'11 JC F God’s Gift Achiuwa

[bearcat jeff]

God’s Gift Achiuwa will be annoucing his decision tomorrow at 1:00PM EST. His three finalists are Cincinnati, St. John’s and Washington. Many insiders think he will wind up at Cincinnati.

This is from the link above. Interesting...

Wow, usually I have a decent ideal with this stuff, but I tell you honestly I have no ideal what will happen. I've heard basically everything and am told that people close aren't sure. Like I said it's going to be interesting because I know Mick and Savino worked him hard. That blurb is from today.

 

[thebeast]

I think too many people took Koch's assumption that cincy had dropped out for fact, when really thats not the truth.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I think too many people took Koch's assumption that cincy had dropped out for fact, when really thats not the truth.

I heard as late as Tuesday UC was still talking to him and his coach. There are so many reports it's the Johnnies but at this point who knows. Have always thought UC has a decent chance landing him. What a coup that'd be in the face of the reports. Looking the site over it looks credible (the site itself).

 

[bearcat jeff]

posted by 26 minutes ago:

AdamZagoriaAdam Zagoria

God`s Gift to St. John`s. Done deal, per sources. God is coming to Queens.

 

[bearcat jeff]

My head is hurting...LOL

 

[bearcat jeff]

The announcement is pushed back to 2:00 pm

 

[bearcat jeff]

From Mike DeCourcy:

A player who goes by the name of “God’s Gift” is going to play college basketball next season in New York City.

Can you imagine how the copy editors at the Daily News and Post are celebrating that development?

God’s Gift Achiuwa, a 6-8 power forward from Erie Community College in Buffalo, will announce today he is planning to play at St. John’s, according to a source close to his recruitment.

Achiuwa had narrowed his choices to SJU and Washington, after Cincinnati signed center Cheikh Mbodj and ultimately chose to remove itself from the pursuit.

A native of Nigeria, Achiuwa is the son of a minister who chose the name to honor his religious faith. He averaged 13.1 points and 13.5 rebounds as a freshman and improved his scoring average to 22.3 points as a sophomore

He will become the ninth prospect to commit to the Red Storm for the 2011-12 season. Coach Steve Lavin signed seven players in the fall and gained another commitment in January.

Scout.com ranked SJU’s recruiting class No. 3 in the nation without Achiuwa.


Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-ba...heading-to-st-johns-next-season#ixzz1KqBA5w2W

 

[Not Guilty]

From Mike DeCourcy:

A player who goes by the name of “God’s Gift” is going to play college basketball next season in New York City.

Can you imagine how the copy editors at the Daily News and Post are celebrating that development?

God’s Gift Achiuwa, a 6-8 power forward from Erie Community College in Buffalo, will announce today he is planning to play at St. John’s, according to a source close to his recruitment.

Achiuwa had narrowed his choices to SJU and Washington, after Cincinnati signed center Cheikh Mbodj and ultimately chose to remove itself from the pursuit.

A native of Nigeria, Achiuwa is the son of a minister who chose the name to honor his religious faith. He averaged 13.1 points and 13.5 rebounds as a freshman and improved his scoring average to 22.3 points as a sophomore

He will become the ninth prospect to commit to the Red Storm for the 2011-12 season. Coach Steve Lavin signed seven players in the fall and gained another commitment in January.

Scout.com ranked SJU’s recruiting class No. 3 in the nation without Achiuwa.


Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-ba...heading-to-st-johns-next-season#ixzz1KqBA5w2W

If anyone would know, it would be Mike.

 

[anbuc88]

If anyone would know, it would be Mike.

Agreed. I for one am not disappointed as I was hoping that the incoming class would remain intact. If GG was a definite difference maker, then this would have been a tangible loss. Based on height, Mbodj seems like a better fit for next years front court rotation. I am also happy that we will have Eliis as part of the class, as he seems to have a very high ceiling. Lets get them all on campus so they can start working towards a special 2011-12 campaign. GO BEARCATS!

 

[Not Guilty]

It will be more clear next year. We've heard so much about God's Gift for 9 months or so now that its easy to think he was our best option. Its also easy for fans to downplay the loss once we don't get him and get excited about Mbodji.

But if God's Gift is really close to 6'6 and you combine that with the fact that he has played a very low level of competition, you would also have to imagine the transition to big time college basketball will be severe.

We'll see. We'll know for sure next winter.

 

[UCBearcats]

Typical response on all the message boards. Everyone was popping boners over this kid when he first jumped on the radar screen and now that he's signed with SJU everyone is downplaying him.

Had he signed with UC everyone would be acting like he's the second coming of KMart.

Kid looks like a legit prospect, I wish we would have gotten him, on paper I'd rather have him over Mbodji.

 

[TheLongHaul]

Typical response on all the message boards. Everyone was popping boners over this kid when he first jumped on the radar screen and now that he's signed with SJU everyone is downplaying him.

