Chris Gradnigo Granted Transfer Release by UL

[Parrott]

Why did Johnson decide to go to Tech rather than prep school. How does he compare to JJ Thomas. I understand our coaches are very happy we were happy to get Thomas away from SFA.

Johnson decided to attend a prep school in Mississippi two weeks ago to see if he got any better offers and then changed his mind when Louisiana Tech came in with a late push.

[lordguill]

_ Yes, forgot about G Damon Forrest. Left the Cajuns after one game in 2007-08. Averaged 9.1 points per game at Southeastern Louisiana in 2008-09 and 11.1 points in 2009-10. _

Chris Davis was a walk-on at UL for one season in 04-05. He transferred to Southern U. and became an All-Conference player. He's currently in the NBDL.

http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfil...er=chris_davis

[Cajunsmike]

_ Johnson decided to attend a prep school in Mississippi two weeks ago to see if he got any better offers and then changed his mind when Louisiana Tech came in with a late push. _

I am sure LA Tech fans will view this as taking a guy we wanted. From their perspective, I can see why it would be interpreted that way. Only time will tell which if Thomas or Johnson is the stronger player.

[Cajunsmike]

_ Red River is close to Shreveport, so Tech is close to his home. _

The playing close to home angle makes sense. It is similar to our situation as to how we got JJ Thomas away from SFA. With his mom in Opelousas, we also had a "close to home" situation work in our favor. I recall reading that
Thomas signed with SFA back in November during last year's early signing period. La Tech was one of the schools on him back then. I wonder if better known programs would have gone after him had he waited until the spring to sign. Reason I say that is that no one knew he would be named Louisiana's
5A player of the year prior to last season.

[Parrott]

Mike, Thomas' father and grandmother are in Opelousas. Mother is in the Baton Rouge area. J.J. was in Opelousas until mom got job out of town. He went to Parkview Baptist as freshman, then Scotlandville.

As I already mentioned, Johnson went to prep school because he wanted more exposure and better offers next year. It was down to Cajuns and Arkansas State before his original decision. He visited Oregon. Don't believe he ever got an offer.

It's not just about being close to home. In fact, many close to him didn't agree with his decision to go to Tech because they felt he would get a better offer next year.


igeaux.mobi

[GetTheFacts1st]

thet must have promised he could keep his 200,000 frequent flyer miles to conference games

[zephyr]

_ The playing close to home angle makes sense. It is similar to our situation as to how we got JJ Thomas away from SFA. With his mom in Opelousas, we also had a "close to home" situation work in our favor. I recall reading that
Thomas signed with SFA back in November during last year's early signing period. La Tech was one of the schools on him back then. I wonder if better known programs would have gone after him had he waited until the spring to sign. Reason I say that is that no one knew he would be named Louisiana's
5A player of the year prior to last season. _

Mike, you have to remember that Thomas is a bit undersized for the given skill set he possesses. He is 6'4"-6'5" and 220ish. He's a big, thick kid who played in the paint in high school. He's not going to have the perimeter game to play the SG in college and PF is a bit of a reach for a kid that height. He's going to primarily play the SF in college and there's a lot of talent at that position in the high school ranks. You are right though, he did come on late and had a great second half of the season and playoffs but he's likely viewed as a tweener.

[cajun4life]

_ Mike, you have to remember that Thomas is a bit undersized for the given skill set he possesses. He is 6'4"-6'5" and 220ish. He's a big, thick kid who played in the paint in high school. He's not going to have the perimeter game to play the SG in college and PF is a bit of a reach for a kid that height. He's going to primarily play the SF in college and there's a lot of talent at that position in the high school ranks. You are right though, he did come on late and had a great second half of the season and playoffs but he's likely viewed as a tweener. _

If he is an athletic player and can defend at a high level he will be successful. I think he could be a poor mans version of Dwayne Mitchell, well I hope he turns out to be like Mitchell.

[Parrott]

_ If he is an athletic player and can defend at a high level he will be successful. I think he could be a poor mans version of Dwayne Mitchell, well I hope he turns out to be like Mitchell. _

Right now, Thomas is 6-4, 230. He can play on the perimeter - he was Scotlandville's top shooter last season - and is improving his skills as a ball-handler. The good thing is that he doesn't have to step in and carry the program right away. He can fill a role and develop in time.

Something that is being a little overlooked here is that Marlin didn't have to take Thomas. Obviously, Marlin liked the guy's attitude and believed that he had the intangibles to fit into his system. Marlin has proven in the past that he could win with versatile athletes that could present mismatches on the court. He sees something in Thomas, otherwise he wouldn't give him a chance, regardless of whether he was the Class 5A MVP.

[CajunTime]

_ Right now, Thomas is 6-4, 230. He can play on the perimeter - he was Scotlandville's top shooter last season - and is improving his skills as a ball-handler. The good thing is that he doesn't have to step in and carry the program right away. He can fill a role and develop in time.

Something that is being a little overlooked here is that Marlin didn't have to take Thomas. Obviously, Marlin liked the guy's attitude and believed that he had the intangibles to fit into his system. Marlin has proven in the past that he could win with versatile athletes that could present mismatches on the court. He sees something in Thomas, otherwise he wouldn't give him a chance, regardless of whether he was the Class 5A MVP. _

Parrot if you get a chance, you need to check out his little brother, "PANCAKE" he is a player. He is now 6'5" slimmer than JJ, but more guard oriented...