Welcome Ben Stanley

[bobbiemcgee]

https://bustingbrackets.com/2020/07/14/ncaa-basketball-analyzing-hampton-transfer-ben-stanley-final-6-programs/

https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/Article/Xavier-basketball-recruiting-transfer-portal-Ben-Stanley-Hampton-149618968/

[XUGRAD80]

Wow! I figured that they were done with anything more for this year and were spending all their time on 2021 and 2022 classes. Definitely a need for a player to fill the position down low and this gives Steele a lot of flexibility in the lineups that can be put out there.

[sirthought]

So the read I'm getting on him is he's super athletic, strong, likes to score inside at 6'6", and plays terrible defense.

Sound like anyone we know?

[xukeith]

So the read I'm getting on him is he's super athletic, strong, likes to score inside at 6'6", and plays terrible defense.

Sound like anyone we know?

Anything close to CJ Anderson and I will be ecstatic.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Looks like a great get. He is strong and likes to attack inside. Welcome Ben and congrats to the coaches.

[XU 87]

Woo hoooo!!

Now, let’s get a wing recruit who is still in high school.

[Xuperman]

Pat Kelsey probably has briefed Coach Steele on what we're getting....Stanley had his way with Winthrop last season. Could be the Coach quoted in the above 247 article.

[murray87]

Welcome Ben!! Take ZFree under your wing

[Smails]

Anything close to CJ Anderson and I will be ecstatic.

I would be very happy with CJ-like production and swagger....but CJ was far from athletic. Tough as nails and crazy skilled around the basket but the dude couldn't jump over a solo cup.

[XU 87]

Anything close to CJ Anderson and I will be ecstatic.

I'm thinking CJ Anderson but a little better shooter. He made 15 threes last year.

[xu82]

Looks like a great get. He is strong and likes to attack inside. Welcome Ben and congrats to the coaches.

Open things up for the guys who can shoot from outside. Remember that? Guys who can shoot from outside? This has GOT TO BE more fun to watch than last year’s team!

Welcome!!!

[bobbiemcgee]

Pat Kelsey probably has briefed Coach Steele on what we're getting....Stanley had his way with Winthrop last season. Could be the Coach quoted in the above 247 article.

The 20 against Illinois is impressive.

[bleedXblue]

Sure hope he gets his immediate eligibility. If not, don't know if this kid will ever wear an X uniform. Not being pessimistic........I just think sitting year when you were flirting with "trying" to go pro is not an easy thing to endure and wait through. He may get impatient and change his mind.

[xukeith]

I am a positive person BUT this much talent for each position just drops a player's minutes by 5-8 minutes. Scruggs and Carter will play the most minutes but everyone else looks to split the minutes among 10 eligible players. X next spring will likely lose 2 players to transfer because is not happy with minutes.

[xu82]

I am a positive person BUT this much talent for each position just drops a player's minutes by 5-8 minutes. Scruggs and Carter will play the most minutes but everyone else looks to split the minutes among 10 eligible players. X next spring will likely lose 2 players to transfer because is not happy with minutes.

So.....business as usual?

Better too much talent and too many options than not enough.

[whopper]

probably true but a goal would be get everyone playing 110% all the time..no need to worry about getting tired or foul trouble. A key will have players ready to play the second they go in; normally players work their way into the game. Obviously winning makes it easier to manage minutes than playing 500 or God forbid losing. I can't remember anyone except JP being a kamikaze type defender with deflections, getting on floor, drawing charges etc. and I hope everyone can buy into extra effort and less minutes

[XUGRAD80]

With so much uncertainty about IF they are even going to play games, WHEN they may start the season, HOW many games they might get to play, and WHO they will actually ending playing......

WHERE the roster sits next Spring into the summer might be the least of anyone’s concern right now.

[bobbiemcgee]

In the Land of Covid this year, you can't have too many guys.

[XUGRAD80]

In the Land of Covid this year, you can't have too many guys.

That’s a good point.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

With so much uncertainty about IF they are even going to play games, WHEN they may start the season, HOW many games they might get to play, and WHO they will actually ending playing......

WHERE the roster sits next Spring into the summer might be the least of anyone’s concern right now.

I never imagined, last March when all of us were speculating about the coming season, that COVID would still be an issue. But, point taken. Lots of uncertainty remains and I'm hoping we have a legitimate full season.

