Arizona St.'s George Odufuwa Transfers to NTSU

[Stallion]

wasn't SMU second on his list when he signed out of high school? Played very sparingly in his freshman season. Was a 3 star and No. 16 player in Texas as a high school senior at Kimball and had a bushels of offers. I believe he had close ties to Tubbs. Story about transfer in Rivals mentioned only NTSU. Reportedly 6-8, 240 now.

[ALEX LIFESON]

It was in the DMN on Friday.

[MustangIcon]

Started a thread on this potential transfer a few months ago. I really thought Doherty was potentially talking about him everytime he mentioned that they were looking at bringing in a trasnfer. Looks like I was right in that I thought he would leave Arizona St. but I misjudged his landing spot in the Metroplex.

Can't find the thread I made on him but I recall someone (maybe XTC or friarwolf) saying that this was a classic example of a guy who just didn't progress as much as expected from their amazing potential earlier in highschool. Or maybe that comment was attributed to Fulce, can't recall.

[PhirePhilBennett]

Why give out 7 scholarships? (someone please explain that to me)

Doesn't that overload and commit you to ONE class in the first place? Sure, they will RS a few of those guys (the big lunky center), but that just pushes them into next year's 3-4 scholarship class...

Maybe this guy would have never come here, I don't know, but perhaps RIGHT NOW it's because we don't have any to give...

[JayM]

FWIW, here's an article on Odufauwa from the North Texas board. A Texas Hoops article did say that there was a coaching change as ASU after he signed with them out of high school. Alabama did offer, but he wanted to play close to home.

UNT lands Arizona State transfer

09:03 AM CDT on Friday, May 25, 2007
By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

A little more than a year ago, North Texas head coach Johnny Jones was sitting in the stands for a showdown between two of the top teams in the Dallas area when George Odufuwa showed why he was considered one of the top players in the state.

The 6-8 power forward from Dallas Kimball dominated inside and out while scoring 41 points and pulling down 17 rebounds against perennial state power Dallas Carter.

The moment came to Jones’ mind on Thursday when the former Class 4A first-team all-state selection transferred to UNT after one season at Arizona State.

“I realized what kind of impact George could have here when I watched him play against Carter,” Jones said. “He is the kind of player who will help us continue to compete for championships.”

Texashoops.com rated Odufuwa No. 19 on its list of the top recruits in the state after the 2005-06 season. Colorado, Georgia, Miami, Texas A&M, Gonzaga and SMU were among the schools that offered Odufuwa a scholarship.

Odufuwa chose to sign with Arizona State and played in 13 games as a freshman before deciding to transfer.

“I will be a lot closer to home at North Texas and will get a chance to be a big part of what they do in the future,” Odufuwa said. “The program is coming around, and with two of their post players graduating after next season I will get a chance to start right away.”

UNT’s starting frontcourt consists of seniors Keith Wooden and Quincy Williams, each of who will complete his career next season.

Jones said Odufuwa would fit perfectly into UNT’s system because he is a versatile player. The assessment is one Royce Johnson, a former UNT player who coached Odufuwa at Kimball, agreed with.

“George will be an excellent fit for North Texas with their style of play and who they have coming back when he will be eligible,” Johnson said. “He will have a chance to play closer to home and sitting out a year will give him a chance to heal.”

Johnson said Odufuwa has had some minor injury problems with his feet and Achilles’ tendon since high school that would not affect him at UNT.

Odufuwa played for former UNT assistant Erven Davis on the AAU summer circuit. Davis said he believes Odufuwa could develop into an All-Sun Belt Conference player.

Odufuwa can score with his back to the basket, but can also step away and shoot from the perimeter.

“My strength is my versatility and my face-up game,” Odufuwa said. “I can shoot the ball.”

Wooden displayed similar skills while playing for the Mean Green last season after transferring from ASU. Odufuwa didn’t know Wooden before speaking with him on his recruiting visit to Denton a few days ago.

The prospect of following in Wooden’s footsteps became an attractive option for Odufuwa after the Mean Green made a surprise run to Sun Belt tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament last season. UNT had not made the NCAA Tournament since 1988.

“When they made the tournament, I became more interested,” Odufuwa said.

Odufuwa is the fifth player to commit to the Mean Green since its NCAA Tournament appearance.

UNT has signed shooting guard/small forward Tristan Thompson of Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, point guard Ryan McCoy of Midland College, point guard Josh White of Baton Rouge (La.) Christian Life Academy and shooting guard Adam McCoy of Mesa (Ariz.) Community College for its latest recruiting class.

Jones said there is a possibility he could use the one remaining scholarship he has open on a player for his 2007 class, but is happy with what he has at this point.

“This is right up there with the best classes we have had if not the best,” Jones said. “This will be as good a class as anyone in our league [the Sun Belt] is bringing in or any other league like it.”

[mavsrage311]

he wanted to play in the metroplex? check He wants playing time? check? AAU coach went to the school? check assistant coach coached him in high school? check...UNT went dancing last year too, it just seems like a great fit for him and I wish him well

[EastStang]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't he a guy that Tubbs recruited and then balked when Tubbs got the axe. I suspect that soured him on the Hilltop for good. Good riddance at UNT.

[Alaric]

Why give out 7 scholarships? (someone please explain that to me)

Doesn't that overload and commit you to ONE class in the first place? Sure, they will RS a few of those guys (the big lunky center), but that just pushes them into next year's 3-4 scholarship class...

Maybe this guy would have never come here, I don't know, but perhaps RIGHT NOW it's because we don't have any to give...

It seems like it will be a smart move as long as none of your 7 scholarships are roster fillers. if they're all good players and you RS 2-3, then you get to have those guys a year ahead of time to learn plus it would allow you to not worry about quantity and enable recruiting to focus on 1-3 ringers every year...I'm guessing that's what Doherty's thinking?

[EastStang]

And with the NBA rules such as they are, it is not inconceivable that one of the real studs in the class might leave early.

[Stallion]

Real studs that leave for the NBA early are rated in the Top 150 in high school.

[Hoop Fan]

bummer that smu couldnt get him. Big George is a very good prospect. unt might just have something going.

[mavsrage311]

Real studs that leave for the NBA early are rated in the Top 150 in high school.

Tru dat

[friarwolf]

Good kid but way over rated.....just like his high school team mate TJ Clarke. They both peaked when they were 12 - 13 years of age. These were the two kids who were catching the ride to school from the Kimball coach while they both lived in the Cedar Hill district.........Kind of tells you about them - and the Kimball coach...........

[Hoop Fan]

so which is it friar, is he a good kid or a questionable character because he lived in cedar hill and went to kimball? unfortunately its not very unusual in dallas or any big city for kids to cross boundaries to go to high schools. youre right though, we didnt want him anyway.

[friarwolf]

He is basically a good kid who is prone to being influenced by others to make unwise decisions. How's that?????