Christopher Obekpa - PF - Our Savior New American - Centereach, NY - ST. JOHN'S

2012 forward Christopher Obekpa of Our Savior New American (NY) has St Johns, Florida, Washington, Vanderbilt, Kentucky & West Virginia.

http://twitter.com/TheRecruitScoop/status/54257874242772992

Chris Obekpa '12 hearing from Texas, Providence, Maryland, St John´s, Cincinnati, Seton Hall, Vandy, Washington, WVU, FSU, Miami & G-Tech.

http://twitter.com/TheRecruitScoop/status/91248574083497984

Evan Daniels at Scout is reporting the kids got an offer from St. Johns...also Cincy and WV....

No doubt offer pending decision of Ricardo Gathers who is 1A on the PF list...

KETTERING — There’s a big difference between Christopher Obekpa and most others who have participated in the Good Samaritan Hospital Flyin’ to the Hoop.

And it has nothing to do with him being 6 feet, 9 inches and having already been enticed by college basketball powers Kentucky, Louisville and North Carolina.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/dayton-sports/high-school-sports/nigerian-youth-keeps-focused-on-his-future-and-his-family-1056433.html

Nigerian living in New York and a teammate of Jevon's.  Lavin should have a sit down with him, Jevon, Dele Coker, and GG!!!  Gotta like our odds if Lav wants him bad enough.

BTW...kid looks superbly athletic and not as stiff as most Africans his size.

Nigerian living in New York and a teammate of Jevon's.  Lavin should have a sit down with him, Jevon, Dele Coker, and GG!!!  Gotta like our odds if Lav wants him bad enough.

BTW...kid looks superbly athletic and not as stiff as most Africans his size.

but should we not wait on gathers and anderson. I think lavin could pick up someone like this late in the game. I trust lavin and I think hell end up with Ricardo and KA

Quote from: Marillac on July 15, 2011, 10:24:08 PM

Nigerian living in New York and a teammate of Jevon's.  Lavin should have a sit down with him, Jevon, Dele Coker, and GG!!!  Gotta like our odds if Lav wants him bad enough.

BTW...kid looks superbly athletic and not as stiff as most Africans his size.

but should we not wait on gathers and anderson. I think lavin could pick up someone like this late in the game. I trust lavin and I think hell end up with Ricardo and KA

I have full faith in Lavin.  My preference is for Gathers, but this kid probably has a much higher ceiling. 

Think we should be recruiting this kid heavily. If someone leaves he can be our 4th 2012 recruit.

Per ESPN Recruiting (Dave Telep).... 

Shot-blockers

ESPNU 60 C Nerlens Noel (Boston/Tilton) and his ability to erase shots, but a sleeper shot-blocker to watch is Isaiah Miles (Ellicott City, Md./Glenelg Country). He actually blocked only 16 shots, but his Baltimore Elite team played at one of the slowest paces in the league and presented Miles an extraordinarily low number of shots to be blocked. Miles isn't a fear-inducing shot-swatter -- just the best of a large group of good ones. Three other names to keep an eye on are 2012 uber-athlete Chris Obekpa (Centereach, N.Y./Our Savior), 2012 fringe Top 100 forward Mike Tobey (Hotchkiss, Conn./Hotchkiss School) and 2013 post Jimmie Taylor (Greensboro, Ala./Greensboro), who just missed the ESPNU 60.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/6772308/chris-obekpa-derrick-randolph-sleepers-nike-eybl

MJ, what is your suggested recruitment strategy for this talented player?

MJ, what is your suggested recruitment strategy for this talented player?

Have never seen him play, but he seems to be getting recognition of late.  Our staff is looking at 'em, along with some other solid programs, so it seems he must have a pretty good upside.  Not to mention, Dave Telep--one of the best in the biz--has also taken notice.

Considering, we're dealing with only a couple of scholarships, and those seem to be allotted for the (very) possible commitments of Anderson and Gathers then I'll take a pass on Obekpa.  You just can't take a risk on losing either one of those talented kids.  IMO, kids who could be the final pieces to push your team to a Final Four/National championship.

In the event (hopefully, that isn't the case), we don't land one of the two then Obekpa could be rather intriguing.  I still believe the staff will look at other options before seriously pulling the string on Obekpa. 

Quote from: Gumby on July 17, 2011, 11:09:38 PM

MJ, what is your suggested recruitment strategy for this talented player?

Have never seen him play, but he seems to be getting recognition of late.  Our staff is looking at 'em, along with some other solid programs, so it seems he must have a pretty good upside.  Not to mention, Dave Telep--one of the best in the biz--has also taken notice.

Considering, we're dealing with only a couple of scholarships, and those seem to be allotted for the (very) possible commitments of Anderson and Gathers then I'll take a pass on Obekpa.  You just can't take a risk on losing either one of those talented kids.  IMO, kids who could be the final pieces to push your team to a Final Four/National championship.

In the event (hopefully, that isn't the case), we don't land one of the two then Obekpa could be rather intriguing.  I still believe the staff will look at other options before seriously pulling the string on Obekpa. 

Well put.  My preference is for Gathers simply because we will be ready to do serious damage in 2012-2013 and Gathers will make an immediate impact with his body and his higher degree of skill.  Obekpa may eventually surpass Gathers, but we need a big that can go from day one.  We also need a bruiser more than anything else up front.  Kid looks insanely athletic, but so is Sampson.

Per ESPN Recruiting....

• Christopher Obekpa (Centereach, N.Y./Our Savior) held a block party on Saturday. When it comes to positioning in the lane and going after shot blocks, Obekpa has a plan.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/6797602/adidas-super-64-las-vegas-fab-48-day-2-recap

Per Eric Bossi (Rivals)....

New Heights big Chris Obekpa is not having it on defense. You shoot near the rim he's putting it right back in your face.

http://twitter.com/#!/ebosshoops/status/95628357097619457

Per ESPN Recruiting....

Breakout players

Christopher Obekpa
(Centereach, N.Y./Our Savior New American)
2012, PF, 6-8, 210 pounds
Obekpa was a menace against Dream Vision throughout the contest due to his length and bounce. The long-armed 4-man had a number of spectacular blocks because of his quickness and timing. He grabbed a number of rebounds in traffic and was a factor at both ends of the floor for much of the game. His offense is still in its infantile stage, but he does have the ability to hover around the rim for put-backs and dunks.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/6802720/marcus-smart-highlights-las-vegas-tournaments-day-4

Per Alex Kline....

Memphis, Providence & Cincinnati have offered Chris Obekpa, a 2012 PF from New York, per his coach.

http://twitter.com/#!/TheRecruitScoop/status/96265958699704320

Per Dave Telep (ESPN Recruiting)....

Jordan Bell (Long Beach, Calif./Poly) and Christopher Obekpa (Centereach, N.Y./Our Savior) have proven they are elite shot-blockers.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/6808123/what-learned-las-vegas