Years ago, Blair was among the finest boarding schools in the country (my nephew went there) and had an impeccable reputation. Not so much today. While their academics are still highly regarded, they've been widely maligned for recruiting kids like crazy for their athletic programs, particularly the wrestling team- they've been National Prep champs for literally decades and are considered THE preeminent program in the nation. Amazing how they can do that with a student body of less than 500 kids total, in grades 9-12. Recruiting enables them to crush all competition, public and private (particularly publics that must play by the no-recruit rules).
For the past several years, their girls basketball program has been following the same paradigm as their wrestling program, recruiting top kids from all over, and that's enabled them to be among the best teams in New Jersey. Considering tuition, room & board runs an insane $50,000 plus per year, I'd guess Aiyeotan is getting one helluva freebie. And for just one year- that sure sounds like a hired gun to me.
The unethical recruiting that goes on in New Jersey is rampant and goes unchecked by the NJSIAA (the impotent organization that governs high school athletics in NJ). Parochial and private schools completely dominate in football and basketball, because they literally steal the very best athletes from the public schools with promises of a free ride, a better quality education, and the opportunity to play on championship teams every year. It all kinda smells.
With the epidemic of WCBB transfers seen this year, Aiyeotan's move shouldn't be seen as much of a shock but rather just one more precursor of what's going on in college bball today.
