‘It was definitely true’: Four-star 2021 center says Wichita State lived up to hype
Gregg Marshall has marveled several times this season at opposing centers with the mobility and size to create havoc on the defensive end.
Wichita State is now in hot pursuit of securing one of its own athletic big men, as the Shockers hosted high school junior Nnanna Njoku, a prized 6-foot-10 recruit in the class of 2021, for an official visit this weekend. He is rated as a four-star prospect by 247Sports and a three-star prospect by Rivals.
“I think I’m a big man who can pretty much do it all,” Njoku told The Eagle after his visit. “I can shoot it. I can handle it a little. I can score inside. I play hard and I’m very physical. I grab a lot of rebounds. I want to be that complete package of a player.”
His list of suitors seem to agree with that assessment. Njoku also holds scholarship offers from Villanova, Marquette, North Carolina State, Providence, Virginia Tech, Miami, Connecticut, Xavier, VCU, Temple, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest and Rutgers.
But his first official visit went to Wichita State, thanks to the relentless work of lead recruiter and WSU assistant coach Tyson Waterman. Also helping matters is that Njoku attends Sanford School in Hockessin, Delaware, the same program that Waterman played at and is coached by his uncle, Stan.
“Wichita State was really the first one who offered me the chance and I didn’t hesitate because I know how crazy it gets here,” Njoku said. “I wanted to see it firsthand and see what it was like to be a Shocker. It was a lot of fun.”
Njoku and his family arrived in Wichita on Saturday and spent most of the day on campus touring Koch Arena and the facilities. But the real treat was being in attendance for Saturday night’s game, an 87-79 Shockers win over Central Florida, and experiencing the Koch Arena crowd.
Njoku was also surprised when he arrived at the game to find the WSU student section had brought signs with his name plastered on them. They cheered when he stood courtside watching the Shockers warm up and took pictures with the students.
“There was a lot of hype leading up to the game with people saying how crazy it was and all of it was definitely true,” Njoku said. “There were some points you couldn’t hear yourself think. It was a great atmosphere.”
Njoku was also impressed with his interactions with Marshall and by watching him from afar.
“I can tell that he has a real passion and love for the game,” Njoku said. “He feels very strongly and I like that about him because it’s similar to how I feel. I like his coaching style and the way he pushes kids to get better. It seems like he really develops players and it was great to see that firsthand.”
Saturday night ended with a dinner at Greystone, then Njoku’s “highlight of the trip” came Sunday morning with brunch at Doo-Dah Diner.
Njoku told The Eagle that he has not narrowed down a final list yet and his recruitment is still “open.” He does plan on making a decision at some point this year, which would mean he is a likely fall signing.
Njoku currently leads Sanford, which has a 10-3 record and is the top-ranked team in Delaware, with averages of 14.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. He has made 71% of his two-point shots this season, as well.
As it currently stands, WSU would have two scholarships available in its 2021 class with the scheduled graduations of Asbjorn Midtgaard and Trey Wade. JaDun Michael has signed his letter of intent as WSU’s lone 2020 recruit.
“Nnanna is a hard-playing post that has done a great job of revamping his body and frame in recent months,” Rivals recruiting analyst Corey Evans wrote to the Eagle. “He has developed a face-up game, but remains at his best with his back tot he basket where he can score with a soft touch, counter moves and with someone on his back side. He is one of the best 15-foot-and-in bigs in the 2021 class nationally and is also one of the hardest playing.”
This story was originally published January 26, 2020 at 7:19 PM.
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