Emmanuel Negedu
The Tennessee men’s basketball team will take its best shot at landing yet another top prospect in this year’s signing class over the next two weeks.
Emmanuel Negedu, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound power forward from Brewster (N.H.) Academy, said he’ll visit UT June 10.
“Tennessee plays the same game, I play,’’ Negedu said. “They are uptempo. And, they recruited me before I went to Arizona.’’
Negedu signed with the Wildcats in November, but asked for and received a release after Arizona had turnover on its coaching staff.
Negedu said he will also visit Indiana (Tuesday), Georgia Tech (June 8) and Memphis (June 12) before deciding on a school.
“I’m going to get it all done in a week,’’ Negedu said.
Negedu is rated 40th overall in the Class of 2008 by Rivals.com and is 13th among power forwards.
Not bad considering he didn’t start playing organized basketball until he was 15.
“I used to hate basketball; I was born playing soccer,’’ said Negedu, a native Nigerian. “I played for two years at my (Brewster) school. I played forward (in soccer); I won’t play any sport where I won’t try to score.’’
Negedu said the constant urging of friends convinced him to keep returning to the basketball court, and eventually, groom his skills and learn the rules.
“At first when I would rebound, I would not move,’’ Negedu said. “Because of traveling, I would just try to throw it to somebody nearby.’’
Negedu’s production and like for the sport grew as his knowledge of the game increased, and he was discovered at the NBA-sponsored “Basketball Without Borders’’ camp in Africa.
That led to a scholarship to Brewster Academy, which plays in one of the most talent-rich prep leagues in the nation.
Brewster coach Jason Smith said Negedu averaged 18 points, 12 rebounds and nearly four blocks per game in the New England Prep School League. Smith said teams in the league feature no fewer than five Division I signees apiece.
Negedu’s ability to run the floor and jump stands out, Smith said, as does his footwork – no doubt, a product of his soccer background.
Negedu said he wants to go to a basketball program where he can win a championship
“I don’t worry about starting; I just want to go and play my role,’’ Negedu said. “I want to win, so I won’t go to a place that loses just to play a lot of minutes.’’
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Comments » 59
Hunter writes:
“I don’t worry about starting; I just want to go and play my role,’’ Negedu said. “I want to win, so I won’t go to a place that loses just to play a lot of minutes.’’
I'm convinced. Throw everything we have at him to get him here. Sounds like an upgrade even from Duke Crews, who we will miss desperately without Negedu to fill in.
budrhon writes:
Pearl will need to close the deal on this kid before he heads to the Bluff City. By his comments of wantng to play on a Championship caliber team as oppose to getting a lot of PT should rule out Indiana as we all know what kind of season they will have this fall. The other 3 schools are probably deadlock with a slight edge to the Vols maybe due to the earlier recruitment. The key is his relationship with the asst coach at Memphis Josh Pastner and if he has any influence in the decision making for Emmanuel. Currently I believe the Vols are ranked #10 in recruiting nationally so far, if they pick up this kid it will surely bump them up a few notches.
http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/content...
Colliervol writes:
Hunter, I don't know if we miss Duke that much or not. Depends on Brian Williams' development. If he improves like I think he will, I think the post position is covered for a couple of years. For his lack of experience, I was pretty impressed with his play and expect him to be much better this year.
Personally, I think the rotation of Williams, Chism, Tyler Smith (rotating inside and out) and Jurick (in spots) will be pretty interesting next year. Between Williams, Chism, and Jurick that's over 750 lbs to throw at other teams' post players.
murrayvol writes:
This young man sounds coachable.
mempuss writes:
Come join the party in Knoxville.....We dont like to lose either!
golfballs03 writes:
Now that Antonio Anderson is coming back for Memphis, how does it affect their scholarship situation and Negedu's recruitment?
3StatesofTN writes:
Memphis still has two scholarships remaining. Eubanks presumably would have taken one had he opted for Memphis. Calipari has said that he would carry them over to next year. Pastner was the main reason that he signed with AZ and will be an influence, as will Negedu's desire to play for a championship caliber team immediately. They are definitely your biggest threat and it's a shame Pearl wasn't the last visit. I do wish you all the luck. He would make an instant impact at UT.
murrayvol writes:
golfballs: Not one iota. They'll find a way.
