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.
St. John’s coach Steve Lavin has already received nine gifts for next season.
Will God’s Gift be next?
Having landed nine recruits for the 2011-12 season, including 6-foot-2 IMG Academy guard Phil Greene, who committed Sunday while on an unofficial, the Johnnies still have two scholarships to give for next season.
They are one of several schools involved with God’s Gift Achiuwa, 6-foot-8 power forward from Port Harcourt, River States, Nigeria, who competes at Erie Community College in Buffalo, N.Y. His father is a minister in his home country and gave him the unusual name.
In his last three games, God’s Gift has put up 25 points and 19 rebounds, 25 and 10 and 32 and 15, respectively. His team has won 10 straight games and is ranked No. 3 nationally among Division II junior colleges.
Achiuwa on Wednesday was named the Region III male co-Athlete of the Week by the league office.
“So many schools are calling,” ECC coach Alex Nwora said. “He’s still looking at St. John’s, Cincinnati. Kentucky is calling.”
Nwora said Cincinnati head coach Mick Cronin and assistant Darren Savino and Kentucky assistant Orlando Antigua were involved.
“I know for sure he’s really considering St. John’s just to see what they have to offer academically and athletically, too,” Nwora said.
“Niagara is interested. They are the local school here. You can’t compare them with St. John’s.”
Nwora said God’s Gift would take visits after the season and plans to sign in the late signing period.
“We’re so busy now,” he said. “We’re playing three games a week. It’s going to be tough for him to travel and go to school. It will take away from what we’re trying to do.
“He takes his visits after the season.”
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**God’s Gift to basketballAnd like ZAGS on Facebook.
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.
St. John’s coach Steve Lavin has already received nine gifts for next season.
Will God’s Gift be next?
Having landed nine recruits for the 2011-12 season, including 6-foot-2 IMG Academy guard Phil Greene, who committed Sunday while on an unofficial, the Johnnies still have two scholarships to give for next season.
They are one of several schools involved with God’s Gift Achiuwa, 6-foot-8 power forward from Port Harcourt, River States, Nigeria, who competes at Erie Community College in Buffalo, N.Y. His father is a minister in his home country and gave him the unusual name.
In his last three games, God’s Gift has put up 25 points and 19 rebounds, 25 and 10 and 32 and 15, respectively. His team has won 10 straight games and is ranked No. 3 nationally among Division II junior colleges.
Achiuwa on Wednesday was named the Region III male co-Athlete of the Week by the league office.
“So many schools are calling,” ECC coach Alex Nwora said. “He’s still looking at St. John’s, Cincinnati. Kentucky is calling.”
Nwora said Cincinnati head coach Mick Cronin and assistant Darren Savino and Kentucky assistant Orlando Antigua were involved.
“I know for sure he’s really considering St. John’s just to see what they have to offer academically and athletically, too,” Nwora said.
“Niagara is interested. They are the local school here. You can’t compare them with St. John’s.”
Nwora said God’s Gift would take visits after the season and plans to sign in the late signing period.
“We’re so busy now,” he said. “We’re playing three games a week. It’s going to be tough for him to travel and go to school. It will take away from what we’re trying to do.
“He takes his visits after the season.”
RELATED CONTENT
**God’s Gift will sign in April
**God’s Gift to basketball
And like ZAGS on Facebook.
