OTF Q&A: video clips from Longhorns basketball open media practice

[Gerry Hamilton]

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. 

[Gerry Hamilton]

 

[Shivam Patel]

@Gerry HamiltonHow does Isiah Johnson look? I’m the most excited about him a three level scorer who can also pass at a high level!

[Rocky P]

Did you see anything that concerned you today?

[Gerry Hamilton]

Just now, Shivam Patel said:

@Gerry HamiltonHow does Isiah Johnson look? I’m the most excited about him a three level scorer who can also pass at a high level!

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

[Hook em All Day]

59 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

All media was told not to write a practice report … so OTF is not 

Let’s do this … ask me questions 

Interesting…. Horns 247 has a full practice report up…. 🤔

[Gerry Hamilton]

2 minutes ago, Rocky P said:

Did you see anything that concerned you today?

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. 

[Hook em All Day]

After watching today Gerry, is this the most excited you have ever been for a Texas basketball season to start? Do you think they can be a legit Final Four contender? 

[Gerry Hamilton]

2 minutes ago, Hook em All Day said:

Interesting…. Horns 247 has a full practice report up…. 🤔

Not supposed to. Just ask Q's 

There is nothing you will not have already learned if you follow my summer reports here.

[Rocky P]

1 minute ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

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. 

I was more concerned about high turnovers, bad passes, overall sloppy play.  Also if the effort didnt seem there. 

[Hook em All Day]

Just now, Gerry Hamilton said:

Not supposed to. Just ask Q's 

There is nothing you will not have already learned if you follow my summer reports here.

I’m very aware! I just thought it was hilarious you posted that and I popped on over there and they have a full report talking about the drills ran, etc. We all know OTF is the go to… get Paramount plus added to your membership and I think you might shut down Horns 247 COMPLETLEY!!! LoL 

[Gerry Hamilton]

Just now, Hook em All Day said:

After watching today Gerry, is this the most excited you have ever been for a Texas basketball season to start? Do you think they can be a legit Final Four contender? 

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. 

[ATX16]

8 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

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

I really liked Pope and his ability to hit some big three's but he was so limited breaking down a defense without a ball screen. 

Is Augustine too high of a comp for Johnson?

[Gerry Hamilton]

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

[Gerry Hamilton]

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 

[Gerry Hamilton]

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

[Gerry Hamilton]

14 minutes ago, ATX16 said:

I really liked Pope and his ability to hit some big three's but he was so limited breaking down a defense without a ball screen. 

Is Augustine too high of a comp for Johnson?

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. 

[hookem1014]

14 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

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

Learning how to draw fouls without flopping on every shot?

[Gerry Hamilton]

1 minute ago, hookem1014 said:

Learning how to draw fouls without flopping on every shot?

There was a charge taking drill lol 

[Gerry Hamilton]

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

[Gerry Hamilton]

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

[GQ03]

8 hours ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

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. 

I mean I like Dillon Mitchell but his game hasn't evolved much since he left Texas. He's really good defensively, a hellacious athlete, solid passer and rebounder but terrible shooter from pretty much any distance including fts. Do you like their backcourt of Ellis, Jackson & Yessofou that much over ours? I don't see how their frontcourt even with Mitchell matches up with Matas, Punch & Spears.

[GQ03]

I guess my question would be was there anything that surprised or excited you today watching them work out? Also, do you think Sterling might be even better than the staff initially thought? He & Ogden's (and Lewis for that matter) shooting could be really open things up for our post players.

[Califashorn75]

They couldn't find a pic of Mantas?

[harveycmd]

36 minutes ago, GQ03 said:

I mean I like Dillon Mitchell but his game hasn't evolved much since he left Texas. He's really good defensively, a hellacious athlete, solid passer and rebounder but terrible shooter from pretty much any distance including fts. Do you like their backcourt of Ellis, Jackson & Yessofou that much over ours? I don't see how their frontcourt even with Mitchell matches up with Matas, Punch & Spears.

There's more to the stuff about Mitchell going back to school than just St. John's wanting him back. The NBA holds the player's professional rights to play basketball. Thus the Celtics can go to court and argue any NIL money Mitchell receives violates his agreement with the NBA when he went through the draft. Reports are that the NBA will pursue this legally because they aren't willing to allow the precedent that violates the basis of their legal right to control a player.