
Division I coaches can’t help it either.
Egwu is one of three sophomores from the
Some rate Randle among the top three in the Illinois Class of 2011—measured by some as the deepest
Luckily, I happen to not only be a graduate of the
I've seen Ignatius play three times this season, including each of the last two games. Here's what I know about Nnanna: He's got a long way to go, but he's a game-changer, a difference maker and by the time he graduates high school, he will be a big-time recruit.
That is exactly why Ryan has already offered Egwu a scholarship. Assistant coach Howard Moore was at two of three games that I was at, including last week's loss to
Unfortunately for Moore, who came down to
Sure, Egwu has his fair share of shortcomings. His feet are a little slow, his post positioning is poor at times and his shot needs work. Right now, Egwu is a defensive player. He's got a long way to go on offense. But he's only a sophomore and I've been told he's only been playing basketball for a few years.
You might be thinking to yourself, "Here we go again. Another Bo Ryan project."
Maybe. But here are some reassuring numbers. Last night he opened the game with a 10-foot jumper that gave Iggy a 2-0 lead. He only had two more field goals the rest of the game, but he had seven rebounds and six blocks. One time he reached over two of his own teammates to swat a shot about 15 feet out of bounds.
The stats aren't enough to show his potential. Last month when Ignatius upset then No. 4-ranked Marshall, Egwu didn't start (he rarely does) and
January 9 was the now infamous upset loss to Loyola in which Egwu didn’t play. Numerous sources told me it was not a benching. Whatever it was, Ignatius lost. They struggled defensively for most of the game and Loyola won 54-50.
Friday night Ignatius beat Fenwick 49-39. Egwu started the game and his team led 16-3 after the first quarter. Fenwick actually scored 35 of its 39 points in the second and third quarters. Egwu happened to be sitting on the bench with two fouls during much of that time period. By the end of the third quarter, Fenwick had taken the lead. Meanwhile, Egwu played most of the fourth quarter and Fenwick only scored two points the rest of the way as Iggy won easily. Coincidence? Hardly.
The potential is obvious. The defensive numbers are obvious. The offensive numbers are not. But this kid is undoubtedly a difference maker.
Sunday Nnanna Egwu and St. Ignatius will square off against Wisconsin-signee Diamond Taylor and