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.
Beejay Anya currently has two officials set, but by the end of Wednesday that number is expected to grow.
The 6-foot-8 center out of DeMatha Catholic already has officials set for Ohio State (Oct. 5) and Indiana (Oct. 19), but DeMatha coach Mike Jones is working on setting visits for Syracuse, Pittsburgh and N.C. State.
“I’m hoping to be able to set up at least one of them today [Wednesday],” Jones told SNY.tv.
Jones said Anya likely wouldn’t visit anywhere the weekend of Oct. 12 because he has Homecoming Oct. 13.
Anya, the No. 3 center in the Class of 2013, has connections to all five schools.
Indiana head coach Tom Crean was in Saturday night for a home visit, and Indiana has the advantage of having a commitment from Anya’s Team Takeover teammate, Stanford Robinson. They also have Kenny Johnson, a former Takeover coach, on staff as an assistant.
“It was good,” Anya said of the visit. “Coach Crean ws there for a long time. He’s a good guy. He was talking to my family and made me feel comfortable. I feel comfortable with him being there.”
Indiana will likely lose star Cody Zeller to the 2013 NBA Draft, which will open up even more playing time down low for Anya.
“He’s saying I would have a good opportunity,” Anya said. “They were going to develop me into a better player and stuff like that.”
Anya will take his official to Indiana for Hoosier Hysteria along with Robinson and Oak Hill wing Troy Williams.
Still, he also has connections to the other schools as well.
Anya played AAU ball with both Syracuse freshman Jerami Grant and Pitt frosh James Robinson. Ironically, both schools will be transitioning to the ACC from the Big East in 2013.
“Pitt has James Robinson, who Beejay’s played with for three years,” Jones said. “Syracuse has Jerami Grant who Beejay’s played with for three years. Basically everybody he’s considering right now has familiar faces.”
Syracuse-bound point guard Tyler Ennis also told SNY.tv he’s working on Anya to join him there.
“Yeah, he talks to me a lot,” Anya said.
Anya said N.C. State commits Anthony “Cat” Barber and Kyle Washington are also in his ear.
“They were both on my [Nike] Global Challenge team,” Anya said of the Wolfpack’s newest commits.
And Nima Omidvar, the N.C. State video coordinator, is also a former Takeover guy.
“That’s a good thing,” Jones said of all the connections. “No matter where he picks he’ll have a connection that he can rely on.”
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.
Beejay Anya currently has two officials set, but by the end of Wednesday that number is expected to grow.
The 6-foot-8 center out of DeMatha Catholic already has officials set for Ohio State (Oct. 5) and Indiana (Oct. 19), but DeMatha coach Mike Jones is working on setting visits for Syracuse, Pittsburgh and N.C. State.
“I’m hoping to be able to set up at least one of them today [Wednesday],” Jones told SNY.tv.
Jones said Anya likely wouldn’t visit anywhere the weekend of Oct. 12 because he has Homecoming Oct. 13.
Anya, the No. 3 center in the Class of 2013, has connections to all five schools.
Indiana head coach Tom Crean was in Saturday night for a home visit, and Indiana has the advantage of having a commitment from Anya’s Team Takeover teammate, Stanford Robinson. They also have Kenny Johnson, a former Takeover coach, on staff as an assistant.
“It was good,” Anya said of the visit. “Coach Crean ws there for a long time. He’s a good guy. He was talking to my family and made me feel comfortable. I feel comfortable with him being there.”
Indiana will likely lose star Cody Zeller to the 2013 NBA Draft, which will open up even more playing time down low for Anya.
“He’s saying I would have a good opportunity,” Anya said. “They were going to develop me into a better player and stuff like that.”
Anya will take his official to Indiana for Hoosier Hysteria along with Robinson and Oak Hill wing Troy Williams.
Still, he also has connections to the other schools as well.
Anya played AAU ball with both Syracuse freshman Jerami Grant and Pitt frosh James Robinson. Ironically, both schools will be transitioning to the ACC from the Big East in 2013.
“Pitt has James Robinson, who Beejay’s played with for three years,” Jones said. “Syracuse has Jerami Grant who Beejay’s played with for three years. Basically everybody he’s considering right now has familiar faces.”
Syracuse-bound point guard Tyler Ennis also told SNY.tv he’s working on Anya to join him there.
“Yeah, he talks to me a lot,” Anya said.
Anya said N.C. State commits Anthony “Cat” Barber and Kyle Washington are also in his ear.
“They were both on my [Nike] Global Challenge team,” Anya said of the Wolfpack’s newest commits.
And Nima Omidvar, the N.C. State video coordinator, is also a former Takeover guy.
“That’s a good thing,” Jones said of all the connections. “No matter where he picks he’ll have a connection that he can rely on.”
