ORIAKHI & COOMBS IMPROVING AT TILTON
September 19, 2008
It seems that Alex Oriakhi and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel have been part of the UConn program forever, yet, they are still 14 months away from even being eligible to step on the floor for a game in a Connecticut uniform.
Prior to their sophomore seasons in high school, two years ago, the BABC AAU duo made verbal commitments to the Connecticut program and coach Jim Calhoun, the earliest commitments accepted by the Hall of Fame coach.
Now, after teamming up on the AAU circuit for another impressive summer, the pair is back at the Tilton School in New Hampshire working at improving their game in hopes of repeating as the NEPSAC Class B champions for coach Marcus O'Neal.
"Jamal has returned to Tilton School and is working hard in the weight room," Coach O'Neil stated, noting that Coombs-McDaniel now stands at 6-foot-7 and currently weighs 210 pounds. "He continues to tighten up his handle and long range shooting."
Coombs-McDaniel ended last season on a high note with an MVP perfoprmance in the NEPSAC Class B championship game, registering 28 points and 16 rebounds in the finale. He continues to impress his current prep coach with the improvements on and off the court.
Read More on Oriakhi and Coombs-McDaniel...Click Below!
"His ability to get to the rim and finish with either hand has improved, Coach O'Neil notes. "He is providing great senior leadership, waking his teammates up at 6 am several mornings a week to run hills."
Jamal's ability to be a two-way player will help him contribute early at the next level. His tenacious play and desire to win should fit very well with his future coach, a Hall of Famer in Jim Calhoun, who demonstrates similar traits on the sidelines, either in a game or at practice.
"Jamal is a tenacious competitor who finds a way to help a team win on both ends of the court," O'Neil says. "He rebounds, defends, scores and brings consistently high energy. I expect that his versatility, work ethic and competitiveness will impress the coaches at UConn. Jamal will do anything to get on the court and contribute."
In the Tilton post resides the intimidating presence of 6-foot-9, 230 pound Alex Oriakhi. Those who have seen Oriakhi know he already looks ready for college basketball. We have news for you...he is still working on getting stronger and more physical.
"Alex continues to work on his already impressive physique in the weight room and has been relentless with agility work," his coach notes. "For a guy his size and age, he is moving extremely well and is not satisfied where he is."
Oriakhi shows his will to improve by expanding his game away from the hoop. Proof positive he is not satisfied where he is.
"He gets into the gym and works on his overall skill, including his shooting range which extends to 20 feet." Coach O'Neil continued that "(Oriakhi) has become more vocal and is embracing his role as a leader on the Tilton team. He has been very consistent with his effort and is improving in transition."
The Huskies will be losing Jeff Adrien to graduation and, most likely, Hasheem Thabeet to the NBA after this coming season. Coach O'Neil has no reservations that his current big man will be ready to fill those large shoes early in his UConn career.
"With an expected void in UConn's frontcourt, Alex will be determined to battle for a substantial role on the team," says Coach O'Neil. "It is very difficult to find players with his athleticism, skill and size. He should be able to help in some capacity, immediately."
For more on the Tilton program, including another teammate that the Connecticut staff is very interested in, be sure to visit the NBE Basketball Report.
It seems that Alex Oriakhi and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel have been part of the UConn program forever, yet, they are still 14 months away from even being eligible to step on the floor for a game in a Connecticut uniform.
Prior to their sophomore seasons in high school, two years ago, the BABC AAU duo made verbal commitments to the Connecticut program and coach Jim Calhoun, the earliest commitments accepted by the Hall of Fame coach.
Now, after teamming up on the AAU circuit for another impressive summer, the pair is back at the Tilton School in New Hampshire working at improving their game in hopes of repeating as the NEPSAC Class B champions for coach Marcus O'Neal.
"Jamal has returned to Tilton School and is working hard in the weight room," Coach O'Neil stated, noting that Coombs-McDaniel now stands at 6-foot-7 and currently weighs 210 pounds. "He continues to tighten up his handle and long range shooting."
Coombs-McDaniel ended last season on a high note with an MVP perfoprmance in the NEPSAC Class B championship game, registering 28 points and 16 rebounds in the finale. He continues to impress his current prep coach with the improvements on and off the court.
Read More on Oriakhi and Coombs-McDaniel...Click Below!
"His ability to get to the rim and finish with either hand has improved, Coach O'Neil notes. "He is providing great senior leadership, waking his teammates up at 6 am several mornings a week to run hills."
Jamal's ability to be a two-way player will help him contribute early at the next level. His tenacious play and desire to win should fit very well with his future coach, a Hall of Famer in Jim Calhoun, who demonstrates similar traits on the sidelines, either in a game or at practice.
"Jamal is a tenacious competitor who finds a way to help a team win on both ends of the court," O'Neil says. "He rebounds, defends, scores and brings consistently high energy. I expect that his versatility, work ethic and competitiveness will impress the coaches at UConn. Jamal will do anything to get on the court and contribute."
In the Tilton post resides the intimidating presence of 6-foot-9, 230 pound Alex Oriakhi. Those who have seen Oriakhi know he already looks ready for college basketball. We have news for you...he is still working on getting stronger and more physical.
"Alex continues to work on his already impressive physique in the weight room and has been relentless with agility work," his coach notes. "For a guy his size and age, he is moving extremely well and is not satisfied where he is."
Oriakhi shows his will to improve by expanding his game away from the hoop. Proof positive he is not satisfied where he is.
"He gets into the gym and works on his overall skill, including his shooting range which extends to 20 feet." Coach O'Neil continued that "(Oriakhi) has become more vocal and is embracing his role as a leader on the Tilton team. He has been very consistent with his effort and is improving in transition."
The Huskies will be losing Jeff Adrien to graduation and, most likely, Hasheem Thabeet to the NBA after this coming season. Coach O'Neil has no reservations that his current big man will be ready to fill those large shoes early in his UConn career.
"With an expected void in UConn's frontcourt, Alex will be determined to battle for a substantial role on the team," says Coach O'Neil. "It is very difficult to find players with his athleticism, skill and size. He should be able to help in some capacity, immediately."
For more on the Tilton program, including another teammate that the Connecticut staff is very interested in, be sure to visit the NBE Basketball Report.
Labels: Connecticut Recruiting
posted by NBE Blogger @ 3:50 PM
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