Jordan Tolbert note

[PonyPride]

Went by this morning, which was the first time media was granted any access. Video interviews coming later.

One of the interviews is with Jordan Tolbert, the transfer from Texas Tech. Before he emerged from the weight room, I was talking with SMU's men's basketball PR guy and two other reporters, and we were talking about how Tolbert's listed size (6-7, 240) must have been from his freshman year at Texas Tech. Omar, from scout.com, was at practice when Tolbert visited (during or just before NIT — I forget). We both looked at Tolbert, trying to figure out who he was, thinking he was a new high school recruit. At the end of practice, Tolbert was introduced to Ben Moore, who was getting in some extra shots. Moore is listed at 6-8, and from where we were sitting in the loge seats (so …. 10 rows up from the court?), Tolbert looked bigger than Moore. Specifically, he looked taller.

So when Tolbert was introduced to us, before I turned on my camera, I asked him to settle a bet. I said he was listed at 6-7, 240, and that SMU must have taken the listing from the Tech roster during his freshman season. I asked him how much he had grown since then. Tolbert's response was that without shoes, he's really … 6-foot-6, and weighed in this morning at 234 pounds.

"But I play big," he said.

There's some kind of optical illusion going on here. He still looks bigger than 6-6. Maybe it's because his shoulders are so wide that he looks bigger or something. Not sure. To the naked eye, it's hard to believe that he is the same height as Sterling Brown and Justin Martin, and just an inch taller than Emmanuel Mudiay and Keith Frazier. He does look like he can hold his own in the paint, though.

Interviews coming later today.

[ojaipony]

I know it's early (and he might not even play this coming season), but I REALLY like this dude. Shawn Williams was very underrated but this guy could fit into his shoes (and he has the added benefit of Williams being a coach now). I like that he's physical and likes the contact.

[ojaipony]

In the meantime, enjoy these highlights (enjoy the Texas and Kansas and Baylor and Okie St ones particularly) . . . will replace Shawn Williams nicely hopefully (more athletic?) . . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb7NVy7Tscs