Quadir Copeland (2022 PG) - Committed


MikeMcAllister

Administrator
Staff member
Quick clip of Quadir this weekend. I've always liked the way he makes himself small when he needs to protect the ball or change direction, getting down low and then rising up as he approaches the basket. Last night's Wake game was a lot of fun for the fans to watch. If Quadir plays up to his potential, he will definitely bring the fun.
He is not short on confidence
 

ThePearl

Well-known member

Nice lob pass Quadir. Lot of weaknesses to find in his game right now but I really like the way he can deliver a pass.

I watched some of yesterday's IMG Post Grad game for the first time since before the holidays. They're playing in a tournament in Charlottesville, Justin Taylor's hometown. A couple of comments from this fan:

Justin had a poor shooting game yesterday from outside. I have watched about a dozen of his games since the spring and I have yet to see him have a strong shooting game, with most games well below average. He just does not make shots at a good percentage, despite him being continually described as a shooter. Right now, he's a better midrange shooter than three point shooter. He's a fine all-around player, plays smart and hard, but the two guard is a scoring position. The other aspects of the game are side dishes for a 2, the main dish is scoring, especially outside shooting. He has given no indication that he can step right into the starting lineup next year when the defenses are going to be a lot better and the spotlight and pressure will be astronomically bigger. One thing I don't like about his shooting mechanics is he often shoots with his right foot in front of his left rather than squared up to the basket. I think I've seen that occasionally from other players before, but it seems less than ideal to me.

Also, Justin looked slightly gimpy walking off the court late in the game. I just skimmed through today's game and Justin didn't start and it looks like he didn't play. Hope it's a minor thing, sucks that he missed a game in his hometown.

Copeland had his typical game, maybe a little sloppier in his ball handling. I did see him hit two threes, I think with time he can become a decent enough shooter for a penetrating playmaking point guard.

While watching this game, I realized that I could be watching an early season IMG Post Grad game because our two guys don't seem to have developed their game much at all. Nothing seems to have changed. I don't see any development of their strengths nor their weaknesses. It stands in contrast to Chris Bunch, who has had his ups and downs against elite competition but he has expanded his game from what he showed at Peach Jam. His defense has become much better as the Wasatch season has gone on and he has taken on much more ball handling. A few minutes into the first Wasatch game I saw this season, I thought to myself that this is a well coached team. They have a poor record in the NIBC because of several key injuries, the lack of a point guard early in the season, and the lack of a five-star stud that most the other NIBC teams have. But I have seen Chris develop during the season, along with other players, especially the excellent three point shooter Hronsky. I don't mean to criticize the coaching staff at IMG Post Grad because I know nothing about the situation and just see parts of some games, but Benny's surprising lack of readiness this year and what seems to me a lack of noticeable development in Taylor and Copeland's games this season are concerning.
 

cuseguy

Active member

Nice lob pass Quadir. Lot of weaknesses to find in his game right now but I really like the way he can deliver a pass.

I watched some of yesterday's IMG Post Grad game for the first time since before the holidays. They're playing in a tournament in Charlottesville, Justin Taylor's hometown. A couple of comments from this fan:

Justin had a poor shooting game yesterday from outside. I have watched about a dozen of his games since the spring and I have yet to see him have a strong shooting game, with most games well below average. He just does not make shots at a good percentage, despite him being continually described as a shooter. Right now, he's a better midrange shooter than three point shooter. He's a fine all-around player, plays smart and hard, but the two guard is a scoring position. The other aspects of the game are side dishes for a 2, the main dish is scoring, especially outside shooting. He has given no indication that he can step right into the starting lineup next year when the defenses are going to be a lot better and the spotlight and pressure will be astronomically bigger. One thing I don't like about his shooting mechanics is he often shoots with his right foot in front of his left rather than squared up to the basket. I think I've seen that occasionally from other players before, but it seems less than ideal to me.

Also, Justin looked slightly gimpy walking off the court late in the game. I just skimmed through today's game and Justin didn't start and it looks like he didn't play. Hope it's a minor thing, sucks that he missed a game in his hometown.

Copeland had his typical game, maybe a little sloppier in his ball handling. I did see him hit two threes, I think with time he can become a decent enough shooter for a penetrating playmaking point guard.

