Precious Achiuwa

[6xChamps]

Here's what I asked him:

How'd Precious Achiuwa look at Pangos? What are you hearing on his recruitment? Can you expand at all on the reasoning for your UConn crystal ball pick?

Here's what he said:

He didn't look that good. Skill level and processing of the game just not progressing like hope for. Athletic of course, but didn't look overwhelmingly athletic. Didn't look like a 5-star at Pangos.

Hearing that UConn is definitely the team to beat in his recruitment.

He was the second leading scorer on his team in the “cream of the crop game” and shot over 50%. So at least stat wise in this game he did pretty well.
http://m.fullctpress.net/f/Top_30_Cream_of_the_Crop_PDF.pdf

 

[Mokum]

I don’t know how I feel about this. On one hand we are the front runner for a 5 Star. On the other hand it doesn’t seem like he’s as good as advertised

Everybody has a bad day now and then. He must have done something along the way to get those 5 stars. Maybe solid coaching is what he needs at this point.

 

[Waquoit]

Ollie didn't have a good track record with guys falling in the rankings. Let's hope Hurley is better in that regard.

Just remember what all those mutual fund ads say, "Past performance is no guarantee of future results."

 

[jcp33]

Despite Jerry’s comments I still want this kid in a UConn Uniform, bad. From what I’ve seen from him he looks like he can be a beast for us

 

[gtcam]

Just remember what all those mutual fund ads say, "Past performance is no guarantee of future results."

Interesting
Does that apply to everyone in every situation?
Just wondering

 

[andy34]

Kinda like Ajou Ajou Deng and Luol Deng? Haha ... one can only hope

Semi-related but Luol Deng signed a 4 year $72 million deal with the Lakers.... less than 2 years ago. An all time cash grab.

 

[dennismenace]

I think I worry because of his brother that went to St. Johns. If I remember correctly he was a top recruit and was a big bust.

We have better coaching.

 

[UconnU]

Here's what I asked him:

How'd Precious Achiuwa look at Pangos? What are you hearing on his recruitment? Can you expand at all on the reasoning for your UConn crystal ball pick?

Here's what he said:

He didn't look that good. Skill level and processing of the game just not progressing like hope for. Athletic of course, but didn't look overwhelmingly athletic. Didn't look like a 5-star at Pangos.

Hearing that UConn is definitely the team to beat in his recruitment.

The fact that he's only played 4-5 years of competitive basketball and that he'll be a 2-4 year player is what makes him interesting.

 

[husky429]

The fact that he's only played 4-5 years of competitive basketball and that he'll be a 2-4 year player is what makes him interesting.

If he's playing more than 1-2 years of college basketball, his college coach (hopefully Hurley!) has failed him. That would be a big knock on our recruiting and would negatively impact us in the future. The one 1-and-done material we get in the past 5 years doesn't go to the league as soon as Kentucky boys? Why go to UConn then?

Yes, Kentucky can hide a kids' faults and makes it easier to get drafted because they won't get exposed to much, but Precious and other 5* players are, and should, be thinking "who will get me to the NBA asap?" We need to make that answer UConn.

That being said, I think Precious goes 1 and done. Lacks some IQ, but he's a super athlete. Coming in at like 6'9-6'10 and 200+ right now. The old weights are wrong--Draftexpress had him at 206 in May 2017. Haven't asked him, but I'd guess 200 now. Oddly specific to call him 206, but doesn't look like it yet. He got a lot stronger. He's that ultra-switchable perfect 3/4 combo that can guard 3 positions (at least) that's so valuable in the NBA right now. Learn to shoot the 3, dunk, and defend like a lunatic and he'll have a career.

 

[pj]

If he's playing more than 1-2 years of college basketball, his college coach (hopefully Hurley!) has failed him. That would be a big knock on our recruiting and would negatively impact us in the future. The one 1-and-done material we get in the past 5 years doesn't go to the league as soon as Kentucky boys? Why go to UConn then?

Yes, Kentucky can hide a kids' faults and makes it easier to get drafted because they won't get exposed to much, but Precious and other 5* players are, and should, be thinking "who will get me to the NBA asap?" We need to make that answer UConn.

That being said, I think Precious goes 1 and done. Lacks some IQ, but he's a super athlete. Coming in at like 6'9-6'10 and 200+ right now. The old weights are wrong--Draftexpress had him at 206 in May 2017. Haven't asked him, but I'd guess 200 now. Oddly specific to call him 206, but doesn't look like it yet. He got a lot stronger. He's that ultra-switchable perfect 3/4 combo that can guard 3 positions (at least) that's so valuable in the NBA right now. Learn to shoot the 3, dunk, and defend like a lunatic and he'll have a career.

