Coach Alford and his staff have reached an important, perhaps even critical, period for recruiting big men. They've finished a round of in-home visits with all thei major targets, and are now in the middle of official visits.
So let's do a series of threads to see how things are going with each of the big man the Bruins are still in on.
First up, it didn't get much publicity but in my mind UCLA hosted a very important recruit over the weekend named Kenneth Nwuba. I'll explain his importance to the Bruins shortly, but first let's recount what we know overall.
Kenneth just transferred to Huntington Prep in West Virginia. The same school Bruin Chris Smith played for. he consistently gets listed at either 6'9" or 6''10", with a weight ranging between 220 to 240 pounds.
I think the 220# figure is a carry over from his junior season, and long since passed up. The 240# number might be pushed a pound or two, but Nwuba is buffed. More to the point, no one could describe him as frail or one who shies away from contact. In fact he's typically the initiator, and could fairly be described as an athletic banger.
As for an accurate figure on his height? Who cares, since Kenneth has a vertical comparable to any big man you could name. He also has a significant wing span, a pogo stick release off the floor, and best of all his innate timing to block shots is very advanced.
While not a big scorer and seldom shooting away from the basket, Nwuba does have a very nice touch. Last add Kenneth is originally from Nigeria (and has a serious interest in education). So does any of the above remind you of anyone?
How about Cliff Notes version to aid your guess. Think athletic banger / leaper / shot blocker / intimidating at the rim / real center / Nigerian / known for rebounding and defense. Last hint .... who has the initials IA ?
During his visit the big sales pitch to Nwuba was ... you guessed it, education and comparisons to another super athletic Nigerian who showed enough in one year to become a draft pick. It was also explained how Kenneth could anchor the defense and trigger UCLA's quick strike offense.
Then since big men in the Bruin offense are allowed to roam and shoot away from the basket (i.e. Welsh and his deadly baseline shot), he wouldn't be a one trick pony for UCLA.
So why is Nwuba an important recruit ? After all he's only a 3 star, and doesn't have offers from some of the big name schools. Here are two very big reasons. Firstly he's an underrated foreign import. Just like Canadian Dillon Brooks whose only Pac 12 offer was Oregon, and his biggest other offers were Iowa State and Kansas State.
Secondly Alford and Co. really, really want Jordan Brown, who transferred to powerhouse prep program Prolific Prep (try saying that fast 3 times ... hehe). Jordan wants to develop an outside game for the NBA, and doesn't want to play center in college. The position he'd likely have to play for Cal.
Getting Nwuba to patrol the lane and be the enforcer is a dream for Brown. He can then play near home, while improving his stock at PF for NBA scouts. Both during the season and afterwards against Lebron and Co. in the new practice gym.
What are UCLA's odds to sign Kenneth? Most professional recruiting analysts think this is a three team race between the Bruins, Baylor, and Maryland. (With Georgetown trying hard to stay in the mix).
Educationally only Georgetown (if they're still in it) can compete with UCLA the highest level, but Maryland is at least solid on that front. However Baylor has some baggage in their athletic programs, and their name is damaged.
Basketball wise, a case could be made for any of the remaining schools. If the Bruin staff can play their cards right on selling the unique opportunity to play with the summer pros? That's a potential difference maker the other programs can't match.
Lastly we have the Nigerian question. Maryland or Georgetown both have a good reputation for international student programs, and again Baylor would seem behind the curve. UCLA's ability in recent years to connect with Nigerian students has been very, very impressive.
Nwuba is going to take at least two more visits (Baylor and Maryland), then will probably decide. So he could sign in November (that's not for sure). If no other school is able to vault into the top group? You've really got to like UCLA's chances here.
So let's do a series of threads to see how things are going with each of the big man the Bruins are still in on.
First up, it didn't get much publicity but in my mind UCLA hosted a very important recruit over the weekend named Kenneth Nwuba. I'll explain his importance to the Bruins shortly, but first let's recount what we know overall.
Kenneth just transferred to Huntington Prep in West Virginia. The same school Bruin Chris Smith played for. he consistently gets listed at either 6'9" or 6''10", with a weight ranging between 220 to 240 pounds.
I think the 220# figure is a carry over from his junior season, and long since passed up. The 240# number might be pushed a pound or two, but Nwuba is buffed. More to the point, no one could describe him as frail or one who shies away from contact. In fact he's typically the initiator, and could fairly be described as an athletic banger.
As for an accurate figure on his height? Who cares, since Kenneth has a vertical comparable to any big man you could name. He also has a significant wing span, a pogo stick release off the floor, and best of all his innate timing to block shots is very advanced.
While not a big scorer and seldom shooting away from the basket, Nwuba does have a very nice touch. Last add Kenneth is originally from Nigeria (and has a serious interest in education). So does any of the above remind you of anyone?
How about Cliff Notes version to aid your guess. Think athletic banger / leaper / shot blocker / intimidating at the rim / real center / Nigerian / known for rebounding and defense. Last hint .... who has the initials IA ?
During his visit the big sales pitch to Nwuba was ... you guessed it, education and comparisons to another super athletic Nigerian who showed enough in one year to become a draft pick. It was also explained how Kenneth could anchor the defense and trigger UCLA's quick strike offense.
Then since big men in the Bruin offense are allowed to roam and shoot away from the basket (i.e. Welsh and his deadly baseline shot), he wouldn't be a one trick pony for UCLA.
So why is Nwuba an important recruit ? After all he's only a 3 star, and doesn't have offers from some of the big name schools. Here are two very big reasons. Firstly he's an underrated foreign import. Just like Canadian Dillon Brooks whose only Pac 12 offer was Oregon, and his biggest other offers were Iowa State and Kansas State.
Secondly Alford and Co. really, really want Jordan Brown, who transferred to powerhouse prep program Prolific Prep (try saying that fast 3 times ... hehe). Jordan wants to develop an outside game for the NBA, and doesn't want to play center in college. The position he'd likely have to play for Cal.
Getting Nwuba to patrol the lane and be the enforcer is a dream for Brown. He can then play near home, while improving his stock at PF for NBA scouts. Both during the season and afterwards against Lebron and Co. in the new practice gym.
What are UCLA's odds to sign Kenneth? Most professional recruiting analysts think this is a three team race between the Bruins, Baylor, and Maryland. (With Georgetown trying hard to stay in the mix).
Educationally only Georgetown (if they're still in it) can compete with UCLA the highest level, but Maryland is at least solid on that front. However Baylor has some baggage in their athletic programs, and their name is damaged.
Basketball wise, a case could be made for any of the remaining schools. If the Bruin staff can play their cards right on selling the unique opportunity to play with the summer pros? That's a potential difference maker the other programs can't match.
Lastly we have the Nigerian question. Maryland or Georgetown both have a good reputation for international student programs, and again Baylor would seem behind the curve. UCLA's ability in recent years to connect with Nigerian students has been very, very impressive.
Nwuba is going to take at least two more visits (Baylor and Maryland), then will probably decide. So he could sign in November (that's not for sure). If no other school is able to vault into the top group? You've really got to like UCLA's chances here.
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