Hoops Hello: Nojel Eastern? I Guess?
Michigan's player to be named later in the Spike Albrecht deal is Purdue transfer Nojel Eastern:
— Nojel Eastern (@NEblessed_20) May 14, 2020
Eastern is not in the portal as a grad transfer and so would have to sit out this year before playing a final season in 2021-22 unless he gets a waiver. These days waivers are pretty common and COVID-19 might make them universal, that'll be something to keep an eye on. Matt Painter's recent statements about his departures make it clear that he wasn't encouraged to leave.
[After THE JUMP: kind of like X, if X was 6'7" and a much worse shooter]
Eastern is one of the strangest college basketball players in America, a no-shoot "point guard" listed at 6'7", 225 last year. Eastern had a TO rate (24) slightly higher than his assist rate (20) and usage in role-player territory on Kenpom; he shot 43% from two and was 0/3 from three. He also has an infamous free-throw stroke.
On the bright side, Eastern is a spectacular defender and showed a lot of potential as a rebounder early in his career. (Last season Purdue played two bigs most of the time, blunting his opportunities on the boards.) If he could shoot at all he'd be of interest to NBA teams. The Stepien has an incredibly in-depth post on him from last offseason:
Let’s go over this all again: 6-foot-6+, dribbling skill, can drive and finish, rebounds well, passes well, doesn’t turn the ball over, creates defensive events at a decent rate and is an overwhelmingly positive and projectable defensive player going forward. We’re basically talking about a group of players with three possible outcomes in regards to the NBA.
First, an all-star level player. … Second, a way above average to star level role player. … Third, a death by can’t shoot player.
Eastern is certainly in the "death by can't shoot" category now. That's a problem at the NBA level. At the "oh shit it's May and we have roster holes" level, it's fine.
His on/off splits don't show a ton, but here they are, guarantee games excluded:
Eastern played starters' minutes for the #24 team in Kenpom and Purdue was a hair better with him out there than with him on the bench. Whatever his limitations are, "average player on a top 25 team" is a giant win for a transfer at this stage in the process. That's whether or not he gets a waiver. Michigan currently has seven openings for 2021.
You need to click on the link Brian put in there and read everything that Matt Painter says about Haarms and Eastern. Holy shit. He goes full metal asshole.
With Eastern, Johns (and probably Terrance Williams), that’s a lot of offensive rebounding putbacks. We are going to frustrate the hell out of opposing teams.
With Eastern, Johns (and probably Terrance Williams), that’s a lot of offensive rebounding putbacks. We are going to frustrate the hell out of opposing teams.
With Eastern, Johns (and probably Terrance Williams), that’s a lot of offensive rebounding putbacks. We are going to frustrate the hell out of opposing teams.
So, basically a shorter version of Ben Simmonds. I'll take that.
A former 4-star with two years of big ten play under his belt. Will give us one or two years before likely going to the league.
That's the equivalent of a 5-star recruit- it's great. Plus we take a starter from a tough conference competitor. Excellent coup by Howard and staff.
He played 3 seasons for Purdue, has 1 season left.
Even if he doesn't see the court in 20-21 (which I highly doubt), he's going to make a difference in practice. When you have two open scholarships, and you're practicing with more walk-ons, the competition level goes down. Anytime you can have a scholarship player in practice, that makes the team better. Not to mention, it will be good for Brooks, Wagner, Livers to be going up against him in practice, rather than Nunez or Baird. If he does see the court in 20-21, at least the team has experience playing with someone not known for shooting. There should be plenty of scoring options on this team to the point where he can be more of a "pest-type" player.
Howard sends him to camp Robinson(Duncan), instead of Sanderson.
Jk but imagine if he left Purdue's, developed a shot and then lights up Purdue, lol.
I watched the highlight link that was posted earlier in the thread. To me he looks like a kid that was a guard in high school but grew and now isn't comfortable in his frame. Did he grow a lot since high school? He moves more like a forward than a PG to my eyes. Good handle but his feet just don't scream guard to me.
Honestly Noel should consider playing football and becoming a TE or a ultra tall WR after this year.
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