MBB International Hello: Lee Aaliya
Argentinian hooper Lee Aaliya has committed to Michigan!
Aaliya is a 6'9" PF/C who recently competed in the FIBA U19 World Cup. He is a good finisher and defender but can continue to develop versatility on both ends of the floor.
Here are some highlights:
August 26th, 2023 at 12:59 PM ^
Sure, why not.
August 26th, 2023 at 5:29 PM ^
Umhoops.com is saying he is eligible this year.
August 26th, 2023 at 7:05 PM ^
You can still rock in America
August 26th, 2023 at 1:10 PM ^
Don't cry for me Hunter Dickinson.
August 26th, 2023 at 1:13 PM ^
Hunter? I barely know her! Who? He did what to his son?
August 26th, 2023 at 5:28 PM ^
You were supposed to have been immortal. That's all we wanted. Not much to ask for.
August 26th, 2023 at 1:11 PM ^
Michigan basketball is gonna suck still. Enjoy football kids.
August 26th, 2023 at 1:12 PM ^
I don’t think they are going to suck if Dug and Tarris make a jump. Last years team had serious team chemistry problems.
August 26th, 2023 at 1:14 PM ^
I hope your right. I want something watchable this winter.
August 27th, 2023 at 11:03 AM ^
Just keep in mind that there is a big gap between watchable and “has a reasonable chance to beat what should be a very good MSU team this year….”
I expect tournament - and safely in enough to at least avoid the play-in round.
August 26th, 2023 at 5:44 PM ^
This is the year that TWill makes The Leap, carrying us into the tourney.
August 26th, 2023 at 6:07 PM ^
Is he making the leap to a MAC school?Because that’s where he belongs.
August 26th, 2023 at 11:16 PM ^
I'm not as down on him as many seem to be, but has he demonstrated any improvement during these last 3 years?
I'm genuinely curious. It seems like he arrived fully formed, and all performance variation we've seen is just statistical noise - luck and effects of opponent and teammate differences. But I haven't been watching these last 2 years closely at all.
August 27th, 2023 at 1:05 PM ^
He lost a bunch of weight (2 years ago?) which theoretically would make him a better basketball player but no he hasn't really improved results wise at all. Used to be one of my favorite players on the team but got sick of seeing him play some time last season :|
August 28th, 2023 at 9:28 PM ^
Basketball IQ for him is unfortunately low. That can't really be taught.
August 26th, 2023 at 1:11 PM ^
Can he shoot?
August 26th, 2023 at 1:20 PM ^
Limited sample size but potential for shooting down the road. More of a backup 4/5, which will help the team as it probably enables Jackson to not be in line for minutes at the 5, which he was awful at with Seton Hall. I’d think of him as more of a Papa Kante replacement that could also play the 4.
August 26th, 2023 at 1:18 PM ^
BUT CAN HE PLAY THE 4????
…oh, right. Nevermind.
August 26th, 2023 at 1:19 PM ^
While the reliance on international recruiting continues to show that NIL is still very much an issue, I think this is a nice pickup. 6'9", decent build, moves decently well, can defend, rebound, and shoot the 3 ball a bit. Seems to move well without the ball, but definitely not an elite vertical athlete
August 26th, 2023 at 1:34 PM ^
Increased international recruiting has been a trend across college basketball though. It seems like the talent pool abroad has grown and is more visible with all the FIBA events nowadays. In addition, the portal means domestic prospects aren't exactly less of a flight risk.
I think Aaliya has some real potential near the rim once he gets Sanderson-ed and Howard-ed. Improving strength and footwork will really help him.
August 26th, 2023 at 3:18 PM ^
NIL is very much an issue for both MBB and football.
August 26th, 2023 at 5:13 PM ^
He might be a millionaire in Argentina pesos.
August 27th, 2023 at 1:08 PM ^
$1500 USD makes you a millionaire in Argentina lmao. His tuition alone is like $35M ARS annually.
August 26th, 2023 at 7:55 PM ^
Especially for Michigan State football, it’s the only thing holding them back!
August 26th, 2023 at 10:41 PM ^
Seems to be more of an issue with basketball than football at this point
August 26th, 2023 at 1:34 PM ^
Thank God. We need the depth.
