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'14 CA C Thomas Welsh (Verbal to UCLA)

Buffnik

Buffnik

Real name isn't Nik
Club Member
Junta Member
Rivals
Scout
ESPN
247 Sports

i

Loyola H.S. (Los Angeles, CA)

AAU: Los Angeles Rockfish

Ht: 7'0"
Wt: 240

Rivals rating: 4*; unranked C; (#67 overall)
Scout rating: 4*; #10 C
ESPN rating: 4*-80 grade; #23 C
247s rating: 4*-92 rating; #6 C (#95 overall)

Reported Offers: Colorado, Arizona State, Cal, Gonzaga, Pacific, Portland, Saint Louis, San Francisco, Santa Clara, UCLA, USC
 
In the all-important "Did Xavier Johnson have a 'Dunk of the Year' highlight over you in high school?" recruit evaluation category, Welsh joins the likes of Shabazz Muhammad and Austin Rivers.

[video=youtube;KKhFw0YNL-M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KKhFw0YNL-M[/video]
 
Scout's evaluation:

Over the course of his high school career, Thomas Welsh has made advancements to his game. Standing 7-feet tall, he's turned into a terrific rebounder and because of his size he impacts the game as a presence in the paint. He contests shots and defends the post well. Offensively he has developed a very good mid-range jump shot. He also has a great set of hands and a nice jump hook over his left shoulder.

ESPN's evaluation:

ESPN Analyst
Updated 06/07/2013

Strengths:
Welsh is one of the most improved big men out west. He has great size, good length, soft hands, and he plays with efficiency at both ends. He is an instinctive rebounder despite not being a quick leaper (solid 1st jump) and he has a soft touch with his back to the basket.

Weaknesses:
Welsh needs to continue to add strength and improve his quickness around the paint area. In addition, he is not as fluid running in transition as you would like, but he's far from a plodder.

Bottom Line:
Combine his physical intangibles with his evolving skill set and they'll be plenty of high-majors tracking his every move until signing day.

CBS Sports (Pangos coverage from June 2nd - this is where Welsh started blowing up):

-- Thomas Welsh, 2014: Continues to get better down low. He doesn't avoid contact, can pass out of the post, and finishes well.

New Rivals article:

Buffstampede.com received information this last week that Welsh would be among the Buffs primary big man targets heading into the July live period, and he confirmed CU's interest.

As many have become accustomed to hearing around the world of CU recruiting, Welsh said that Mike Rohn is the assistant that he talks to the most.
 
That highlight with XJ is hilarious. Talk about a difference in hops. Again, this kid was only what, 15 when XJ did that? Lot of time left to grow into that body.
 
That dunk by XJ was during a CIF semi-final game that was streamed online a couple of years ago. It's been my only impression of Welsh and is probably the reason I haven't been too high on him. The reviews from the early evaluation period were strong though, and it sounds like he's really improved his athleticism and has a nice overall skill level. Cal is recruiting him pretty hard, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a CU offer come through with a strong showing next month.
 
Neal Nieves ‏@NealNieves1h
UCLA has offered 2014 Los Angeles (Calif.) Loyola center Thomas Welsh.

UCLA is in the picture...I think we need this kid.
 
HawaiiBUFF said:
Neal Nieves ‏@NealNieves1h
UCLA has offered 2014 Los Angeles (Calif.) Loyola center Thomas Welsh.

UCLA is in the picture...I think we need this kid.
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You sound like the Rivals UCLA writer who called their offer "by far his biggest offer yet." In my opinion, they can have him. I don't see the athleticism needed to play significant minutes in Boyle's system. UCLA's Rivals site has about 6 minutes of video on him and, despite being several inches taller than anyone else on the floor, he didn't really stand out to me. His size alone makes him a defensive presence, but he's not explosive and doesn't move particularly well. He puts in a good effort boxing out on the glass, but he needs to get a lot stronger for Pac12 play. I really think a lot of the hype is a result of the lack of bigs overall in this year's class.

For what it's worth, Welsh has been bumped up to a 4* on Rivals, #67 overall.
 
Updated to reflect the upgrade to 4* on Rivals, and added the CU and UCLA offers.

At 7 feet and 240 lb, before his senior year even starts, gotta believe he'll be somewhat of a project. Players that size usually are. But, good chance he'll be at least a 3 year player so it's worth the offer imo.
 
Scotch said:
Updated to reflect the upgrade to 4* on Rivals, and added the CU and UCLA offers.

At 7 feet and 240 lb, before his senior year even starts, gotta believe he'll be somewhat of a project. Players that size usually are. But, good chance he'll be at least a 3 year player so it's worth the offer imo.
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Rivals makes it sound like he has a good back to basket game, plays good D, and has a decent jumper out to 12 feet. I don't think he is a. project. That said, I really want Humphrey at this point. Kid is blowing up.
 
Medford M. said:
Rivals makes it sound like he has a good back to basket game, plays good D, and has a decent jumper out to 12 feet. I don't think he is a. project. That said, I really want Humphrey at this point. Kid is blowing up.
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He has more skill than most HS big men, but he's got a long way to go to make any type of impact in the Pac 12, from what I've seen. And agreed on Humphrey. I'd much rather take a shot on his athleticism than Welsh's size.
 