The last two additions , as of now, must sit out this year. Still, with so much talent, I have to think this team needs to play way more up tempo than last year. Steele has recruited well but he could lose that talent if he doesn't find a way to use it. The team has, now I think, four legitimate ball handlers, four or five legitimate (on paper) three point shooters and if Miles and Ramsey are ready to go, four or five legitimate rebounders. Hopefully, they work their way into the lineup, exhibit patience, play decently, don't get homesick, achieve academically, avoid major injury, and Steele gives them some room to show their stuff. A lot to ask..........

With so many underclassmen, there will likely be mistakes aplenty. Still, this team could be exciting to watch. I hope we all get to watch them.

[xuphan]

I never imagined, last March when all of us were speculating about the coming season, that COVID would still be an issue. But, point taken. Lots of uncertainty remains and I'm hoping we have a legitimate full season.

The last two additions , as of now, must sit out this year. Still, with so much talent, I have to think this team needs to play way more up tempo than last year. Steele has recruited well but he could lose that talent if he doesn't find a way to use it. The team has, now I think, four legitimate ball handlers, four or five legitimate (on paper) three point shooters and if Miles and Ramsey are ready to go, four or five legitimate rebounders. Hopefully, they work their way into the lineup, exhibit patience, play decently, don't get homesick, achieve academically, avoid major injury, and Steele gives them some room to show their stuff. A lot to ask..........

With so many underclassmen, there will likely be mistakes aplenty. Still, this team could be exciting to watch. I hope we all get to watch them.

I was curious to see what everyone thought Ben Stanley’s best position would be? The knock on him seems to be that he doesn’t play defense and it’s a great 3 point shooter. He is a very good slasher and is a great athlete. Do you see him playing more of the 3 or 4 position at X

[Xuperman]

Thought I would post some video for a visual introduction. Seems like a personable young man.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IbRj6QsjRig

You have to be impressed with what's in his offensive tool box. Yes, he loves to dunk (and looks instinctively in position to do so), but he is scoring from everywhere AND in a variety of ways. Looks to be a natural lefty but man he's silky smooth with the ball coming off his right hand when needed. I am most surprised with his handle. Not only can he comfortably run the break but in the half court his cross overs, spin moves, stepbacks, Euro-step all seem really fluid in the flow with a beautiful mid range shot. Also, notice how he seems to be the first Pirate up the floor on the break, so I don't think effort will be a problem.

All indications are that a waiver will be given (I think I read somewhere he was a freshman red shirt) so he should be ready to contribute immediately.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=verzjSEZCpI

[Xuperman]

This just in.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/2020/07/30/hampton-transfer-ben-stanley-details-his-journey-xavier-basketball/5543234002/

[XU 87]

I am a positive person BUT this much talent for each position just drops a player's minutes by 5-8 minutes. Scruggs and Carter will play the most minutes but everyone else looks to split the minutes among 10 eligible players. X next spring will likely lose 2 players to transfer because is not happy with minutes.

I would expect Carter to play less minutes this year, particularly if he puts up similar offensive numbers. I hope though that he will be Travis Taylor part two.

And on that note, if Stanley is eligible then X will have 12 guys on scholarship who are eligible. It could be tough for some of these guys to find meaningful minutes, although one of those 12 is Daniel Ramsey, who I wonder will ever play because of his bad knees.

[MHettel]

This dude is intriguing to me.

I tried to research his recruiting rankings coming out of HS, and ran across an article where he could have been part of the 2016 class, but instead reclassified to 2017. I never could locate any type of actual recruit ranking or "number of stars" or whatever. Ultimately, he was basically "Hampton level" talent. And then he sits out a year as a redshirt. And then he doesn't really play that much in his Redshirt Freshman season (10 mpg), and then suddenly as a Sophomore he was basically unstoppable. Suddenly he became on of the hottest transfers on the market. What a ride for this guy!

I definitely want to see if his game translates to the BE. He doesn't really take 3's (often), and he shot 57% from the field and would rank 5th among 60 former XU players in getting to the FT line per minute. So, he's an absolute BEAST inside.....against Hamptons opponents.

At 6'6", can this translate? The BE has a gang of 7 footers in the league, and these aren't the stiff clumsy 7 footers. These are the glass cleaning, shot blocking NBA aspiring type.

Obviously this guy was a late bloomer. We've had our share of these kind of players over the years, so my hopes are high. Is he still developing? is there still some ceiling? Even if he's fully developed, he could be productive in the BE.

He's spoken about having NBA aspirations. I assume he realizes the list of inside player that are 6'6" is pretty short. He must know that developing a reliable 3 pt shot is simply a "must" for him to have any shot at the NBA. If he shows up next year as a 3 point threat AND with the ability to do damage on the inside.....watch out.

really like this pickup.

