough trouble keeping out of foul trouble playing cautiously. We need depth first.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

I've been watching some Big 12, and there's plenty
of banging under the boards. Same with Big 10.
Tough rebounders are always in demand in college ball.
You'll see an entire team of tough players Thursday night.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 10 years ago

In Last Night's Game (Tuesday) against Legacy Charter Oak Hill won 77-59 to bring their record to 30-3.
Rokas Gustys led the effort with 19 points (8-10 fg), 9 Rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks
BJ Stith had 14 points and 9 Rebounds - he is going to Virginia where his father was a star player
Cody Martin had 15 points and Caleb Martin had 10 points - both are headed to North Carolina State

Oak Hill was originally scheduled to play in the Hoopest in Las Vegas on this Saturday and then at home against Atlanta Sports Academy on Monday but both were cancelled. This opened up the weekend for visits and URI has the great fortune of Rokas Gustys stopping by

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

Let's hope the weather cooperates, for the recruits and for the UMass game.

It doesn't look so good right now.

theblueram · Unread post by **theblueram** » 10 years ago

I hope so. I'm going as long as the game is being played. Umass out of the rankings and on the bubble. Time to kick em in the teeth.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

OK, gonna have to move this stuff out of the Gustys thread...

Click Here for More Global Warming Chat!

Iggy1979 · Unread post by **Iggy1979** » 10 years ago

Looks like it's going to come down to URI and UAB. Similar programs.
They play in Bartow arena and get about 6000 a game. Jerod Haase is in his second year as coach; long-time Roy Williams assistant.
URI RPI: 136; UBA: 143
URI NCAA tournament appearances: 8
UAB: 14

UAB has already signed a four-star PF, so that might give URI the edge. And you would think that Biruta would be key in getting him to come to URI.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

I hope the storm co-operates Sunday, for Gustys and our
crowd against UMass.
If we see Garrett there, I think that would be great, too.
I listened to the forecast and they're saying Sunday night, now
for the crapola weather.
Let's hope this is the case.
I too, think Biruta is our ace in the hole on Gustys.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

We're due for things to break our way for once.

URI vs. Marquette for Garrett.

URI vs. UAB for Gustys.

Let's go 2 for 2! Garrett's decision is Sunday, has Rokas indicated he'll decide soon, or wait until April?

Iggy1979 · Unread post by **Iggy1979** » 10 years ago

I'm told Gustys is playing it very close to the vest.
UAB and URI have been involved pretty much from the beginning. I'm surprised by the way he's played that he hasn't drawn some high-major interest.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

Iggy...shhh!!! Haha.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

As long as Rokas makes it here before the storm. Then we get nailed Sunday night with a whopper of a storm and Rokas gets to spend a few days here with Gilly and the boys......as they say, the perfect storm...

Rhodymob05 · Unread post by **Rhodymob05** » 10 years ago

Yea this storm is gonna stop a lot of people from going. There's already almost a foot down here. Its been an ugly week.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 10 years ago

Hearing Georgia is making a push for Gustys and he is their prime target.
Challenge for Georgia is that their Head Coach is not in solid shape.
UCONN getting verbal this week from Will Jackson from the UGA Home Town of Athens has not been good for Mark Fox in the eyes of disgruntled alumni. Georgia had been recruiting Jackson since his Freshman year in HS - but as the article below says, Kevin Ollie was also connected with Jackson since his Freshman year.
Gustys would get early Playing Time with UGA but he would for sure get early Playing Time at URI PLUS he gets to grow with two guys who will likely both make the A10 All Freshman Team in Mathews and Martin.

http://articles.courant.com/2014-02-04/ ... onn-storrs

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

Hopefully Rokas is here today.

Hopefully he'll see close to a full house, and a good game.

Hopefully he'll give us a verbal today.

Not expecting that, of course, but it would be nice.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

As far back as I remember, no player has ever verbaled during a visit.
Hassan was the closest, who went home and verbaled the following morning.
Let's stop unrealistic expectations on all levels.
If he's here, he sure got a nice day to visit.

ram1980 · Unread post by **ram1980** » 10 years ago

Why are we so hot for this guy. We are already committed to 5 bigs/tweeners at the 4/5 position. Big O, AAMman, Biruta, Watson, Martin. We need athletic guards and small forwards I think. We don't have a legitimate PG and we don't have a legitimate small forward even for next year.We need athletes to become more up tempo and better at least on the defensive end!!

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

ram1980 wrote:Why are we so hot for this guy. We are already committed to 5 bigs/tweeners at the 4/5 position. Big O, AAMman, Biruta, Watson, Martin. We need athletic guards and small forwards I think. We don't have a legitimate PG and we don't have a legitimate small forward even for next year.We need athletes to become more up tempo and better at least on the defensive end!!

Give me some names.

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 10 years ago

I think it is unlikely we put together a balanced roster until a few more years into the DH regime.

Therefore I am in favor of adding the best available player and just having an absolute strength in the front court or back court.

Let's put together a roster of the best guys we can get and go from there, regardless of "traditional" position.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Um WE DON'T HAVE A CENTER.
This kid is said to be amazingly tough. We don't have any
tough players that I can see.
You need someone willing to bang under the boards.
Gil is playing out of position. You want Oneykaba or Aaman starting?
We've gotten killed with points in the paint all season.
Our interior defense is awful, except for Hassan.
You can't play uptempo without rebounding the ball.
This kid has extensive international experience and is starting at
one of the premier prep programs in the USA.
Damned right that any of us paying attention are
hot" for Rokas Gustys.

