Commits/Recruiting

[BCEaglesFan]

BC is also showing interest in 2015 PG Cameron High.

[BCEaglesFan]

Boy, Sam Dingba is really blowing up lately. Sounds like coaches from VT are watching his game.

[bcbcbcbcbc4444]

Boy, Sam Dingba is really blowing up lately. Sounds like coaches from VT are watching his game.

Oh no! Not THE Virginia Tech!

[RedBaron67]

BC offered Payton Dastrup.

Best of luck on that one. From Arizona and Sean Miller has already offered.

Dastrup (6'9", 230) is ranked #22 by ESPN, #55 by Rivals, and #27 by Scout. I'm genuinely puzzled by an offer like this one. Donahue said he doesn't want to waste recruiting time on players he has no realistic chance to get, but here he's offered an elite player 2500 miles away who has a large and growing pile of high-major offers, including one from his powerhouse home-state team -- and this is far from the first such case. Is he telling us the truth? Does he suffer from manic overoptimism? Or does he perhaps favor a modified form of the Iowa State shotgun-spread strategy? I can see him casting a wide net for local talent, but these long-distance long shot offers leave me confused.

[BCEaglesFan]

Boy, Sam Dingba is really blowing up lately. Sounds like coaches from VT are watching his game.

Oh no! Not THE Virginia Tech!

Yeah I know, but it shows high-majors know his name now. Also, national recruiting analysts are beginning to see him play now and are impressed.

[BCEaglesFan]

@NDkendrick Purdue, Indiana, Oregon St, Notre Dame and Boston College in the gym early checking out 6-9 C Sean O'Mara and he is REAL Deal!

[RedBaron67]

@NDkendrick Purdue, Indiana, Oregon St, Notre Dame and Boston College in the gym early checking out 6-9 C Sean O'Mara and he is REAL Deal!

Sean O'Mara (2014, 6'9", 240, Benet Academy, Lisle, IL) is listed by ESPN as their #7 C in 2014. Illinois, Iowa, Marquette, and Michigan are also interested in him.
At least BC and Benet Academy aren't totally unknown to each other; there's a player from Benet on the BC women's volleyball team, and another player at Benet just committed to BC.

[Shaddix]

Alvin Deas of '15 was offered by BC today according to his twitter @Manmandagr8... I'm not 100% sure that is his twitter, but I'm pretty sure.

[RedBaron67]

Alvin Deas of '15 was offered by BC today according to his twitter @Manmandagr8... I'm not 100% sure that is his twitter, but I'm pretty sure.

Alvin Deas plays for Bishop Ford HS in Brooklyn. Information on him is so sparse that I can't even find out how tall he is, but he isn't unknown to the recruiters. BC was already looking at him in January, LSU and Pittsburgh have also looked at him, and Iowa State (who else) has already had him for an "unofficial" visit.

[Shaddix]

2013 Peoria Irish forward Alec Peters has caught my eye on day 4 of UA Summer Jam. Butler is making a strong push, despite not offering yet.

Alex Kline

[Shaddix]

After visiting Temple yesterday, BU transfer Jake O'Brien will visit BC tomorrow and Providence next weekend.

Hoff

[Shaddix]

2013 Peoria Irish forward Alec Peters has caught my eye on day 4 of UA Summer Jam. Butler is making a strong push, despite not offering yet.

Alex Kline


He looks terrible...but I trust that Donahue knows what he is doing.

[BCEaglesFan]

2013 Peoria Irish forward Alec Peters has caught my eye on day 4 of UA Summer Jam. Butler is making a strong push, despite not offering yet.

Alex Kline


He looks terrible...but I trust that Donahue knows what he is doing.

Wisconsin really looks like they want to offer him.

Again, said Butler, Illinois State, Valpo are his favorite anyway.

Recent interview: http://vimeo.com/46101129

[BCEaglesFan]

2013 Sam Dingba, who was impressive, tells me he has 25 offers. Lots of Ivy inc. UPenn. BC, BU, NC State, Drexel, WVU, St. Joe's, & more.

Just what we feared. He's blowing up big time.

[RedBaron67]

2013 Sam Dingba, who was impressive, tells me he has 25 offers. Lots of Ivy inc. UPenn. BC, BU, NC State, Drexel, WVU, St. Joe's, & more.

