[BallerScriptParticipant]

 I live in New Zealand and was wondering how do you guys view Tai Wynyard. Here through the news we got told that he commited to Kentucky, signed with them and made the all tournament team at the U18 3v3 tourny. Apart from that on team NZ he plays like 1 minute at the end and is not used so I have no idea what he is good at from that. From what the internet says he is a bruiser, good rebounder and has a mid range game. I don’t know if he is an NBA prospect but would like to know your guys opinions on the young kiwi.

[GBeeParticipant]

 TBH I’m not all hat impressed by him.  He looks like a physical bruiser, but unskilled, slow, lacking vertical explosion and doesn’t have great length.  At least he plays big and is physical though.  UK needs more of that on the frontline.

[GBeeParticipant]

 TBH I’m not all hat impressed by him.  He looks like a physical bruiser, but unskilled, slow, lacking vertical explosion and doesn’t have great length.  At least he plays big and is physical though.  UK needs more of that on the frontline.

[Hype Machine]

Possibly an NBA prospect because I suspect he will play 4 years at Kentucky and be NBA ready. I think he’ll be on the bench for the remainder of this seasons and assume a 2nd or 3rd string PF role next season.

He can bring rebounding and surprisingly good all-around game for a powerfully built kid. Because he’s a high character guy too, I see him being a Nick Collisson type of glue guy. Draymond Green is possibly his (unlikely) ceiling. But there’s a place in the league for hard workers who rebound, set screens, don’t give up easy buckets and can hit the mid-range jumper to space the floor. Sorta like Alex Poythress, just a little less athletic and active. 

But, to be honest he must be the luckiest kid in his class to get a scholarship from Kentucky and his chances of being an NBA player are probably 50/50, given that he’ll get heaps of exposure. 

Lets just hope he doesn’t get any mentoring from Mika Vukona. For those that aren’t familiar with Kiwi hoops….he’s dirtier than Bill Lambeer. 

[BallerScriptParticipant]

 Vukona picks up fouls way to early in games!

[BallerScriptParticipant]

 Vukona picks up fouls way to early in games!

[Hype Machine]

Possibly an NBA prospect because I suspect he will play 4 years at Kentucky and be NBA ready. I think he’ll be on the bench for the remainder of this seasons and assume a 2nd or 3rd string PF role next season.

He can bring rebounding and surprisingly good all-around game for a powerfully built kid. Because he’s a high character guy too, I see him being a Nick Collisson type of glue guy. Draymond Green is possibly his (unlikely) ceiling. But there’s a place in the league for hard workers who rebound, set screens, don’t give up easy buckets and can hit the mid-range jumper to space the floor. Sorta like Alex Poythress, just a little less athletic and active. 

But, to be honest he must be the luckiest kid in his class to get a scholarship from Kentucky and his chances of being an NBA player are probably 50/50, given that he’ll get heaps of exposure. 

Lets just hope he doesn’t get any mentoring from Mika Vukona. For those that aren’t familiar with Kiwi hoops….he’s dirtier than Bill Lambeer. 

[IlladelphParticipant]

This is an intriguing pickup by Kentucky because he is an unknown to American fans.  Recruiting services have said that if he were American, and were ranked then he would be a 4 star prospect.  He looks big and strong, and his parents are world-class shot-putters or something like that.  He’s never played in America, so it will be interesting to watch him play if he does not take a redshirt.

Calipari doesn’t recruit scrubs, so he must think that Wynyard can play.  We’ll see if he plays this season, and if so how much burn he gets.  It seems that Kentucky could use an aggressive, powerful big and he may fit that bill.

[Bankroll PJParticipant]

 Calipari didn’t really recruit this kid.  He said that before Wynyard got on campus, he had never seen him play before live. I think Calipari just heard about the kid from recruiting services, heard he wanted to play for Kentucky, and jumped at the oppurtunity to expand his brand.  

[Bankroll PJParticipant]

 Calipari didn’t really recruit this kid.  He said that before Wynyard got on campus, he had never seen him play before live. I think Calipari just heard about the kid from recruiting services, heard he wanted to play for Kentucky, and jumped at the oppurtunity to expand his brand.  

