Hoops Transfer Update

Couple of notes on possible transfers:

JEREMIAH RIVERS
Will likely make his decision in the next week. There are about 4 schools involved, but it is rumored to come down to Indiana or Georgia Tech. Jeremiah is the son of Boston Celtic head coach Doc Rivers.

EMMANUEL NEGEDU
There's a new name on the board, and it's Arizona recruit Emmanuel Negedu. He's a 6'7" Power Forward that went to high school in New Hampshire and played AAU ball for "Team Indiana". He came to the states from Nigeria a few years ago. He's known as one of those "all energy" guys. Hustles, plays hard, good defender, ultra-athletic. Dunks most everything around the basket. Still working on a mid-range game. Gee, sounds a lot like Gani Lawal, only maybe a bit shorter. Maybe a cross between Gani and Jeremis Smith? He's also known to have a very charismatic personality, which would fit pretty well with Gani, since he's a playful guy. Scout.com ranked him as the #71 player overall and 22nd best power forward.

The good news is that Negedu wouldn't be a transfer and would not have to sit out a season. He's an incoming recruit who was released from his LOI, after being disillusioned with all the coaching staff turmoil there.

He just announced that the four teams he will decide between include Georgia Tech, Indiana, Memphis and Tennesse. When he made his initial commit to Arizona he was down to AZ, Indiana and Tennessee.

Here's a good highlight reel of Negedu in action:



THE SHAKEOUT
The interesting thing here is that both guys have ties and interest in Indiana and after the mess there, playing time should be available in droves. However, there are some unanswered questions about any potential probationary status after the mess they created for themselves. However, Negedu played ball with a handful of the Indiana guys in AAU ball, so I see them as a front-runner for both Negedu and Rivers.

Another issue that could haunt Paul Hewitt. Two names - Paco Diaw and Mouhammad Faye. Two international guys that exited stage left. We know there were both on and off the court reasons they left. However, the international aspect of their tranfers in and out could cast a shadow.

Notice another trend here. Coach Hewitt is on the lookout for anyone right now. There's going to be plenty of playing time at Georgia Tech after next year and with the whiff's in this year's recruiting class, he's looking for help this season. While next year's class is loaded with high level guys with some interest in GT, Coach Hewitt really needs help now. He needs a solid season to buy some time to build his program higher. Having a Point Guard next season who actually played last season is a nice start. Haven't had that in awhile.

We should know something on Rivers in the next week and Negedu probably won't decide until after June 1.