Fraschilla on Hannes Polla???

[okiezoni]

Should have put ???? in subject line as I am asking for info. Edit doesn't appear to allow me to change subject line.

I really want to hear Fran's thoughts on Hannes Polla, the Finnish frosh-to-be. Sounds like he has a Marc Gasol type body, a bit shorter, and maybe the same type game???

Have also read about him being a stretch 4 but with moves and able to finish with both hands around the basket. I have read that he would be the first real low post presence under Lon at OU. Which is it?
I want Fran to give an opinion about how much of an impact Polla could have, like, is he expected to have 50% of the impact that his fellow countryman, Lauri Markannen, is having at Arizona, 20%, 70% or what. From the weights I have seen on line, Polla outweighs Markannen by ~40 lbs., so their games are bound to be different.

I have searched on-line for info from Fran on this and not found any info. Thanks for anyone's input.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Re: Fraschilla on Hannes Polla

Should have put ???? in subject line as I am asking for info. Edit doesn't appear to allow me to change subject line.

I really want to hear Fran's thoughts on Hannes Polla, the Finnish frosh-to-be. Sounds like he has a Marc Gasol type body, a bit shorter, and maybe the same type game???

Have also read about him being a stretch 4 but with moves and able to finish with both hands around the basket. I have read that he would be the first real low post presence under Lon at OU. Which is it?
I want Fran to give an opinion about how much of an impact Polla could have, like, is he expected to have 50% of the impact that his fellow countryman, Lauri Markannen, is having at Arizona, 20%, 70% or what. From the weights I have seen on line, Polla outweighs Markannen by ~40 lbs., so their games are bound to be different.

I have searched on-line for info from Fran on this and not found any info. Thanks for anyone's input.

For what it's worth, Tony Sellars told me on twitter he's heard Polla is another Matt Freeman, so not very phsyical.

That doesn't seem to gibe with what others have shared here but I'm not sure Fran knows much about Polla other than maybe what Lon (and staff) has told him. Finding info about Hannes has been very few and far between so I'm under the belief not many know about him at all. He may be a surprise.

 

[Stikboy]

Re: Fraschilla on Hannes Polla

I've watched quite a few online videos of Polla's games. The only similarities Polla has to Freeman is they are both white and not from the US. That's it.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Re: Fraschilla on Hannes Polla

I've watched quite a few online videos of Polla's games. The only similarities Polla has to Freeman is they are both white and not from the US. That's it.

I figured as much based on what others have posted. I think Tony get's his info from Eschbach which used to be reliable but not so much anymore,

 

[sooner8693]

Re: Fraschilla on Hannes Polla

I figured as much based on what others have posted. I think Tony get's his info from Eschbach which used to be reliable but not so much anymore,

The only thing Al Asscrack is reliable on these days is Porn.

 

[okiezoni]

Re: Fraschilla on Hannes Polla

Fran Fraschilla is supposedly an expert on International basketball (at the very least European basketball) regarding both pro and young players. That is why I want Fran's thoughts. Perhaps he doesn't know much, but I bet he does.

Someone asked about it a couple of hours ago, he got the same reply as what I read about Polla being in the low post for Lon. Polla is from the same basketball academy that Lauri Markannen came from and he is an outstanding freshman. Just want how much of an impact he might reasonably be expected to have in comparison to Markannen.

I have read that he does shoot the 3. Other sources indicate a short jumper is his range. Both descriptions say that he has moves around the basket. Nothing indicates that he should be a project.

Marc Gasol type....maybe??????

 

[Laxtothemax12]

Re: Fraschilla on Hannes Polla

Fran Fraschilla is supposedly an expert on International basketball (at the very least European basketball) regarding both pro and young players. That is why I want Fran's thoughts. Perhaps he doesn't know much, but I bet he does.

Someone asked about it a couple of hours ago, he got the same reply as what I read about Polla being in the low post for Lon. Polla is from the same basketball academy that Lauri Markannen came from and he is an outstanding freshman. Just want how much of an impact he might reasonably be expected to have in comparison to Markannen.

I have read that he does shoot the 3. Other sources indicate a short jumper is his range. Both descriptions say that he has moves around the basket. Nothing indicates that he should be a project.

Marc Gasol type....maybe??????

Let's hope it's Lauri Markkanen

 

[coolm]

Re: Fraschilla on Hannes Polla

I figured as much based on what others have posted. I think Tony get's his info from Eschbach which used to be reliable but not so much anymore,

I just asked tony and he said he had no idea.

 

[AdaSooner]

I'm not sure anyone, except maybe OU's coaching staff and his coaches in Finland, have a clue about Polla's potential. I do know from reports I read that our coaches are really high on him because they feel he can be a force down low. It's also important to note that he has been recovering from an ACL, so he may not have been himself in the limited video clips available online.

His size alone makes him an interesting prospect for the future. If he can use his bulk to defend the paint and rebound, he may not have to score too much to contribute to the team's success next season. Hannes Polla is at the very worst a candidate for a redshirt who could develop into a unique weapon someday. How many times in the last few years have we watched a big bruiser like him throw his weight around and wish "OU had a player like that?" Well, now we do.

 

[coolm]

His size alone makes him an interesting prospect for the future. If he can use his bulk to defend the paint and rebound, he may not have to score too much to contribute to the team's success next season. Hannes Polla is at the very worst a candidate for a redshirt who could develop into a unique weapon someday. How many times in the last few years have we watched a big bruiser like him throw his weight around and wish "OU had a player like that?" Well, now we do.

which is exactly why I want him. I still believe in the "can't coach size" adage. Throw in maybe some good footwork or some other positive and you're talking about a difference maker.