[IlladelphParticipant]

This is an intriguing pickup by Kentucky because he is an unknown to American fans.  Recruiting services have said that if he were American, and were ranked then he would be a 4 star prospect.  He looks big and strong, and his parents are world-class shot-putters or something like that.  He’s never played in America, so it will be interesting to watch him play if he does not take a redshirt.

Calipari doesn’t recruit scrubs, so he must think that Wynyard can play.  We’ll see if he plays this season, and if so how much burn he gets.  It seems that Kentucky could use an aggressive, powerful big and he may fit that bill.

[NZcoachParticipant]

 I have seen him play at the last 3 or 4 nationals here in NZ. For those unfimliar, because NZ is small enough we are able to actually have national highschool champions, where as in USA it would be a nightmare trying to orginise a comp like that.

 (Side note, Steven Adams highschool team didn’t even qualify, I was talking to other coaches from his area and they said he could dominate any other team by himself but was just chilled out and would rather have a good time on his team haha chilled as).

After seeing Tai play the last few years, he just didn’t seem to massivly dominate in the way that you would expact. It was surprising when they gave him Nationals MVP this year. He is very strong, (shotputter would be Adams sister, Tai’s parents are world champ woodchoppers but close enough llladelph haha), has some nice post moves, better than alot of people think, including a quick spin to the baseline. Soft touch on his jump hooks and can really box his man out. His athleticism has gotten alot better aswell, has some nice blocks and some solid dunks off his spin move.

On the other hand, like was mentioned, not great length. Got his shot blocked quite a few times. People talk about his midrange game, but it looked like he knew his limits and stayed with finishing around the basket. Not much of a jump on his jumpshot and not much range. I remember him saying somewhere that he thinks he could play some 3, but in my humble opinion, he would get burned if he tried to play the 3. Not fast at all. Also alot of the time when he spins baseline, he ends up too far underneath the basket which forces him to pass out or throw up a ugly shot, so picking his spots could use some work.

He can get physical and mix it up, which is nice to see, but its annoying when he gets whiny and starts crying about it when he gets it back. 

Overall the guy seems like a decent person, has a soft touch, is definatly a 4 or a small 5, not fantastic length, improving athleticism, smart player and is strong. Will be intresting to see how he goes and if he makes the NBA I will be stoked for both him and NZ basketball, Im just not exactly holding my breath on that haha.

 

 

[NZcoachParticipant]

 I have seen him play at the last 3 or 4 nationals here in NZ. For those unfimliar, because NZ is small enough we are able to actually have national highschool champions, where as in USA it would be a nightmare trying to orginise a comp like that.

 (Side note, Steven Adams highschool team didn’t even qualify, I was talking to other coaches from his area and they said he could dominate any other team by himself but was just chilled out and would rather have a good time on his team haha chilled as).

After seeing Tai play the last few years, he just didn’t seem to massivly dominate in the way that you would expact. It was surprising when they gave him Nationals MVP this year. He is very strong, (shotputter would be Adams sister, Tai’s parents are world champ woodchoppers but close enough llladelph haha), has some nice post moves, better than alot of people think, including a quick spin to the baseline. Soft touch on his jump hooks and can really box his man out. His athleticism has gotten alot better aswell, has some nice blocks and some solid dunks off his spin move.

On the other hand, like was mentioned, not great length. Got his shot blocked quite a few times. People talk about his midrange game, but it looked like he knew his limits and stayed with finishing around the basket. Not much of a jump on his jumpshot and not much range. I remember him saying somewhere that he thinks he could play some 3, but in my humble opinion, he would get burned if he tried to play the 3. Not fast at all. Also alot of the time when he spins baseline, he ends up too far underneath the basket which forces him to pass out or throw up a ugly shot, so picking his spots could use some work.

He can get physical and mix it up, which is nice to see, but its annoying when he gets whiny and starts crying about it when he gets it back. 

