When ECU signs a JUCO player, I typically like to examine where some of their teammates have committed or track recent players as a baseline for projection. In the past, when ECU secured players from the same conference, there were many notable examples from places like Northwest Florida State, where Jackson and Debaut originated, featuring P5-level or even NBA level teammates. Unfortunately, Indian River is less inspiring.
While these players may not be particularly inspiring for the most part, there are a few performing solidly who have recently emerged from the Indian River system. Maybe this JUCO is more of a system place? This doesn't significantly alter my opinion; however, it provides additional information, and more information is never a bad thing IMO. Brandon Johnson, for instance, averaged 5ppg and 4rpg, serving as the 9th man on his JUCO team, playing behind multiple D2 players. This highlights the unpredictability of situations and coaching dynamics.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/ocypher-owens-1.html
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/micah-octave-1.html
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/jyre-mccloud-1.html
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/pablo-tamba-1.html
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/antoine-jacks-2.html
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/jabari-williams-1.html
2022-23
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/aj-cajuste-1.html
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/bendji-pierre-1.html
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/tyeree-bryan-1.html
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/jonathan-cisse-1.html
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/kyle-feit-1.html
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/jacob-tracey-1.html
These were all D1 players but there were no high-major players who emerged from the last two years of this JUCO, which is surprising considering its top-30 ranking JUCO team. The most notable players, Cajuste and Pierre, ended up in WAC and WCC, assuming roles as a role player and a deep bench contributor.
Cisse stood out by averaging 17ppg for a struggling Incarnate Word team, showcasing an impressive 40% three-point shooting, so can't blame him. He appears to be the most promising among the group. Others, such as Tyree Bryan and Ocypher Owens, are maintaining double-digit or near-double-digit averages at Santa Clara and Le Moyne.
Octive and McCloud, who were the other 14ppg contributors on Woodards' team last year and seem underwhelming. They are currently averaging 4 and 5ppg, respectively, at Arkansas Pine Bluff and Alabama State. Despite these observations, I still appreciate the signing, though the overall performance of the teammates adds a slight layer of skepticism. Perhaps looking at it positively Woodard may have been the real driving force behind that team if the other 14ppg teamates couldn't do much in the SWAC. Maurice Kemp also didn't do much in the SWAC as a freshmen before JUCO. Let's hope so.
