Alex Kline@TheRecruitScoop
UConn offered 2015 Showtime Ballers (FL) center Jean Marc Christ Koumadj tonight, his coach announced.
7'4" center.
From TwentyFourSeven:
"A raw prospect with mobility but in need of strength and skill improvement, Koumadje has only been playing basketball a couple years."
From City of Basketball Love: http://cityofbasketballlove.com/2014/07/reebok-breakout-classic-2015-recruiting-notebook-day-1/
Koumadje came into this event as a bit of an unknown, but his 7-3 frame quickly caught the eye of almost everyone in attendance.
Entering just his second year playing basketball after moving to the US from Senegal, he is still very raw offensively, but was able to convert a number of shots near the rim and ran the floor very well for someone his size. His strength is still on the defensive end, where he had 4 blocks and was consistently in the right position to alter shots.
He was hesitant to discuss offers, but according to VerbalCommits he has scholarship opportunities at UMass, UCLA, Pepperdine, and University of Washington, and his play tonight in front of UConn head coach Kevin Ollie just earned him an offer from the defending national champs.
Playing at national powerhouse Montverde Academy last season, Koumadje did not get much playing time on a team with five other Division I recruits in the frontcourt. However, he did not let that bother him and is looking forward to getting more opportunities in the upcoming season.
“Montverde is a good school. They have great coaches. I didn’t get playing time ‘cause I wasn’t ready,” he explained.
With his play at Philly U already having earned him one offer, Koumadje should continue to pick up high-major interest if he continues his strong play. Not that it’s something he is particularly worried about.
“I don’t have a lot of experience playing basketball. So I just want to play and have experience,” he said. “Just play, have my team win, and have fun.”