While watching this game, I realized that I could be watching an early season IMG Post Grad game because our two guys don't seem to have developed their game much at all. Nothing seems to have changed. I don't see any development of their strengths nor their weaknesses. It stands in contrast to Chris Bunch, who has had his ups and downs against elite competition but he has expanded his game from what he showed at Peach Jam. His defense has become much better as the Wasatch season has gone on and he has taken on much more ball handling. A few minutes into the first Wasatch game I saw this season, I thought to myself that this is a well coached team. They have a poor record in the NIBC because of several key injuries, the lack of a point guard early in the season, and the lack of a five-star stud that most the other NIBC teams have. But I have seen Chris develop during the season, along with other players, especially the excellent three point shooter Hronsky. I don't mean to criticize the coaching staff at IMG Post Grad because I know nothing about the situation and just see parts of some games, but Benny's surprising lack of readiness this year and what seems to me a lack of noticeable development in Taylor and Copeland's games this season are concerning.
This was my observation the one time I saw Copeland and Taylor early in the season. I think both could develop into reasonably good players, but there’s a reason why SU is recruiting Mintz. The one time I saw Bunch I wasn’t impressed with his overall game. Seemed disinterested in rebounding and playing defense. Offensively, it seemed like it was either a 3 point shot or a dunk with no midrange game and limited ball handling to create a shot. Small sample but I wonder what your take is on this.
 

rochcuse44

Well-known member
Mintz seems more ready for college ball and the most likely to have a chance to start. As good as our other recruits are, there is some risk with each of them in terms of their readiness as a freshman. Recruiting Mintz seems like a smart move and would give us some flexibility should one or two of the others not quite be ready.
 

ThePearl

Well-known member
This was my observation the one time I saw Copeland and Taylor early in the season. I think both could develop into reasonably good players, but there’s a reason why SU is recruiting Mintz. The one time I saw Bunch I wasn’t impressed with his overall game. Seemed disinterested in rebounding and playing defense. Offensively, it seemed like it was either a 3 point shot or a dunk with no midrange game and limited ball handling to create a shot. Small sample but I wonder what your take is on this.
That's a very good point I hadn't thought of. I had wondered why SU decided recently to pursue Mintz, after not doing so for nearly three months after he decommitted from Pitt. Seems likely they became concerned about the lack of development during this season at IMG, especially from Taylor. I've always thought Boeheim saw Taylor as a direct replacement for Buddy who would step right into the starting lineup. But they've seen his games also and probably speak to the IMG coaches. Taylor just doesn't shoot at a decent percentage from three. If we don't bring in anyone from the portal and none of the three starters come back, next year's team will lack scoring that you can depend on every game. Mintz is a scorer who can get his own shot and he shoots significantly better from three than Taylor right now. With Symir back, Copeland is less of a concern. He will probably have a limited role until he adjusts to the college game.

I generally agree with you on Bunch, but I've seen development of his ball handling and especially his defense at Wasatch this season. He's an excellent shooter when he has his feet set, but his percentage goes way down when he shoots off the dribble. Midrange has become part of his game with decent enough moves, but he just doesn't shoot as accurately when he has to get up in the air off the dribble. He also will use a couple dribbles to create space for a three point shot. He has shown a strong ability on defense at times with Wasatch, getting lower and using his feet to stay in front of a defender rather than just use his hands trying to knock the ball away like Copeland usually does. He is also a very good and eager weakside shot blocker. He has all the attributes of a prototypical Syracuse forward and he can become very good on the defensive end. Rebounding will be his biggest issue, similar to Benny. He also needs to tighten his handle, as does Benny. Unlike Maliq Brown, who often crashes the boards even when he was defending on the perimeter, Bunch is used to hanging out on the perimeter and watching others fight for the rebound. That won't cut it at SU.
 

ThePearl

Well-known member
Mintz seems more ready for college ball and the most likely to have a chance to start. As good as our other recruits are, there is some risk with each of them in terms of their readiness as a freshman. Recruiting Mintz seems like a smart move and would give us some flexibility should one or two of the others not quite be ready.
I agree. I used to think next year's starting backcourt would be Girard and Taylor. Now I feel it's very likely to be Symir and Girard, or Mintz and Girard if SU gets him. Both Girard and Mintz could be described as combo guards, so maybe Joe to takes more of the point guard role early in the season with that changing as Mintz grows comfortable. Mintz seems very ready for the college game. He might look small, but he is strong and he plays strong, with aggression, a lack of hesitation, and a lot of quiet confidence.
 


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