2019 big man Zeke Nnaji has big week of home visits
By ADAM ZAGORIA Zeke Nnaji, the 6-foot-11 power
By ADAM ZAGORIA
James Bouknight, the 6-foot-5, 185-pound shooting guard from the MacDuffie School (MA) and the PSA Cardinals, committed to UConn on Tuesday following his official visit this past weekend. It is his 18th birthday.
Bouknight, who returned just before Peach Jam from a torn meniscus suffered in January, also visited Miami and Virginia Tech.
Coach Dan Hurley and company have made Bouknight a priority recruit, watching him at MacDuffie last week before the visit.
“[Their message is] to come in and have huge role,” Bouknight told ZAGSBLOG. “They want me to come in and be an impact player right away. Play lots of minutes and help UConn get back to where it needs to be.”
By ADAM ZAGORIA
Cole Anthony, the No. 1-rated guard in the Class of 2019, took his first official visit to Notre Dame this past weekend. Anthony was accompanied by his mother, Crystal.
Notre Dame beat Vanderbilt, 22-17, in football on Saturday.
Irish coach Mike Brey visited Anthony, the son of former NBA point guard Greg Anthony, last week at Oak Hill Academy (VA).
Next up Anthony will trip to North Carolina Sept. 28. He has already taken an unofficial to North Carolina, along with Miami, Wake Forest and UCLA.
By ADAM ZAGORIA
Josiah James, the 6-foot-5 combo guard from Charleston (S.C.) Porter-Gaud School, committed to Rick Barnes and Tennessee on Wednesday.
James chose the Vols over Clemson and Duke.
“Yes, I’m committing to the University of Tennessee,” he wrote in MoultrieNews.com.
James said he’s remaining loyal to the coach who offered him a scholarship when he was 13.
“Loyalty is something that goes deep with me. Relationships are everything,” he wrote. “When we got to Tennessee for my official visit, the whole coaching staff and all the players were waiting to meet me and my family. We played pickup with some of the team one morning while the coaches were still at breakfast. Lamonte Turner was guarding me and I remember I got by him one time but I got fouled on the layup. He pulled me aside and showed me a little trick to get more space at the rim. He didn’t have to do that. Little things like that matter to me, man.
“Coach Barnes sat in the gym with me for about an hour after. When I get tired, I start to sling the ball instead of having it in the high pocket. He noticed that right away and tried to help me fix it. I swear Tennessee has the best player development in the country. What other coach will sit in the gym with me for an hour and point out my weaknesses instead of just talking me up? That really stuck out to me on my visit. It wasn’t just a show.”
He explained why he chose the Vols over Duke and Clemson.
“It really isn’t anything against Duke or Clemson,” he wrote. “They both were great. Really great. But people always said when you know, you’ll know. And I knew. I already knew in my heart so I didn’t think it was fair to waste anybody’s time. That wouldn’t be a cool move on my part.”
James is a physical guard who likes to get to the hoop. He also is noted for excelling in transition as he displays great court vision. His length is another attribute that stands out away from other guards. His length helps on the defensive end as he plays great on ball defense.
By JACOB POLACHECK Nico Mannion, the 6-foot-3 point
