Florida State Seminoles: It’s Time For Leonard Hamilton To Make His Way Out Of Tallahassee
Florida State has had a string of success producing NBA talent in recent years. The Seminoles have managed to put the blue blood programs of Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas on the backburner when it comes to draft talent. The FSU run has been nothing short of incredible. The Seminoles aren’t as rich in tradition as these other schools are. Leonard Hamilton has managed to produce six first-round selections since 2016. In addition, Hamilton has produced four second-round selections in that time. That’s pretty impressive for anyone who is not a Coach K, John Calipari, or Tom Izzo.
Winning a National Title in college basketball is tough even with loaded basketball teams (hello, Mark Few). With that being said, Hamilton has no reason to not have one Final Four berth to his name considering the talent he’s had in Tallahassee. They’ve had three Sweet Sixteen appearances since 2016 (and one would argue a fourth had Covid not taken away the 2020 Tournament). With the players, Hamilton has brought in as star recruits, and those he has seen grow over the course of four years as veterans, that is not good enough.
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Perhaps I’m a novice to college basketball and what defines a long-tenured coach. I just can’t see past Leonard Hamilton not getting farther than he has. Perhaps he’s not utilizing his talent as he should. Just looking at the guys he’s had in his system, Scottie Barnes (a possible ROY candidate), Devin Vassell (developing into an all-around threat for San Antonio), Patrick Williams (if not for injury, a key defensive piece for the Chicago Bulls), John Issac (a high upside talent, who despite nagging injuries, is still a player Orlando has the belief of star potential), Mfiondu Kabengele (a G-League big who was underused at FSU), Malik Beasley (a possible 6th man of the year if in the right system). Outside of Barnes, none of these players are at an All-Star potential yet, however, that’s still six first-round talents.
I then look at Hamilton’s class this season. In my honest opinion, John Butler is the best stretch big in the NCAA. In terms of pure shooting, he’s unmatched with his three-point form. Matt Cleveland is a top recruit who I honestly can not for the life of me figure out his true ceiling. Jalen Warley, is a defensive-minded wizard that can hardly touch the ball on offense. In my opinion, these are all first-round players. However, just like Scottie Barnes last season, highly regarded recruits with NBA buzz, are regulated to crap minutes of court time where they aren’t used efficiently.
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Barnes was a weak shooter at FSU, however, did Hamilton really let him play his game? We based a lot of his stock on his playmaking and high school film. Barnes’ high ceiling was the reasoning for his drafting. Could Barnes have been the top overall pick had he been given a more prominent role?
When evaluating the long-term talent of Butler, Cleveland, and Worley, I can’t help but feel the same way about them as I do Barnes (Vassell and Willams as well). They will get drafted. I’d argue Butler is the only one who might be 1st round, however, they will be drafted. Will they be drafted according to their talent and upside? NBA scouts see the potential of these players. If at any point you have 1st rnd talent, why are you as a coach failing to capitalize on them? Why are you still continuously letting your most talented players go by the wayside so you can incorporate a system that hasn’t gotten you past the Sweet Sixteen? Barnes, had he been let loose, how much better could he have been for Hamilton? I ask the same question with the three freshmen now.
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Take note of how Ohio State is doing things. At the beginning of the season, nobody gave a damn about freshman, Malakai Branham. Now, he’s making a case as a lottery selection. Chris Holtman saw the potential and is letting the talented freshman take control. That’s how you win the big dance. By not making these adjustments and letting the talent develop and take its course, Hamilton is letting himself suffer greatly. I’d argue he will never win if he doesn’t re-adjust this philosophy. Recruits will come if he’s getting them to the NBA. However, is he improving their draft stock? Is he winning games for the school? (You can argue in the grand scheme of things doesn’t matter to the NBA-focused recruit).
I’m not sure if Hamilton is a good coach or not. He’s getting guys to the league. He’s not taking his school to the next level. How much longer does Florida State play the role of developmental and forget the end result needs to be Final Fours and National Titles? At some point, that idea needs to be reversed. I can’t see, as it stands now, Hamilton ever figuring that out.
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Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