Had he signed with UC everyone would be acting like he's the second coming of KMart.

Kid looks like a legit prospect, I wish we would have gotten him, on paper I'd rather have him over Mbodji.

Sorry, but not me. I've been pretty honest when we've missed on recruits. There are plenty that I really wish we would have landed. And had UC had a free scholarship like last year, I would have loved to have gotten him. But I'd prefer to keep the current team in place and the recruits that will likely be around for 4 years versus a 2 year Juco player.

 

[anbuc88]

Typical response on all the message boards. Everyone was popping boners over this kid when he first jumped on the radar screen and now that he's signed with SJU everyone is downplaying him.

Had he signed with UC everyone would be acting like he's the second coming of KMart.

Kid looks like a legit prospect, I wish we would have gotten him, on paper I'd rather have him over Mbodji.

And????? As this is a UC website, do you find it surprising that posters are excited when someone joins the fold, and temper the disappointment of being jilted by downplaying the impact that a said recruit may have had? Its called human nature, and is not unique to this or ANY teams message boards. By the way, no one was popping 'boners' for GG. He was never going to be the second coming of Kmart, and no one on any message board imtimated such. He was needed simply because of a lack of depth in the frontcourt, but the addition of Mbodj should address this. According to DeCoursey the coaching staff chose to end their pursuit of GG after Mbodj'e committment. Doesn't sound like they had a 'boner' for him either.

 

[nparker1]

Typical response on all the message boards. Everyone was popping boners over this kid when he first jumped on the radar screen and now that he's signed with SJU everyone is downplaying him.

Had he signed with UC everyone would be acting like he's the second coming of KMart.

Kid looks like a legit prospect, I wish we would have gotten him, on paper I'd rather have him over Mbodji.

welcome to BearcatTalk UC Bearcats...if you haven't realized it yet, this group is made up of true fans who bring a lot to the table with their discussions...although i really like the "popping boners" expression, no one can be blamed for showing some enthusiasm. as anbuc88 said, the main reason for the interest was due to need/necessity in the frontcourt. GG would have been a nice addition, but i feel as though the coaching staff is confident in their decision and scouting, especially after reading DeCourcy's comment...i am very excited to see this ball team next year and hopefully this summer in the Deveroes league.
Go Bearcats!

 

[bearcat jeff]

Sorry, but not me. I've been pretty honest when we've missed on recruits. There are plenty that I really wish we would have landed. And had UC had a free scholarship like last year, I would have loved to have gotten him. But I'd prefer to keep the current team in place and the recruits that will likely be around for 4 years versus a 2 year Juco player.

I thought he would fill the need of rebounder and defense from a kid with a high motor. I don't remember anyone saying he was a superstar. Just a guy that fit our need. I think people were excited because he was one of the projected best available bigs in a class short on them. Most everyone was saying that we needed a 15 minute a game guy.

Having done more research on Modji I believe he will fit the bill fine, and my research says he has a better overall game than GG, but may not be as physically ready at this moment. Again, many say Gift is better suited at the 3but GG's ball skills and lack of range make it difficult to translate that to High D1 ball. Remember, not much info is out there on either of these guys. Time allows you to look deeper.

 

[dp3113]

I thought he would fill the need of rebounder and defense from a kid with a high motor. I don't remember anyone saying he was a superstar. Just a guy that fit our need. I think people were excited because he was one of the projected best available bigs in a class short on them. Most everyone was saying that we needed a 15 minute a game guy.

Having done more research on Modji I believe he will fit the bill fine, and my research says he has a better overall game than GG, but may not be as physically ready at this moment. Again, many say Gift is better suited at the 3but GG's ball skills and lack of range make it difficult to translate that to High D1 ball. Remember, not much info is out there on either of these guys. Time allows you to look deeper.

GG is extremely raw on offense. i think you are correct in that most of use wanted him for his rebounding and high motor. i think anyone who expected more than 5pt and 4boards a game from him was getting a little aggressive. i think i speak for most in saying we wanted GG because he could provide immediate depth that Ellis will not be able to provide.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I will repeat what I said awhile back. If we can get 6-8 points and 5-6 boards a game from a back up post guy we will be golden. Gaines will give us defense, shot blocking and defense. With the athleticism and length of Mbodji, Gates, Jackson and Gaines, the Bearcats will give teams trouble in the paint.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Quote from a coach whose team defeated GG's team:

“God’s Gift is a big, physical 5 man who has big, strong hands that enable him to really rebound,” said one JUCO coach whose team beat Erie this season. “He scored a lot because of his superior athleticism, height, and strength this year. In order for him to be an impact at the high-major level he will have to really improve on his back- to-the-backet scoring. At only 6-7, or 6-8, will also need to improve his skill-set, especially his left hand.”

 

[UCalum08]

Just watched ESPN first take and they interviewed GG. Can't help but be a little bitter but least it appeared his dribbling skills were lacking. But man, size wise, dude is a big guy.