'21 PA SF - Ileri Ayo-Faleye (Rhode Island Commit)

[CamsRams]

[reef]

Great story a late bloomer who didn’t hold a scholly offer until the beginning of the year !!

[rhodyblue12]

Glad my premonition came true. Could be a star in the making. Welcome to Rhody!

[Rhody74]

We need to figure out this kid’s nickname. Or maybe we just use IAF.

[phipsiGD'11]

A-Yo sounds pretty good... not sure how he actually pronounces it but i like it in my New York accent

"Aaaaaaa Yooooo"

[reef]

Both IAF and Ayo are great

[Rhody83]

We need to figure out this kid’s nickname. Or maybe we just use IAF.

You have a year. He is redshirting.

[Billyboy78]

We need to figure out this kid’s nickname. Or maybe we just use IAF.

You have a year. He is redshirting.

Is that definite? Because if it is, there must be a couple of waivers that will be approved.

[NYGFan_Section208]

We need to figure out this kid’s nickname. Or maybe we just use IAF.

ill AF

[TrevlontRook3]

A-Yo sounds pretty good... not sure how he actually pronounces it but i like it in my New York accent

"Aaaaaaa Yooooo"

Love the Aaaaaa Yoooo but who knows if he doesn’t already have a nick name like Fatts

[NYGFan_Section208]

A-Yo sounds pretty good... not sure how he actually pronounces it but i like it in my New York accent

"Aaaaaaa Yooooo"

Love the Aaaaaa Yoooo but who knows if he doesn’t already have a nick name like Fatts

Unless it's a better one...who cares?

[Billyboy78]

Ask Chris Berman. Maybe he has one.

[SGreenwell]

Ask Chris Berman. Maybe he has one.

It would have to be a reference from the 1970s or before then, so probably something like, "A, YO ADRIAN!"

[CamsRams]

Cox Adds Ayo-Faleye to the 2020-21 Roster
https://gorhody.com/news/2020/8/11/mens ... oster.aspx

[phipsiGD'11]

Is he practicing with the team yet?

Do we know if the redshirt route is actually taking place?

[PeteRI]

Also strong in the classroom, Ayo-Faleye graduated from Cedar Crest with a 3.4 grade-point average and scored higher than 1200 on the SAT.

"Getting him involved with a college level strength and conditioning coach sooner rather than later, the potential is endless," Cox said.

[Rhody83]

Not on campus yet. Not an issue since he is going to redshirt.
Everyone else in this picture.

[KevanBoyles]

DJ looks taller than 6’7” when he is in the pic with the big guys.

[SandorClegane]

We should pin this man..

[URIRecruitingInfo]

We should pin this man..

[URIRecruitingInfo]

We should pin this man..

[CamsRams]

[Ramulous]

Nice read. He seems like an intelligent mature young man. I look forward to watching him develop personally and athletically

[Billyboy78]

Sounds like a very smart and determined kid.

[Billyboy78]

Why not have this kid eligible? I don't see any benefit in red-shirting with this being a free year. With Makhi out for the year and Jermaine's foot being a question mark going forward, at least he's a depth piece. He would only play in an emergency. I know....he's not ready. I bet he's more ready than the walk-ons.

[Rhody_NYCT]

I've heard people mention this season as a free year. Can someone explain or clarify what the rule is and who it will impact? Is this something that might happen or is definitely happening?

[Billyboy78]

I've heard people mention this season as a free year. Can someone explain or clarify what the rule is and who it will impact? Is this something that might happen or is definitely happening?

From what I understand, this year doesn't count as a year of eligibility for any player.....existing players, transfers, first year freshmen, anyone....if I'm wrong, I'd appreciate if someone corrects me.

[KingstonLane]

Why not have this kid eligible? I don't see any benefit in red-shirting with this being a free year. With Makhi out for the year and Jermaine's foot being a question mark going forward, at least he's a depth piece. He would only play in an emergency. I know....he's not ready. I bet he's more ready than the walk-ons.

That could very well be the plan. But even as it stands right now you’d need 1-2 more injuries before he should see minutes. Not something you want to happen

[Jersey77]

Why not have this kid eligible? I don't see any benefit in red-shirting with this being a free year. With Makhi out for the year and Jermaine's foot being a question mark going forward, at least he's a depth piece. He would only play in an emergency. I know....he's not ready. I bet he's more ready than the walk-ons.

That could very well be the plan. But even as it stands right now you’d need 1-2 more injuries before he should see minutes. Not something you want to happen

I had been thinking the same thing, could be a back-up plan in case of an emergency. Cox did mention he likes his explosiveness, strength, and sheer force to the rim, but he is raw.

[PeterRamTime]

Why not have this kid eligible? I don't see any benefit in red-shirting with this being a free year. With Makhi out for the year and Jermaine's foot being a question mark going forward, at least he's a depth piece. He would only play in an emergency. I know....he's not ready. I bet he's more ready than the walk-ons.

That could very well be the plan. But even as it stands right now you’d need 1-2 more injuries before he should see minutes. Not something you want to happen

Yeah he looks like he weighs 150 soaking wet.

[rhodyblue12]

I've heard people mention this season as a free year. Can someone explain or clarify what the rule is and who it will impact? Is this something that might happen or is definitely happening?

From what I understand, this year doesn't count as a year of eligibility for any player.....existing players, transfers, first year freshmen, anyone....if I'm wrong, I'd appreciate if someone corrects me.

