'12 NY PF Christopher Obekpa

[Chad Brendel]

The Obekpa recruiting saga has all the earmarks of AAU coaches trying to steer a player to a school in return for monetary gain. If Oregon truly took themselves out, I would not be surprised if it has something to do with Obekpa playing for a Reebok AAU team this weekend (New Heights). Oregon is of course a Nike school, and is awash in Nike money. I would recommend George Dohrmann's book 'Play Your Hearts Out', which deals with the sleazy aspect of recruiting, especially the influence that AAU coaches have on the decision making process. These coaches try and send their players to a school sponsered by the same shoe company that sponsers their AAU team, and in return get more money from the shoe company which lines their pockets. Obekpa has been recruited for long enough that he should be able to make a decision by now. His 'handlers' are likely looking for something in return to secure his committment.

The info I got was that Oregon took themselves out because they knew he was going to pick a Big East school and not one across the country. If anything they had an upper hand as Obekpa has been predominantly a Nike kid since arriving in the US...

 

[TheBeerCat]

No change on the Chris Obekpa front

The adidas VIP Exclusive Run meant another chance to watch New Heights, featuring 2012 big man Chris Obekpa. Still in need of refinement on the offensive end of the floor, Obekpa displayed his game-changing ability on the defensive end of the floor. He runs the floor well and hits the glass, blocking multiple shots in the painted area.

As for his recruitment the usual suspects remain, including Cincinnati (who had Mick Cronin watching Obekpa’s every move all weekend), DePaul, Providence and Connecticut according to his coach. Nothing has changed in regards to plans to visit Oregon in the near future, and a final decision won’t come until sometime in May.

UConn‘s mass exodus is something they’ll keep tabs on as well. While there is the positive of immediate playing time in Storrs, there’s also the clear concern with regards to the Huskies’ postseason ban in 2013.

http://www.nbebasketball.com/w3/201...-rams-flex-muscles-recruiting-updates-galore/

This is starting to worry me. A desperate Jim Calhoun could be scary.

 

[bearcat jeff]

This is starting to worry me. A desperate Jim Calhoun could be scary.

There will be playing time but no postseason is big to a recruit. Still believe barring a shocker that UC signs him. Again, I believe this comes down to is it his decision or do others guide him elsewhere. That is where your worry should be.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

No change on the Chris Obekpa front

The adidas VIP Exclusive Run meant another chance to watch New Heights, featuring 2012 big man Chris Obekpa. Still in need of refinement on the offensive end of the floor, Obekpa displayed his game-changing ability on the defensive end of the floor. He runs the floor well and hits the glass, blocking multiple shots in the painted area.

As for his recruitment the usual suspects remain, including Cincinnati (who had Mick Cronin watching Obekpa’s every move all weekend), DePaul, Providence and Connecticut according to his coach. Nothing has changed in regards to plans to visit Oregon in the near future, and a final decision won’t come until sometime in May. UConn‘s mass exodus is something they’ll keep tabs on as well. While there is the positive of immediate playing time in Storrs, there’s also the clear concern with regards to the Huskies’ postseason ban in 2013.

http://www.nbebasketball.com/w3/201...-rams-flex-muscles-recruiting-updates-galore/

I notice St. John's name missing from this list. Was this an oversight on the coach's part or are they out of the running? I know they've gotten some commitments recently.

 

[Cpaw]

Someone just asked Rothstein if there was any news on Obekpa and he tweeted "Cincy still strong"

I am feeling more and more confident about this.

 

[Thegreatone]

Someone just asked Rothstein if there was any news on Obekpa and he tweeted "Cincy still strong"

I am feeling more and more confident about this.

Me too. I do wish that someone other than Rothstein was so confident.

 

[mplebanon]

Me too. I do wish that someone other than Rothstein was so confident.

Cpaw is.

 

[Cpaw]

Cpaw is.

I am. I understand you see the glass half full most of the time, but it is hard to not see how things are lining up. Mick is the only coach to see him play every game is Las Vegas for an Adidas AAU team. Coincidentally, his trip to Oregon is cancelled. If we don't land him I would be shocked. He is waiting to declare on hims Mom's B-day, it is all good.

 

[JasonS]

I am. I understand you see the glass half full most of the time, but it is hard to not see how things are lining up. Mick is the only coach to see him play every game is Las Vegas for an Adidas AAU team. Coincidentally, his trip to Oregon is cancelled. If we don't land him I would be shocked. He is waiting to declare on hims Mom's B-day, it is all good.

I am quite confident as well. If I had to put a % on it, I would go 90% he will be a Bearcat. Things can change at the drop of a hat in the recruiting world so you can never say 100% until the ink is on the paper. That said, if things hold as they are right now, he will be a Bearcat.

 

[Doodie]

He is visiting Oregon next week

 

[ucdave]

He is visiting Oregon next week

Got a link?

 

[Doodie]

Got a link?

Zagsblog.com

 

[ucdave]

Zagsblog.com

I saw that and the article said it hasn't been rescheduled yet.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Darrick Wood's re-commit to St. Johns leaves them with on open scholarship.

 

[Bcatfollower]

Darrick Wood's re-commit to St. Johns leaves them with on open scholarship.

No open or one open?

 

[Eternal E]

St. Johns is basically out of it now, would be shocked if he went there. Cincinnati is clearly the favorite.

 

[teerusty1]

St. Johns is basically out of it now, would be shocked if he went there. Cincinnati is clearly the favorite.

The moderator at Redmen.com agrees with you. Basically posted tonight they have no chance.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Jon Rothstein‏@JonRothstein

None RT @Robert_Breslin any timetable on the Obekpa decision?


If this keeps going on and on I believe if you can sign a good prospect you do so and make room for Chris if he pops. Especially if he decides to take another visit.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

jeff, is he still rumored to be making his decisoin on the 7th of may. Would love to have him manning the middle on defense next year. He would give us the shot blocker in the middle we have lacked for qute sometime. I could see us rotating lots of people,playing many different styles and pressing entire games.

 

[JasonS]

jeff, is he still rumored to be making his decisoin on the 7th of may. Would love to have him manning the middle on defense next year. He would give us the shot blocker in the middle we have lacked for qute sometime. I could see us rotating lots of people,playing many different styles and pressing entire games.

I don't know that anything has been confirmed on May 7th being the date. There was speculation he would announce that day since it is his mom's birthday but I have yet to see anything that has confirmed when he is deciding. I have to believe he will make a decision in the next week to 10 days at the latest.