Just what we feared. He's blowing up big time.

A player with Dingba's exceptional physical tools was bound to attract attention as his game developed; we can console ourselves that none of the really big names has gotten interested in him at present. Those 25 offers include a lot of mid-majors; we're still in the hunt.

[BCEaglesFan]

Roland Nyama is the sleeper on the Westchester Hawks team, but the star may be Samuel Dingba. Dingba moved to the States from Cameroon two years ago, and while his english isn’t great, his game is. The 6-foot-5 forward is athletic and strong, with the kind of frame that can get much stronger. His offensive repertoire has a ways to go, but as a member of the Class of 2013, he has plenty of time to develop it. Harvard, Yale, UPenn, Boston College, Boston U. and St. Bonaventure have all offered Dingba, while NC State, Western Kentucky and West Virginia have started to show some interest in the last week. Like Nyama, Dingba is a very good student that takes academics seriously. He said he wants to go into business when his basketball career is over because he wants to make some money.

All those schools listed as interested have offered now.

BC has a great business school, as does the Ivies. That should help BC's chances.

[joeyfenn]

Roland Nyama is the sleeper on the Westchester Hawks team, but the star may be Samuel Dingba. Dingba moved to the States from Cameroon two years ago, and while his english isn’t great, his game is. The 6-foot-5 forward is athletic and strong, with the kind of frame that can get much stronger. His offensive repertoire has a ways to go, but as a member of the Class of 2013, he has plenty of time to develop it. Harvard, Yale, UPenn, Boston College, Boston U. and St. Bonaventure have all offered Dingba, while NC State, Western Kentucky and West Virginia have started to show some interest in the last week. Like Nyama, Dingba is a very good student that takes academics seriously. He said he wants to go into business when his basketball career is over because he wants to make some money.

All those schools listed as interested have offered now.

BC has a great business school, as does the Ivies. That should help BC's chances.

Donahue did his homework on Dingba and got there first. That has to count for something but i doubt he commits any time soon now that he is gaining so much momentum.

[BCEaglesFan]

Jake O'Brien update:

Jake O'Brien, a 6'8 forward from Weymouth, Massachusetts has made a visit to Boston College, according to multiple sources. O'Brien is a Boston University transfer who will be looking to go elsewhere due to BU being banned from the America East Conference Tournament.

The word is: Jake O'Brien wants to go to a team where he has a legit chance at making an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. He narrowed his list nearly a week ago and it's down to Providence, Boston College, Temple, Virginia, and Ohio State.

Providence had been rumored to be the favorite in the beginning but it's starting to appear Temple is the dark horse in the O'Brien sweepstakes. It makes sense if he wants to go to the nCAA's, given that Temple has been there five straight seasons. Boston College frightens me because only about 25 miles separate him from the BC campus. Then again, BC posted a 9-22 record last season and are still very young. A tournament appearance by the Eagles is highly unlikely.

So, I'd say it's down to Temple and Providence, at the moment. Ohio State would be the best chance of making a deep NCAA Tournament run but playing time would be extremely hard to come by. The Friars and Owls could both offer O'Brien with a fair amount of playing time and a good chance of winning.

[BCEaglesFan]

BJ Johnson update:

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. -- Over the past couple of years, not many players in the Philadelphia are have improved their game as much as class of 2013 prospect BJ Johnson. A 6-foot-7 small forward from Lower Merion High School, the alma mater of Kobe Bryant, Johnson has seen his stock skyrocket this spring and summer.


"Just my hard work, my work ethic," Johnson said of what he attributes his blow up to.


The rising senior wing also took the time to talk recruiting with VUSports.com while at the Nike Peach Jam/EYBL Finals. He said he is being pursued by Clemson, Villanova, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Rutgers, Temple, St. Joe's, and others.


Johnson said he has offers from all those schools and noted that he does "not at all" have any favorites right now.


Thus far, Johnson has only been on unofficial visits to Rutgers, Temple and St. Joe's. He does not have any other trips planned at this point in time.


"No, I'll probably start planning some next month," Johnson said.


He also went on to name a couple of the schools that he would like to go on visits to.


"Right now, probably like Nova, Clemson, the higher level schools," Johnson said.


