Kory Barnett, one of IU’s three new walk-ons for the 2008 season, had some great insight into top prospect
Emmanuel Negedu’s recruiting situation after joining him and a few other IU commits for an open gym session during Negedu’s visit to IU. Barnett played on Negedu’s AAU team, Indiana Elite, along with Matt Roth and several other big name recruits, including UNC commit Tyler Zeller.
Barnett had great things to say in a brief phone interview about Negedu and how he’d fit into Crean’s system (keep in mind that Barnett has coaching aspirations for the future):
On seeing Negedu two days ago during his visit:
I was actually down in Bloomington, he had his recruiting visit this weekend, so he blew in and called me, and I wanted to give him me and Daniel’s digits so he had people he knew around, and Matt Roth was there. We were all there, [at the open gym], and we played.
On Negedu’s physical talents:
He’s a freak athlete, 6-8, freakishly long arms, a ridiculous vertical. I think when they actually did it, it was like 48”. He’s just, jumps out of the gym, if you get in trouble in the lane, you just throw it to the corner of the backboard, and he’ll just go get it no matter what.
On Negedu’s game, and how he’ll fit with Crean’s system:
Offensively, he can do pretty much everything. He would be an unbelievable testament for this team, because we need a big guy and everything, we need a body. He runs the floor, that’s the thing about him that the coaches just love so much, he just sprints up and down the floor. He would fit so perfect in Crean’s offense, with his fastbreaks, and all the stuff that Crean wants to do, and getting out to run-and-gun, and Emman[uel] is just perfect for that. Just get it in Daniel Moore’s hands, or Nick Williams, or any of the guards, get it in the half court set, and let him run, just throw it up, and he’ll go up for it. He can post people…he can block shots…he just does everything.
On Negedu’s impressions of IU:
He seemed to love it, everything went well. I think his host family, his guardian, the people he’s staying with, they loved IU. They talked a bunch about it, and he loved it.
On why Negedu won’t be committing early:
The problem with it was…I think he may have loved it a lot, but all four schools are calling and saying, “we just don’t want you to go commit right away,” so the guardian told the schools that they’d be taking all the visits no matter what. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he came and liked IU, and he may have just committed this weekend, but you have to get those other three visits in.
On Indiana’s chances to land Negedu:
I’m nervous about Tennessee and Memphis, just because those coaches are such good recruiters, but you never know with Emman and his personality. I do [think IU has a good chance], I mean I think he loved the campus. [AAU coach and A-HOPE director] Mark Adams lives in Bloomington, so he already knows Bloomington, he knows the schools in Bloomington. He’s gonna come with me, Matt [Roth], and Daniel [Moore], we’re his best friends in the summer, and I think it would be pretty hard for him to pass up. But you never know, getting down to Memphis, with their prestige and all that.
Thanks to Kory Barnett for the interview!
More Negedu coverage to come as soon as its available!
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