Chris Obekpa
- Thread starter Moose
- Start date
It has been repeatedly posted by some who claim to have acute insight into the recruiting plans of Lavin & co. that, if the staff wanted, it could make room for 2 more ships if circumstances warranted. IMO, I cannot think of a more warranted set of circumstances than having a shot at both Chandler and Obekpa.
“@AdamZagoria: Chris Obekpa Remains Undecidedhttp://t.co/O1KCsShB”
MarkRedman
Well-known member
It is a really good point that Cincy seems to be the place where highly rated bigs go to underachieve. Not just Yancy, but also Biggie McClain and to a lesser extent Ibrahima Thomas after transferring from Okie St. That's got to be a little concerning. ; )
Bama board is saying that highly rated 2012 recruit Devonta Pollard who remains uncommitted actually signed 4 LOI on May 12 before the end of signing period but did not send any of them in (guess they mean to any of the schools nor the NCAA) and that when he decides on a school he can send the letter in and because it was signed on May 12 it would be a binding LOI. Any of you recruiting/rules guru's know anything about this. Also wonder if Chris O may have done the same thing.
No. That was Norvelle Pelle and i'm the one who said it (well at least that he REMINDED me of Russell).
I said it as well about Pelle. After looking the his highlight clips -- and seeing the long, lean, shot-blocking left-hander in action -- I couldn't help thinking (however foolishly) of the incomparable #6. I had such high hopes for him and where he'd take us ... but so it goes.
I always felt that the longer this dragged out and Obekpa didn't commit to Cincy, the worse it was for them. I thought SJU was out of it, but now it seems a two horse race. I like our chances at this point as Lavin has had time to build a relationship and we have a lot of comfort factors for Obekpa here including Balamou. Pretty funny beause "package deals" with players generally don't work out in college ball. Lavin has turned it into an art form here at SJU. Gut feeling is that we will get this done.
Not to say all were "package deals" but we parlayed Harrison into landing Branch who has been friends with Harrison for years in. Houston. We got Bourgault/ Sanchez, Jakarr/Hooper and potentially Balamou/Obekpa. Most teams can never grab two guys that are linked. Lavin uses it a lot. We missed on Anderson, but still have a commit from Wood. Can't land em all but Lavin really likes to bring in kids that are good friends and use it to our advantage. We'll see what happens with Obekpa...
Moose
Well-known member
I'll give you Jakarr and Hooper more than I would Harrison/Branch. Because Harrison/Branch was a looser connection and they were a year apart where Branch was already at A/M. It is true that he likes this. Personally I think its just a tactic for now to get the roster functioning. Down the road I don't see us doing it much. Then again I'm sure CR will have some UCLA examples
I'll give you Jakarr and Hooper more than I would Harrison/Branch. Because Harrison/Branch was a looser connection and they were a year apart where Branch was already at A/M. It is true that he likes this. Personally I think its just a tactic for now to get the roster functioning. Down the road I don't see us doing it much. Then again I'm sure CR will have some UCLA examples
Yes Moose, but Branch had no connection to SJU nor Lavin at all. It was the Harrison link that I think got the whole thing moving. They played with each other in Houston AAU for years I believe although I could be wrong. I agree that Lavin uses it to build up this team now, but it is a good strategy. Most often teams are getting marginal players to bring in the big fish. I actually think Bourgault, Balamou are good players that fill needs and aren't just bait for the bigger fish. These kid's can help us. I think Bourgault is solid and a real good shooter. Balamou impresses me more and more in every game I watch him play. Now let's just sign Obekpa and/or Chandler and move forward...