Flying Dutchmen Fans

HU87 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 15, 2025 1:24 pm He supposedly transferred out of NYC to a new nike-sponsored prep school in VA as well... Looks like he got some new advice and is restarting the process in a number of ways.

Looking for the money.

So I guess Jahda Swann's decommitment is official. He's transferred from Thomas Jefferson HS to The St. James Performance Academy in Springfield, VA:

https://www.madehoops.com/made-society/ ... james.aspx

Swann's coach at St. James is former University of Arizona recruiter Emanuel "Book" Richardson, who pled guilty to accepting a bribe from a sports agent and served 90 days in jail:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/336460 ... asketball/

Richardson's story is tragic. He's trying to turn his life around. I hope he is successful.

Dang, that really stinks. Game-changer talent in this conf. Although it was pretty surprising to get his commitment in the first place. Such is life in this new day and age. Sounds like he's making a lot of changes, and very likely has some 'other' input. I am a bit surprised at the decommitment just because Speedy usually has such strong relationships in his recruiting wins, perhaps this one wasn't as ironclad.

I'm sure he's opening it up to make sure he takes the best opportunity for him, and I'm sure this new coach wants to push the highest he can to make him and his program look even better. All's fair today, it is what it is. And I bet Speedy is continuing to be supportive for him. Just gotta keep going and fighting to get the best we can. Never know what can happen down the road.

Hope he, and we, come out the other side of this one all the better. Keep grabbing those paychecks from the road games and reinvest into future talent. One thing this staff has proven to me, they are going to recruit at the highest level they can - let's see what other tricks they have in the bag!

Agree Polito, its a disappointing development but don't count Speedy out just yet.
He has strong ties with these kids and if you want to learn how to become an NBA guard, Hofstra is as good a placeas any to learn.

Well here's a holiday present from Speedy... looks like we've already replaced Swann. Xavier Blake 6'5 lefty (of course) guard from Canada, playing hs ball in Pennsylvania. Looks like a 3-4 star kid depending on the ranking. Had offers from ASU, Seton Hall, St Joes, and multiple MAAC schools among others

https://x.com/i/status/2003978408058056740

https://x.com/i/status/2003989852031778836

https://x.com/i/status/2004005690193711299

Some video here: https://x.com/i/status/1988747958246895931

https://247sports.com/player/xavier-blake-46160222/

Stops on a dime nice step back jumper has a good mid range game and he's a lefty
Can anyone say Aaron Estrada?

stuball888 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 25, 2025 2:26 am Stops on a dime nice step back jumper has a good mid range game and he's a lefty
Can anyone say Aaron Estrada?

Nice find Stu maybe Aaron with a bit more elevation! My bad great find Dutch86!!

Credit on the find goes to Dutch pride 86
Credit to speedy and the staff
Can't believe we got a four star recruit
This guy looks ready to play right now

Great find Dutch pride 86 and this is some awesome news. But, he’s not signed yet and he can do the same thing the other guy did can’t he?

HUSID74 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 22, 2025 12:03 pm and if you want to learn how to become an NBA guard, Hofstra is as good a place as any to learn.

A recent clip was posted with Cruz Davis saying exactly this as the reason he chose Hofstra (and then stayed when he could've left).

I had heard there was a "good shooter" visiting campus earlier this week. Guess it was Blake.

I like this post. The two ACC wins are attracting some attention:

https://x.com/Joe_NPH/status/2003989852031778836

I also like Blake's comment in another post: “I’m excited to be a part of the winning culture Coach Speedy has at Hofstra.”

*****

Brother Sean plays at UVM. Made the AE all-rookie team last year:

https://thenorthway.org/2026-guard-xavier-blake/

https://uvmathletics.com/sports/mens-ba ... lake/11850

Is he signed ?

ZMAN3 wrote: ↑Fri Dec 26, 2025 4:15 pmIs he signed ?

Nope, not signed until the school announces he's signed.

I believe the NCAA early signing period ended last month.

