Bobcat Attack - Ohio Basketball Recruiting - 2021 6'8" PF Ijomah 'IJ' Ezuma (Hargrave Military Academy / Raleigh, NC)

Ohio Basketball Recruiting Topic

Topic: 2021 6'8" PF Ijomah 'IJ' Ezuma (Hargrave Military Academy / Raleigh, NC) - Ohio Commit

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Eagle66

4/14/2021 12:48 PM

Per Adam Finkelstein... IJ has committed to Ohio.

https://twitter.com/AdamFinkelstein/status/13823646637410...

[quote]Ezuma is an athletic 6'8" forward with a 7'0" wingspan who led the team in rebounding and had offers up to the AAC.[/OUTER_QUOTE]

Verbal Commits page: https://www.verbalcommits.com/players/ijomah-ezuma

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shabamon

4/14/2021 12:54 PM

This is called preparing for three post players leaving after next year. Pretty much exactly how I hoped we would use the last available scholarship.

He looks like the next great Bobcat dunker. Kind of looks like the middle ground between Doug Taylor and Devaughn Washington.

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The Optimist

4/14/2021 1:01 PM

shabamon wrote:expand_more

Like 3 of the first 5 highlights on his tape were him blocking shots so no matter how good he ends up being at least now we don’t have to read any more posts on here about needing a rim-protector

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Ted Thompson

4/14/2021 1:08 PM

shabamon wrote:expand_more

This is called preparing for three post players leaving after next year. Pretty much exactly how I hoped we would use the last available scholarship.

Does Carter count towards scholarship limit? I was assuming no.

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brucecuth

4/14/2021 1:10 PM

shabamon wrote:expand_more

supposedly had offers from Penn and Columbia, among others, so knows how to do it on court and in classroom.

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shabamon

4/14/2021 1:11 PM

Ted Thompson wrote:expand_more

shabamon wrote:expand_more

This is called preparing for three post players leaving after next year. Pretty much exactly how I hoped we would use the last available scholarship.

Does Carter count towards scholarship limit? I was assuming no.

I have no idea how that's working. I thought it was that teams could go over 13 scholarships if they wanted to and could afford it. Ezuma gives us 13 scholarship players, assuming that Clayton signs for next year.

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FearLeon

4/14/2021 1:18 PM

shabamon wrote:expand_more

Let’s hope more Devo. Love this signing.

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Mike Coleman

4/14/2021 1:18 PM

Tommy Freeman...the gift that keeps giving

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shabamon

4/14/2021 1:30 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmz5ESiw5Tg

Lots of film here, with even more footage of running the floor and even some mid range and three point shooting. It's obvious he's absorbed the coaching at Hargrave. I don't see a big learning curve for him.

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GoCats105

4/14/2021 1:42 PM

Pretty raw athleticism, but a year behind Wilson, Carter and BVP and banging them in practice should do wonders. Having Sears throw him alley-oops would be awesome.

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FearLeon

4/14/2021 1:57 PM

shabamon wrote:expand_more

Great video. And yeah....somebody mentioned Doug Taylor....no comparison. This dude's upside and skill level at this stage blows DT out of the water. And he's obviously not Nate Springs or EDoz.

Last Edited: 4/14/2021 2:01:18 PM by FearLeon

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FearLeon

4/14/2021 2:00 PM

The PG off this team signed with Dambrot. Sure would be nice if Boals-Dambrot could schedule some games...makes sense for Ohio-Duquesne to be on the schedule.

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shabamon

4/14/2021 2:36 PM

FearLeon wrote:expand_more

shabamon wrote:expand_more

Great video. And yeah....somebody mentioned Doug Taylor....no comparison. This dude's upside and skill level at this stage blows DT out of the water. And he's obviously not Nate Springs or EDoz.

I mean style of play, strengths, etc. more so than statistical impact. Like when people say Gary Trent was the Shaq of the MAC, or some people would compare Leon Williams to Tim Duncan.

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FearLeon

4/14/2021 3:08 PM

shabamon wrote:expand_more

FearLeon wrote:expand_more

shabamon wrote:expand_more

Great video. And yeah....somebody mentioned Doug Taylor....no comparison. This dude's upside and skill level at this stage blows DT out of the water. And he's obviously not Nate Springs or EDoz.