On a related note, I think XU has found a real niche in the transfer market. we have had VERY few transfers that didn't work out. We always seem to get at least one productive year from them...as opposed to many incoming freshmen who just flame out after a year or 2. I'd like to see 3 transfers on the roster in most years (1 as a senior, 1 as a junior, and 1 sitting out).

Quick List of Transfers, broken into groups:
Key contributors- Hankins, Stainbrook, Lavender, Crawford, Myles, Thornton, CJ, McLean, T Taylor, Kanter, Massey, Sears,
Role Players- Andre Walker, Philmore, Abell, Gaston, Bernard, Castlin, Welage, Moore, Carter, A Taylor
Busts- Obi Harris, Desmond Walker, maybe 1 or 2 more guys from 20 years ago....

[94GRAD]

This dude is intriguing to me.

I tried to research his recruiting rankings coming out of HS, and ran across an article where he could have been part of the 2016 class, but instead reclassified to 2017. I never could locate any type of actual recruit ranking or "number of stars" or whatever. Ultimately, he was basically "Hampton level" talent. And then he sits out a year as a redshirt. And then he doesn't really play that much in his Redshirt Freshman season (10 mpg), and then suddenly as a Sophomore he was basically unstoppable. Suddenly he became on of the hottest transfers on the market. What a ride for this guy!

I definitely want to see if his game translates to the BE. He doesn't really take 3's (often), and he shot 57% from the field and would rank 5th among 60 former XU players in getting to the FT line per minute. So, he's an absolute BEAST inside.....against Hamptons opponents.

At 6'6", can this translate? The BE has a gang of 7 footers in the league, and these aren't the stiff clumsy 7 footers. These are the glass cleaning, shot blocking NBA aspiring type.

Obviously this guy was a late bloomer. We've had our share of these kind of players over the years, so my hopes are high. Is he still developing? is there still some ceiling? Even if he's fully developed, he could be productive in the BE.

He's spoken about having NBA aspirations. I assume he realizes the list of inside player that are 6'6" is pretty short. He must know that developing a reliable 3 pt shot is simply a "must" for him to have any shot at the NBA. If he shows up next year as a 3 point threat AND with the ability to do damage on the inside.....watch out.

really like this pickup.

On a related note, I think XU has found a real niche in the transfer market. we have had VERY few transfers that didn't work out. We always seem to get at least one productive year from them...as opposed to many incoming freshmen who just flame out after a year or 2. I'd like to see 3 transfers on the roster in most years (1 as a senior, 1 as a junior, and 1 sitting out).

Quick List of Transfers, broken into groups:
Key contributors- Hankins, Stainbrook, Lavender, Crawford, Myles, Thornton, CJ, McLean, T Taylor, Kanter, Massey, Sears,
Role Players- Andre Walker, Philmore, Abell, Gaston, Bernard, Castlin, Welage, Moore, Carter, A Taylor
Busts- Obi Harris, Desmond Walker, maybe 1 or 2 more guys from 20 years ago....

So what you're saying is he scored 22ppg in what could have been his Junior year.

[sirthought]

So what you're saying is he scored 22ppg in what could have been his Junior year.

If he could have been in the class of 2016-17, wouldn't last season have been his senior year?

[MHettel]

So what you're saying is he scored 22ppg in what could have been his Junior year.

I guess what I'm saying is that 8 months ago, given his HS and collegiate career up to that point, he might have been just consider another dude that was a marginal college athlete. His last season just doesn't align to the story of his career up to that point.

Its interesting to me. Hopefully he was just under coached and hadn't quite filled out physically. Who knows?

But a good get in my opinion, and hopefully he's productive.

[XUGRAD80]

So what you're saying is he scored 22ppg in what could have been his Junior year.

Junior year scholastically...sophomore year eligibility wise. He took a red shirt year as a freshman. Thus he has 2 more years of college eligibility, BUT if he isn’t granted a waiver and allowed to play right away this season, he will have to take a transfer sit-out year and will have only ONE year of eligibility left after that. Have to feel that Steele is pretty confident that he will get that waiver or he wouldn’t have offered him a scholarship. However there is no rhyme or reason for what the NCAA decides to do, so guess we will all just have to wait and see what happens.

[XU 87]

I guess what I'm saying is that 8 months ago, given his HS and collegiate career up to that point, he might have been just consider another dude that was a marginal college athlete. His last season just doesn't align to the story of his career up to that point.