The long wing, who runs with Team Final on the AAU circuit, talked about when he plans to make his decision."


"[Between the] end of August [and] . . . before next school season," Johnson said, also confirming that he would like to sign in the early period.


Johnson also shared with VUSports.com what it is that he is looking for in his future college.


"Just basically where I'm needed," Johnson said, "and good coaching staff, good players, a winning program."


For some players, there is a an appeal to stay local for college. For others, there is a yearning to go away from home after finishing up high school. As for Johnson, he said he is "not really sure" just yet whether or not he wants to remain close to home.


If Johnson does elect to go to college nearby, Villanova is one of his potential options. He said that he was offered by the Wildcats last Sunday during a conversation with VU head coach Jay Wright."


"It was huge because [that is] a big-time school," Johnson said of receiving the offer from Villanova. "So, it was huge."


He also discussed what Jay Wright said to him when he extended the offer of the full ride.


"He was like, he liked what I did this offseason," Johnson said, "how I progressed from a couple years ago and all that and then he offered."


Johnson said that Villanova has been involved in his recruitment since the end of his sophomore year. However, the Big East program has gotten more serious with him of late.


"Yeah, they came to a couple workouts at the school, so yeah," Johnson said of VU's recently raised level of pursuit.


Although he holds an offer from the Wildcats, Johnson is still a bit unfamiliar with the squad's head coach.


"He's cool," Johnson said of his relationship with Jay Wright. "I don't really know him."


However, Johnson said that he does know one of the players currently on he roster at Villanova.


"I know Tyrone [Johnson] because he used to play with Final," Johnson said. "So, we know each other."


BJ Johnson said that Tyrone Johnson is doing "a little bit" of recruiting to try to get him to come to the Main Line.


"He says Nova is a great program, so it might be the place to go," Johnson said of what he hears from Tyrone.


Johnson also described his game to VUSports.com, saying of his main strength on the court, "Probably my ability to spread out the floor with my jump shot."


Regarding his primary weaknesses as a player, he commented, "My strength or my dribbling."

[joeyfenn]

BJ Johnson didn't really mention BC and prying him away from Nova will be a bitch. It'll take a full court press but if he visits then i believe we have a fighters chance

[BCEaglesFan]

According to twitter Jake O'Brien liked Temple a lot, and BC didn't make the same impression that Temple did.

[joeyfenn]

According to twitter Jake O'Brien liked Temple a lot, and BC didn't make the same impression that Temple did.

I've heard the same thing. I don't think we stand a chance any more

It just forces the younger guys to play a little more. It's not a huge deal losing out on him

[twballgame9]

Frankly jake O'Brien blows.

[eagle9903]

Frankly jake O'Brien blows.

Ehh, he'd be a nice band aid for next year.

[Shaddix]

Someone has to post the Dingba article on EA

[31southst]

Though still a raw talent, Samuel Dingba, a class of 2013 power forward from Salisbury (CT), has shown that he has the length, athleticism, and defensive instincts to play at an ACC program. EagleAction.com talked with Dingba on Monday about Boston College, and he spoke in detail about his relationship with Head Coach Steve Donahue and the Eagles' staff.

Dingba has been in touch with the BC staff
"I met him (Coach Donahue) last year. I'm very good with them and I like them a lot. They talk to me a lot," Dingba said.

Though Dingba has nothing set in stone, he has considered where he may like to take official visits to in the fall. "I have no idea yet, but the only schools I know now that I would want to visit (officially) are Boston College and Boston University, and maybe Yale, too," claimed Dingba.

He also mentioned that he is taking SAT's early in the fall, which depending on how he does could make his recruitment soar among the Ivy League and academic schools who are recruiting him.

Outside of BC, BU, and Yale, Dingba has a lengthy list of schools that are recruiting and keeping in contact with him, including: Xavier, Western Kentucky, West Virginia, Hofstra, Penn, San Francisco, and NC State among many others.

"I can't even remember the whole list most of the time," he said with a laugh.

Samuel, a 6'6 forward who runs with the Westchester Hawks, leaves tomorrow for Florida, where the Hawks will be playing on a big stage at AAU nationals. They recently competed in Hoop Group's Summer Classic East, where Dingba was reportedly one of the top New England players in attendance.

