Jalen Hill

[pnkranger]

I really like what he brings to the floor. Energy, rebounding, ball security. He looks calm and confident. Really like his size as a SF who can guard three positions at a high level. I get the sense he’s going to be a starter next year and could really blossom into a bigger contributor. Who is his best comparable. Najera, Cam Clark?

 

[thebigabd]

I really like what he brings to the floor. Energy, rebounding, ball security. He looks calm and confident. Really like his size as a SF who can guard three positions at a high level. I get the sense he’s going to be a starter next year and could really blossom into a bigger contributor. Who is his best comparable. Najera, Cam Clark?

Eric Martin.

"Sometimes we get too caught up with whether a player is a 1, a 2, a 3, a 4 or a 5," Sampson said. "A good basketball player helps you win basketball games. I think Eric can fill in two or three positions. He can play some small post, small forward and some shooting guard. He's a great shooter and a winner."
-Kelvin Sampson on Eric Martin

Sounds like Sampson is describing Jalen Hill when talking about Eric Martin.

• Winner
• Gatorade Player of the Year
• Known shooter
• Can play multiple positions
• Not a freak athlete, but gets it done

 

[AdaSooner]

Good question. Jalen is more of a finesse player. He’s not physical enough to be compared to Najera and not quite as athletic as Cam Clark.

A smoother Dante Buford with more of an upside, maybe? Kinda hard to say at this point.

 

[skyvue]

As with so many of our players (I'm looking at you, Alondes Williams), we need more consistency from Hill, but when he's on and playing well, he definitely is a good addition to the team (as a true freshman, he gets a bit of a pass on the consistency tip, but it'd be nice if he could play the rest of the way like he did last night).

 

[WTSooner]

His offense is right now is basically put his head down and go straight to the rim. He'll need to add to that. He plays hard at least. I'll give him that. I think his skills will take a year or two to develop. Has the ability to be a really good defender.

I'm not great at comps, but like has been mentioned, he isn't Najera. I feel like Hill is bigger, but I like the Cam Clark comparison. Don't think Hill will/can score it like Martin.

 

[vbdad]

He shot the ball with confidence last night. He missed out on a 3 when Davion was called for a charge. It seemed to be a good call. I don’t think Jalen’s first charge was correct.
He has never been afraid to be physical rebounding or defending. LK said on a talk show last week he is going to be a very good player.

 

[MJSooner]

Good question. Jalen is more of a finesse player. He’s not physical enough to be compared to Najera and not quite as athletic as Cam Clark.

A smoother Dante Buford with more of an upside, maybe? Kinda hard to say at this point.

Maybe so, but Buford didn't seem all that athletic, or maybe it was a from a lack of desire.

He's not the physical presence as Najera and seems to be quicker and better ball handler as a freshman. Cam Clark was a little more athletic, but for some reason, Jalen Hill reminds me a bit of another Clark- Keith Clark. Pre ACL that is. Clark had a nice shot and could handle the ball well for his size. He carried about 10-15 lbs more weight, but if I remember correctly, similar games offensively. Hill is much better on the defensive end.

I like how Hill is progressing and he played a key role last night.

 

[lexusooner]

Jalen has a little Keith Clark in his game - he can play effectively nearly anywhere on the court, has skill set to be a solid 2, 3, or 4, can pass, shoot, and rebound fairly well, streaky from the outside, isn’t as good as he should be in the post but isn’t awful down there ...high upside if he continues to improve ..

 

[daqman]

Jalen has a little Keith Clark in his game - he can play effectively nearly anywhere on the court, has skill set to be a solid 2, 3, or 4, can pass, shoot, and rebound fairly well, streaky from the outside, isn’t as good as he should be in the post but isn’t awful down there ...high upside if he continues to improve ..

And this is the problem. I had high hopes for several seemingly talented freshmen the past 4-5 years.

 

[BCSooners]

And this is the problem. I had high hopes for several seemingly talented freshmen the past 4-5 years.

Hard to judge a players will once they get to school.