You're overthinking. The key is to get to the NBA and make money. Taking 2-3 years is no problem, especially for a kid with little basketball experience and raw athleticism. Was Ray Allen a failure because he took 3 years in college? Was Kentucky a success because the Harrison twins spent 2 years in college and one went undrafted and the other #44? Because Hamidou Diallo will go undrafted or late in the second round after 2 years?

If our coaching staff is the best staff for him -- and they are good at teaching fundamental basketball which he needs -- then why shouldn't he come?

I also think you're silly to think Kentucky helps kids by hiding their faults. NBA scouts are not so stupid.

The reality is, no one knows for sure how long it will take Precious to reach the NBA. What our coaches can say is that the key is to progress his game as rapidly as possible, so that he fulfills his potential and not only reaches the NBA as soon as possible, but reaches his highest NBA potential; and that they have a plan for that, a plan that will work more effectively than what other schools can give him. Then, after every season, they'll go through a process of consulting with NBA scouts, and at some point testing the NBA draft process to get formal feedback, so that he knows where he stands and can leave at the right time. And they'll support his progress at every step and will help him be drafted as high as possible when the time comes.

 

[UofCT]

You're overthinking. The key is to get to the NBA and make money. Taking 2-3 years is no problem, especially for a kid with little basketball experience and raw athleticism. Was Ray Allen a failure because he took 3 years in college? Was Kentucky a success because the Harrison twins spent 2 years in college and one went undrafted and the other #44? Because Hamidou Diallo will go undrafted or late in the second round after 2 years?

If our coaching staff is the best staff for him -- and they are good at teaching fundamental basketball which he needs -- then why shouldn't he come?

I also think you're silly to think Kentucky helps kids by hiding their faults. NBA scouts are not so stupid.

Archie Goodwin
Terrence Jones
Deandre Liggins
Derek Willis

 

[husky429]

You're overthinking. The key is to get to the NBA and make money. Taking 2-3 years is no problem, especially for a kid with little basketball experience and raw athleticism. Was Ray Allen a failure because he took 3 years in college? Was Kentucky a success because the Harrison twins spent 2 years in college and one went undrafted and the other #44? Because Hamidou Diallo will go undrafted or late in the second round after 2 years?

If our coaching staff is the best staff for him -- and they are good at teaching fundamental basketball which he needs -- then why shouldn't he come?

I also think you're silly to think Kentucky helps kids by hiding their faults. NBA scouts are not so stupid.

The reality is, no one knows for sure how long it will take Precious to reach the NBA. What our coaches can say is that the key is to progress his game as rapidly as possible, so that he fulfills his potential and not only reaches the NBA as soon as possible, but reaches his highest NBA potential; and that they have a plan for that, a plan that will work more effectively than what other schools can give him. Then, after every season, they'll go through a process of consulting with NBA scouts, and at some point testing the NBA draft process to get formal feedback, so that he knows where he stands and can leave at the right time. And they'll support his progress at every step and will help him be drafted as high as possible when the time comes.

Ray Allen was from a different time. Kids want to be one and done. Ray would have been a one and done if he were born now, especially with his shooting ability. Same with Caron, Rudy, Rip, etc. That is a projection, but I can't imagine UConn fan would disagree. I can't read Precious's mind, but it would be hard to believe he doesn't want to be one and done.

Maybe Hurley doesn't want to be a 1 and done type school. I would agree with that approach, but if he DOES want that type of talent, you've got to get them to the league ASAP.

YES Kentucky was a failure for what they did with the twins. Their recruiting has taken a hit because of it and other recent failures, though admittedly it's a small one.

I encourage you to look at the last few drafts, and projections for this year. If you're not a freshman going one and done, you're likely hurting your earning potential over your first few years in the league. Kids and their parents are aware of this and want to be one and done desperately. The NBA is a league with thrives on youth.

 

[gtcam]

If he's playing more than 1-2 years of college basketball, his college coach (hopefully Hurley!) has failed him. That would be a big knock on our recruiting and would negatively impact us in the future. The one 1-and-done material we get in the past 5 years doesn't go to the league as soon as Kentucky boys? Why go to UConn then?

