Remember that time I did an interview in a tshirt and after wearing a hat because I didn’t know they were going to record the video and it would play in front of millions of people?
Yahhhhh. 😂😂😂😂😂
"Any time I want to quit... I think there's something out there better for me than in Nigeria."
Gideon George discusses his journey to
@BYUbasketball
and how he works to give back to his home country.
SFA beat Duke with 7 JUCO guys on the roster. Evansville beat Kentucky and their leading scorer that night was a JUCO player.
Ignore JUCO players at your own peril 🤷🏼♂️
Love yah Fran, but in 2009 you signed a new contract with Siena. Next season you went 27-7, and your agent shopped you to high majors and you left to go to Iowa one year into your new contract. I don’t like it either, but let’s not cast too many stones. 🤷♂️
Fran McCaffery says that there are mid-major players being shopped by agents before the enter the portal.
“It’s disgraceful..”
Says the NCAA has screwed this thing up.
Stop.
This is in a no way a slight to Montverde and what they’re doing.
Those players are going to do great down the road and the coaches are doing an elite job.
But Northwest Florida JUCO would 30 piece them right now.
This is a nonsensical statement.
This Montverde team can beat a lot of Division 1 basketball teams
They would win a handful of conferences and are coached by one of the best in the world at any level
2yrs ago Gideon George slept outside the walls of a broken outdoor basketball court in Owerri Nigeria. The police would chase him away all night so he couldn’t rest before getting up and playing for 8 hours in 100 degree heat. Tomorrow he plays against USC on national TV.
I am so incredibly excited to announce that 2020 6'6 F Gideon George of NMJC has committed to BYU after his official visit last weekend. I won't stop smiling for days. This young man's story is incredible and the next chapter is about to begin! From Nigeria to Utah!
EXCITING NEWS!!!!
The
@NJCAA
is taking another huge step forward for JUCO hoops.
The entirety of the
@HutchTourney
will be televised on ESPN+ this year with the championship game being on ESPNU again!!!
Big time job by
@NJCAA_Exec
and the entire NJCAA staff!!!
Jimmy Butler went JUCO
Duncan Robinson went from a D3 to Michigan
Kendrick Nunn went from the Big10 to the Horizon
Not everyone’s path is the same.
Find yours, and attack it.
In the 2021 NCAA D1 Tournament, there are 35 teams with a JUCO player on scholarship on the roster. There are 92 JUCO players on scholarship in the tourney, representing over 10% of the entire player field
If you think it’s a bunch of the back end teams, the average seed is a 9
Kid gets an offer.....then 20 other schools offer too. The funny thing is a lot of times I look at that player and think "damn (insert name) is better and doesn't have anything" 🤷🏼♂️
Some of the best players in D1 this year that came from JUCO had 1-2 offers.
You do you.
It's funny that most people don't realize you have to be a D1 caliber player, to be an impact guy at a good D2 or high NAIA. I always get the "Well he could good player at a good D2". Would you recommend him for a LM D1? Then no, he probably wouldn't be good at a good D2.
Well, I screwed up. I put out a tweet last night that was incorrect.
Compliance people that exploded my DMs, you were correct.
So here are the rules. EVERYONE IN JUCO NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THIS and you’re not going to like it.
JUCO transfers are screwed.
So as it stands today,
Players I can’t stress this enough.
A motor will get you looks 👀
Motor = Mayhem
If you play with a motor on both sides of the ball, you’re a problem for the other team. Coaches like to recruit players that cause the other teams problems.
Play with a motor
Me: What do you need coach?
Coach: 6'9+
Me: What skill set?
Coach: Gotta be skilled. Good back to the basket game. Has to be able to make a shot outside. Oh and passing. Has to be able to pass.
Me: Ok but...
Coach: And super athletic. We need athletes.
Me: Sure. Here...
Excited to announce that 6’11 F Atiki Ally Atiki of
@lbahoops
has committed to
@BYUbasketball
- From Mwanza Tanzania originally, Atiki has spent the last two years playing for Coach Provenzano in London Ontario Canada. Has been quite the journey for the young man.
In 3 years we went from a twitter handle, to running events for fortune 100 companies, having meetings with some of the most influential people in sports, and traveling the world to help kids get to college. Not entirely sure how we got here, but I can't wait for what's next. 🙏
This may be the image of the year in men’s basketball.
It is believed that this was the first time in BYU Basketball history, spanning 120 years, that there were no LDS members in the starting 5.
It may seem like small thing, but I can assure you it is not.
Amazing.
Had lunch with an NBA scout today to talk about a former JUCO player that he went and saw. Thinks the player has a chance to play in the NBA and the main reason has to do with his defense and how hard he plays.
You want to stand out? Play hard and defend your ass off.
Events cancelled, schools closing, visits being cancelled etc etc. I would NOT count on summer events or exposure to recruit or be recruited.
