'12 NY PF Christopher Obekpa

[NYC baller]

Very good post. Really like the way you strongly backed up Mick's suspending of players from the brawl. The rest of the country only thinks of Yancy hitting Frease. What they don't realize is how much hate there is between Xavier and UC, mostly the fans. And if you lived here, you'd know that Xavier has let their fans at games get away with stuff that most colleges would never allow. And it came home to roost at the Shootout. In my opinion, the brawl peaked when Yancy hit Frease. But the entire game the Xavier players and fans fanned the flames of the fire, and then they taunted and finally pulled a UC played to the floor which ignited the entire thing. Not to mention UC's players were not surrounded by UC fans. They were in a hostile environment/situation. But again, the rest of the country did not see any of this and simply chalked it up to the 90's/Huggs Bearcats reputation of being thugs, which these guys aren't. Things have been different under Mick.

As for Obekpa, if he chooses UC then fine. Sure, it's been a hard decision and a journey for the kid to make a choice. But it's been a rollercoaster ride for the fans too. And now the poor grades thing and the possibly bolting early for the NBA thing (even though he wouldn't be ready), all kind of leave a bad taste in my mouth. Again, if he chooses UC, that's great. But a month ago, my excitement regarding him was at a much higher level.

St. Johns, to me, is turning into Kentucky-lite. They're getting some good players, but very few great ones. And bolting early looks like it's going to become a norm there too, but without the championships.

Only one guy has left early and that was to take care of his family. As for if the players are great or not , give it a little time. It was all freshmen last year and one Juco.

 

[Doogle]

You got a better chance at growing breasts then Obekpa being one and done .

I've thought that about many players who have had people in their ears, telling them they're better than they are. Overseas players are littered with guys that jump ship way too early. Who's to say that Obekpa's people don't have dollar signs in their eyes?

 

[NYC baller]

I've thought that about many players who have had people in their ears, telling them they're better than they are. Overseas players are littered with guys that jump ship way too early. Who's to say that Obekpa's people don't have dollar signs in their eyes?

I suppose you have a valid point. I was speaking strictly based off of basketball skills. Not even close

 

[bearcat18]

There's an article on St. John's rivals site. Here are some snippets:

- Likes UC and St. John's
- Likes the way UC runs and the fact that they went far last year
- Like St. John's because they run and they're local
- He wants to stay local
- He may make a decision by the end of the month

I personally don't think he will be playing college basketball next year. This whole situation is just weird but I think he will ultimately be in Prep School next fall.

 

[Thegreatone]

I know a lot of Johnnies been on the board lately but I can not understand why someone would pick St. Johns over UC. Doesnt make any sense to me. He will have plently of opportunity to play here early so PT doesnt make sense.

Only thing I can think of is the Garden and NYC.

 

[NYC baller]

I know a lot of Johnnies been on the board lately but I can not understand why someone would pick St. Johns over UC. Doesnt make any sense to me. He will have plently of opportunity to play here early so PT doesnt make sense.

Only thing I can think of is the Garden and NYC.

Posts like this will just start the fire once again. I respect your opinion, but I don't understand how it's so unimaginable for him to pick St. John's.

 

[Bearcat91]

Posts like this will just start the fire once again. I respect your opinion, but I don't understand how it's so unimaginable for him to pick St. John's.

I can see plenty of reasons he would pick St. Johns:

1. Close to home. Im not sure if he has lived in the US his whole life or whatever but if he is relatively new he might want to stay somewhere he is fimiliar with.

2. Gets to play as MSG

3. Friend is on the team

4. After seeing what they did last year with 6 players and a good recruiting class, St. Johns may make some noise this year in the Big East

 

[dp3113]

I can see plenty of reasons he would pick St. Johns:

1. Close to home. Im not sure if he has lived in the US his whole life or whatever but if he is relatively new he might want to stay somewhere he is fimiliar with.

2. Gets to play as MSG

3. Friend is on the team

4. After seeing what they did last year with 6 players and a good recruiting class, St. Johns may make some noise this year in the Big East

trying to break down and figure out apparent tangible reasons as to why a recruit picks a school is a futile exercise. there is so much stuff going on behind scenes in recruiting that no one knows about that usually dictates where where a player lands.

 

[Bearcat91]

trying to break down and figure out apparent tangible reasons as to why a recruit picks a school is a futile exercise. there is so much stuff going on behind scenes in recruiting that no one knows about that usually dictates where where a player lands.

I was just listing the non-NCAA violation reasons that he would pick St. Johns. There probably is/has been multiple things that have gone on behind the scenes that we dont know of but everyone knows that is happening so no need to bring it up.

 

[Thegreatone]

Posts like this will just start the fire once again. I respect your opinion, but I don't understand how it's so unimaginable for him to pick St. John's.

Perhaps I was too strong but I still don't see it.

As for fueling the fire, I really dont care if St. Johns fans get upset.

 

[JackBauer151]

Obekpa Down to St. John’s, Cincinnati
BY ADAM ZAGORIA ON JUNE 07, 2012, 9:16AM

Uncommitted 6-foot-9 forward Chris Obekpa told Rivals.com he’s down to St. John’s and Cincinnati and wants to be close to “home.”

Obekpa, the newly minted IS8 Player of the Year, had previously considered other schools, including DePaul, Providence, Oregon and UConn.

Considering that he attends school at Our Savior New American on Long Island, St. John’s is obviously the closest option to home.

St. John’s is “making steady progress” on the shot-blocking sensation, a source close to the program told SNY.tv.

As reported by SNY.tv last week, St. John’s now appears to be the frontrunner for his services.

If he chose the Johnnies, he would round out a class that includes shooters Marco Bourgault and Harvard transfer Max Hooper, athletic wing Felix Balamou, Obekpa’s Our Savior teammate, and big men JaKarr Sampson and Orlando Sanchez.

“[Obekpa's] gotta become more assertive offensively,” longtime New York recruiting expert Tom Konchalski told SNY.tv. “Hes gotta learn how to involve himself in the game offensively.

“But he’s a factor defensively and on the boards. He’s gotta get stronger on the boards and build up his stamina. He can really be a factor for [St. John's]. He’s a legitimate shot-blocker, he changes the game.”

http://www.zagsblog.com/2012/06/07/obekpa-down-to-st-johns-cincinnati/

 

[JackBauer151]

After that article Im guessing St. Johns is where he lands. If not there I think he heads to prep.

 

[TheLongHaul]

Well I'm not sure either school is really that close to Nigeria. NY does have a better international airport though...and as Chad pointed out, his brother lives in Atlanta. So I guess it depends on what he considers close to home.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I'm going to say from what I'm hearing he doesn't play college ball next season. I also second NYC's assertion he is in no way a one and done.

 

[Thegreatone]

What a huge disappointment. Cronin threw everything at this kid.

 

[NYC baller]

SMU trying to get involved now

 

[TheLongHaul]

per Zags.

 

[BearcatMick]

This is fishy.

Some shady stuff going on. Mick would be wise to back off

 

[JordanW]

I've never seen a recruitment quite like this from a kid with no character issues or other outside problems.

 

[NYC baller]

per Zags.

Yes per zags. Wasn't breaking news. Just mentioning they are trying to get involved. I think Smu is going to try for every kid out there right now. Still think Obekpa lands at either Cincy or St john's.