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 10 years ago

Yeah what Rod said!

ram1980 · Unread post by **ram1980** » 10 years ago

This kid doesn't look like a true center either.. OK he supposedly is tough.. So was Big "O"... Who does he get the outlet pass out to and who scores once the ball gets down the court.. I don't profess to know any of these potential recruits.. All the so called experts don't seem to be right most of the time either.. Thus the wailing and teeth gnashing as each guy that supposedly is coming to Kingston bids us adieu. Been to every game this year and watched most of away games and do know we don't have a legitimate point guard or a shooter for next year. I also know unless the current bigs leave the program they are here next year, So that's the facts as I see them...

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

ram1980 wrote:This kid doesn't look like a true center either.. OK he supposedly is tough.. So was Big "O"... Who does he get the outlet pass out to and who scores once the ball gets down the court.. I don't profess to know any of these potential recruits.. All the so called experts don't seem to be right most of the time either.. Thus the wailing and teeth gnashing as each guy that supposedly is coming to Kingston bids us adieu. Been to every game this year and watched most of away games and do know we don't have a legitimate point guard or a shooter for next year. I also know unless the current bigs leave the program they are here next year, So that's the facts as I see them...

You're right, we don't have a point guard. But most of the good ones are taken. Do we just sign any point guard? Would you be happy with another Mike Powell?

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

Jerry Meyer ‏@jerrymeyer247 · 1h
3-star bruiser Rokas Gustys officially visiting Rhode Island. Expected 2 visit Georgia, San Jose St, UAB http://bit.ly/1haoI8f @Mansell247

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Yes, we need a point guard. Need number one.
We also have three scholarships.
Gustys is one of the three.
You build a team by getting the best players you
can, at all positions.

rhodyfan3 · Unread post by **rhodyfan3** » 10 years ago

Is he here today?

Bos8 · Unread post by **Bos8** » 10 years ago

Yes. Sitting behind the bench.

hrstrat57 · Unread post by **hrstrat57** » 10 years ago

Always good for a recruit to see an exciting game that if he played in it team would have won....

Rhody22 · Unread post by **Rhody22** » 10 years ago

If I saw correctly, he had a jacket/vest with maroon on the upper half. Almost looked like UMASS colors. I sit in 305 and noticed he went to the locker room area at halftime with the trainer, Monteiro. Throughout the game, he didn't seem to pay much attention to what was happening on the court. He was slouched down and never saw him clap or anything. Is that normal for a recruit to not show some excitement? Seemed almost like he didn't want to be there...

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

22, from what I've heard, he's kind of a quiet, reserved guy.

No guarantees of course, but I think he would be perfect for this team.

Again, only the coaching staff knows what's going on.

Rhody22 · Unread post by **Rhody22** » 10 years ago

Hope you're right. Just seemed uninterested but maybe just trying not to draw much attention to himself. Liked the fact that he did go to the locker room area at the half. Here's hoping!

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 10 years ago

Rhody22 wrote:If I saw correctly, he had a jacket/vest with maroon on the upper half. Almost looked like UMASS colors. I sit in 305 and noticed he went to the locker room area at halftime with the trainer, Monteiro. Throughout the game, he didn't seem to pay much attention to what was happening on the court. He was slouched down and never saw him clap or anything. Is that normal for a recruit to not show some excitement? Seemed almost like he didn't want to be there...

Oh I cant wait to hear all the conspiracy theories after this post...

"He doesn't really want to come here"

"He's using us for a better offer"

"He really wants to go to UMass"

"The coaches should have not coached the game and sat in the stands with him instead!"

This is going to be fun!!

Rhody22 · Unread post by **Rhody22** » 10 years ago

Adam, I hope that's not a dig on me. The vest color was merely an observation. I don't post much but thought people would like to know what I saw of him at the game. Doesn't mean he wants UMASS or doesn't want us. If he didn't want us he could've canceled.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

Adam, until we land someone, that's what we're going to hear.

Hoya paranoia has nothing on us!

Wait until April. If we have no verbals before then, full scale panic will be the order of the day.

I will say this: If we don't get a good PG, or a good SG, transfer or whatever, for next year the rats will be jumping ship.

Right or wrong, that's what will happen.

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 10 years ago

Rhody22 wrote:Adam, I hope that's not a dig on me. The vest color was merely an observation. I don't post much but thought people would like to know what I saw of him at the game. Doesn't mean he wants UMASS or doesn't want us. If he didn't want us he could've canceled.

No, not a dig on you at all. More a comment on the overall paranoia and overreaction of the board at every little piece of info on the recruiting front.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

Rhody22 wrote:Adam, I hope that's not a dig on me. The vest color was merely an observation. I don't post much but thought people would like to know what I saw of him at the game. Doesn't mean he wants UMASS or doesn't want us. If he didn't want us he could've canceled.

On me.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

I came in behind the Murphy's with a big guy with glasses. They sat with Gustys.
I think he said to Tomas, "I must break you!".
He did seem disinterested.
Who the hell knows? I'm done trying to read kid's minds, including my own.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

Rod, I think we're going to land somebody out of the blue, and when we hear about it, we're going to say: WHO?

It's going to be a surprise. I just hope it turns out to be a GOOD surprise.

We're driving ourselves nuts going back and forth about these kids.

We need some good news. This program needs some good news.

Rhody Blue · Unread post by **Rhody Blue** » 10 years ago

I sat near Earl Watson at the game he came to . He seemed disinterested too, and than the news broke days later he was coming to URI. You can't look into these things too much .

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:I came in behind the Murphy's with a big guy with glasses. They sat with Gustys.
I think he said to Tomas, "I must break you!".
He did seem disinterested.
Who the hell knows? I'm done trying to read kid's minds, including my own.

This kid was reportedly there. Was it him?
https://twitter.com/JordyBallHard33