My advice to coaches - if you have kid you like, get it done
To kids - if you have an offer you're interested in, get it done
I believe in second chances. Hell, I believe in third chances.
Does that bite me in the ass sometimes? Yah it actually bites me in the ass a lot.
But humans are the world’s most imperfect creature and I’m unwilling to sacrifice the greatness that can come from a second chance.
Cougar fans! Bring a pair of new or lightly used shoes to the San Diego St game Nov 12 to donate to the Gideon George Shoe Drive! In conjunction with Timeout For Africa & BYU Global Supply Chain Management, Gideon is collecting as many shoes as possible to send home to Nigeria!
If your coach is all over your ass about giving more and working harder.....it's because he knows how good you can be! It's when your coach stops asking you for more that you should be worried.
Who would like to see a JUCO basketball Top 25 Media Poll?
Like, one made by multiple people that actually watch all of the JUCO games and know the JUCO players.
RT an undetermined number of times and we’ll fire one up this season 👀
Multiple sources (I’ve always wanted to use that) are indicating that the NCAA will recognize the NJCAA waiver year. Significant in that a JUCO sophomore would come out with 3 to play, and a freshman qualifier would have 4 to play. Transfer credit details still in discussion
Ok....if you're going to recruit JUCO kids you have remember something....the JUCO coaches do the best they can but most of the time these kids don't have strength guys, nutrition people, and eat like crap. Just imagine what they CAN be at your school. Project to greatness!!!
I have over 2800 contacts in my phone that start with "Coach". Don't designate HC, Asst, DOBO, VC etc. Treat EVERYONE with the same level of respect regardless of their position. This is the world's SMALLEST business. Don't be the guy that big times people, it will bite you later
Oh wow. 6 years ago we started JUCO Advocate. We knew we wanted to help kids, and we had no idea where it would take us. 6 years and thousands of players later, the journey is really just beginning!!!
#MyTwitterAnniversary
D1 High level JUCO coach REFUSES to give film to his player, or their parent. He said that he doesn't believe in sharing film and that all recruitment needs to go through him. Kid has zero offers or interest. Family at a loss. At what point does this coach get put on blast? 🤔
Little tip for JUCO coaches....tweet you box scores. Just talked to a D1 coach that said he surfs Twitter looking for box scores and more than once has had a players stats catch his eye that he followed up on and ended up recruiting. Something small can lead to something big 👀
All the 🤡s on this app saying Becky Hammon doesn’t deserve a job because she’s not qualified.
Like LITERALLY more qualified than Steve Nash was to be a coach.
GTFO.
Understand that these D2s and NAIAs that the D1s are playing are getting better….because they’re getting better HS and JUCO kids because the D1s all fawn over the same transfers and are missing out on great players 🤷♂️
Too many 4 years think that JUCO coaches are all trying to get jobs off their kids, or only help their buddies...wrong...That exists, but the majority want to know that you will love that player as much as the JUCO coach does. These kids are their family. Show that, and you're in
Look PGs here’s the deal….if you look off your bigs that are posted up with clear position so that you can drive into a contested layup, then you’re just telling everyone you’re a SG playing the PG.
So don’t cry when people say you’re not a PG.
We’re excited to announce that Adam Short will be joining JUCO Advocate and Verbal Commits as the Director of National High School Scouting!!! Adam was most recently the assistant at State Fair. We’re excited to have such a knowledgeable hard working coach on board
@Apshort143210
Abilene Christian - Loaded with JUCO
North Texas - Loaded with JUCO
Cleveland St - Loaded with JUCO
And on and on and on
Just wait until you see the list I’m going to make tomorrow 😂😂😂😂
A D1 coach asked about multiple positions. Gave him 3 players on same team at or above their level that he should check out. Questioned how it's possible 3 players on the same team could be good enough.
Had to break it to him that this JUCO would beat his team 7/10 times 😂
I love JUCO.
I love JUCO coaches.
I love JUCO players.
I want JUCO teams and coaches to do well, but I care about the kids more.
If you go out of your way to prevent a qualifier from being recruited so you can have them back, you’re not doing your job.
A coach from a different JUCO recommended that we invite Bassirou Ndiaye to the Evan Turner Showcase...so we did. Kid balled out and earned himself multiple offers today. A plea to all coaches out there...be one of the helpers. You never know when you're going to change a life.
Dennis Gates is one of the best coaches in the country at any level.
Full stop.
Relationships, recruiting, Xs and Os.
If this goes down, Mizzou fans should be over the moon.
I know they’re a pessimistic bunch but they’ll come around quickly.
Name that ADs need to be looking HARD at for D1 HC jobs next year
Associate HC of Texas A&M, Jamie McNeilly.
One of the most respected coaches in the game, he helped lead Virginia Tech to back to back tournaments for the 1st time in school history. Exceptional coach and person
Per his IG account,
#JA48
alum Erik Pratt has committed to Buzz Williams and Texas A&M. After a big time summer and a hit start to the season, the Aggies lock up arguably the best shooter in the country and a developing PG with crazy upside.
