THE RUNDOWN
There is not much that can be said about Stockman's freshman season at U of L, mainly because he played in four games for a total of 22 minutes and didn't see the floor after collecting three rebounds and two blocks in a comfortable win over Virginia Tech on Jan. 13.
He came to U of L as a project, and that's still the most fitting label for him. At 7 feet, 240 pounds, Stockman obviously has great size. He moves well and is actually a skilled big man. But his learning curve is still steep, and there are five other big men on the team who appear to be ahead of him on the depth chart.
THE GOOD
Louisville's coaching staff loves Stockman's potential. They wouldn't have signed him if they didn't. The basketball language barrier is a significant one, but they don't question if he can play.
Pitino recently told The Courier-Journal that he and his coaches are "high" on Stockman in drills. The big-bodied Norwegian has a 7-6 wingspan and can score in the post. He can run the floor a bit and has a nice touch around the basket.
THE BAD
Once he arrived at U of L, Stockman needed time to adjust to the American way of playing the game. European basketball has far more freedom of movement and flow to it, with skilled big men who can step out and hit long-range jumpers.
U of L is one of the more physical teams in the country, pressing fullcourt and playing a frenetic 2-3 matchup zone that requires tons of movement and trapping and communication from the 5 man.
Stockman isn't a big-time shot blocker or rebounder, either, but those are areas he can improve as he develops, just like the aforementioned issues.
FINAL WORD
Stockman is perhaps the most intriguing player on Louisville's roster aside from freshman guard Ryan McMahon, who, like Stockman, signed with the Cardinals with little fanfare. He has the kind of size that every coach wants, and he is skilled enough to become a very good player.
Once he grasps the complicated system he plays in and the American game, Stockman could be an important asset for Louisville. It's just not clear yet when that will be.
There is not much that can be said about Stockman's freshman season at U of L, mainly because he played in four games for a total of 22 minutes and didn't see the floor after collecting three rebounds and two blocks in a comfortable win over Virginia Tech on Jan. 13.
He came to U of L as a project, and that's still the most fitting label for him. At 7 feet, 240 pounds, Stockman obviously has great size. He moves well and is actually a skilled big man. But his learning curve is still steep, and there are five other big men on the team who appear to be ahead of him on the depth chart.
THE GOOD
Louisville's coaching staff loves Stockman's potential. They wouldn't have signed him if they didn't. The basketball language barrier is a significant one, but they don't question if he can play.
Pitino recently told The Courier-Journal that he and his coaches are "high" on Stockman in drills. The big-bodied Norwegian has a 7-6 wingspan and can score in the post. He can run the floor a bit and has a nice touch around the basket.
THE BAD
Once he arrived at U of L, Stockman needed time to adjust to the American way of playing the game. European basketball has far more freedom of movement and flow to it, with skilled big men who can step out and hit long-range jumpers.
U of L is one of the more physical teams in the country, pressing fullcourt and playing a frenetic 2-3 matchup zone that requires tons of movement and trapping and communication from the 5 man.
Stockman isn't a big-time shot blocker or rebounder, either, but those are areas he can improve as he develops, just like the aforementioned issues.
FINAL WORD
Stockman is perhaps the most intriguing player on Louisville's roster aside from freshman guard Ryan McMahon, who, like Stockman, signed with the Cardinals with little fanfare. He has the kind of size that every coach wants, and he is skilled enough to become a very good player.
Once he grasps the complicated system he plays in and the American game, Stockman could be an important asset for Louisville. It's just not clear yet when that will be.
