Gerry Hamilton

Love it Robert! Thank you for posting

I've mentioned in summer workout stories prior that the player of the week wears a gold jersey in workouts the follow week. Mikey Lewis was gold jersey yesterday, his second time of the summer. Was told David Punch will be wearing it next for second time this summer. Austin Goosby has worn it one week this summer as well.

One more note ... new floor at the Moody Center. Was first day being used by mens team. A little slick as it gets broken in.

I don’t make too much in a structured workout setting in terms of % of makes and misses. Nothing really different for me. Texas should be in that 35.5%’ish range shooting the 3 over course of season. If they get to 36% on season, huge for this team. Isaiah Johnson was 37.8% in year one in CBK, can see similar. Mikey Lewis was in the 37.% area. See similar. Elyjah Freeman was 34.%’ish at Auburn. Can see slight bump to 35.5%’ish in second year of high major ball. Amari Evans will make the decent second year jump. Should be in the 32-33% range. And has to be. Ogden and Sterling can really knock down catch and shoots, but won’t play big minutes year one. Goosby has the ability to be a 34-35% guy as a freshman. Texas will very likely be similar to Arizona last year, however. Not a high volume of 3’s as a team. They will live at FT line, push in fast execution transition offense because they will be an elite rebounding team, play off the wings angles on penetration and take higher percentage 3’s off that in half court. That Arizona team led nation in FT attempts per game among the high-majors, and only made 200 3’s on the season (but at 36.0%). Texas is very similar IMO

For the freshman guards/wings … one of the toughest adjustments is when they have ball in hand and are defended in an iced ball screen scenario. The ball screen iced by college bigs and experienced guards … that’s just so different from anything they have played against. All the drills in the world can’t simulate that. Maybe Isaiah Johnson was best prepared for that as a freshman because he worked in paps gym space against NBA players, but those bigs at a Texas can take your space and then you have to see over high-major arm length and do so without leaving your feet and getting in trouble. And the pass is a difficult one due to distance of pass a lot of times. That’s a hidden adjustment for young guards/wings. Have to learn to fight for your space in a live situation when the game is still moving fast.

BTW, not worried in the least about Isaiah Johnson taking over a team running task full time. He’s just damn good, and knows how to play (as one would expect with Chris J being papa). Complete control of his game. He changes speeds so well. Reads the game very well. When Goosby or Lewis is in team running spot, when Johnson is getting rest, teams will very likely turn up the pressure until Goosby/Lewis shows they can get into half court sets with correct timing. Especially with Goosby being a freshman. That’s one area I would attack early in season from an opponent standpoint. Not saying Goosby/Lewis won’t be fine… but looking for an area to test the Horns - that’s one for me. Goosby has the ability/feel and smarts to play team runner in spurts for sure, but he will be tested by older and physical players - as he should be.

lol it looks funny for sure

I think Sterling is the best pure shooter on the team. He will be a solid role player long term. Offensively he belongs in high-major ball. He has total control of his game, and most importantly knows who he is. Defensively, that’s where he will need time. Texas likes where he can go in time. Not sure how much we see him in meaningful games this season if team is healthy. As far as what was seen during the practice. Was very structured continued install practice. It wasn’t get ball off rim and go, and attack a matchup type practice. They ran offense 95%+ of time. Was a lot of ball screen defense structured teaching. Nothing surprising to me outside of what I had reported on summer workouts. If there was one key takeaway… Marcus Spears Jr. will be even more of an impact player than I thought. Not so much in minutes as the third big, but scoring the ball. He should have a few big games this season, and wouldn’t be surprised if he averaged 11-12 ppg after he gets comfortable in games. He still going to make 17 year old mistakes, but he’s picking things up quickly and competed very well against Punch. His first step is not only quick for his size, but he covers so much ground if he has a downhill angle. Defenders are instantly in a recovery position with a fouling angle. He competes physically. He played off the weak side offensive glass very well yesterday.

They get a Rick Pitino bump from me, plus the talent. Mitchell in year five in CBK as a tremendous defender, solid rebounder and terrific fit with Pitino to go with the rest of their team would be pretty big. Quinn Ellis is very good at 6-4/6-5. As coveted as any player in portal or internationally that came to states. It allows Ian Jackson to play off ball too. Yessofou is 17/18 a night. Big backcourt of grown men IMO Their international guys will be the key… on interior. Texas definitely has the advantage on them, and anyone save 2-3 teams. It’s mainly Rick Pitino bump with a talented team over the course of a season. He’s won 30 games two straight seasons, and this may be “his type of team” moreso than the prior two years. Guy is just tremendous.

NBADraft.net ... 3 1st rounders for the Horns in 2028 https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/?year-mock=2028 Other 2027 mocks have Matas and Elyjah Freeman as second rounders https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/ Goosby shows up in some 1st's in 2027 and 2028 My current projections remain unchanged: Isaiah Johnson - 1st round in 2027 or 2028 Austin Goosby - 1st round/lottery in 2027 or 2028 Elyjah Freeman - 2nd/1st round in 2027 or 2028 David Punch - 2nd round in 2027 or 2028 Matas - 2nd round in 2027 or 2028 Marcus Spears Jr. - lottery pick in 2028

NBADraft.net ... 3 1st rounders for the Horns https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/?year-mock=2028 Other 2027 mocks have Matas and Elyjah Freeman as second rounders https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/?year-mock=2027 Goosby shows up in some 1st's in 2027 and 2028