I don’t have a good comparison yet bc I think he’ll be a lot more confident offensively in the next year or 2. Now he offensive rebounds, shoots open 3s, & tries really hard to not turn the ball over. Maybe Godbold?

 

[AdaSooner]

And this is the problem. I had high hopes for several seemingly talented freshmen the past 4-5 years.

We’ve all had high hopes. A few were fulfilled and more than a few were disappointments.

But to be fair, OU doesn’t have a history of bringing in surefire, all but guaranteed stars. Instate recruits like Blake and Trae don’t come along too often. We have to hope recruits like Buddy and Isaiah turn out to be players the Blue Bloods wished they had given more attention during the recruiting process.

History, and the odds, may not be in our favor. Still, it would be a mistake to assume freshman like Harmon, Hill, Issanza and Phipps will not be really good before they’re through.

No offense, but I hope I’m right and you’re wrong.

 

[scrybe]

We’ve all had high hopes. A few were fulfilled and more than a few were disappointments.

But to be fair, OU doesn’t have a history of bringing in surefire, all but guaranteed stars. Instate recruits like Blake and Trae don’t come along too often. We have to hope recruits like Buddy and Isaiah turn out to be players the Blue Bloods wished they had given more attention during the recruiting process.

History, and the odds, may not be in our favor. Still, it would be a mistake to assume freshman like Harmon, Hill, Issanza and Phipps will not be really good before they’re through.

No offense, but I hope I’m right and you’re wrong.

Great minds……

 

[vbdad]

Keith Clark was a big. He shot the ball well for a big but he was never a perimeter player.

 

[MJSooner]

Keith Clark was a big. He shot the ball well for a big but he was never a perimeter player.

That's not the way I remember Keith Clark. Agreed he didn't play on the perimeter, but as a forward, he also played outside the paint. I don't feel Hill is a true perimeter player either and also not a big. Just a forward.

Maybe we just view differently what a "big" is. To me, its not just the height or size, but a big is a guy that plays on the blocks, defends the post, plays close to the lane, bangs, gets rebounds and putbacks. Bookout was a big, Taj Gray, Ace, Tashaun Thomas, and even Barry Honore and Ernie Abercrombie were more "bigs".

Clark was only listed as an inch taller than Jalen Hill and the only reason he played at 10-15 pounds more is he was never in shape. Once he got in shape in the D League he won the dunk contest. Clark could shoot, handle the ball, post up and bring the ball up the floor. If I remember correctly, he tore his ACL while leading a fast break with the ball.

As a forward that could handle the ball and shoot, and still bang a bit, that is the reason I compared Hill to him.

 

[BCSooners]

That's not the way I remember Keith Clark. Agreed he didn't play on the perimeter, but as a forward, he also played outside the paint. I don't feel Hill is a true perimeter player either and also not a big. Just a forward.

Maybe we just view differently what a "big" is. To me, its not just the height or size, but a big is a guy that plays on the blocks, defends the post, plays close to the lane, bangs, gets rebounds and putbacks. Bookout was a big, Taj Gray, Ace, Tashaun Thomas, and even Barry Honore and Ernie Abercrombie were more "bigs".

Clark was only listed as an inch taller than Jalen Hill and the only reason he played at 10-15 pounds more is he was never in shape. Once he got in shape in the D League he won the dunk contest. Clark could shoot, handle the ball, post up and bring the ball up the floor. If I remember correctly, he tore his ACL while leading a fast break with the ball.

As a forward that could handle the ball and shoot, and still bang a bit, that is the reason I compared Hill to him.

Keith Clark could’ve been a lotto pick if he had his head on straight.

 

[lexusooner]

Keith Clark was a big. He shot the ball well for a big but he was never a perimeter player.

V
What I remember about Keith Clark was he was an enigma as he looked like an NBA talent at times and others looked like he was as lost as a golf ball in tall grass. He would make a great play then make a head scratcher, he played on the perimeter way too much for a guy built like a true PF as he shot from the outside too much and dribbled too much trying to play point forward -he also was a liability on defense where Jalen is a tough defender.
Clark was listed at 6’8” 245 as a Fr and Jalen is listed at 6’7” 225 as a freshman so Kieth was a little bigger than Jalen.