I mean style of play, strengths, etc. more so than statistical impact. Like when people say Gary Trent was the Shaq of the MAC, or some people would compare Leon Williams to Tim Duncan.

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RSBobcat

4/14/2021 4:48 PM

Looks like a Great commit! I certainly see the Devo comparisons

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OU_Country

4/14/2021 5:21 PM

FearLeon wrote:expand_more

shabamon wrote:expand_more

Great video. And yeah....somebody mentioned Doug Taylor....no comparison. This dude's upside and skill level at this stage blows DT out of the water. And he's obviously not Nate Springs or EDoz.

Let's be fair on two things: It doesn't seem to me that you're giving DT nearly enough credit for his contributions over his last three seasons. And two, this guy, at least physically and athletically, looks an awful lot like one of your all time favorite punching bags, Ellis Dozier. If the Hargray connection is as good with Sears as it is with Ezuma, he'll be another good one, but it's too soon to tell.

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OU_Country

4/14/2021 5:23 PM

FearLeon wrote:expand_more

The PG off this team signed with Dambrot. Sure would be nice if Boals-Dambrot could schedule some games...makes sense for Ohio-Duquesne to be on the schedule.

Agree - this would be a good one for both schools to get on the schedule. I'd love to take a ride to see the newly renovated arena they're working on.

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Jeff McKinney

4/14/2021 5:55 PM

Congrats to OHIO basketball for IJ's commitment. I wish him well in our program. He looks like he's ready to contribute on the D1 level and could turn out to be a great one.

Other offers from Tulsa, East Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, UNC-Wilmington and others.

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FlashGary

4/14/2021 8:17 PM

IT'S ONLY WORDS ON PAPER. BUT YOU'RE GONNA LOVE IT!!! From the Hargrave Military Academy Post-Grad team website:

In a season that presented challenges unlike any other, the Hargrave Tigers continue to set records and hit milestones. This week, IJ Ezuma '21 passed 1,000 points scored in his high school career. Ezuma, a 6'8" forward from Raleigh, NC, has been a staple for Hargrave for the last five years. He is the only player in the history of the program to play on the Middle School team, High School Varsity team and Postgraduate Team. Even more impressive is that IJ has been a part of some of the winningest teams at all three levels. He helped guide his Middle School team to an undefeated season (2016-17), then was a part of the best three year stretch in the history of the varsity program, including three state elite 8 appearances and setting the single season wins record. Finally this year on the Postgraduate team, he has started every game for a Hargrave team that just capped off it's 4th undefeated regular season in program history, is the highest scoring team in program history at over 114 points per game, and is currently ranked #2 in the country.

"IJ has had one of the best careers in the history of Hargrave Basketball," commented Head Coach Thomas Messinger. "He has been an integral part of teams at every level here, and has grown so much over the years as a player, person and student. He's transformed from a player that was dominant over smaller guys as an 8th grader on the middle school team, to a player that can dominate against the best players in the country as a senior. His versatility on both offense and defense is what sets him apart. He is going to make whatever program he signs with next year better from day 1."

(As of March 8, 2021) Ezuma is currently averaging 14.7 points per game for the Tigers, while shooting a robust 65.8% from the floor and 58% from the 3-point line. In addition to his scoring output, he leads the team in both rebounds (9.4 per game) and blocked shots (2.4 per game).

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BuddyLee

4/14/2021 8:28 PM

Disappointed he didn't have more offers. Figured we could go after a 4 star given our tourney success this year.

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Taiwan BC

4/14/2021 8:51 PM

Like the Optimist said, many on the board including me were looking for low post defense and this guy brings it... Excellent rebounder, very mobile defender that can block shots and, per the breakdown video from above, gets 5 deflections per game... He won’t have to do much this year but help on d and it looks like he has the tools...
Oh and, welcome IJ!

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shabamon

4/14/2021 8:51 PM

FlashGary wrote:expand_more

So he leads the team in rebounds and blocks while sharing the front court with a 6'9" 4* headed to Arizona State and the seven footer we offered for the '22 class. Yeah, I like this guy already.

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Jeff McKinney

4/14/2021 9:12 PM

BuddyLee wrote:expand_more

Disappointed he didn't have more offers. Figured we could go after a 4 star given our tourney success this year.

Mid majors cannot get 4 star high school or prep players any more. Maybe a few here and there by transfer.

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longtiimelurker

4/14/2021 10:34 PM

BuddyLee wrote:expand_more