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.
Class of ’22 big man Ernest Udeh says several schools working hardest
By ADAM ZAGORIAErnest Udeh Jr., the 6-foot-10 big man from Dr. Phillips High School (FL) and the Southeast Elite AAU team, says several colleges are working the hardest in his recruitment.
“Florida, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Miami, Kansas, and Indiana have been showing love the most I would say,” he said, adding that he holds offers from each of those schools.
He also recently added offers from Arkansas, Mississippi State, Texas Tech, Indiana, Hofstra, Cincinnati, Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, Stanford, and Iona.
Udeh, a four-star big man ranked the No. 14 center in 2022 by 247Sports.com, has no visits planned but is hoping to take some in the fall.
As for what skillset he will bring to college, he said, “My unique defensive presence and my willingness to get after it aggressively on the offensive side is something I am sure to bring to the next level.”
Said Anthony Ricks of Team Parsons: “Ernest’s ceiling is through the roof. He affects the game in every way possible defensively whether it’s blocking shots, switching 1-5, leadership, being vocal, etc. You name it defensively and not only can he do it but it’s a strength of his.
“Offensively, he is a great diver in pick-and-roll with the ability to pop for 15-footers. His high level athleticism allows him to out run most bigs and play above the rim catching lobs. He also has the ability to score over both shoulders in the post and can face up, rip and score at the rim.
“Over the last five years, our starting centers have been high major recruits with two being top 100 and one being top 40 in Omar Payne. Ernest is as good as the previous [group] and has the upside to potentially be the best of them.”
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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.