Its interesting to me. Hopefully he was just under coached and hadn't quite filled out physically. Who knows?


But a good get in my opinion, and hopefully he's productive.

Bottom line- he could have some big upside. I like it.

[XUGRAD80]

I guess what I'm saying is that 8 months ago, given his HS and collegiate career up to that point, he might have been just consider another dude that was a marginal college athlete. His last season just doesn't align to the story of his career up to that point.


The same thing was said of Joe Burrows.

[bleedXblue]

This dude is intriguing to me.

I tried to research his recruiting rankings coming out of HS, and ran across an article where he could have been part of the 2016 class, but instead reclassified to 2017. I never could locate any type of actual recruit ranking or "number of stars" or whatever. Ultimately, he was basically "Hampton level" talent. And then he sits out a year as a redshirt. And then he doesn't really play that much in his Redshirt Freshman season (10 mpg), and then suddenly as a Sophomore he was basically unstoppable. Suddenly he became on of the hottest transfers on the market. What a ride for this guy!

I definitely want to see if his game translates to the BE. He doesn't really take 3's (often), and he shot 57% from the field and would rank 5th among 60 former XU players in getting to the FT line per minute. So, he's an absolute BEAST inside.....against Hamptons opponents.

At 6'6", can this translate? The BE has a gang of 7 footers in the league, and these aren't the stiff clumsy 7 footers. These are the glass cleaning, shot blocking NBA aspiring type.

Obviously this guy was a late bloomer. We've had our share of these kind of players over the years, so my hopes are high. Is he still developing? is there still some ceiling? Even if he's fully developed, he could be productive in the BE.

He's spoken about having NBA aspirations. I assume he realizes the list of inside player that are 6'6" is pretty short. He must know that developing a reliable 3 pt shot is simply a "must" for him to have any shot at the NBA. If he shows up next year as a 3 point threat AND with the ability to do damage on the inside.....watch out.

really like this pickup.

On a related note, I think XU has found a real niche in the transfer market. we have had VERY few transfers that didn't work out. We always seem to get at least one productive year from them...as opposed to many incoming freshmen who just flame out after a year or 2. I'd like to see 3 transfers on the roster in most years (1 as a senior, 1 as a junior, and 1 sitting out).

Quick List of Transfers, broken into groups:
Key contributors- Hankins, Stainbrook, Lavender, Crawford, Myles, Thornton, CJ, McLean, T Taylor, Kanter, Massey, Sears,
Role Players- Andre Walker, Philmore, Abell, Gaston, Bernard, Castlin, Welage, Moore, Carter, A Taylor
Busts- Obi Harris, Desmond Walker, maybe 1 or 2 more guys from 20 years ago....

The Big East has had a plethora of successful 6'5-6'7 guys that are athletic and can score and contribute in a big way.

[Xuperman]

Curiosity and in bad need of getting a hoops fix led me to the Hampton/Howard game where Stanley got his 40. Full game on YouTube.

Seeing him in the flow of an actual game is obviously different than highlight video but his ability to score is undeniable. Here's some observations when watching a full game.

If there ever was a "Blue Collar" player, you're looking at him. Does all the dirty work with a nasty edge. Goes full bore nearly 100% of the time in transition. He lives in the paint as they were trying to pound the ball to him in a pretty dense zone in which he was constantly double teamed. When he does get it you're not gonna take it from him, he basically scored or got fouled. They had NO ONE who could guard him so they hacked him alot. But here's the thing, not good from the line...yikes.

Also, he seemed to struggle staying in front of his man in the half court defensively...even got embarrassed a couple of times.

Hopefully these 2 weaknesses can be improved upon but you know what they say about old dogs and new tricks.

For your viewing pleasure....very entertaining game!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8CD0txi4Ov8

[xuphan]

This dude is intriguing to me.

I tried to research his recruiting rankings coming out of HS, and ran across an article where he could have been part of the 2016 class, but instead reclassified to 2017. I never could locate any type of actual recruit ranking or "number of stars" or whatever. Ultimately, he was basically "Hampton level" talent. And then he sits out a year as a redshirt. And then he doesn't really play that much in his Redshirt Freshman season (10 mpg), and then suddenly as a Sophomore he was basically unstoppable. Suddenly he became on of the hottest transfers on the market. What a ride for this guy!

I definitely want to see if his game translates to the BE. He doesn't really take 3's (often), and he shot 57% from the field and would rank 5th among 60 former XU players in getting to the FT line per minute. So, he's an absolute BEAST inside.....against Hamptons opponents.