My top 25 preseason list right now ... with understanding things could change if the 2022's get eligible: 1. Florida 2. Duke 3. Illinois - David Mirkovic has to come back from broken foot/surgery July 31 4. St. John's - if they get Dillon Mitchell back. 5. Michigan State 6. UConn 7. Texas 8. Arizona 9. Tennessee 10. Arkansas 11. Louisville 12. USC - big man just got injured, but young depth is quality 13. Michigan 14. Virginia 15. Miami 16. Vanderbilt 17. Alabama 18. Missouri 19. Houston 20. Gonzaga - was top 10'ish level before the PG porked Few 21. Kentucky 22. UCLA 23. Kansas 24. Iowa State 25. North Carolina Just missed: Indiana Villanova Nebraska Purdue Arizona State

There was a charge taking drill lol

Pope definitely undervalued as a floor spacer. Agree 100% ... BTW Texas A&M trying to get Jordan Pope (They may not get Bryson Warren eligible). He was a floor spacing initiator for sure! Not going to get in paint and create rotations Let's see Johnson play this year. I actually think Johnson will be a better pro long term. He's two inches taller, longer arms and has all the same three level ability.

OKC Head coach and staff member's were in attendance today.

That was the Texas team's first practice in Moody Center all summer. All the transfers and freshman first time shooting and working out in Moody

One thing I always say to keep in mind on 3-point shooting ... The last five National Champions shot between 36.5% and 35.3% from 3 for the season. No great shooting teams since Baylor from 3. Texas was 35.5% last year

It's on par with 3-4 others. My goal this season is to be a top 2 seed. If you are on the 2/3 seed line, and are 3 ... okay too. It's damn hard to get to a Final Four, so I don't go there. Get me to that seed line area mentioned, and see what happens. If you had me list teams right now (still have to wait to see what happens with 2022's), I think there are a lot of really good teams and Texas is on the list: Florida, Duke and Illinois - should be No. 1 seeds if healthy UConn, Michigan State, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona, Arkansas, St. John's, Louisville and USC likely my next group. Virginia, Michigan, Alabama, Miami, Vanderbilt, Missouri the 3rd group.

Not supposed to. Just ask Q's There is nothing you will not have already learned if you follow my summer reports here.

Nothing I didn't already know from sources. Ceiling will be determined by freshmen growth over the first 20 games of the season. What doesn't show up today is ... Have to hit 74% from the FT line and I believe Texas will be 35.5%'ish from three this season. Neither of those were going to be judged in a sctructured workout. And I would say this importantly ... any media member that tries to judge how a team will shoot the three off one workout, they are basketball dumb.

Terrific. I'm a big, big fan. Plays under control, but at the same time can play fast. Has the feel, knowledge and knack for getting to FT line for 6-1.5/6-2 guy. Had two straight attacks and would have been FT's Texas was very structured offensively today. They are teaching all these guys the reads on offense this summer. Install on O and D

Texas No. 4 here ... https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/49491209/mens-ncaa-basketball-2026-27-way-too-early-top-25-rankings-biggest-nonconference-games I have Texas anywhere from 4 to 9 range ... see if these 22's can transfer ... If Dillon Mitchell returns to St. John's, they jump Texas for me.

Projected starting lineup... 2 Isaiah Johnson, lead guard/PG, 6-2, 182 (16.9 ppg, 2.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists at Colorado) 10 Austin Goosby, CG, 6-5.5, 205 6 Elyjah Freeman, G/F, 6-8, 205 (9.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals at Auburn) 13 David Punch, PF, 6-7, 245 (14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals & 1.9 blocks at TCU) 8 Matas Vokietaitis, C, 7-0, 255 (15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 0.9 blocks) First three off bench: 0 Mikey Lewis, CG, 6-3, 195 (13.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists at St. Mary’s) 31 Marcus Spears Jr., F, 6-9.5, 210 1 Amari Evans, G/W, 6-5, 220 (4.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals at Tennessee) Key role off bench: 5 Bo Ogden, W/G, 6-6, 215 14 Lewis Obiorah, C, 7-1, 255, RS-fresh. or John Clark, PF, 6-9, 245, RS-fresh. TBD 3 Joe Sterling, SG, 6-4, 205 Development year: 25 Mantas Laurencikas, PG, 6-3, 185 4 Coleman Elkins, C, 6-11, 235 Texas Longhorns 2026-27 Roster Seniors: None Juniors: 6 Elyjah Freeman, G/F, 6-8, 205 (9.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals at Auburn) 8 Matas Vokietaitis, C, 7-0, 255 (15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 0.9 blocks) 13 David Punch, PF, 6-7, 245 (14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals & 1.9 blocks at TCU) 0 Mikey Lewis, CG, 6-3, 195 (13.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists at St. Mary’s) Sophomores: 2 Isaiah Johnson, lead guard/PG, 6-2, 182 (16.9 ppg, 2.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists at Colorado) 1 Amari Evans, G/W, 6-5, 220 (4.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals at Tennessee) 33 Anthony McDermott, G, 6-5, 200, RS-soph. Freshmen: 10 Austin Goosby, CG, 6-5.5, 205 31 Marcus Spears Jr., F, 6-9.5, 210 5 Bo Ogden, W/G, 6-6, 215 9 John Clark, PF, 6-9, 245, RS-fresh. 14 Lewis Obiorah, C, 7-1, 255, RS-fresh. 3 Joe Sterling, SG, 6-4, 205 25 Mantas Laurencikas, PG, 6-3, 185 4 Coleman Elkins, C, 6-11, 235