'11 JC F God’s Gift Achiuwa

[bearcat jeff]

“He’s really hurt us in transition,” Beilein said of Achiuwa, who has received interest from St. John’s, Cincinnati and Niagara among others. “He’s a big guy that can go baseline and hurt you in the post, but his strength is running the court. He’s also got a great rebounding motor. You almost need two guys to box him out.”

http://niagara-gazette.com/sports/x72344835/NCCC-gets-another-crack-at-Erie-CC

 

[bearcat jeff]

District 3 (Region 3): Erie Community College, N.Y. (26-2)
Erie brings to Danville one of the most loaded rosters in the DII ranks both from a talent and name perspective. Probably one of the most talked about players in the NJCAA the past two seasons, God’s Gift Achiuwa has received national attention for both his play and his unique name. The Nigeria native ranks fifth in the DII ranks in scoring (23.3 ppg), eighth in rebounding (11.9 rpg) and 14th in total blocked shots (64). As for his name, his father is a minister in Nigeria and was seeking to reflect the family's devout religious beliefs in his son's name….very unique to say the least. He has had quite a life journey and basketball is taking him on another one here in the United State. Erie’s roster also includes Tyshawn Edwards who ranks 20th nationally in scoring (20.4 ppg) and Jahill Jenkins averages 4.7 assists a game. The Kats received the #7 seed and will face Parkland in the first round of the tournament.

http://www.njcaa.org/newsArticle.cfm?articleId=14011

 

[bearcat jeff]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — God’s Gift is in the Final Four.

The National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Final Four.

The 6-foot-8 power forward from Erie County Community College scored in the paint with 9 seconds remaining to give his team a 76-75 victory Thursday night over Louisburg (N.C.) in Danville, Ill.

The Kats will face defending champion Lincoln (Ill.) at 9 p.m. Friday in the semifinals.

“He struggled all day,” ECC coach Alex Nwora told the Buffalo News. “He struggled the whole game but made the one that counted. He really got it for us when we really needed it the most.”

Reached by phone, Nwora said God’s Gift was not close to making a college decision.

“He hasn’t even taken his visits,” Nwora said. We’re gonna finish up. We’re here to win a national championship. We’re not worried about anybody now.

“After we’re done we’re going to sit down ad see which schools he’s going to be visiting.”

Nwora said Cincinnati, St. John’s, West Virginia, Washington, Rhode Island and Niagara were in the hunt.

“Those are the ones that have really serious interest,” he said.

Kentucky has also shown interest.

“They’re still playing so they haven’t been out to see him,” Nwora said, “but they’re still interested.”

http://www.zagsblog.com/2011/03/18/gods-gift-still-mulling-decision/#more-48990

 

[bearcat jeff]

UK senior target God’sGift Achiuwa led Erie Community College with 25 points and 14 rebounds in his final game, a 102-98 loss to Triton College in the third-place game at the NJCAA Division II national tournament last weekend.

http://blogs.courier-journal.com/jodydemling/2011/03/22/a-few-tuesday-nuggets-8/

 

[Not Guilty]

http://www.zagsblog.com/2011/03/28/gods-gift-planning-visits/

God’s Gift is planning visits.

The 6-foot-8 Nigerian forward from Erie (N.Y.) Community College will visit Cincinnati April 8.

After that, he has tentative visits set for Washington (April 15) and St. John’s (April 21).

“The only visit that is definite is Cincinnati,” said Erie coach Alex Nwora.

Nwora said Kentucky was also interested in God’s Gift, but that the Wildcats were obviously busy with their run to the Final Four.

“Kentucky is still interested in bringing him up,” Nwora said. “They wanted to wait and see what hapepns with the Final Four.”

God’s Gift averaged 22.3 points and 11.7 rebounds as Erie finished 28-4 and finished fourth in the NJCAA Division II Tournament.

During his two years at Erie, God’s Gift led the team to a 55-6 record.

“We went to Final Four and finished fourth in the country,” Nwora said. “He had a good career. I’ve got to go find another God’s Gift. It will be tough to replace him.”

 

[Not Guilty]

It would be nice to get a commitment out of him during his visit, although I really don't know how likely that is.

 

[psax889906]

Unless there's something else out there unknown this would be my dream scenario in snagging 'the Gift!!! I'll be on high alert, April 8th for any and all info!!!

 

[anbuc88]

It's encouraging that his only definite visit is Cincinnati. But, if Mick can't get a committment from him before he leaves, I don't think he will end up here. Yancy and Dion need to put the full court press on him, as this is their last go around and another post presence will go a long way to a deep run in the tourney next year.

 

[bearcat jeff]

More confirmation:

RT @AdamZagoria: God's Gift is planning visits to Cincinnati, Washington & St. John's. Kentucky also involved http://tinyurl.com/67l8yxh

 

[adhdfan]

When we sign him how much will this improve the class ranking? With GG this looks to be Mick's best class overall...

 

[bearcat jeff]

Visits set for Washington (April 15) and St. John’s (April 21) after a visit to UC on the 8th. Coach said the only sure visit is to Cincinnati. Think about that. That is very encouraging.

 

[JasonS]

When we sign him how much will this improve the class ranking? With GG this looks to be Mick's best class overall...

In some private tweets I had with Mike DeCourcy, he seems to think that with a JUCO big, UC should be a preseason Top 25 teams hands down and he also expected UC's class ranking to improve slightly. His only criticism of the team and class next year is the lack of proven depth at the 4/5. I think that is a fair assessment.

 

[bearcat jeff]

In some private tweets I had with Mike DeCourcy, he seems to think that with a JUCO big, UC should be a preseason Top 25 teams hands down and he also expected UC's class ranking to improve slightly. His only criticism of the team and class next year is the lack of proven depth at the 4/5. I think that is a fair assessment.

Agreed. GG will be a very good addition and will add to the players that are ready to contribute immediately from the 2011 class.

 

[adhdfan]

Agreed. GG will be a very good addition and will add to the players that are ready to contribute immediately from the 2011 class.

Think we will be on "real" ESPN now?

 

[JasonS]

Think we will be on "real" ESPN now?

I think we will have a chance at a Big Monday game this year. I think you'll see more UC games on ESPN and ESPN2 this year as well.

 

[adhdfan]

T minus two days until GOD's GIFT makes his presence felt!! Don't forget to bring your pen GG!!!

 

[bearcat jeff]

Think we will be on "real" ESPN now?

Yes, I think UC will get some really good early season run based on the fact that they'll return 4 of their 5 top scorers. Gates, JJ, Dixon, Cash, Kilpatrick is not a bad core to build around. Most people agree the incoming talent is very solid. GG brings a high motor and a pretty good skill set. There's going to be some adjustment he'll need to make to D1 basketball, but he will get some things done on effort alone. He doesn't have to be great, just solid and this team should be really good if they get any bench contributions at all.

 

[JasonS]

AdamZagoria
6-8 Nigerian power forward God's Gift will take an official this Friday to Cincinnati."After that we're going to see," said coach Alex Nwora

From Twitter

 

[psax889906]

AdamZagoria
6-8 Nigerian power forward God's Gift will take an official this Friday to Cincinnati."After that we're going to see," said coach Alex Nwora

From Twitter

Have to love the "after that we're going to see" comment. Still sounds like UC is the only concrete thing.

 

[adhdfan]

Obviously we need this kid and hopefully that will happen this wknd. That being said I still think Gaines will give us a lot on the defensive side of the ball by changing shots. I really like the thought of Gaines, Gates, JJ and Achiwa(sp?) I think we win the rebound battle most nights which will give UC extra possessions. I think this addition will make us matchup well most nights in the BEAST..