Can't have enough size. Hope we get him. I would take him over Humphrey. You don't need your center to be the most athletic guy on the floor. Humphrey is athletic but at 190 or 205 pounds, he will be pushed around in the Pac 12.
 
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bigbang2 said:
Can't have enough size. Hope we get him. I would take him over Humphrey. You don't need your center to be the most athletic guy on the floor. Humphrey is athletic but at 190 or 205 pounds, he will be pushed around in the Pac 12.
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Humphrey will add size. Plus he can stretch it out to the three point line. Humphrey and Miller are very different, but both of them are much better fits than Welsh in a fast paced system.
 
Medford M. said:
Humphrey will add size. Plus he can stretch it out to the three point line. Humphrey and Miller are very different, but both of them are much better fits than Welsh in a fast paced system.
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We have too many guys that can do that already, big men or point forwards that can stretch it to the three points line in XJ, Jenkins, Fletcher, and Thomas. The team lacks a true center that can give us a post game, and block shots. A guy that won't be bullied by a Wyoming big man or a Arizona State center. A center doesn't have to be super athletic.
 
bigbang2 said:
We have too many guys that can do that already, big men or point forwards that can stretch it to the three points line in XJ, Jenkins, Fletcher, and Thomas. The team lacks a true center that can give us a post game, and block shots. A guy that won't be bullied by a Wyoming big man or a Arizona State center. A center doesn't have to be super athletic.
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All of those guys are guards or small forwards and aren't 6'10". BTW, Humphrey's a beast in regards to shot blocking.
 
bigbang2 said:
We have too many guys that can do that already, big men or point forwards that can stretch it to the three points line in XJ, Jenkins, Fletcher, and Thomas. The team lacks a true center that can give us a post game, and block shots. A guy that won't be bullied by a Wyoming big man or a Arizona State center. A center doesn't have to be super athletic.
Click to expand...
He has to be athletic enough to play the aggressive, pressure defense Tad is on record as saying we are moving toward. I don't see that from Welsh. I'd rather have a guy like Miller, who brings the size, but is also much more athletic.
 
bigbang2 said:
We have too many guys that can do that already, big men or point forwards that can stretch it to the three points line in XJ, Jenkins, Fletcher, and Thomas. The team lacks a true center that can give us a post game, and block shots. A guy that won't be bullied by a Wyoming big man or a Arizona State center. A center doesn't have to be super athletic.
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Yeah. Who wants a Bosh or Garnett when you could have a Kaman or Mozgov?
 
After watching Welsh for a couple weeks in LA and Vegas, I'm convinced that he wouldn't succeed in Tad's current system. As many above have pointed out, he simply cannot get up and down the floor at the pace he would need to. Josh Scott is the perfect player at the 5 for the Buffs, I think if you go any slower or less athletic than him, you will have problems fitting in.
 
RK said:
After watching Welsh for a couple weeks in LA and Vegas, I'm convinced that he wouldn't succeed in Tad's current system. As many above have pointed out, he simply cannot get up and down the floor at the pace he would need to. Josh Scott is the perfect player at the 5 for the Buffs, I think if you go any slower or less athletic than him, you will have problems fitting in.
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which is strange that he has a Colorado offer. Tad has a system and really finds guys that fit his system.
 
Interesting offer given his style. Talent is there and he can be a solid addition to a team. Just wonder how Tad pictures fitting the pieces if Welsh became a Buff.
 
Re: '14 CA C Thomas Welsh

I love CU hoops right now. We are wondering if a top 100 recruit should have a CU offer because his style of play might not fit our system.
 
tante said:
I love CU hoops right now. We are wondering if a top 100 recruit should have a CU offer because his style of play might not fit our system.
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Isn't it allsome? I certainly would welcome Welsh aboard, just curious what Tad envisions. Love that Welsh has a solid mid-range shot and has mastered the hook. Rebounds well. And plays fantastic D.
 
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CVilleBuff said:
On allbuffs, we often use "allsome" instead of "awesome" and other related adjectives. I'm surprised you haven't come across it having been a member on here nearly as long as I have!
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Thanks, I have seen it before. I wondered why it was used since it is not in Webster's dictionary. I didn't know if people using it just did not know how to spell "awesome". But you cleared that up for me. :thumbsup:
 
Buffnik said:
Yeah. Who wants a Bosh or Garnett when you could have a Kaman or Mozgov?
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Welsh is athletic, not super athletic. I would take a Russell, Malone, Chamerlain, Karim, Hakeem, Shaq, McHale, Hibbert, Duncan, Robinson and Gasol. Don't want Javale Macgee. Garnet is no longer super athletic and he is still effective.
 
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bigbang2 said:
Walsh is athletic, not super athletic. I would take a Russell, Malone, Chamerlain, Karim, Hakeem, Shaq, McHale, Hibbert, Duncan, Robinson and Gasol. Don't want Javale Macgee. Garnet is no longer super athletic and he is still effective.
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Good lord. :facepalm:
 
'14 CA C Thomas Welsh

bigbang2 said:
Walsh is athletic, not super athletic. I would take a Russell, Malone, Chamerlain, Karim, Hakeem, Shaq, McHale, Hibbert, Duncan, Robinson and Gasol. Don't want Javale Macgee. Garnet is no longer super athletic and he is still effective.
Click to expand...

Oh. My. ****ing. God.

:rofl: can this be declared the dumbest post of 2013?
 
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