Akok's AAU Coach Chimes In

[BFieldHusky]

“He will be at UConn for the 2019-20 season,” promised Vin Pastore, who coached Akok on the Mass Rivals AAU team and spoke with him on Saturday.

“He had built a good relationship with Tom Moore and then with Dan Hurley over the last few months,” said Pastore, who also coached Adams with Mass Rivals. “He likes them and trusts them. Akok wants to be in the gym getting better and be ready for the 2019-20 season.”

Akok Akok commits to UConn

 

[scotty0330]

Vin was sitting behind bench against UMass Lowell. Staff continues to build a relationship with the best aau program in New England.

 

[UconnU]

Vin was sitting behind bench against UMass Lowell. Staff continues to build a relationship with the best aau program in New England.

You definitely want to be on Vin’s good side or else he may have you offed in some back alley behind his Italian resteraunt or worse he may cut you off from all the New England talent.

 

[djct1999]

You definitely want to be on Vin’s good side or else he may have you offed in some back alley behind his Italian resteraunt or worse he may cut you off from all the New England talent.

In Vin we trust.

 

[Walker11]

Vin was sitting behind bench against UMass Lowell. Staff continues to build a relationship with the best aau program in New England.

We are in amazing shape with our coaching staff and their connections through the region. If there was any issue I am sure Hurley squashed it already but I do wonder what Espinosa thought about Akok joining us early after not even telling him he was leaving. The PSA relationship is definitely mutually beneficial.

 

[djct1999]

Vin was sitting behind bench against UMass Lowell. Staff continues to build a relationship with the best aau program in New England.

That image the other night topped by a poster saying he saw Vin and Tom in the tunnel afterwards has e entrenched in my mind ever since. Me thinks the future is bright.

 

[UconnU]

We are in amazing shape with our coaching staff and their connections through the region. If there was any issue I am sure Hurley squashed it already but I do wonder what Espinosa thought about Akok joining us early after not even telling him he was leaving. The PSA relationship is definitely mutually beneficial.

I’m concerned about that as well. I hope Coach Hurley patched that up. We need a good relationship with PSA.

 

[Walker11]

I’m concerned about that as well. I hope Coach Hurley patched that up. We need a good relationship with PSA.

Considering that the best unsigned prospects from PSA are coming to the game against Arizona tomorrow, I think it's probably a complete non issue, but it is something I want to keep tabs on.

 

[tcf15]

I’m concerned about that as well. I hope Coach Hurley patched that up. We need a good relationship with PSA.

Things look to be okay for the moment with 3 PSA guys visiting tomorrow for the game (Langford, Reid and Diarra).

 

[BFieldHusky]

I'd rather have a good relationship with Mass Rivals than PSA.

 

[husky429]

I'd rather have a good relationship with Mass Rivals than PSA.

Does Langford play for psa too? I like his game

 

[Lynyrd]

Does Langford play for psa too? I like his game

Yes ... and you want Hassan Diarra

 

[Walker11]

Yes ... and you want Hassan Diarra

He seems like a really high level G5 recruit at this point. If he can shoot a little more consistently I would love for him to join the fold. I do think out 2020 schollies will be very precious.

 

[husky429]

Yes ... and you want Hassan Diarra

Hes not the player his brother is/was. Hell end up at a mid major

 

[Lynyrd]

Hes not the player his brother is/was. Hell end up at a mid major

Not quite sure you have right read here but we’ll agree to disagree

 

[husky429]

Not quite sure you have right read here but we’ll agree to disagree

Hes rated in the 200s. Not the most reliable evaluation, but it at least would suggest youre in the minority

 

[auror]

Considering that the best unsigned prospects from PSA are coming to the game against Arizona tomorrow, I think it's probably a complete non issue, but it is something I want to keep tabs on.

 

[Lynyrd]

Hes rated in the 200s. Not the most reliable evaluation, but it at least would suggest youre in the minority

Because JR year ratings are so accurate ... I’ll stick with my own judgment. Besides, you commented that Trey Hall was once a 5* ... Trey is a nice young man but anyone who’s ever seen him play never confused him with 5* talent.

 

[husky429]

Because JR year ratings are so accurate ... I’ll stick with my own judgment. Besides, you commented that Trey Hall was once a 5* ... Trey is a nice young man but anyone who’s ever seen him play never confused him with 5* talent.

Professional evaluators who saw Trey said he was... and rated him that highly. So you are completely wrong.

He didn't develop athletically compared to his peers and dropped. I could've told you when he was in 8th grade he would hit his peak early. Kid has no hops or mobility. He had a better handle and was taller than the entire CCC.

And junior year ratings are pretty darn good. The summer going into junior year is when the bulk of rising/falling happens--meaning the 2020s right now have pretty thorough evals done. There are not too many drastic changes going into senior year at all. Akok being one of the exceptions.

You're off base here, dude.

 

[Walker11]

Man I hate this wink emoji. We should retire it. But kudos to @Matrim55. I feel like the situation didn't play out as he was told but credit is due in the end.

 

[MDHuskFan]

2 ships left & I know focus is on PA & KC.... interesting watch will be Langford. He mentioned previously in an interview (unless I’m mistaken) a reclass to 2019 & a selling point of a package w/ him & Akok....(insiders with a smile face as a reply would definitely encourage my optimism)

 

[formerlurker]

You definitely want to be on Vin’s good side or else he may have you offed in some back alley behind his Italian resteraunt or worse he may cut you off from all the New England talent.

I'm Italian and very happy we can still joke about stereotypes here without worrying about backlash or being censored in some way.

 

[Chief00]

Vin was sitting behind bench against UMass Lowell. Staff continues to build a relationship with the best aau program in New England.

PC’s Brian Blaney had the IN with Mass Rivals the last couple years - good to see we are back even with PC having an open scholarship.

 

[Chief00]

I'd rather have a good relationship with Mass Rivals than PSA.

I agree. The PSA coach lost control
of his last two star players. Mass Rivals can help their players select prep schools.

 

[Lynyrd]

Professional evaluators who saw Trey said he was... and rated him that highly. So you are completely wrong.

He didn't develop athletically compared to his peers and dropped. I could've told you when he was in 8th grade he would hit his peak early. Kid has no hops or mobility. He had a better handle and was taller than the entire CCC.

And junior year ratings are pretty darn good. The summer going into junior year is when the bulk of rising/falling happens--meaning the 2020s right now have pretty thorough evals done. There are not too many drastic changes going into senior year at all. Akok being one of the exceptions.

You're off base here, dude.

Okay hotshot, I’m not here to argue and I do typically enjoy your take on things.

At the end of the day Hassan Diarra may indeed end up playing for a mid-major program but not because of lack of talent but moreso due to limited roster availability and lack of awareness of his skill set. Any coach worth his weight in salt wants a team of guys with his toughness and determination and I guarantee you Hurley is one of them.

BTW, if you can provide the names of the “professional evaluators” (preferably someone outside of the CBTBL) who felt TH was ever a 5* prospect it would be appreciated, I’d like to remove them from my reading list.