Saint Louis Basketball: Analyzing newcomers on the 2020-21 roster

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 17: Javon Bess #3 and head coach Travis Ford of the Saint Louis Billikens celebrate their win against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies after the championship game of the Atlantic 10 2019 tournament at the Barclays Center on March 17, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Saint Louis Billikens defeated the St. Bonaventure Bonnies 55-53. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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FAIRFAX, VA – MARCH 04: Yuri Collins #1 of the Saint Louis Billikens (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Markhi Strickland

In a team full of exceptional athletes, Markhi Strickland may make a run at being the best of them. He has the outrageous leaping ability, smooth body control, fast feet on both ends, and can change directions on a dime.

This outrageous athletic ability has led to a double edge sword. Strickland has dominated the prep scene in Florida at IMG Academy and Victory Rock Prep, but his skills development has been medium at best. He also tends to play at less than full speed most of the time, turning it on and off when necessary.

A source inside the program once told me that once he figured out his motor, he has the ability to be an A-10 Player of the Year type guy.

For the Billiken faithful to relate to, the most comparable prospect SLU has had to Strickland is currently on the roster. Terrence Hargrove Jr. and Strickland are very similar in a lot of ways. Extremely athletic, very high ceiling, but even in a regular season, we may not see the Floridian wing until later in the year.

It may take 15-20 games before he is cemented into the program’s style and culture. Fortunately for him, the roster around him will insulate effectively enough until he can excel.

Strickland is an exciting prospect; he has all the physical gifts to be a real star. It will be on him to deliver on the hype.

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