Smallmike4pres writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
ncvol writes:
Hope he picks UT..Go Vols!
ubershamu311 writes:
Um, Georgia Tech isn't winning anything anytime soon. Nor have they outside of one season under Hewitt.
Come to the land of orange my friend
VOLS85 writes:
TDTN,
can you not save your fulmer comments for the football articles at least? Your point accomplishes nothing, and this article has nothing to do with fulmer...get a life
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Dang, TT, 8:13 I've warned you about getting off accepted topics into no-man's land.
Go stand in the corner, no, not the one Dupree is already in!
Titan writes:
TDTN - give it a break - PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Silent_Fulmer writes:
No offense to the other schools but seriously, why play for Memphis? The competition in conf. usa reaks bigtime and the games are not on tv.
IU? please...and Pearl is a more fun and probably a better coach than Crean.
Georgia Tech? Who? Sorry, but they have gone the way of the dodo bird with their small gym and will be the UNC - Duke whipping boy forever.
Add to the fact if you play under coach Pearl he will be with you for a lifetime assisting you in whatever he can do to help your success.
Sorry, but this is a should be a shut case. Honestly, I feel bad for the guy if he goes to another school besides us.
We are the fUTure of college hoops with Pearl.
DandyVol writes:
SF- Good post. Couldn't agree with you more.
King53 writes:
come on down!!! join the big orange band wagon and help bring more success to the fastest rising college program in the country.
dirtdobber1 writes:
SF- good stuff...If he wants to play up-tempo- he doesnt need to play in Memphis...they play sum kind of 5th grade 4 passes befoe you shoot phooey!
CoverOrange writes:
If this guy signs with us should we send a "Thank You" card and a bouquet of flowers to Kevin O'Neill for ignoring him at Arizona?
dcvol63 writes:
If we get this guy, an athletic power forward, to go with all the other tools we have, the depth and the coaching.......we will definitly make a run next year!
Join a winning team Emmanuel!
MemphisTigersNo1 writes:
dirtdobber says "SF- good stuff...If he wants to play up-tempo- he doesnt need to play in Memphis...they play sum kind of 5th grade 4 passes befoe you shoot phooey!"
It's funny how you can insult the Tigers when your team got killed by Louisville, which got killed by North Carolina, which got killed by Kansas.
Even though I'm a tiger fan, I applaud Kansas for pulling a huge upset. It will only make the Tigers hungrier for a National Championship. Not only that, Kansas fans are classy.
Your comment was not classy. Your Vols fans should be shamed of you.
I really hope he chooses Memphis over UT because statistically in the last three years, the Tigers have a better chance of winning a National Championship than the UT Vols.
volwalk writes:
Come on down, Negedu. You will be joining the best thing going in college basketball.
GO VOLS!
Silent_Fulmer writes:
MemphisTigersNo1 - Salute your State Champs B*tch
TommyJack writes:
brownsvillevol: 95 Tage bebauen Fußball in Tennessee!!!!
VolGraduate writes:
pd huff and silent:
funny comments...keep em coming
Memphis blows
FUT writes:
Why would anyone destroy their professional chance and go to UT? You can't even get past the Sweet Sixteen. You were the champions in a weak SEC and got clocked by Louisville. I would say stick to Football but Florida is always in your way. Soon Alambama will be back too.
MemphisTigersNo1 writes:
Evans, Anderson, Taggart, Dozier, Kemp, Mack, Witherspoon, Robinson, Niles, Garcia, Simpkins.
That is a championship team next year. They will most likely beat the vols. Sorry if its going to upset you guys, but Emmanuel is going to Memphis.
MemphisTigersNo1 writes:
Not to mention that Memphis and CUSA are in China right now playing against an Olympian and NBA caliber team. What's Tennessee doing now?
volwalk writes:
Your right FUT--we couldn't get past the sweet 16 with Buzz Peterson's players. Now that Bruce has been around and bringing in his players; we will get past the sweet sixteen and continue to dominate the SEC.
Its a fairly decent place to play--20,000 plus crowds every night, lots of TV exposure,championship banners, great coaching and the best facilities.
