Michael Nzei, a 6-foot-7 forward from Our Savior New American, has been opening eyes with his prodigious rebounding skills at the Adidas Nations event and is adding offers as we speak.
Nzei now holds offers from Iowa, Iona, St. Joe’s Hofstra and Duquesne and has attracted interest from Pittsburgh and Oregon, assistant coach Eric Jaklitsch told SNY.tv.
Playing for Africa at the Adidas Nations, Nzei went for 16 points and 14 boards in a 74-68 loss to Jahlil Okafor and USA Red.
“Michael Nzei is one of the better rebounders in the country,” Jaklitsch told SNY.tv. “He is a quick leaper who is able to get off the floor in a hurry to grab rebounds.
“He has a non-stop motor and plays every play like it’s his last. He would rather win that breathe.
“Michael came from the same hometown in Nigeria as St. John’s star Chris Obekpa, They were friends back in Nigeria and Chris told him of his positive experience at OUr Savior New American..
“He is a little bit of a sleeper because he was unable to play in the AAU in April due to NCAA rules. Once he got a chance to play in the Nike EYBL he started to make a name for himself. He had breakout events at Reebok Breakout Classic, Nike Global Challenge and The 8 hosted by Chris Paul in Las Vegas.
“He played this past season with 2015 star Cheick Diallo and 2016 top 25 big man Kassoum Yakwe to form one of the better front lines in the country.”