Illini in the NBA

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#626      
IllinoisssssssVarsity
haasi said:
+/- stats for the game. Ayo +16. No one else close. Donovan subbed him back in in closing time. He is awesome.
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He played well. Those are usually Caruso’s minutes and with him being out, and Coby White, I don’t know who the other option would even be.

You never know when you’ll get your opportunity or why, but when it comes you have to capitalize. Ayo definitely did that.
 
#631      
illini80
IlliniFandom said:
Is it me, or does Ayo look much quicker these days?! What has he been doing to gain that explosiveness! I don't ever seeing him this quick or able to leap that high.
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I’ve wondered the same thing. Is the training just that much next level vs college? Credit to Ayo of course, but he’s always been an extremely hard worker.
 
#632      
3 point girl
Did not hear positive things about AYO at the signing he did recently, ranging from attitude to the way he signed his name. Can anyone comment that was there.
 
#637      
TheFameProtector
I've noticed that several of Ayo's best defensive plays have come against Cam Thomas (steal at the end of last game, that block, feel like there's another from last game I'm missing and he's obviously had two great games against the Nets). Almost like he's finding a way to tell Brooklyn "there's no way y'all should've drafted this cat before me"
 
#639      
TheFameProtector
TarheelIllini said:
Watch Brooklyn's #24 in these clips, Cam Thomas. He's an absolute mess. I do think as someone states above that Ayo is going to play with an extra chip on his shoulder against those who were drafted above him.
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Gave him a literal and figurative kick in the gonads.
 
#640      
SescIllini
Ayo does look fast and better leaper than 6 months ago, I'm sure the Houston Rocket's center would agree. His physique even for NBA players is aboce average, he is putting in the work.
 
#644      
the juiceman cometh
JFGsCoffeeMug said:
That is an insane single-game highlight reel for a rookie second-rounder.
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I've always been a believer in Ayo in the NBA but kinda had his ceiling figured as long career as a starter on a bad team/key role player on a good team. Now I'm thinking I was selling him short. At the rate he's progressing, is it crazy to think he could develop into an all-star caliber player? Am I drowining in kool-aid here?
 
#646      
doowink
the juiceman cometh said:
I've always been a believer in Ayo in the NBA but kinda had his ceiling figured as long career as a starter on a bad team/key role player on a good team. Now I'm thinking I was selling him short. At the rate he's progressing, is it crazy to think he could develop into an all-star caliber player? Am I drowining in kool-aid here?
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You're not alone Juice...others will drown with you
 
#647      
texillwek
the juiceman cometh said:
I've always been a believer in Ayo in the NBA but kinda had his ceiling figured as long career as a starter on a bad team/key role player on a good team. Now I'm thinking I was selling him short. At the rate he's progressing, is it crazy to think he could develop into an all-star caliber player? Am I drowining in kool-aid here?
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Kinda, but no? We know he has the work ethic for continuous improvement, so I don't think it is outlandish to think that, if he continues to garner opportunities to showcase that aforementioned improvement on a consistent basis.
 
#648      
Joel Goodson
the juiceman cometh said:
I've always been a believer in Ayo in the NBA but kinda had his ceiling figured as long career as a starter on a bad team/key role player on a good team. Now I'm thinking I was selling him short. At the rate he's progressing, is it crazy to think he could develop into an all-star caliber player? Am I drowining in kool-aid here?
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I'll be flippin' ecstatic to be wrong, but, yeah, I think so (drowning). All-star is LaVine, DeRozan territory, and I don't see that happening. But Ayo can be a valued piece and could play for a decade. A lot of damn good players never made the All Star game.
 
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#649      
signILLINIman
Joel Goodson said:
I'll be flippin' ecstatic to be wrong, but, yeah, I think so (drowning). All-star is LaVine, DeRozan territory, and I don't see that happening. But Ayo can be a valued piece and could play for a decade. A lot of damn good players never made the All Star game.
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Lavine (28) and DeRozan (32). Ayo (22). In another 6 years he could be them.
 
#650      
the juiceman cometh
Joel Goodson said:
I'll be flippin' ecstatic to be wrong, but, yeah, I think so (drowning). All-star is LaVine, DeRozan territory, and I don't see that happening. But Ayo can be a valued piece and could play for a decade. A lot of damn good players never made the All Star game.
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Yeah, look I'm not saying "he's definitely gonna be an All-Star." I'm saying, maybe his ceiling is that high? (And to be sure a lot of players never reach their ceiling). I think the big limitations on his potential were always 1a) athleticism and 1b) shooting. His success so far this season has me wondering if he's been underrated in both those areas.

Edit: got curious and did some research for a comp to make me feel less crazy. Look up Draymond Green's (3x All-Star) rookie numbers. As a 22-year old drafted in the 2nd round he played 13.4 mpg and averaged 2.9 pts, 3.3 boards and 0.7 assists. Ayo is averaging 16.1 mpg, 5.8 pts, 2.0 boards and 0.8 assists (and I expect those numbers will continue to improve. See, I'm not insane!
 
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