One thing this staff has proven to me, they are going to recruit at the highest level they can - let's see what other tricks they have in the bag!

I'm doing good eh!


Obviously nothing is done until it's done, so this is all early reaction. But to land and lose a top 5 NY 4* player and almost immediately replace him with a top 5 PA 4* player is incredible for a program like HU. These are likely the 2 highest rated kids ever to verbal for us, and Speedy worked them back to back. And he has a brother starring elsewhere. I don't care who you are, how it's being done, or what weaknesses they have, that is impressive.

I'd say he knew way before we did that the other was backing out, and had this alternate plan ready to go. I'd also say its clear we are FINALLY using some new money, and using it wisely. Schools being able to pay kids directly is huuuuge.

I ditto the comments on this kid - he looks to be a baller. He's a drive first guard with great size and high athleticism. Plays confident, handles the rock, attacks the paint, and has a mid-range jumper. A lefty, he's crafty, creates his own space, and finishes in traffic. And of course can still easily bury the 3. Biggest question usually is, how his defense...

Interestingly, I wouldn't classify him a 'shooter', he's a 'scorer' to me, at all levels... but perhaps just semantics. The 6'4 / 6'5 shooting / wing guards are some of my fav type of players. It is very encouraging to see Speedy and the staff seemingly putting value on players that do more than just shoot 3's. I'm done with that Reddick wanna be nonsense - doesn't exist at this level. Yes, 3 shooters are needed, but THIS right here is the way.

Thought I'd bump this upwards - Who if any have we signed or are on the recruiting radar ?

ZMAN3 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 17, 2026 9:34 am Thought I'd bump this upwards - Who if any have we signed or are on the recruiting radar ?

https://www.verbalcommits.com/schools/hofstra

I'm intrigued by the Jaiden Reynolds prospect - great size and athleticism at a position of need next year on the wing, has a nice handle, can attack the basket, and shoots the 3 at a high %. Perhaps an under rated guy at this stage.

Not sure about the big's skill set, obviously a 7 footer is on the agenda for next year, so he checks that box. Both are Juco which is interesting, we haven't gone down that road much of late - in fact many have not, a bit of a forgotten avenue with the portal being such a focus for all. Certainly still experienced talent there to explore.

But I'm MOST interested to see what we can reel in from the transfer portal after being in the NCAAT, and with a superstar guard core to entice other top talent to join them on a repeat run.

I was told at the season ticket holder event by one of the coaches that Jaeden has super upside but has to put his work in I feel we retain him as well. We will now try to tap into the European connection and get a big using that avenue this might be the easiest route for this. There are guys out there like Onuetu who slide thru the cracks.

Polito wrote: ↑Tue Mar 17, 2026 3:01 pm I'm intrigued by the Jaiden Reynolds prospect - great size and athleticism at a position of need next year on the wing, has a nice handle, can attack the basket, and shoots the 3 at a high %. Perhaps an under rated guy at this stage.

Not sure about the big's skill set, obviously a 7 footer is on the agenda for next year, so he checks that box. Both are Juco which is interesting, we haven't gone down that road much of late - in fact many have not, a bit of a forgotten avenue with the portal being such a focus for all. Certainly still experienced talent there to explore.

But I'm MOST interested to see what we can reel in from the transfer portal after being in the NCAAT, and with a superstar guard core to entice other top talent to join them on a repeat run.

Speedy had next years roster looking like potential Final 4 candidates and I say this in all seriousness with our two current backcourt studs ...Swann...Blake...DeCady ...plus they could use remaining scholarships on a serviceable center or perhaps even better and roster depth...I think DeCady is going to have a break out season next year and all the excitement surrounding Hofstra and It's March Madness appearance... conference chamipionship..and 20 win plus record will help to draw the attention of talented recruits and make Hofstra their destination...Lets face it they were already relatively close before Swann decommitted and if they use their remaining scholarships wisely they can be close again...just think little old Hofstra in Final 4 discussions with some reality in those discussions ...Speedy has us real close