There are similarities in their physical attributes and their games and there are differences but there is a comparison in there somewhere.
Jalen is a much better defender who plays with a lot more control but Clark’s athleticism and skill set was very unique for a big guy and his ceiling was HIGHER than a cats back. He was just one of those “what if” guys ...



Watching Jalen as a Freshman I predict he continues to improve and become a leader for us and will be a very solid 4 year contributor who will be an all conference type player before he is done.

 

[MJSooner]

V
What I remember about Keith Clark was he was an enigma as he looked like an NBA talent at times and others looked like he was as lost as a golf ball in tall grass. He would make a great play then make a head scratcher, he played on the perimeter way too much for a guy built like a true PF as he shot from the outside too much and dribbled too much trying to play point forward -he also was a liability on defense where Jalen is a tough defender.
Clark was listed at 6’8” 245 as a Fr and Jalen is listed at 6’7” 225 as a freshman so Kieth was a little bigger than Jalen.

There are similarities in their physical attributes and their games and there are differences but there is a comparison in there somewhere.
Jalen is a much better defender who plays with a lot more control but Clark’s athleticism and skill set was very unique for a big guy and his ceiling was HIGHER than a cats back. He was just one of those “what if” guys ...



Watching Jalen as a Freshman I predict he continues to improve and become a leader for us and will be a very solid 4 year contributor who will be an all conference type player before he is done.

Agree with you on Clark being a "what if" guy. But regardless if my comparison to Clark is correct, I agree 100% on Jalen. I am impressed and can't wait to see where he is next year.

Solid defender and looks like the offensive game is coming along.

Last night he hit a 3, and should have had another. The play he made last night that was improssive as any was in the second half. He was defending maybe Shannon on the wing. He drove on him, pumped fake, and then leaned into Jalen. Jalen was able to move his feet to cut him off, didn't go for the pump, and leaned away from drawing the foul. I thought that play showed his athleticism, his basketball IQ and his ability to defend.

 

[Soonerinkc]

I really like what he brings to the floor. Energy, rebounding, ball security. He looks calm and confident. Really like his size as a SF who can guard three positions at a high level. I get the sense he’s going to be a starter next year and could really blossom into a bigger contributor. Who is his best comparable. Najera, Cam Clark?

Hmmm.... agree with most but ball security. At times he seems lost. All freshman things that will get better. After reading his bio when he first signed I expected a thinner guy... skeeter Henry type.

Excited to see him grow.

 

[tmeyer3307]

I like Hill and his potential for sure. Offensively he gives us nothing at this point really. I mean, he's good for one jump shot a game, maybe a good drive to the basket. Defensively I really like the kid.. He plays solid on ball defense and rebounds the ball well for a wing. I think he is starting by his Jr year, but I don't see him scoring much his first two years at OU. He's not as good as four guards on the team right now and they all come back next season. Maybe we go small ball some next season and have him at the 4 and Manek at the 5??

 

[vbdad]

Agree with you on Clark being a "what if" guy. But regardless if my comparison to Clark is correct, I agree 100% on Jalen. I am impressed and can't wait to see where he is next year.

Solid defender and looks like the offensive game is coming along.

Last night he hit a 3, and should have had another. The play he made last night that was improssive as any was in the second half. He was defending maybe Shannon on the wing. He drove on him, pumped fake, and then leaned into Jalen. Jalen was able to move his feet to cut him off, didn't go for the pump, and leaned away from drawing the foul. I thought that play showed his athleticism, his basketball IQ and his ability to defend.

MJ we disagree. Keith was at least #245 and at OU never ventured outside the 15 feet from the bucket. He had a great deal of talent and could handle the ball but he only played the 4-5 at OU. He was a freak in high school before the injury but would have never been considered a wing.
I'll give you he had big time talent. Winning a dunk contest shows his jumping ability and probably his overall athleticism but it doesn't make him a wing. Jalen is a perimeter player who is strong enough to go rebound the ball.