2013 F/C Akoy Agau (Louisville Verbal Commit)

[section221jay]

If there is one thing that Doug's selection as a first team AP all American teaches us, it is that you will still get plenty of national recognition if you go to Creighton.

If he has always wanted to go to UConn, so be it (although I do legitimately wonder how much longer Calhoun will be the HC there). However, if he thinks he needs to go to a BCS program to get national recognition, he's truly mistaken.

Maybe it's not for the recognition but the opportunity to play against the best. And you can't deny that if that's a motivation that he's right. There's a certain reality for Creighton and that is that it is in a "mid major" conference. A good one but still it is what it is. If a kid can a) garner a Big East/Big 10 scholarship and b) wants to play against that kind of competition then you can't really hold it against him.

Personally, I think he'll struggle big time in that kind of conference for a couple years. Hopefully, if he goes that route, he's got a strong will because it will be tested.

[AttyAlum]

Picked up an offer from Georgetown today

[cu8493]

Jaybird, the door to the room is in the basement of Gallagher

[TBC Alum]

Jaybird, the door to the room is in the basement of Gallagher

I'm still trying to figure out the code for the room in the basement of Kiewit

[cujaysfan]

you don't need the code - just get the key from Jerry the janitor - price - one can of beer.

[hilltopalum]

Akoy's coveted UCONN offer just arrived. Good Luck Tim Miles.

[Chicagojayfan]

While there is no doubt Agau has a lot of physical talent, I still think the guy is a PF in a SF body for the moment and a guy who needs to add a lot of offensive polish to play either PF or SF extensively in the big east. If he does that, look out, but it could also mean he's a defensive specialist in the rotation for much of his career.

For him the nice thing about the Valley is that he would have time to develop those skills (and presumably a guy like McDemott to teach him post and forward skills), whereas at a Big East School I just don't know that he'll get the reps to become that kind of player.

For instance, at Georgetown compare him to Otto Porter, their likely SF for at least the next 2 years and for 3 years if he doesn't go pro. Agau is stronger and more physical than Porter, but is also shorter and extremely less skilled. He's not a SF on that team, and in the big east, it's not easy being a 6-7 PF either. He will face similar issues at any other higher ranked Big East School.

At Nebraska, he'd be a 6-7 PF in a conference full of 6-10 bangers who could neutralize his strengths and he might be asked too quickly to be a SF, but with Pettaway, he'd might have a niche where he could develop behind him as a SF..

So maybe UCONN is his dream offer and maybe he goes there, I think this is one of those situations where you don't stop recruiting and if you lose, you lose graciously -- in a year or two, he may find that the grass wasn't greener.

[LJay]

Off the recent topic of "where will he go" but a recent article said he was injured in a recent AAU tournament and the column writer didn't know the extent of the injury. I wonder if anyone is privy to further information.

[gtmoBlue]

While there is no doubt Agau has a lot of physical talent, I still think the guy is a PF in a SF body for the moment and a guy who needs to add a lot of offensive polish to play either PF or SF extensively in the big east. If he does that, look out, but it could also mean he's a defensive specialist in the rotation for much of his career.

For him the nice thing about the Valley is that he would have time to develop those skills (and presumably a guy like McDemott to teach him post and forward skills), whereas at a Big East School I just don't know that he'll get the reps to become that kind of player.

For instance, at Georgetown compare him to Otto Porter, their likely SF for at least the next 2 years and for 3 years if he doesn't go pro. Agau is stronger and more physical than Porter, but is also shorter and extremely less skilled. He's not a SF on that team, and in the big east, it's not easy being a 6-7 PF either. He will face similar issues at any other higher ranked Big East School.

At Nebraska, he'd be a 6-7 PF in a conference full of 6-10 bangers who could neutralize his strengths and he might be asked too quickly to be a SF, but with Pettaway, he'd might have a niche where he could develop behind him as a SF..

So maybe UCONN is his dream offer and maybe he goes there, I think this is one of those situations where you don't stop recruiting and if you lose, you lose graciously -- in a year or two, he may find that the grass wasn't greener.

Nice points...presupposing of course, that Porter stays in college (G'twn) and that Agau doesn't improve his skill set or continue to grow his senior season in HS. His best opportunity may be at a depleted UConn squad. "Polish"?, to play in the BE...Ohhh, like Andre Drummond, polish. Just goes to show that hype ain't always what its' cranked up to be. Agree he needs to continue his development this year. Agree CU is a better fit for him, but a depleted UConn might work for a year, then recruiting will catch up to him and it probably will be bench time.

Akoy is continuing to gain confidence and skill according to the AAU reports. It is probable that he will continue to work on weak areas of his game, that his
confidence will grow in relation to his productivity and his exposure to good competition on the AAU circuit, and that he will get stronger. He is quick for a "Big".

Some sources say he's 6'7", some say he's grown closer to 6'9"? Regardless, with bulk, strength, knowledge of the position, and a modicum of quickness, a smaller PF can be very effective against taller guys (Larry Johnson, Barkley, etc). Most PF's in college are 215-230 and Akoy should be able to hold his own against most PF's, regardless of conference. There are no supermen in the BE.

Rather see him in a Jays uni, but whereever he lands, good luck to him.

[DEK]

Anyone know whats going on here? Do we have a shot at him? What does his timeline look like?