At 6'6", can this translate? The BE has a gang of 7 footers in the league, and these aren't the stiff clumsy 7 footers. These are the glass cleaning, shot blocking NBA aspiring type.

Obviously this guy was a late bloomer. We've had our share of these kind of players over the years, so my hopes are high. Is he still developing? is there still some ceiling? Even if he's fully developed, he could be productive in the BE.

He's spoken about having NBA aspirations. I assume he realizes the list of inside player that are 6'6" is pretty short. He must know that developing a reliable 3 pt shot is simply a "must" for him to have any shot at the NBA. If he shows up next year as a 3 point threat AND with the ability to do damage on the inside.....watch out.

really like this pickup.

On a related note, I think XU has found a real niche in the transfer market. we have had VERY few transfers that didn't work out. We always seem to get at least one productive year from them...as opposed to many incoming freshmen who just flame out after a year or 2. I'd like to see 3 transfers on the roster in most years (1 as a senior, 1 as a junior, and 1 sitting out).

Quick List of Transfers, broken into groups:
Key contributors- Hankins, Stainbrook, Lavender, Crawford, Myles, Thornton, CJ, McLean, T Taylor, Kanter, Massey, Sears,
Role Players- Andre Walker, Philmore, Abell, Gaston, Bernard, Castlin, Welage, Moore, Carter, A Taylor
Busts- Obi Harris, Desmond Walker, maybe 1 or 2 more guys from 20 years ago....

Key contributors I agree with but Disagree with the role player list. Several of your role players were busts in my opinion. A Taylor, Moore, Castlin, Gaston, Welage we’re all busts in my opinion based on what was expected of them coming into the team.

[Xuperman]

Key contributors I agree with but Disagree with the role player list. Several of your role players were busts in my opinion. A Taylor, Moore, Castlin, Gaston, Welage we’re all busts in my opinion based on what was expected of them coming into the team.

Not Gaston.

[xuphan]

Not Gaston.

Not Gaston. I’m think of a player during Miller’s/Mack’s time. I think he was a juco

[xukeith]

Walker?

[bleedXblue]

Could someone please help me on what merit or condition is he applying for immediate eligibility? Seems like a long shot to me.

[muskiefan82]

Could someone please help me on what merit or condition is he applying for immediate eligibility? Seems like a long shot to me.

I believe it is that he has already sat out a year as a redshirt

[xavierj]

Could someone please help me on what merit or condition is he applying for immediate eligibility? Seems like a long shot to me.

Also didn’t the conference cancel all sports?

[bleedXblue]

Also didn’t the conference cancel all sports?

That would be a pretty solid reason.......

[Xuperman]

I was wondering if anyone here with advanced knowledge or ties to the Athletic Dept can inform us on how this "waiver" process works. I know it is the process used to transfer and play immediately but sketchy on the various requirements.

In Ben's case, I believe he has requested a waiver based on the fact the he redshirted as a Frosh. HOWEVER, I did read somewhere that the redshirt was triggered for academic/paperwork issues not basketball related, so I'm concerned this may be the reason we've heard nothing on him while many others are getting greenlighted.

I know that you can get an immediate play now waiver if your Head Coach is fired or does a "Mack"....or if you have some family hardship, one is usually granted. But what is some of the more obscure criteria. If someone can shed some light it would be appreciated.

[Xuperman]

BTW, How the hell did DJ Carton get his free pass so quickly. No coaching changes in Columbus, No hardship cited and pretty sure no redshirt. ???

[GIMMFD]

BTW, How the hell did DJ Carton get his free pass so quickly. No coaching changes in Columbus, No hardship cited and pretty sure no redshirt. ???

If you follow the college football waivers, you'll see that it makes absolutely zero sense who gets a waiver and who doesn't, usually the player just lawyer's up, and it's basically a done deal, unless you're moving home closer to someone in your family with a serious illness, then you don't get a hardship waiver. Gotta love the NCAA.

[Xuperman]

WTF GIMM, is that even possible? Special treatment with dollars?

[X-band '01]

That's why football is trash and should be defunded.

[nuts4xu]

There is little rhyme or reason to when the NCAA decides on the waiver application. I don't know if they can even tell you the steps in the process, or how long it should take. In the past it was an act of congress to get a waiver approved, but I believe the NCAA has been more giving with the pandemic this year. Ben chose Xavier partly because he believes Xavier has a better chance to gain the approval than some of the other schools he was considering. It isn't a foregone conclusion but from what I have heard, there is a good chance the waiver will be granted.