4 ELITE assistants I expect to get calls for their first HC Jobs this year.
DeAndre Haynes - Marquette
Carlin Hartman - Florida
Kahil Fennell - BYU
Alvin Brooks III - Baylor
A dream come true. Gideon George came from the outdoor courts of Minna and Owerri Nigeria, to New Mexico JC and now BYU.
Next week, he will be in camp with the Nigerian National Team for Olympic team tryouts.
Amazing.
@GideonOmohkudu
🇳🇬
#Tokyo2020
#Olympics
Some time around midnight the NCAA Stats Leaders will update and now that
@Aly_khalifa15
has played in enough games to qualify he will move into first place with a 17/1 asst/to ratio.
2nd place?
5.43/1
😳🇪🇬🧙♂️
I know current players that have:
Not seen their family in 5+ years
Lost one or both of their parents while they’ve been in the US and couldn’t go home for the funerals
Are alone in the dorms for the holidays
Stop the Twitter attacks over kids missing or making shots. Grow up
Call from a coach....
Coach: (yelling) "B!!! I NEED JUCO PLAYERS"
Me: Where are you I can barely hear you
Coach: (yelling louder) "HIGH SCHOOL GAME"
Me: Aren't you literally watching players right now?
Coach: (whispers) "these guys will get me fired"
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
A decade ago I was working in a career field that I hated. I had no idea how I would ever get out of it. It was suffocating. Now thanks to people like
@Sam1NEWski
@WarriorBolo
@DanielPoneman
and many more, I end this decade doing what I love every day. Thank you all for this gift
When we 1st helped Atiki get to the US all those years ago, he talked about wanting to give back to his people back home. This week he is fulfilling that dream with the help of
@BYUMBB
- Atiki is giving back to his former school and community in Tanzania. Stay tuned for more!
People always ask why I promote/retweet etc other people's events and what not....because if that helps get a kid a scholarship, mission accomplished. U can be in this for the right reasons or the wrong reasons. We'll stay on the right reason side and everything will work out.
Weird deal.
If a kid looks good against HS talent, coaches love him.
If a JUCO qualifier looks good against grown ass men and D1 players, coaches discount him for only having 3 years left.
CBB is a 3 year cycle now at best. If you get a killer for 3 years that's not good? 🤔
We’re currently in a place where D1 coaches are looking at portal transfers that averaged 2ppg with iffy character from bad teams, rather than a kid like this that went to Hutch 2x, won 41 games in 2 years and has elite character.
Wins are more important than “portal signings”🧐
Growing up I got to see myself in Superman Spiderman Batman. I got to see other worldly heroes that looked like me. Chadwick Boseman did that for an entire generation of young black children that had never gotten to experience that feeling. The power of that can’t be overstated.
NBA scouts need to start making some notes about Mizzou’s
#JUCOPRODUCT
(SCF) D’Moi Hodge.
A little older, but right now he’s looking a lot like a bigger stronger Bones Hyland.
Elite shooter, 9th in the country in ORTG, never turns the ball over and 9th in STL%.
How you respond to criticism can be one of THE most important things in determining your PT. Coach calls you out. Do you sulk? Break eye contact? Argue? You're not ready. However, "Coach I got you. You can count on me. I WILL get this". Music to a coach's ears.
Almost 3 years ago we watched
@GideonOmohkudu
shoot in Owerri Nigeria.
Tonight I get to watch him shoot in the famous Hinkle Fieldhouse in the NCAA Tournament for BYU.
Just simply amazing.
LeVelle Moton has been to 4 NCAA tournaments and an NIT in 10 years. Could have made another one this year
He has won 28 games in a season at NCCU..28!!! (Which included a W over NC St that year).
His conference record is ridiculous and has too many awards to list
WAKE UP ADs
If a kid is playing AAU, is 7 feet tall and running around blocking shots and shooting threes, he'd be recruited by every HM in the gym.
If that same kid is a JUCO qualifier with three to play, LM coaches question if he can move at the D1 level and say he's too skinny
When your coaches are on your ass, understand they are holding you accountable for what you CAN be, not what you’re willing to be.
If they see greatness in you, they will get on you.
It’s when they stop getting on you that you should be worried.
Some guys named Bagley and Ayton were on this team. Can't remember whatever happened to them. Anyways, Hillcrest DID barely squeak by D2 JUCO South Mountain the game before though.
This Montverde team can beat a lot of Division 1 basketball teams
They would win a handful of conferences and are coached by one of the best in the world at any level
Name that needs to be on ADs lists for D1 HC jobs next year...
TJ Cleveland, Associate HC at St John's.
Stud player, stud coach, stud person.
One of my absolute favorites. Will be a star HC.
When your coach tells me "He keeps showing up late to study hall and class"....I hear "He doesn't respect his coaches, his teammates, or those that have helped him get to this point. He's selfish". What coach wants selfish players? The little things matter.