August 26th, 2023 at 1:36 PM ^
For another take: these guys are fairly optimistic on Aaliya, describing him as "on the NBA radar" and potentially equal to Tarris:
August 28th, 2023 at 9:30 PM ^
Tarris is not on any NBA radar and ave sub 5 pts a game
August 26th, 2023 at 1:57 PM ^
Fun fact, he is the son of Ghanaian professional wrestler Jeff Aaliya who fought in an Argentinian version of WWE under the stage name Musambe Tutu.
August 27th, 2023 at 10:02 AM ^
So he is a Ghanaian-Argentinian, so if he immigrates to the U.S. he'll be a Ghanaian-Argentinian-American. That's fun.
I live in a fairly diverse neighborhood near a university. We have people from Turkey, France, Nigeria, China, Dominican Republic, Canada, Syria, India, Philippines, and those are just the people I personally know. The kids of these immigrants are all spectacular. They are usually the best musicians, athletes and students in the school and they are usually pretty cool kids. I think it benefits the team to get some of these international kids.
August 26th, 2023 at 1:58 PM ^
Solid pick up. Still think we need to fill the last roster spot with another guard. We are getting 4/5 heavy again. Burnett is probably the only one of the guards that can play the 2 and 3 position. The rest are 1’s and 2’s. Nkamhoua, Jackson, Williams, Reed, Tchetter and now this guy are all 4/5. I’m leaning towards Khayat and Jace being more 4’s than 3’s as well.
Washington will be a freshman so his minutes will be limited most likely, so that only leaves Dug, Llewellyn and Burnett as the guard rotation. Would be nice if Khayat can make a transition to the wing as well. So, yes, hoping for another pick up at the guard position.
August 26th, 2023 at 2:26 PM ^
I think at this point, it’s more likely that Washington is able to competently play rotation minutes than get a guard out of the portal or a sleeper international guard.
August 26th, 2023 at 2:58 PM ^
That would be a welcomed sign but I think he will be more of a next year rotation guy with spot minutes this year.
I definitely don’t think the portal is the way to go but there could be an international guard out there worthy of a scholarship.
August 26th, 2023 at 2:04 PM ^
This kid is the real deal, a pick n' roll finisher with athleticism around the basket who is instinctive and plays within himself and is active on both ends of the boards. Great addition to the team. Looks extremely polished for his age and experience.
August 28th, 2023 at 9:31 PM ^
Thanks Fred Jackson. So do we lose him to the lottery next spring ?
August 26th, 2023 at 2:07 PM ^
Doubt he plays this season considering he's being added so late.
1- Dug/ Llewellyn. 34/6
2- Burnett / Llewellyn 30/10
3- Twill / Yoyo 20/20
4- Nkamhoua / Jackson 20/20
5- Reed / Nkamhoua 28/12
There are a lot of potential X factors on this roster. One, how healthy is Llewellyn going to be? Two, can Yoyo take over at the 3 and give Michigan more upside there? Three, can Nkamhoua be an elite #1 option. Four, will Dug and Reed take big sophomore leaps?
8, 4* players ( 9 counting GW III)
3, top 50 players
Lots of athleticism and very good defenders. If Dug and Nkamhoua can be an elite pick n roll combo , and one guard ( hopefully Burnett,) steps up as a good scorer and 35%+ FT shooter this team could be very good.
August 26th, 2023 at 2:14 PM ^
Expecting a 3 big rotation to work is foolhardy at best. He'll play some at least I expect.
August 28th, 2023 at 9:32 PM ^
Tarris gonna be in foul trouble as a young big so any depth helps
August 27th, 2023 at 1:14 PM ^
He's playing; he's contributing.
August 26th, 2023 at 2:11 PM ^
I hope Aaliya can play like how Alliyah sang.
August 26th, 2023 at 8:49 PM ^
Vertical ain’t nothing but a number
August 26th, 2023 at 2:42 PM ^
Hell yeah!!!
August 26th, 2023 at 3:23 PM ^
If at first you don't succeed, you can try try try try again, try again.
August 26th, 2023 at 3:40 PM ^
Underrated post...
Dust yaself off... and take a bow...
August 26th, 2023 at 4:17 PM ^
Well, he can dunk. Unclear what else he can do offensively.
August 27th, 2023 at 1:10 PM ^
Great finisher at the rim, great roll man, mediocre shooting for a big.
August 26th, 2023 at 4:33 PM ^
So no one is gonna mention that this guy's name is pronounced lee-uh-lee-uh? 🤣
August 26th, 2023 at 8:50 PM ^
that’s salonga name
August 26th, 2023 at 5:35 PM ^
Sounds good. Need the depth. Like his athleticism.