MU Is Now Recruiting God's Gift!!

[Tugg Speedman]

http://www.zagsblog.com/2010/10/06/gods-gift-will-sign-in-april/

God's Gift Will Sign in April
By Adam Zagoria on October 06, 2010, 11:09AM

His name is God's Gift and according to his coach, he might just be that for some college program.

God's Gift Achiuwa is a 6-foot-8 power forward originally from Nigeria who competes at Erie Community College in Buffalo, N.Y. His father is a minister in his home country and gave him the unusual name.

He is being recruited by Ohio State, Cincinnati, St. John's, N.C. State, Marquette, Hawaii and Niagara, according to Erie coach Alex Nwora.

"He's not going to take any visits until afer Christmas," Nwora said Wednesday by phone. "After Christmas, we're going to cut down and narrow down to three or four schools he's going to visit and then we're going to make a decision and sign in April."
Nwora said Achiuwa could make a verbal commitment before April, of course.

"After he takes his visits, if he sees a a school he likes he might give a verbal commitment so they won't keep recruiting that position," he said.

St. John's head coach Steve Lavin, who still has eight scholarships to give and embarks Thursday on a weeklong recruiting adventure, visited Achiuwa last week.

"Yes, he came down last week and had a very good visit with him," he said. "Tony Chiles came out first and Steve came down and he had a good talk with them.

"That's one of the schools that's on his radar."

Nwora, a fellow Nigerian, founded Global Sports Advantage six years ago and now operates various camps in Africa aimed at helping the top players come to the U.S.

Achiuwa has only been here a year but averaged 13.1 points, 13.5 rebounds and two blocks per game as a freshman. He earned third-team all-American honors and helped lead Erie to a 27-2 record.

"I think he's one of the best power forwards in the country right now," Nwora said. "I've been in junior college for 12 years. This is my 22nd year in the U.S. Out of all the kids I've come across, he's the one that has a very good chance of getting drafted.

"If he keeps doing what he's doing, he's got a good chance of getting looked at by a scout."

Nwora didn't rule out that the possibility that Achiuwa could go pro after this year instead of attending college.

"He's that good," he said. "The kid doesn't stop working. Somebody could come after him to get into the draft."

As for his unusual name, Nwora said Achiuwa's Erie teammates don't give him a hard time.

"He's one of those kids, he's serious about the game," he said. "He's serious about his life. He's very religious so most of hist teammates respect him and treat him seriously."

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[Hards Alumni]

I hate to be "that guy" but this article is from October 6th.

[Tugg Speedman]

I hate to be "that guy" but this article is from October 6th.

What difference does this make?  I don't see a post about this.

[foreverwarriors]

You clearly didn't go back far enough...or...you know...do a search for God

http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=21624.0

[Golden Avalanche]

What difference does this make?  I don't see a post about this.

From your thread title, you make it seem as if this was a new development the last couple of days when in fact its old news.

St. John's likes its position in this recruitment.

[willie warrior]

Love the name and the 13 rebounds per game.

Anybody know how long he has been playing BB?

His coach alleges that he may go pro--doubtful he is that good--or is he? My guess is that is just hype to get him recruited further.

[SacWarrior]

I saw the title and thought Marquette was now recruiting Packers Tight End Andrew Quarless

[brewcity77]

St. John's will be a tough one to recruit against here. Lavin's got plenty of playing time to offer and needs a few Jucos to start balancing that roster. Hopefully Buzz's success with Butler and DJO, and good seasons from Crowder, Fulce, and Buycks can show this kid that we simply know how to bring the best out of Juco transfers. If nothing else, he might help Buzz silence the complaints about the lack of a big man for a few months.

[bilsu]

Actually I think Buzz has a good chance here. I am not sure how religious Lavin is, but Buzz is very into God and comes accross that way. In some cases that might chase some recruits away. However, this players family is so religious they named their son God's Gift. They sound exactly like the kind of people that would be enamored with Buzz. The problem here would be if the kid hates his name. As far as playing time the kid fits a need, so if he is good he is playing anyways. If he is not good enough to play the four right away for MU, than St. John's can have him.

[HoopsMalone]

Hopefully Trey McDonald's committment to OSU will take them off the list.  We can't lose two interior players to OSU.