'12 NY PF Christopher Obekpa

[JackBauer151]

thanks Brian Snow

Easy killer, wasnt trying to take credit for anyone else just copied and pasted wrong. Still think this is a two horse race between us and Uconn

 

[the_one_32]

UCONN isn't far behind us at this point HOWEVER I fear St. John's more than anyone in his recruitment.

 

[Scheids21]

Obekpa is coming to the Louisville game, correct? That'll be a great environment for him to see.

 

[Bearcat22]

I know recruiting questions must be tough since we're talking about the whims of a teenager, but would you consider us the frontrunner with St. John's gaining or is it dead heat at this point?

 

[the_one_32]

We are the leader as of now but with recruiting things can change in an instant.

 

[bearcat jeff]

He is making an unofficial to UConn this weekend.

 

[LarryB33]

Easy killer, wasnt trying to take credit for anyone else just copied and pasted wrong. Still think this is a two horse race between us and Uconn

Agreed. Thanks for the info on Obekpa visiting Uconn this wkd Mr. Bauer. Does anyone know which coach is the main recruiter for Obekpa?

 

[LarryB33]

Agreed. Thanks for the info on Obekpa visiting Uconn this wkd Mr. Bauer. Does anyone know which coach is the main recruiter for Obekpa?

UC coach I mean.

 

[the_one_32]

I would imagine Mick is taking the reigns on this one since he's such a high priority for us HOWEVER I have heard Larry Davis has talked to Obekpa as well.

 

[Chad Brendel]

I would imagine Mick is taking the reigns on this one since he's such a high priority for us HOWEVER I have heard Larry Davis has talked to Obekpa as well.

Coach Davis is not involved in the recruitment of Obekpa. He did see him at one event he was at for different reasons, but that is the extent of it. Obekpa plays in New York and is from Africa. Shouldn't be that hard to figure out in terms of the lead assistant...

 

[bearcat jeff]

Coach Savino has led the charge for Obekpa.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Obekpa is another player St. John’s is involved with, and he took a double-dip of a trip Saturday with Jaklitsch to see both UConn’s loss to Marquette and Providence fall to Georgetown.

UConn is heavily courting Obekpa and had been trying to get him on campus for some time.

“On Saturday we took a drive up to UConn to watch them play vs Marquette at the XL Center in Hartford,” Jaklitsch said. “After the game we drove over to campus to take a tour and look at their facilities with Coach Kevin Ollie and Glen Miller. We had been trying to get up there for quite some time but were not able to find dates that worked out. UConn is building a top notch, state-of-the-art practice facility which will house their men’s and women’s basketball teams.

“They already have one of the best football practice facilties in the country and we toured that. They explained to us how the basketball facility would have a lot of the same features as the football facility but how they would make some improvements to the basketball one.

“It was very impressive from the weight room, to the video room, to the player lounges and cafeteria. We also sat down with Coach Ollie and Miller and discussed how he would fit into the UConn system, how their program works, and talked about the tradition of UConn basketball from their NBA players to all the different championships they have won – Big East and NCAA. It was a great visit, Chris really enjoyed it.”

From there it was off to Providence, which has Ricky Ledo, Josh Fortune and Kris Dunn signed and is also involved with 2012 shot-blocking superstar Nerlens Noel, who took his weekend official to Kentucky.

“After we left UConn we took about an hour drive over to the Providence-Georgetown game,” Jaklitsch said. “We got a chance to see them play in person after watching them on TV a few times. The fan support was really amazing for their team. They are struggling this year but the place was sold out and the fans supported them to the final buzzer.

“We had already been to Providence in the fall so we saw the Dunkin Donuts center but now this time the place was packed. After the game we had the opportunity to speak with Coach [Ed] Cooley and his staff. They expressed again how much they want Chris and how much they need him. They talked about the opportunity that was available for him if he decides to attend Providence College.”

http://www.zagsblog.com/2012/02/20/balamou-obekpa-visit-big-east-schools/

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Jeff after reading that article do you still think we are still in the lead for him? He is a huge recruit for MC going forward.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Jeff after reading that article do you still think we are still in the lead for him? He is a huge recruit for MC going forward.

I believe UC, UConn are the leaders. St. Johns has made a hard push late. UConn has been my concern from the start. Cincinnati has a good chance of landing him but I also believe they are positioned well if they don't. As his offensive game has proven to be better than some believe, I have come to like him more, but I'd be great with Mitchell and Rubles as well who have more college ready bodies. Ed Cooley has done a good job recruiting for the future of Providence but I still believe it's UC and UConn 1 & 2 and the visits could be huge. A big crowd and a big win could pay dividends for the Bearcats.

 

[Bearcat22]

Hopefully Obekpa experiences a great atmosphere and warm reception when he's in town for the Louisville game. With everything surrounding UCONN between sanctions and and the point guard calling out his team, and Calhoun's health there just seems like a lack of stability there.

After reading how UCONN & Providence conducted the tour/visit. I'm curious how UC goes about it and what they use as the main selling points.

I agree about Mitchell, he could be a Dejuan Blair type of player and would love to see him as a Bearcat.

 

[Thegreatone]

I wonder how much the Uconn NCAA troubles could play a factor...

 

[JackBauer151]

Just in case there was any doubt......

Chris Obekpa, 6-9 shot-blocking big man from Our Savior, will visit Cincinnati Wed-Fri for the Louisville game, Eric Jaklitsch tells @SNYtv

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Fact is there is a big, immediate playing opportunity waiting for whoever the two bigs are who sign on. Right now the only sure thing on the Cats front line is Gates and he's leaving. Modj may improve but right now if I'm a high profile guy I'm not worried about competing against him. Jackson needs to add weight and continue to improve. Gaines is nowhere near ready to play big minutes in the BE. Ellis may warrant attention but right now, he is raw and undersized. MC can honestly offer two bigs a chance to play big minutes from year one in the best conference in the country. They also will have a experienced PG and nice wings to ease the transition. Couple that with the fact UCONN will not be in the tourney in 2013 and I like our chances.

 

[Eternal E]

Hopefully Obekpa experiences a great atmosphere and warm reception when he's in town for the Louisville game. With everything surrounding UCONN between sanctions and and the point guard calling out his team, and Calhoun's health there just seems like a lack of stability there.

After reading how UCONN & Providence conducted the tour/visit. I'm curious how UC goes about it and what they use as the main selling points.

I agree about Mitchell, he could be a Dejuan Blair type of player and would love to see him as a Bearcat.

Cincinnati isn't one of the favorites for Mitchell, a lot of ground needs to be made up from what I've read. Rubles or Obekpa are the most realistic options.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Cincinnati isn't one of the favorites for Mitchell, a lot of ground needs to be made up from what I've read. Rubles or Obekpa are the most realistic options.

UC is probably 3rd or 4rth but it was largely because UC wasn't giving him the attention others were. The Bearcat staff was going to try and get down to see him I believe this week.