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It is the offseason, so here is a recap (repeat) of some articles on an incoming recruit.
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College Sports Blog / NEW YORK POST
RECRUITING CONFIDENTIAL: Bronx big man commits to Oklahoma after JUCO stint
By ZACH BRAZILLER / April 21, 2013
http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/colle...ronx_big_UolDkeOP4TaullRqOzQkmK#axzz2W0za9Z9f
Edson Avila was ready to go to Manhattan College, ready to play Division I basketball. Then, late in his senior year, he received the depressing news. The 6-foot-10 big man from The Bronx was a non-qualifier. It was at that moment his life changed -- for the better. “That was a wakeup call,” he told The Post. “I know I had to get my things straight. I had to change.”
Two years later, after maturing on and off the court at Seward County Community College in Kansas, refining his skills and taking academics seriously, Avila is doing a lot better than the MAAC -- he signed with Oklahoma of the Big 12, picking the Sooners over Gonzaga and Memphis, this week. “It feels amazing just to have a chance to play in the Big 12,” said Avila, the former Thomas Jefferson star who will major in physical education at Oklahoma. “Every night is going to be a challenge.”
Avila broke into the starting lineup at Seward halfway through his freshman year, after current Southern Miss starter Daveon Boardingham got hurt. When Boardingham returned, Avila remained the starter, making Boardingham his personal Wally Pipp and helping Seward to a third-place finish in the national junior college tournament. This past season, he averaged 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game as the Saints went 25-8 and won the Jayhawk Conference's West Division.
Seward assistant coach Jason Sautter raved about Avila’s defense and rebounding, how well he communicates with his teammates and his ability to score with either hand around the basket. “[Oklahoma] is going to get a guy who works hard, a guy who wants to be coached, a guy who is going to be a great teammate,” Sautter said. “He plays hard. He’ll take charges, he’ll block shots. He’s going to be a good player for them.”
Having to take the junior college route forced Avila to grow up, to take school seriously, he said. In high school, Avila did just enough to get by, on the court and in the classroom. That wouldn’t fly at the next level, and after a brief transition period, Sautter said Avila did everything that was asked of him. “Where I was coming out of high school to where I’m at now, it’s a huge difference,” Avila said. “It feels good, just to know hard work really pays off. It tells me I have t keep getting better and better. I’m pretty proud.”
Read more: RECRUITING CONFIDENTIAL: Bronx big man Edson Avila commits to Oklahoma after JUCO stint - NYPOST.com http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/colle...ronx_big_UolDkeOP4TaullRqOzQkmK#ixzz2W10YFRa7
________________________________
College Sports Blog / NEW YORK POST
RECRUITING CONFIDENTIAL: Bronx big man commits to Oklahoma after JUCO stint
By ZACH BRAZILLER / April 21, 2013
http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/colle...ronx_big_UolDkeOP4TaullRqOzQkmK#axzz2W0za9Z9f
Edson Avila was ready to go to Manhattan College, ready to play Division I basketball. Then, late in his senior year, he received the depressing news. The 6-foot-10 big man from The Bronx was a non-qualifier. It was at that moment his life changed -- for the better. “That was a wakeup call,” he told The Post. “I know I had to get my things straight. I had to change.”
Two years later, after maturing on and off the court at Seward County Community College in Kansas, refining his skills and taking academics seriously, Avila is doing a lot better than the MAAC -- he signed with Oklahoma of the Big 12, picking the Sooners over Gonzaga and Memphis, this week. “It feels amazing just to have a chance to play in the Big 12,” said Avila, the former Thomas Jefferson star who will major in physical education at Oklahoma. “Every night is going to be a challenge.”
Avila broke into the starting lineup at Seward halfway through his freshman year, after current Southern Miss starter Daveon Boardingham got hurt. When Boardingham returned, Avila remained the starter, making Boardingham his personal Wally Pipp and helping Seward to a third-place finish in the national junior college tournament. This past season, he averaged 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game as the Saints went 25-8 and won the Jayhawk Conference's West Division.
Seward assistant coach Jason Sautter raved about Avila’s defense and rebounding, how well he communicates with his teammates and his ability to score with either hand around the basket. “[Oklahoma] is going to get a guy who works hard, a guy who wants to be coached, a guy who is going to be a great teammate,” Sautter said. “He plays hard. He’ll take charges, he’ll block shots. He’s going to be a good player for them.”
Having to take the junior college route forced Avila to grow up, to take school seriously, he said. In high school, Avila did just enough to get by, on the court and in the classroom. That wouldn’t fly at the next level, and after a brief transition period, Sautter said Avila did everything that was asked of him. “Where I was coming out of high school to where I’m at now, it’s a huge difference,” Avila said. “It feels good, just to know hard work really pays off. It tells me I have t keep getting better and better. I’m pretty proud.”
Read more: RECRUITING CONFIDENTIAL: Bronx big man Edson Avila commits to Oklahoma after JUCO stint - NYPOST.com http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/colle...ronx_big_UolDkeOP4TaullRqOzQkmK#ixzz2W10YFRa7
