I’m thinking along the same lines. Carter has a similar build and, in my opinion, brings equal or greater impact.
I don’t see Kai as a starting-caliber big in the Valley right now—he feels more like a solid backup. His stats are tough to fully evaluate since he had limited opportunities at Bradley and Liberty, but he was decent when he did play. It’s just a small sample size.
That said, I think he offers more upside than someone like Tucker, just not as much as bringing Shon back would have.
If we’re comparing Valley bigs, the one I’d really want to avoid is Hughes from Evansville.
Overall, I’d be fine with Kai if that’s the direction. He probably wouldn’t command a huge NIL deal, although big men are always at a premium.
Officially it is Kai Yu, welcome aboard the movement!
Kai Yu was my second choice. Jonovic took all of the minutes, but every time I saw Kai Yu in the game, I was impressed with his agility for a big man. While Jonovic was more of a bully down low, Kai likely gives us someone that can rebound and block similar to Shon, but also add some range at the C position, so everyone can't key on JT. I like this signing a lot, and think that he might be a sleeper surprise going into next season, given that he never really had a chance for minutes with Jonovic at Bradley.
Kai Yu was my second choice. Jonovic took all of the minutes, but every time I saw Kai Yu in the game, I was impressed with his agility for a big man. While Jonovic was more of a bully down low, Kai likely gives us someone that can rebound and block similar to Shon, but also add some range at the C position, so everyone can't key on JT. I like this signing a lot, and think that he might be a sleeper surprise going into next season, given that he never really had a chance for minutes with Jonovic at Bradley.
This! Although there is not much tape out there, Kai is a much more polished offensive player than Shon. His ability to shoot from the perimeter (even if average) makes him a threat that opens up our offense so much more for JT. Towards the end of the season, teams were standing in the lane defensively when Shon would set the high Ball screen or rotate the ball from the perimeter. They can't do that with Kai if he shoots the 3 even at a percentage in the high 20s. I do not see Kai as the defensive presence that Shon was but he is taller so he should have some impact. I would be shocked if Kai does not average better than the 6 points and 5 rebounds that Shon did (assuming similar minutes). He is just a much more polished offensive threat at every level.
To Valpotx's point, I agree that when we played Bradley Kai always stood out to me somewhat with his skillset. Jonovic was pretty dang good so we didn't get to see much Kai Yu but the staff has now seen him for almost 4 years (from his time at Link, to when we played Liberty, to Bradley). This is now his 4th year in college and I trust the staff. He should be a really nice piece for us.
Does this mean that we are no longer interested or can't get C. Turnbull?
I don't view Kai Yu as a missing piece but as a comfortable fit. He played 239 min in 29 games for Bradley and he may only get to 400 minutes for us depending on how well Kobe Walker develops during his freshman season.
I don't view Kai Yu as a missing piece but as a comfortable fit. He played 239 min in 29 games for Bradley and he may only get to 400 minutes for us depending on how well Kobe Walker develops during his freshman season.
This very well may end up being the case but that is not the thought process currently. I think the staff and players who saw Kai up close believe that he can be good and play significant minutes. They believe that if Jonovic was not on Bradely, that Kai would have put up numbers there last year. Opinion was/is that Kai was not easy to handle when he was in the game. So who knows what role he will play but the thought now is that it will be a significant role.
Drake's Jalen Quinn and J Thomas now in the portal. Quinn averaged almost 20 ppg last year and Thomas almost 10 ppg.
That’s seven in for Drake. Right up there with Indiana State with nine and Evansville with eight.
I’m wondering whether or not Valpo’s faith based school together with their coach was the draw for Kai. He went to Link and then to Liberty! Perhaps Coach Wardle wasn’t his cup of tea.
I’m wondering whether or not Valpo’s faith based school together with their coach was the draw for Kai. He went to Link and then to Liberty! Perhaps Coach Wardle wasn’t his cup of tea.
I think it's more so what others have said. He had to play behind another big man and really didn't get his chance to shine.
That’s seven in for Drake. Right up there with Indiana State with nine and Evansville with eight.
...all of which makes Coach Powell's success at holding this core together even more impressive.
The MVC may not have been a modern Power conference, but it was not a Triple A feeder conference either -- at least until now. I hope that Valpo's comparative continuity + new additions = conference contender. If VU can sneak into the NCAA or go on a strong NIT run, then this core could opt to stay together for the longer haul.
I’m wondering whether or not Valpo’s faith based school together with their coach was the draw for Kai. He went to Link and then to Liberty! Perhaps Coach Wardle wasn’t his cup of tea.
Bingo! This was not a move where Kai was asked to leave Bradley, in fact they expected him to play a big role for them this year. He was looking for specific things in a program/coaching staff and he found them at Valpo. This parallels why our important returning pieces decided to stay. They are faith based kids, love the coach, the freedom they get to play with, and the success they have had.
Overall, I think Coach Powell is doing a great job at creating a strong culture. In regards to attracting faith based student-athletes, it is great if the program creates a great environment for faith based student-athletes as long as the environment is equally good for those who do not share his beliefs (or hold no beliefs).
Indiana State freshman guard S. Nordheim just entered the portal.