Yes, Kentucky can hide a kids' faults and makes it easier to get drafted because they won't get exposed to much, but Precious and other 5* players are, and should, be thinking "who will get me to the NBA asap?" We need to make that answer UConn.

That being said, I think Precious goes 1 and done. Lacks some IQ, but he's a super athlete. Coming in at like 6'9-6'10 and 200+ right now. The old weights are wrong--Draftexpress had him at 206 in May 2017. Haven't asked him, but I'd guess 200 now. Oddly specific to call him 206, but doesn't look like it yet. He got a lot stronger. He's that ultra-switchable perfect 3/4 combo that can guard 3 positions (at least) that's so valuable in the NBA right now. Learn to shoot the 3, dunk, and defend like a lunatic and he'll have a career.

I agree with most of what is said here BUT.....
UConn has no track record of one and done, except AD
Hurley has zero experience in this area
Being in the AAC and not a P5 - the chances of one and done are remote - at best
If you are going to play just one year - 99.99% of the kids will go where they get the most exposure, best facilities and where they spend the most money
That's just the way it is.

 

[husky429]

I agree with most of what is said here BUT.....
UConn has no track record of one and done, except AD
Hurley has zero experience in this area
Being in the AAC and not a P5 - the chances of one and done are remote - at best
If you are going to play just one year - 99.99% of the kids will go where they get the most exposure, best facilities and where they spend the most money
That's just the way it is.

Agreed on all points. I'm not sure if I'd enjoy being that one and done school.

Once in a while, especially to start pipelines (a la St. Benedict's with Precious) would be a good thing. I'd like as much exposure as possible while retaining solid 4 star and lower 5 star players in an ideal world. Thinking 'Nova more than anything here.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Agreed on all points. I'm not sure if I'd enjoy being that one and done school.

Once in a while, especially to start pipelines (a la St. Benedict's with Precious) would be a good thing. I'd like as much exposure as possible while retaining solid 4 star and lower 5 star players in an ideal world. Thinking 'Nova more than anything here.

Hurley needs his own NBA guys. Kemba and Drummond are carrying us, and they were drafted years ago.

 

[Ricker]

Another pick for us a couple hours ago.

 

[LStudfellow]

Precious Achiuwa SF / 6-7 / 175 0.9977 6/13/18 4:32PM UCONN Chris Fisher Recruiting Insider


And another Crystal Ball on 247Sports for the Good guys, and for what it is worth Chris Fisher seems to have a strong record of picks (20 of 22 this year), and certainly shows no bias towards us (he writes for the University of Kentucky online magazine CatsPause.com).

So what does it mean? Only that word has gotten around to a bunch of circles (as this is now our 6th Crystal Ball pick out of 8) that we and Mr. Achiuwa have a strong mutual interest in one another. Now we need this momentum to lead to an actual commitment sooner rather than later.

 

[Huskyforlife]

That makes it 6/7 overall and the only pick against us is from Febuary of 2017. Huge.

 

[tcf15]

Again, FWIW, Chris Fisher is at the NBA Top 100 Camp where Precious Achiuwa is currently playing. So this is similar to the Meyer CB pick in that Fisher must be hearing some good things for UConn at the camp.

And here's what Fisher said about Achiuwa on the 247 boards:

Precious Achiuwa is a flat-out monster. Not sure why every school in the country isn't all over this kid.

 

[YoungFree]

This would be amazing. I was concerned that we were trending down with Akok and Cockburn but this is amazing.

Can you imagine signing Achiuwa, Tyrese Samuel (if the increased hype is for real), James Bouknight, and Jaiden Delaire? That would be a legit recrutiting class.

 

[Bonk]

My fear is that one trusted person made a guess about Achiuwa and others followed

 

[Danzz]

My fear is that one trusted person made a guess about Achiuwa and others followed

Hope that is not the case but have to believe it happens a lot.

 

[UconnU]

My fear is that one trusted person made a guess about Achiuwa and others followed

Hearing we're in good shape, going to be in it until the end, probably the favorites at this point. Hurley and Taylor are really close.

 

[I Bleed Blue]

Again, FWIW, Chris Fisher is at the NBA Top 100 Camp where Precious Achiuwa is currently playing. So this is similar to the Meyer CB pick in that Fisher must be hearing some good things for UConn at the camp.

And here's what Fisher said about Achiuwa on the 247 boards:

Precious Achiuwa is a flat-out monster. Not sure why every school in the country isn't all over this kid.

They probably feel like it’s a waste of time cause Hurley is all over him

 

[tcf15]