#2 Angel Delgado
6-8 230 Position C/PF
Last night it was announced that Angel Delgado had made his national team and would be playing in the Pan Am games in Canada. Those that watched him play for the Hall last season should not be surprised. Angel, maybe as much as any Pirate since Jerry Walker or Paul Gause left it all on the court. Even after the game more than 30 minutes later when the media had a chance to interview the 6-8 center he was still highly emotional, So much so that you wanted to tell him to calm down a little but you knew that wasn't happening. It was that drive, that emotion that made Delgado the player that earned the Big East Rookie of the Year award.
Delgado was clearly the Pirates inspirational leader and along with Sterling Gibbs one of its two best players.
Strengths:
His specialty is rebounding the ball and that's a niche that will translate to any level. Delgado rebounds both out of his area as well as in traffic and puts up tremendous numbers as a result on a per/minute basis. He's got all the physical tools with good size, athleticism, and a strong body. He runs and finishes, plays within himself offensively and has a developing mid range jumper. On D he's can be active and mobile.
Weaknesses:
It's not so much a weakness as it is a limitation of his potential role, but right now Delgado is a rebounder, finisher, and defender - in that order - and struggles when trying to be more than that, especially on the offensive end where he can throw in a jump hook every now and then but lacks the footwork or skill set to be more of a scoring option.
Bottom Line:
The fact that Delgado came out of nowhere in HS to become a high-major prospect virtually overnight is testament enough that when you're one of the best rebounders in the country, you're going to have your choice of college suitors. His picking Seton Hall was a surprise to some. But Trove readers were made aware that if Kentucky didn't offer our catholic university was going to get an Angel.
This coming year:
Depends. We all know what Delgado is capable of. Hitting the boards, inspiring his teammates, getting any loose ball that comes in his vicinity. In short doing all the dirty work needed to help the Pirates earn a W.
But this season the Hall needs more. Angel has to play better D, he has to hit better than 40% of his foul shots and he has to at least better control his emotions on the court. That may sound harsh considering what the rising sophomore did last season but when you are a special player, and make no mistake Angel Delgado is just that each season you have to do more than you did previously.
Better Defense:
Angel had to stay on the court. The Hall could not afford for the big man to get into foul trouble last season. The result is that his D, probably through design suffered.
That's where Seton Hall's depth will hopefully help Angel. If any of Anderson (C/PF) Anthony (C), Nzei (PF), Ish (PF), or Carter (C/PF) can share the big man load it will help Delgado become even a better player.
Foul Shooting:
A major weakness in HS unfortunately reared it's ugly head in college as well. Angel took the second most shots from the charity stripe hitting 46/111 (41.4%). Playing on a team that's going to need every point in can get that percentage must improve drastically.
Emotion:
What makes Angel so good can also cause issues at times. There's no doubt that Delgado's strength is how hard and emotional he plays. But he must learn to control that strength less it becomes a weakness. There were multiple occasions last season when the big guy had to take a seat on the bench to calm down. A few times actually sitting next to the staff in tears. When Angel becomes too emotional he makes mistakes or gets into quick foul trouble. He's far too important to SHU to have his PT limited in such a manner.
Bottom line. Through natural maturity and because of a work ethic second to none I expect Angel's play as good as it was last season to improve. He still has a long way to go to reach his full potential. After all hard work on the court will only get you so far. An improved skill set combined with better emotional control could lead to a first team Big East berth and more.
I see Angel putting up a ton of double doubles this season and averaging 13/10 for the Pirates.
6-8 230 Position C/PF
Last night it was announced that Angel Delgado had made his national team and would be playing in the Pan Am games in Canada. Those that watched him play for the Hall last season should not be surprised. Angel, maybe as much as any Pirate since Jerry Walker or Paul Gause left it all on the court. Even after the game more than 30 minutes later when the media had a chance to interview the 6-8 center he was still highly emotional, So much so that you wanted to tell him to calm down a little but you knew that wasn't happening. It was that drive, that emotion that made Delgado the player that earned the Big East Rookie of the Year award.
Delgado was clearly the Pirates inspirational leader and along with Sterling Gibbs one of its two best players.
Strengths:
His specialty is rebounding the ball and that's a niche that will translate to any level. Delgado rebounds both out of his area as well as in traffic and puts up tremendous numbers as a result on a per/minute basis. He's got all the physical tools with good size, athleticism, and a strong body. He runs and finishes, plays within himself offensively and has a developing mid range jumper. On D he's can be active and mobile.
Weaknesses:
It's not so much a weakness as it is a limitation of his potential role, but right now Delgado is a rebounder, finisher, and defender - in that order - and struggles when trying to be more than that, especially on the offensive end where he can throw in a jump hook every now and then but lacks the footwork or skill set to be more of a scoring option.
Bottom Line:
The fact that Delgado came out of nowhere in HS to become a high-major prospect virtually overnight is testament enough that when you're one of the best rebounders in the country, you're going to have your choice of college suitors. His picking Seton Hall was a surprise to some. But Trove readers were made aware that if Kentucky didn't offer our catholic university was going to get an Angel.
This coming year:
Depends. We all know what Delgado is capable of. Hitting the boards, inspiring his teammates, getting any loose ball that comes in his vicinity. In short doing all the dirty work needed to help the Pirates earn a W.
But this season the Hall needs more. Angel has to play better D, he has to hit better than 40% of his foul shots and he has to at least better control his emotions on the court. That may sound harsh considering what the rising sophomore did last season but when you are a special player, and make no mistake Angel Delgado is just that each season you have to do more than you did previously.
Better Defense:
Angel had to stay on the court. The Hall could not afford for the big man to get into foul trouble last season. The result is that his D, probably through design suffered.
That's where Seton Hall's depth will hopefully help Angel. If any of Anderson (C/PF) Anthony (C), Nzei (PF), Ish (PF), or Carter (C/PF) can share the big man load it will help Delgado become even a better player.
Foul Shooting:
A major weakness in HS unfortunately reared it's ugly head in college as well. Angel took the second most shots from the charity stripe hitting 46/111 (41.4%). Playing on a team that's going to need every point in can get that percentage must improve drastically.
Emotion:
What makes Angel so good can also cause issues at times. There's no doubt that Delgado's strength is how hard and emotional he plays. But he must learn to control that strength less it becomes a weakness. There were multiple occasions last season when the big guy had to take a seat on the bench to calm down. A few times actually sitting next to the staff in tears. When Angel becomes too emotional he makes mistakes or gets into quick foul trouble. He's far too important to SHU to have his PT limited in such a manner.
Bottom line. Through natural maturity and because of a work ethic second to none I expect Angel's play as good as it was last season to improve. He still has a long way to go to reach his full potential. After all hard work on the court will only get you so far. An improved skill set combined with better emotional control could lead to a first team Big East berth and more.
I see Angel putting up a ton of double doubles this season and averaging 13/10 for the Pirates.
