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.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — God’s Gift is in the Final Four.
The National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Final Four.
The 6-foot-8 power forward from Erie County Community College scored in the paint with 9 seconds remaining to give his team a 76-75 victory Thursday night over Louisburg (N.C.) in Danville, Ill.
The Kats will face defending champion Lincoln (Ill.) at 9 p.m. Friday in the semifinals.
“He struggled all day,” ECC coach Alex Nwora told the Buffalo News. “He struggled the whole game but made the one that counted. He really got it for us when we really needed it the most.”
Reached by phone, Nwora said God’s Gift was not close to making a college decision.
“He hasn’t even taken his visits,” Nwora said. We’re gonna finish up. We’re here to win a national championship. We’re not worried about anybody now.
“After we’re done we’re going to sit down ad see which schools he’s going to be visiting.”
Nwora said Cincinnati, St. John’s, West Virginia, Washington, Rhode Island and Niagara were in the hunt.
“Those are the ones that have really serious interest,” he said.
Kentucky has also shown interest.
“They’re still playing so they haven’t been out to see him,” Nwora said, “but they’re still interested.”
ANDERSON TO MARYLANDJustin Anderson, a 6-6, 220-pound small forward, from Montrose Christian has committed to Maryland over North Carolina and Virginia.
Anderson is the No. 11 small forward in the Class of 2012 per Rivals.
“Maryland started recruiting me since my first year on the AAU circuit, which was sixth grade,” Anderson told The Washington Post. “Ever since then, I’ve known about them, not to say they were always my favorite.”
Andrson said he plans to spend next season working on developing his game.
“There are lots of things I need to work on, even my jump shot and even attacking the basket – things people say I do well that I need to work on,” Anderson Told the Washington Post. “One-dribble pullup. Two-dribble pullup. Attacking the basket. Staying low on defense.”
(Photo courtesy Washington Post)
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.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — God’s Gift is in the Final Four.
The National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Final Four.
The 6-foot-8 power forward from Erie County Community College scored in the paint with 9 seconds remaining to give his team a 76-75 victory Thursday night over Louisburg (N.C.) in Danville, Ill.
The Kats will face defending champion Lincoln (Ill.) at 9 p.m. Friday in the semifinals.
“He struggled all day,” ECC coach Alex Nwora told the Buffalo News. “He struggled the whole game but made the one that counted. He really got it for us when we really needed it the most.”
Reached by phone, Nwora said God’s Gift was not close to making a college decision.
“He hasn’t even taken his visits,” Nwora said. We’re gonna finish up. We’re here to win a national championship. We’re not worried about anybody now.
“After we’re done we’re going to sit down ad see which schools he’s going to be visiting.”
Nwora said Cincinnati, St. John’s, West Virginia, Washington, Rhode Island and Niagara were in the hunt.
“Those are the ones that have really serious interest,” he said.
Kentucky has also shown interest.
“They’re still playing so they haven’t been out to see him,” Nwora said, “but they’re still interested.”
ANDERSON TO MARYLAND
Justin Anderson, a 6-6, 220-pound small forward, from Montrose Christian has committed to Maryland over North Carolina and Virginia.
Anderson is the No. 11 small forward in the Class of 2012 per Rivals.
“Maryland started recruiting me since my first year on the AAU circuit, which was sixth grade,” Anderson told The Washington Post. “Ever since then, I’ve known about them, not to say they were always my favorite.”
Andrson said he plans to spend next season working on developing his game.
“There are lots of things I need to work on, even my jump shot and even attacking the basket – things people say I do well that I need to work on,” Anderson Told the Washington Post. “One-dribble pullup. Two-dribble pullup. Attacking the basket. Staying low on defense.”
(Photo courtesy Washington Post)