This is true. The exception is grad transfers playing this year. It counts for them.

[NYGFan_Section208]

When is this dude able to play? I'm looking forward to saying "Ill AF"

[rhodyblue12]

Out of curiosity - do any of you insiders know how Illeri and Tres Berry are looking in practice?
Wondering what they can bring to the team next year.

[Rhody15]

When is this dude able to play? I'm looking forward to saying "Ill AF"

He´s redshrting, so next year.

[PeterRamTime]

Just rewatched his highlights and damn...he might take some dudes minutes

[rhodylaw]

I think he and Tres are going to be players.

[LIRAM]

I think he and Tres are going to be players.

Yes Law. I totally agree that both these young men are going to be players. I like the length and athleticism they both have. We really need one of them to develop into that athletic/multiple tool wing we so desperately need. The fact that both are still here is a good thing. The staff must see them making contributions in the future and the players must see that they have a role in the program. Looking forward to seeing what they give us. Anyone with insight on there development?

[steveystuds06]

I'd temper your expectations. He's very, very raw... Obviously, he has upside, but I heard he needs to improve his shot, skill, and feel for the game at this level. I don't see him making an impact next season, but I hope I'm wrong!!

[Joe95]

Here’s a workout clip from 2 weeks ago. I agree with what Stevey said ^^ I think if he makes any impact next year it will be causing havoc on the defensive end.

[LIRAM]

Here’s a workout clip from 2 weeks ago. I agree with what Stevey said ^^ I think if he makes any impact next year it will be causing havoc on the defensive end.

Ugh....
Not an impressive workout for a kid that just spent a year working with a division one program. Hope he keeps working.

[rhodylaw]

LIRAM - I agree, workout was not great looking. However, from the highlights he looks like an explosive in-game player. So if it takes awhile longer for the skill to match the in-game intensity and athleticism I can live with that. Reminds me of Lamonte Ulmer who provided a lot of energy and improved his skill every year.

[eli#10]

Where was that taking place?

I would not agree that the workout was unimpressive.

[KevanBoyles]

I was impressed. Smart, hard worker, size, lots of talent. What’s not to like? Reminds me of Dre Hunter at UVA when he was a red shirt freshman. At this point, Dre had better skills but he left early, was a lottery pick, and is now tearing up the NBA. I’m excited for this guy.

[Rhody22]

I was impressed. Smart, hard worker, size, lots of talent. What’s not to like? Reminds me of Dre Hunter at UVA when he was a red shirt freshman. At this point, Dre had better skills but he left early, was a lottery pick, and is now tearing up the NBA. I’m excited for this guy.

Let’s temper expectations here. We tend to overhype every guy who we are ever even involved with. We’ve seen how many of these players have turned out for us recently? I hope he becomes a stud but let’s not forget he couldn’t even get garbage minutes in a free season that was going nowhere really fast.

[KevanBoyles]

I was impressed. Smart, hard worker, size, lots of talent. What’s not to like? Reminds me of Dre Hunter at UVA when he was a red shirt freshman. At this point, Dre had better skills but he left early, was a lottery pick, and is now tearing up the NBA. I’m excited for this guy.

Let’s temper expectations here. We tend to overhype every guy who we are ever even involved with. We’ve seen how many of these players have turned out for us recently? I hope he becomes a stud but let’s not forget he couldn’t even get garbage minutes in a free season that was going nowhere really fast.

I agree with tempering expectations but I stand by my observation.

[Rhody15]

I was impressed. Smart, hard worker, size, lots of talent. What’s not to like? Reminds me of Dre Hunter at UVA when he was a red shirt freshman. At this point, Dre had better skills but he left early, was a lottery pick, and is now tearing up the NBA. I’m excited for this guy.

You just compared this kid who doesn’t have one second of D1 action to an NCAA defensive player of the year, national champion and 4th overall pick in the NBA draft...

Some things on this board will never change, and putting ridiculous expectations and having unrealistic comparisons for players in our program is at the top of the list.

[The Dude]

Looked like the work out of a typical average young, unpolished collegiate basketball player to me. Has plenty of things to work on, but it's good to see he's willing to work on them. Time will tell how things pan out.

[PeterRamTime]

I think he could come in and be effective as an energy guy next year. That's if he came in and played hard. The framework exists for him to be a solid player eventually.

Getting in that weight room more will help too.

It really seems like all of our guys could stand to get in the weight room more.

Am I the only one that feels that way? I'm used to us having some straight dudes out there.

Leggett is the only guy that's kinda jacked and it's definitely something that helped him transition so well to this level. I think we got pushed around a little too much during games last year because our guys weren't strong enough.

We need more beef.

[KevanBoyles]

I was impressed. Smart, hard worker, size, lots of talent. What’s not to like? Reminds me of Dre Hunter at UVA when he was a red shirt freshman. At this point, Dre had better skills but he left early, was a lottery pick, and is now tearing up the NBA. I’m excited for this guy.

You just compared this kid who doesn’t have one second of D1 action to an NCAA defensive player of the year, national champion and 4th overall pick in the NBA draft...

Some things on this board will never change, and putting ridiculous expectations and having unrealistic comparisons for players in our program is at the top of the list.

Dre Hunter was a redshirt freshman when I first saw him. Ileri reminds me of him at that time. I like what I see. I have no idea how he will progress. If you think I raised expectations, so be it. That wasn’t my intent.

[reef]

If Ileri can get anywhere close to Dre Hunter we are all in for a heck of a ride