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.
Louisville and Pittsburgh both picked up key 2013 verbal commitments Wednesday.
Akoy Agau, a 6-foot-9 power forward from Omaha (Neb.) Central, pledged to the Cardinals during an in-home visit with head coach Rick Pitino.
“They see me as a guy who can do a little of everything and make plays for teammates,” Agau told InsideTheVille.com recently. “They are going to utilize all my strengths and put me in a position where I can be successful and also help out the team with all the abilities that I have.
“Me being able to play the three and four, they were talking about using all my strengths. I can play inside, out. I think something I do really well is pass out of the post and find my open teammates. I can handle the ball a little bit, shoot, pick and pop and post-up.”
The Rivals No. 18 power forward in the Class of 2013, Agau also considered Georgetown, West Virginia and Memphis.
He said he sees similarities between himself and current Louisville big man Gorgui Dieng.
“I’ve watched them play,” Agau told InsidetheVille.com. “They had Gorgui rolling a lot and I would kind of be like that, but I think I’m a little more versatile. He rolled all the time and I think I can pick and pop and drive to the basket and make plays for my teammates or myself.”
Louisville also landed junior college point guard Chris Jones on Monday. They have 2013 guards Anton Gill and Terry Rozier in this recruiting class, too.
As for Pittsburgh, the Panthers landed Newkirk, a 6-foot- point guard from Raleigh (N.C.) Word of God.
He chose Pitt over Memphis and Georgia Tech.
“The relationship I had with the team and how they made me feel a part of the family on my visit,” he told SNY.tv of the reason for picking Pitt. ”
Newkirk is an athletic point who takes it to the basket, can drive past defenders and create. He also. possesses a solid mid-range jumper.
“I am an uptempo guard who can get in the lane and create for myself and others,” he said.
Newkirk joins 6-9 St. Benedict’s Prep power forward Mike Young in Pitt’s 2013 class.
“Pitt fans welcome my brotha to the panther family @jnewkirk1 , show love everybody !!” Young Tweeted.
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.
Louisville and Pittsburgh both picked up key 2013 verbal commitments Wednesday.
Akoy Agau, a 6-foot-9 power forward from Omaha (Neb.) Central, pledged to the Cardinals during an in-home visit with head coach Rick Pitino.
“They see me as a guy who can do a little of everything and make plays for teammates,” Agau told InsideTheVille.com recently. “They are going to utilize all my strengths and put me in a position where I can be successful and also help out the team with all the abilities that I have.
“Me being able to play the three and four, they were talking about using all my strengths. I can play inside, out. I think something I do really well is pass out of the post and find my open teammates. I can handle the ball a little bit, shoot, pick and pop and post-up.”
The Rivals No. 18 power forward in the Class of 2013, Agau also considered Georgetown, West Virginia and Memphis.
He said he sees similarities between himself and current Louisville big man Gorgui Dieng.
“I’ve watched them play,” Agau told InsidetheVille.com. “They had Gorgui rolling a lot and I would kind of be like that, but I think I’m a little more versatile. He rolled all the time and I think I can pick and pop and drive to the basket and make plays for my teammates or myself.”
Louisville also landed junior college point guard Chris Jones on Monday. They have 2013 guards Anton Gill and Terry Rozier in this recruiting class, too.
As for Pittsburgh, the Panthers landed Newkirk, a 6-foot- point guard from Raleigh (N.C.) Word of God.
He chose Pitt over Memphis and Georgia Tech.
“The relationship I had with the team and how they made me feel a part of the family on my visit,” he told SNY.tv of the reason for picking Pitt. ”
Newkirk is an athletic point who takes it to the basket, can drive past defenders and create. He also. possesses a solid mid-range jumper.
“I am an uptempo guard who can get in the lane and create for myself and others,” he said.
Newkirk joins 6-9 St. Benedict’s Prep power forward Mike Young in Pitt’s 2013 class.
“Pitt fans welcome my brotha to the panther family 