Add PC West's Tyler Neal to the list of possible spring signees

[DenverSooner]

Just curious but where does this kid fit in at OU. Lets assume Davis, TMG, Pledger, Cam, TJ and Willis are all back. Plus it is possible that Willie Warren is back. I just don't see how this guy helps OU with its immediate needs.

 

[gracefor24]

Lucky, watch both videos carefully from start to finish and you will see what some of us have been talking about. I wouldn't say Neal is as athletic as Taylor was in high school. He is not as quick off his feet, nor does he have TG's leaping ability. But a 35 inch vertical is nothing to be ashamed of.

I will say he is a lot more skilled than Taylor at this point of his career. Keep in mind that TG was not a good mid-range or three point shooter even as a senior at OU. Neal is already good at both, and as Grace said, these videos were shot during his junior year. I really believe this kid has a chance to be a very good player in time.

Ada, have you seen Neal play this year? Because the guy I saw this year is MUCH better than that highlight video? We forget how much better Taylor got as an athlete in college. In HS he wasn't seen as a high level athlete but he really had a good base to work with and turned himself into a terrific athlete. That's why I said Neal reminded me a lot of Taylor, he's not super athletic but he has the base to become a really good athlete in college.


As to the other post, there aren't many guys that OU has a shot with that meet immediate needs. OU has a really good base as these freshman mature, what they need to do is continue to build that base. They have Cam Clark and TJ Taylor who should help immediately.

 

[AdaSooner]

Ada, have you seen Neal play this year? Because the guy I saw this year is MUCH better than that highlight video? We forget how much better Taylor got as an athlete in college. In HS he wasn't seen as a high level athlete but he really had a good base to work with and turned himself into a terrific athlete. That's why I said Neal reminded me a lot of Taylor, he's not super athletic but he has the base to become a really good athlete in college.


As to the other post, there aren't many guys that OU has a shot with that meet immediate needs. OU has a really good base as these freshman mature, what they need to do is continue to build that base. They have Cam Clark and TJ Taylor who should help immediately.

Grace, I have never seen Neal play in person. But if he has improved since these videos were shot, I would be even more impressed. I did see Taylor play in high school, and there is no way he had this kid's shooting skills back then. Neal is a lot further along skill wise than TG was as a college player. If he can move his feet quick enough to play defense, I think he could be a very good get for OU. Can he play D at the next level?

As for the second point you made, I still think OU needs to sign at least one quality big (possibly two) in April. But Neal appears to fit one of our needs in that he is a hybrid three who could swing to the four, if he gets a little bigger and stronger between now and next fall.

 

[gracefor24]

Grace, I have never seen Neal play in person. But if he has improved since these videos were shot, I would be even more impressed. I did see Taylor play in high school, and there is no way he had this kid's shooting skills back then. Neal is a lot further along skill wise than TG was as a college player. If he can move his feet quick enough to play defense, I think he could be a very good get for OU. Can he play D at the next level?

As for the second point you made, I still think OU needs to sign at least one quality big (possibly two) in April. But Neal appears to fit one of our needs in that he is a hybrid three who could swing to the four, if he gets a little bigger and stronger between now and next fall.

He is definitely a 4/3 right now, imo. That video shows him shooting a lot of 3's but like I said when I saw him play he definitely was a 4 who can play the 3. He is at least 6'6 and I think he's a legit 6'7 and he probably is around 220.

I know for a fact that Neal has received very good coaching and you can tell from the way he plays. He is smart and he plays extremely hard.

 

[AdaSooner]

He is definitely a 4/3 right now, imo. That video shows him shooting a lot of 3's but like I said when I saw him play he definitely was a 4 who can play the 3. He is at least 6'6 and I think he's a legit 6'7 and he probably is around 220.

I know for a fact that Neal has received very good coaching and you can tell from the way he plays. He is smart and he plays extremely hard.

If he's a four who can play the three, I like that even better. Do you think he can defend one of those positions in college, or could he develop the foot speed to play D at the next level? That's the main question I had after watching those videos.

 

[Sooner23]

Here is a photo of Neal standing next to Amric Fields that I guess was taken before the season. Doesn't look thin to me. Look at his legs, they are pretty thick actually. Also, love the half-fro.

 

[Krugerfan52]

I like the Luke Axtell and Robbie Hummell comparisons, but he reminds me a lot of Adam Morrison.

Funny thing is that Adam Morrison was not a 5-star MAA type guy and he ended up being the best or one of the best players in college basketball.

 

[soonertboy824]

reminds me of adam morrison

 

[Sooner79]

Sooner23....that photo didn't seem to come through.

 

[Sooner23]

Sooner23....that photo didn't seem to come through.

Hmmm....it's showing up for me. Anyway, here is the direct link..........

http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/files/2009/12/PCWhoops1.jpg

 

[gracefor24]

It's so weird to watch those videos that pretty much only show him hitting 3's and hearing him compared to guys that were pretty much all perimeter players. When I watched him play you could definitely tell he could shoot the ball but he might have only taken 3-4 three pointers. Looks like he's expanded his game!

I think he can grow into a guy who can guard some 3's but it just depends on who they are. If they are smaller and more guard like he would struggle but the bigger SF's he could guard. I think he is the type of kid that will be terrific coming off the bench to provide energy and skill, he's going to play his butt off and have a great attitude and is one of those kids who you end up seeing play for a mid major in the tourney and light it up and wonder why OU didn't offer.

 

[Sooner23]

Here is the Neal photo again from another source. Is this showing up for you guys..........

 

[Sooner79]

Yes....thanks 23.

 

[afaSooner]

I like him. He has a chance if he can bulk up a bit and work on his inside game. With his size he could help us inside plus he has a nice touch around the rim. His baseline dunk was pretty sweet! I think he's got some skilz... could be a sleeper.

 

[Darwin]

This post is for kids like him, though they may play sooner. I want 1 or 2 kids out of the 13 ships, that are willing to redshirt and sit a year or 2 before they earn minutes(ex Dave Sieger). I believe a in state kid is more likely to do it but local is not a big deal. Sure we want some major talent but this team lacked a core of experienced mature players, so get and keep that core. If a kid doesn't do much his 1st year he may not be a bust, we may be saying why didn't he redshirt because we want him for his 5th year (ex Crocker and Cade).

 

[campbest]

It's not like this guy is our cornerstone recruit or anything. We have plenty of schollies to give and I like his game as a four year player.

 

[Seymore Cox]

Fields is a legit 6'7 to 6'8 guy. The biggest thing about Neal is will he be quick enough and strong enough to hang with 4s in this league. you have to be both.

 

[tooney]

It's hard to evaluate talent by looking at a video. It doesn't tell you how hard or intelligent the kid plays... It looks like he's spent a lot of time in the gym, he can shoot around the rim with either hand and handles the ball good for his size. If he can shoot a high percentage on his threes and Jeff thinks his game is good enough for OU, go for it.

 

[SoonerLawyer05]

his release looks kinda slow

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[gracefor24]

I was thinking the same thing.

I think part of the reason his release is a little slow is because he's 6'7 and his shot isn't challenged very often. Little guys develop a quick release because they have too. It's not something that can't be changed through practice. I'd be much more concerned if he couldn't shoot.