 

[MisterF]

First I've heard anything about an ACL.

 

[AdaSooner]

First I've heard anything about an ACL.

Since no one had mentioned it that I can recall, I had an idea his ACL injury had not been considered in the critiques of his limited performances on video. Here's where I read it. This article also has a little more in-depth review about what we can expect from a healthy Hannes Polla:

Domestically, there just aren’t many the size and strength of Polla throughout the high school ranks. Capable of changing shots at the basket due to the sheer size of him, the Finnish big man is a solid rebounder of the basketball. He is decently skilled with his back to the basket as he can convert on hook shots over his left shoulder and has fine touch on putback attempts. While he should not be seen as a premier athlete, Polla’s explosiveness should improve in the coming years where he recently tore his ACL last year.

http://www.hoopseen.com/news/player/201609/hannes-polla-ready-be-oklahoma-sooner

The article below also mentions his ACL injury. As you can see, he was the leading scorer and rebounder for his team in the 2014-15 season with a 16 and 9 average, but he spent most of last year on the sidelines.

His Academy coach, Hanno Mottola, who played in the NBA for Coach Kruger, may know him better than anyone:

“Hannes is a scorer on the block and an offensive force,” Helsinki Basketball Academy coach Hanno Mottola told Scout. “He’s an old school center that will translate in the Big 12.”

http://blacktoptv.com/oklahoma-gets-6-11-finland-center-hannes-polla/

 

[Laxtothemax12]

Since no one had mentioned it that I can recall, I had an idea his ACL injury had not been considered in the critiques of his limited performances on video. Here's where I read it. This article also has a little more in-depth review about what we can expect from a healthy Hannes Polla:



http://www.hoopseen.com/news/player/201609/hannes-polla-ready-be-oklahoma-sooner

The article below also mentions his ACL injury. As you can see, he was the leading scorer and rebounder for his team in the 2014-15 season with a 16 and 9 average, but he spent most of last year on the sidelines.

His Academy coach, Hanno Mottola, who played in the NBA for Coach Kruger, may know him better than anyone:



http://blacktoptv.com/oklahoma-gets-6-11-finland-center-hannes-polla/

Old School Lineup of McNeace, Polla, and Odomes. Height!

 

[chuckb]

I'm sort of hoping his peak is someone like Gonzaga's Karnowski. That guy's a beast and about the same size as Polla. He's limited athletically but tremendous offensively and solid on the boards.

 

[vbdad]

Re: Fraschilla on Hannes Polla

The only thing Al Asscrack is reliable on these days is Porn.

Probably knows something about the bad stuff that happens on the South Pacific islands.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Re: Fraschilla on Hannes Polla

I just asked tony and he said he had no idea.

OK...I was incorrect.

I asked Tony if Polla "is a big physical body..." and he replied "more of a stretch 4 but is 6'11" ".

I took from this he was saying he's like Freeman. This was on 1/7 so I've slept A LOT since then. :ez-roll:

 

[CoachTalk]

Re: Fraschilla on Hannes Polla

Big wide body, true center, work in progress.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

I imagine that Coach is correct ... "Work in Progress."

You know, no matter what Fran, Tony, Asscrack or “Jimmy the Recruiting Guru” says, I remain skeptical of these reports until I see the recruit with my own eyes. Especially post players. Heck, I saw Matt Freeman practice last summer with my own eyes, and I expected him to produce more than he delivered as a freshman. It is difficult for fans like me to practice patience as the big guys develop over time.

It appears to me that Coach Kruger is accumulating some size on the roster, and hopes that it develops, over time. It appears to me that OU big men recruits typically are not physical players. I am hopeful that Polla ends up being a physical presence on the block. (Gosh I miss Ryan Spangler, even if he was “only” 6’7 or 6’8.)

I am highly doubtful that Polla or Manek will be “difference-makers” as true freshmen. I am hopeful they can be by the time they are juniors.

Realistically, OU’s post play next season will largely depend on the play of Khadeen Lattin and Jamuni McNeace. I am hopeful that those players work hard and improve between now and November.

The wild card is a possible graduate transfer, but I am not getting my hopes up until someone actually transfers and enrolls at OU. I know nothing about such a possible graduate transfer, other than the insight posted on this board.

 

[AdaSooner]

Re: Fraschilla on Hannes Polla

OK...I was incorrect.

I asked Tony if Polla "is a big physical body..." and he replied "more of a stretch 4 but is 6'11" ".

I took from this he was saying he's like Freeman. This was on 1/7 so I've slept A LOT since then. :ez-roll:

If Tony thinks Polla is a stretch four, he couldn't possibly be more wrong. Freeman is more of a stretch four, or hopefully will be when the game he was signed to play develops into the player everyone, including me, thought he would be last season.

Polla is the polar opposite of Freeman. He's an old school, back to the basket five, perfectly suited to bang down low, occupy space, rebound and score in close on put backs and hook shots. In other words, he's what this year's team needed.

 

[usedtobe1]

Re: Fraschilla on Hannes Polla

If Tony thinks Polla is a stretch four, he couldn't possibly be more wrong. Freeman is more of a stretch four, or hopefully will be when the game he was signed to play develops into the player everyone, including me, thought he would be last season.

Polla is the polar opposite of Freeman. He's an old school, back to the basket five, perfectly suited to bang down low, occupy space, rebound and score in close on put backs and hook shots. In other words, he's what this year's team needed.

Yep, I agree 100%. Also, Polla is nothing like Markennan at Arizona who has more of a finesse game. Polla is a banger who won't be pushed around in the paint.