MemphisTigersNo1 writes:
Sorry, you vols are not state champions. Vanderbilt is.
volwalk writes:
Thats great no.2
All those players you listed are not qualified and have yet to sign. I hope your team is doing well in China--(very impressed). Once they make it to Knoxville this fall; they will fall again and will have lost 8 out of 10 to the VOLS.
Raynoch writes:
Apparently one reason Emmanuel is leaning towards Memphis is his parents are moving to Bartlett. That way, he can live with them and drive from the burbs to college like every other Tiger High student.
State University-12, Kindercollege-7
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Time check, Ashley!
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Hey Tiger fans, how many of your incoming recruits have signed LOIs and passing test scores to get in to school? I just want to know. Can someone give me the current run down?
TommyJack writes:
Seriously folks. Why would any kid CHOOSE to go to Memphis State? I can understand some go because they can't gain admittance elsewhere. But that aside, why?
VOLS85 writes:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008...
Another headline article about the vols and chris lofton...
THE_VOL writes:
Pastner will not have the influence that many think he will with this kid. Remember, Josh already loved him and left him once.
Secondly, Negedu was quoted in a recent article as saying when he visited AZ how he found everybody so unhappy after being told what a great environment it was. Rest assured there will nothing but smiles around TBA on June 10.
Finally, I'm willing to bet that Negedu never visits MemP!$$. With what they're preparing for this kid, I say BP and company get a commitment while he's on campus on the 10th!
RJ_Vol writes:
Is FUT (12:33) just a mispronunciation for "foot" or is it a regional dialect thing? I don't understand.
THE_VOL writes:
Now a couple other things...Jurick needs to qualify before folks start writing him into line-ups.
Don't get too excited about this so-called Top 10 class until they actually deliver the goods. Remember we had a Top 5 a couple of years ago, only 2 of them are still here and only one of them really has shown any demonstrable improvement. Alot can happen in a short time with over-hyped 18-20 yr old egos.
And last, if Congress really wants to involve themselves in sports why don't they pass a bill that bans all forms of team rankings and recruiting ratings related to basketball. As not a single one of them mean anything don't they all represent a form of fraud?????
IBleedOrange444 writes:
THE_VOL-
Good insight. I hope you're right about Negedu as you usually are when it comes to UT basketball.
mempuss writes:
Memphis is trash!
CoverOrange writes:
To add to The_Vols comments, I read that Negedu found great team relations when being recruited when Olsen was the coach. He noticed that it had turned sour after he signed and when O'Neill was leading the team. In fact, on one official visit, he sat in his room ignored the entire trip.
Can't say how much he attributes to Pasten, but sounds like a Kevin O'Neill uckfup.
FUT writes:
You UT guys don't know sh*T. Vanderbilt is the State Champions.
Take your thugs and go back to your outhouses.
Raynoch writes:
What do you mean by "State Champions", Foot?
mempuss writes:
FVU- You too are officially a dumb@ss!
auttat writes:
How exactly does FUT come up with Vanderbilt being the state champions?
BTW, if you take the first letter of his name and add the letters kcu in no particular order and then add back UT you should be able to catch his motivation
missrvrvol writes:
marc ash.
I am a UT fan living in Memphis. Do you not care what I think. Last time i drove down Union Ave. UT Medical School was there. Just wondering? Go Vols!
IBleedOrange444 writes:
FUT-
Academically yes, athletically no way in h3ll. How do you justify that statement? Surely it doesn't have anything to do with the 20pt loss in K-Town or the loss to Siena in the 1st round of the tourney!?! Are they just the "state champions" b/c you say so? Obviously, you weren't educated at Vandy or you would know a little more about subject verb agreement. If Vandy "is" anything (which they are not) it would be state champion. If you want to declare THEM state championS, then you must say they "are" (but they still aren't poop).
Mr_Man52 writes:
Volwalk-all of the banners hanging in your big barn are from the Lady Vols-your team can't even get past the sweet 16. Not an opinion, a fact. All of you orangeheads would love to have the basketball program that Memphis has. marc_ash-you obviously MUST care about Memphis fans comments, or you would not have responded to them. Get past the sweet 16 and then you can talk to the BIGBOYS.
Mr_Man52 writes:
Oh yeah, FUT-who are you calling thugs? Looked at UT's program lately?
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