Newcomer Spotlight: Tadas Gudonis (2022)

Colby Giacubeno February 10, 2021 @ 09:00 AM

Other than delay the start of the MIAA season, COVID has also restricted scouts from getting into the gym and seeing new faces of teams within the league. As teams began official practice yesterday, Mt. Carmel welcomes a big paint presence that’s needed in a league with skilled frontcourt prospects. Tadas Gudonis is a junior center who stands close to 6-foot-10 and hails from Lithuania. "I’m a center who has good post defense. I can shoot three-pointers, mid-range and my free-throws are good. I can dribble pretty good, but I don’t try to dribble too much," Gudonis told Prep Hoops. To help further get a feel for Gudonis’ mindset and playing style, he finds himself watching a current NBA center who has a similar approach. "Jonas Valanciunas. He’s also very tall and my style of player. He can do a lot of things out of posting and now he can shoot three-pointers." Gudonis arrived on campus two months ago, but had to quarantine for three weeks before getting in the gym and working out. It hasn’t been long, but he’s already noticed a difference on the court in comparison to where he played in Lithuania. "Players are much more aggressive here. They’re faster and they react much faster than in Lithuania." In my short time watching Gudonis, he has more coordination than I expected. He has ability to shoot from three off the catch, set good ball screens and showcased dependable hands on the roll and finishes. It’ll take some time for him to adjust to the physicality in paint, but his length and frame should allow him to hold his own and have a presence on the glass. The Cougars lost their forward from last year in [player_tooltip player_id="836490" first="Koralp" last="Turk"], who was a more mobile forward that could score from inside or outside. Gudonis doesn’t have the mobility at this point, but he can catch you off guard with the plays he makes. This shortened season will be a whirlwind for him but if he shows steady progress, he could be an impact player as a senior in 2021-22. It shouldn’t take long for Gudonis to get attention from college programs given his size, versatility and room of untapped potential.