Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
West Virginia in Mix for Nigerian Point Guard; Rutgers Recruits Look Good in Openers
Now that Quinn Cook (Duke)and Myck Kabongo (Texas) are off the board, the next point guard in line may be Nigerian Maurice Aniefiok.
The 6-foot-5 Aniefiok arrived in the U.S. this fall and is a senior at Huntington (West Va.) Prep under head coach Rob Fulford.
“He’s really good,” one Division 1 assistant coach said.
West Virginia may have the inside track for Aniefiok. The Mountaineers are the only school to offer him, Fulford said. And Aniefiok visited West Virginia in mid-October for Mountaineer Madness.
Having witnessed the decommitment of point guard Ryan Boatright (now considering UConn, UNLV and Oklahoma), West Virginia is in the market for a second lead guard to go with Mount Vernon product Jabarie Hinds.
Fulford said UCLA, Arizona State, Cincinnati, Georgetown and Ole Miss have also expressed interested in Aniefiok, who is awaiting one set of SAT results and may take the test again.
“He’ll be fine on the test score,” Fulford said.
Joe Boncore, who mentors several African players, including Aniefiok, agrees.
“He is smart,” Boncore said. “The test isn’t a worry. He is going to take it again but he isn’t worried.”
No visits are planned right now and Fulford says Aniefiok likely won’t sign until the spring. The NCAA early signing period begins Wednesday.
“It will be later,” Fulford said.
Because of his size, Fulford has no doubt that Aniefiok can play at the Big East and major-college level.
“He’s a scorer,” Fulford said. “He’s physical, he can score. He really can shoot it and defend. He’s a big kid, physically imposing right now.”
As of now, though, West Virginia appears to have the edge.
“Probably leaning that way right now,” Fulford said. “I’m sure he’ll want to take a couple visits.”
RUTGERS RECRUITS LOOKING GOOD
Rutgers fans certainly have reason to feel optimistic about their 2011 recruiting class. Kadeem Jack dropped 25 points and 12 rebounds in his debut Friday with CJEOTO, an 88-80 victory over U.S. Military Academy Prep. “He was good,” CJEOTO coach Ian Turnbull said. “A little rough early then he settled down. Good kid. Very long and super athletic.” Onetime Seton Hall commit Eugene McCrory dropped 21 and 14 for CJEOTO in that game…Also, fellow 2011 Rutgers commit Jerome Seagears of Flora McDonald (N.C.) Academy poured in 45 points in his season opener, but lost to Rodney Purvis and Raleigh (N.C.) Upper Room Christian. Purvis, who reclassified to 2012, poured in 36 points, including a game-winning 3-pointer.
(Photo courtesy westvirginia.247sports.com)
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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
Now that Quinn Cook (Duke) and Myck Kabongo (Texas) are off the board, the next point guard in line may be Nigerian Maurice Aniefiok.
The 6-foot-5 Aniefiok arrived in the U.S. this fall and is a senior at Huntington (West Va.) Prep under head coach Rob Fulford.
“He’s really good,” one Division 1 assistant coach said.
West Virginia may have the inside track for Aniefiok. The Mountaineers are the only school to offer him, Fulford said. And Aniefiok visited West Virginia in mid-October for Mountaineer Madness.
Having witnessed the decommitment of point guard Ryan Boatright (now considering UConn, UNLV and Oklahoma), West Virginia is in the market for a second lead guard to go with Mount Vernon product Jabarie Hinds.
Fulford said UCLA, Arizona State, Cincinnati, Georgetown and Ole Miss have also expressed interested in Aniefiok, who is awaiting one set of SAT results and may take the test again.
“He’ll be fine on the test score,” Fulford said.
Joe Boncore, who mentors several African players, including Aniefiok, agrees.
“He is smart,” Boncore said. “The test isn’t a worry. He is going to take it again but he isn’t worried.”
No visits are planned right now and Fulford says Aniefiok likely won’t sign until the spring. The NCAA early signing period begins Wednesday.
“It will be later,” Fulford said.
Because of his size, Fulford has no doubt that Aniefiok can play at the Big East and major-college level.
“He’s a scorer,” Fulford said. “He’s physical, he can score. He really can shoot it and defend. He’s a big kid, physically imposing right now.”
As of now, though, West Virginia appears to have the edge.
“Probably leaning that way right now,” Fulford said. “I’m sure he’ll want to take a couple visits.”
RUTGERS RECRUITS LOOKING GOOD
Rutgers fans certainly have reason to feel optimistic about their 2011 recruiting class. Kadeem Jack dropped 25 points and 12 rebounds in his debut Friday with CJEOTO, an 88-80 victory over U.S. Military Academy Prep. “He was good,” CJEOTO coach Ian Turnbull said. “A little rough early then he settled down. Good kid. Very long and super athletic.” Onetime Seton Hall commit Eugene McCrory dropped 21 and 14 for CJEOTO in that game…Also, fellow 2011 Rutgers commit Jerome Seagears of Flora McDonald (N.C.) Academy poured in 45 points in his season opener, but lost to Rodney Purvis and Raleigh (N.C.) Upper Room Christian. Purvis, who reclassified to 2012, poured in 36 points, including a game-winning 3-pointer.
(Photo courtesy westvirginia.247sports.com)
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