Overall the guy seems like a decent person, has a soft touch, is definatly a 4 or a small 5, not fantastic length, improving athleticism, smart player and is strong. Will be intresting to see how he goes and if he makes the NBA I will be stoked for both him and NZ basketball, Im just not exactly holding my breath on that haha.

 

 

[ProximoParticipant]

 He’s gotta improve his perimiter skill.  IMO he’s 4-star quality. Will be a damn productive college player, and he might get a look in the NBA. I doubt he gets drafted though, he’s not that big and he’s not that athletic.. 

Sam Timmins(UW recruit) is probably a better NBA prospect from NZ. He’s reportedly 6’10" barefoot.

 

[ProximoParticipant]

 He’s gotta improve his perimiter skill.  IMO he’s 4-star quality. Will be a damn productive college player, and he might get a look in the NBA. I doubt he gets drafted though, he’s not that big and he’s not that athletic.. 

Sam Timmins(UW recruit) is probably a better NBA prospect from NZ. He’s reportedly 6’10" barefoot.

 

[tblazer_NZParticipant]

Tai Wynward is getting more attention than the Other NZers because he was invited to camps such as the Nike hoop summit. As it has been said Tai has a short wingspan, the same as his height. I think the 6’10 listing is overly generous.

I think a better NZ prospect is Jack Salt, who is a RS freshman has started a few games this year for Tony Bennett at Virginia. Tony Bennett has ties to NZ through playing and coaching here ( I am from NZ )  He has been missing some games but it is expected from a team that is currently 10-1. Jack Salt is 6’11 250 pounds.

[tblazer_NZParticipant]

Tai Wynward is getting more attention than the Other NZers because he was invited to camps such as the Nike hoop summit. As it has been said Tai has a short wingspan, the same as his height. I think the 6’10 listing is overly generous.

I think a better NZ prospect is Jack Salt, who is a RS freshman has started a few games this year for Tony Bennett at Virginia. Tony Bennett has ties to NZ through playing and coaching here ( I am from NZ )  He has been missing some games but it is expected from a team that is currently 10-1. Jack Salt is 6’11 250 pounds.

[Hype Machine]

Im always trying to have a friendly dig at kiwis on here but they never bite back lol.

 

 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

Im always trying to have a friendly dig at kiwis on here but they never bite back lol.

 

 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

 Isaac Fotu had to be worth a second round look as a poor mans Anderson Varajao

 

[Hype Machine]

 Isaac Fotu had to be worth a second round look as a poor mans Anderson Varajao

 

[BallerScriptParticipant]

 He has to be my favourite kiwi player

[BallerScriptParticipant]

 He has to be my favourite kiwi player

[tblazer_NZParticipant]

 You say that because of his hair don’t you. I guess his game might be similar too though he is a few inches shorter.

[Hype Machine]

They both Kinda got that long, floppy, stretch armstrong thing going on. All arms and legs, and the hair just tops it off.

Also an active, hustle guy that gets offensive tip-outs, decent athleticism but poor strength.

Differences exist…but you can’t go past the easy A.V. comparison for ppl that havent seen his game. 

 

 

[BallerScriptParticipant]

Varejao isn’t a career 37% 3 pt shooter and doesn’t play PF/SF

[BallerScriptParticipant]

Varejao isn’t a career 37% 3 pt shooter and doesn’t play PF/SF

[Hype Machine]

They both Kinda got that long, floppy, stretch armstrong thing going on. All arms and legs, and the hair just tops it off.

Also an active, hustle guy that gets offensive tip-outs, decent athleticism but poor strength.

Differences exist…but you can’t go past the easy A.V. comparison for ppl that havent seen his game. 

 

 

[tblazer_NZParticipant]

 You say that because of his hair don’t you. I guess his game might be similar too though he is a few inches shorter.

[GoJOSH HUESTISParticipant]

 Prob won’t put up average numbers but he’s a good pick up for this UK team that lacks toughness and aggressiveness in the post.  

[GoJOSH HUESTISParticipant]

 Prob won’t put up average numbers but he’s a good pick up for this UK team that lacks toughness and aggressiveness in the post.  

[Author]

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