Going into his senior year, Dingba has been very dedicated in working out this summer, which is certainly an important factor for fans and coaches to consider:

"Every day I get up to go to the gym at 5:30 AM until about seven," he said, "I've been working on my defense and shooting, my offensive game."

With no timetable yet on his commitment, Samuel said that he will be thinking very hard before he commits to a college program. Getting input from his family and his coaches, while combining that input with where he thinks his best fit is, is very important to him.

[BCEaglesFan]

The Don at Under Armour Summer Jam:

It's one thing when an assistant coach comes to watch someone play. It's another when the head coach comes. But when the head coach brings their entire family to a recruit's game, they must be all in for a recruit. Whether it was intentional or not, Rutgers coach Mike Rice and his family took in the game of 2014 DC Assault point guard Romelo Trimble on Thursday. With Trimble dishing assists from all over the court, a variety of college coaches - including Xavier's Chris Mack, Cincinnati's Mick Cronin, Georgetown's John Thompson, Boston College's Steve Donahue, Miami's Jim Larranaga, George Mason's Paul Hewitt, UNLV's Dave Rice and more were on hand for his game. With two visits to Rutgers, and one to NC State, under his belt, Trimble hopes to take trips to Temple, Xavier and Notre Dame in the fall. He has no intention of cutting his list down anytime soon, but holds offers from Rutgers, Miami, Xaiver, Cincinnati, UNLV, Villanova, George Mason, Virginia Tech, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Temple.

Well-rounded on and off the court best describes 2014 Southwest Illinois Jets backcourt Darreon Reddick and Peyton Allen . The two started off the day with a strong performance as both scored the rock and distributed it as they won in convincing fashion. Allen, a 6-foot-4 combo guard from Glennwood, can shoot, attack the rim and find open teammates in transition like a point guard. With offers from Oklahoma State, Bradley and Iowa, along with interest from Michigan, Boston College, Virginia Tech, Xavier and Tennessee, Allen will likely visit Oklahoma State, Boston College and Michigan, for the second time, in August.

[joeyfenn]

Boston College has offered 2014 6'10" PF Isaac Copeland

Virginia, Western Kentucky, and St Joe's have offered

Missouri, Georgetown, Kansas, Clemson, Ohio State, NC State interested

visiting Gtown

[BCEaglesFan]

BC and Minnesota are showing interest in 2013 Darius Thompson.

Also, very good things to hear from Dingba.

[BCEaglesFan]

Both Boston College and Temple hosted a big time visitor on campus over the weekend, as BU transfer Jake O'Brien made an official visit to both schools. O'Brien is an intriguing player as he was the 2009 America East Rookie of the Year, and then followed that season up with 13.8 ppg and 6.4 rpg as a sophomore. An injured left foot kept O'Brien out most of the last two seasons, but now that he is healthy he was considered a possible AE Player of the Year candidate.


When it was announced a few weeks ago that BU could not compete in this year's AE Tournament, thus vanishing all chances of making it to March Madness, O'Brien decided that he needed to take action.

"I need to find a good fit where I'm needed and can fill a void. Also, I want to find a place where I can compete and have an opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament. Pretty much the whole reason I'm leaving BU is because the NCAA Tournament was taken away from us," said O'Brien. "But it's a mix of both. There are plenty of options where I know I could've gotten to a school that would be in the tournament. I still need a good fit where I can contribute and have a good season and have an opportunity to play after college."

O'Brien said that BU coach Joe Jones was "very understanding" of his decision which has helped make the process easier.

Now O'Brien is taking visits to pick where he will play next year. Over the weekend, O'Brien visited Temple and then Boston College.

"Temple is a great program. They've had a lot of success over the past few years. I enjoyed my time meeting Coach Dunphy. I already know Coach Killings because he coached at BU when I was there. It's a good spot I could see myself fitting in there. The BC visit was good too. Since I am local, I was only there for the afternoon. I spent the day with Coach Donahue. We talked about the program and their expectations. It was a good opportunity to see where they see themselves and how the program will be moving forward this year," said O'Brien.

The only other visits that O'Brien has lined up are Providence this weekend and Virginia on August 1st.

"There are a few schools on my radar if these visits don't work out. I think these four visits scheduled now is what it's coming down to though," said O'Brien.