First day of action at the two-day Summer Classic East, with all five courts at Competitive Edge in King of Prussia hosting a mix of 15U, 16U and 17U teams in the opening rounds. Here’s a notebook of (mostly) 2014s, including a number of kids from outside the CoBL coverage range with offers to a certain Big 5 school on City Avenue:
Paschal Chukwu (2014/Fairfield Prep/Connecticut Basketball Club)
A true 7-footer with a 92-inch wingspan, Chukwu is perhaps not too surprisingly a force to be reckoned with on the defensive end of the floor. And it’s something he clearly takes pride in.
7-footer Paschal Chukwu is a defensive force in the paint. (Photo: Mark Jordan)
“I think mostly importantly, I defended well today,” he said after CBC’s opening-round win over Team Philly. “Misdirecting shots, blocking shots, but I still have to improve my offense. That’s something I will continue to work on, to be a better player offensively.”
Chukwu named Providence, George Mason, UConn, St. John’s, St. Joe’s as offers, saying those were the schools in touch the most though he knew there were others. The Nigeria native has been to St. Joe’s campus a “couple of times,” and seemed to like Phil Martelli.
“I’ve met the coaching staff and I think (Martelli’s) a good coach and…a good guy,” he said. “That’s what I’m looking for in a school, a good coach that will develop me as a player and as a better person.”
“@jmverlin: Updates on @pauliejorgs, @thealecbrennan, Paschal Chukwu, @_cjkeyser22, @thedutchKroon + more from last night:
http://cityofbasketballlove.com/2013/07/summer-classic-east-day-1-notebook/”