UH adding big man
Hawaii is in the process of adding 6-foot-8 Israeli center Ido Flaisher as a final piece to its 2016-17 team, sources indicated.
If all goes well for UH, Flaisher will be a in as a buzzer-beater. The first day of school is Aug. 22 and typically recruits have to be enrolled by then, with a few days at most as wiggle room.
It’s no secret UH could use some help up front, especially with Mike Thomas now redshirting the upcoming season.
Barring some unknown eligibility factor, Flaisher should have four years to play. He represents the final scholarship UH can offer under the NCAA’s current penalty from 13 to 11.
Flaisher has experience with the junior squad of Maccabi Tel Aviv, the most prominent club in Israel. He also recently played for Israel in the FIBA U20 European Championships, though with what appears to be limited minutes. Meaningful statistics on him are a little hard to come by.
Here’s some Flaisher (No. 8) in an Adidas U18 event.
He appears to be a traditional center, and one that isn’t afraid to go to either hand inside. Based on that video, it looks like his range extends to about just inside the 3-point arc, akin to Stefan Jovanovic.
There have been two Israelis in program history, although just one actually played. Haim Shimonovich was a difference maker at center for the ‘Bows of the early 2000s, while Orel Lev never saw action before he left the program a few years ago, ostensibly to serve in the Israeli military.
I’m a little concerned with Ganot’s focus on late and foreign recruiting. Granted, foreign recruiting worked out well for Riley back in the day (think Savo and company) but when things are this drawn out and this late you have to wonder a little bit.
Late may suggest a player with no other offers and our last choice. But not foreign– there is a lot of talent in international basketball– look at how many of the top NBA draft picks are foreign now. Also look at how many foreign Olympic teams have NBA players. Serbia lost 91-94 vs the US and they had at least one NBA player and top Serbian players who matched up with the US. Australia had even more NBA players. Basketball is as international a game as soccer and international tactics have made their way to the best NBA teams– San Antonia with European tactics and European players being one of the best examples.
This guy doesn’t look that good… Looks clumsy and a bit awkward going to the basket. Now that Gib’s recruits are gone, we’ll get to see a true picture of how good Ganot really is.
Looks a little on the “lean” side … need to get him into the weight room to put on some good muscle … hope he isn’t affected by the NCAA (“The Curse of Arnold”) like Max Hendrie w/ the Football Team
I am really NOT concern with foreign players. If that is the avenue UH need to take to be competitive then that is the route UH should take.
Men’s Volleyball coach Charlie Wade said it best…”If we cannot get the best of the USA to play for UH then we are going to go out and try to get the best from the rest of the world”.
There is NO reason for UH to settle for second or third”tier” players if they can go out and find someone better. You would be cheating the program and cheating the fans if you don’t try your darndest to get top level players.
I actually love some of the talent that Ganot have on his team. Owies and Purchase has jr national level experience from their time in Australia. Drammeh same thing with Sweden. Flaisher, ditto with Israel. Raimo played for Latvia’s Jr. National team.
That’s 5 players with international experience. That’s something you cannot get often.
@ 6’8″ I hope he has great leaping abilities to play the 5 or maybe he’s a wide body bruiser space eater that can clear space near the hoop.
Sorry pocho..you 0 for 2 in your wishes there…LOL
From looking at the video, Ido is neither a wide body nor a leaper…..BUT….that doesn’t mean he is not a good basketball player. Too much is being made about leaping ability and physical appearance.
If the dude has high bball IQ and is smart he can contribute in many other ways. Yeah…everybody wants a guy with measurables but sometimes measurables are overrated.
Hopefully a long term commitment from someone who can grow (both physically and in the classroom). Looks like team will be getting to know each other. Should be interesting and I trust coach and staff to get full effort from the team. I already renew d my season tickets and look forward to seeing these guys develop. Go Bows!
I wonder if he already done his Israeli military time? We all know how that goes
Is he going to have to leave to serve in the military like the other Israeli before his college eligibility is up?
Whoops, comment about military already posted!