WFU Lurker
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I said earlier that I look at Hoard as a poor man's AFA. I suspect his NBA career, if there is one, will also reflect that.
AFA was the #7 recruit in that class, joining a team w/ future NBA players Teague & Johnson (sophs) and Ish (junior). That team also had frosh Tony Woods & Ty Walker (both highly ranked).
They went 24-7 (11-5), finishing 2nd in the ACC regular season.
AFA probably would have had much bigger numbers if Teague (18.8/3.3/3.5) & JJ (15.0/8.5/2.0) weren't on that team. His 15.8ppg / 10.7rpg as a soph reflect that (when Ish was the only other double-digit scorer on the roster).
I realize Manning sucks as a coach, and that Hoard was a lower ranked recruit than AFA, but AFA was clearly a better player as a frosh. I used the comp because they were both very raw in skills, but rich in athleticism. AFA turned 18 right before his frosh season... Hoard was 19 (and just turned 20 on 3/30).
The bottom line with me is that I wish Hoard well. I don't question his motor like some others do, but I also don't think he assured of success at the next level. He's going to have to get a lot better.
I mean, yeah he probably would have had a bit more production without so much competition for shots, boards. Much bigger, IDK. He also had a competent point guard which would have been beneficial (just as it was for JC).
We had a lot of the same criticisms about AFA as we're seeing on this thread about Hoard, it just didn't matter as much because we were good. But AFA didn't have a handle, tried to take the ball down the court too much, didn't look like he cared, didn't seem to have a high motor, etc.