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Username Post: Newest Penn Commitment        (Topic#26276)
AsiaSunset 
Postdoc
Posts: 4350

Reg: 11-21-04
05-02-22 04:36 PM - Post#340975    

Christian Obuchi

6’10 220 post player from Williston

A project with limited recruiting cache. Nevertheless, a very interesting addition. Film looks a little bit like I would have imagined Jaylen Gainey’s level to have been when entering Brown. Christian is from Nigeria and has only been playing basketball for a few years. I’m thinking potentially a ‘diamond in the rough”. Time will tell.

 
AsiaSunset 
Postdoc
Posts: 4350

Reg: 11-21-04
05-02-22 04:38 PM - Post#340976    
    In response to AsiaSunset

Ubochi

 
penn nation 
Professor
Posts: 21081

Reg: 12-02-04
05-02-22 04:39 PM - Post#340977    
    In response to AsiaSunset

Who is he marrying?

 
PennFan10 
Postdoc
Posts: 3578

Reg: 02-15-15
05-02-22 04:44 PM - Post#340980    
    In response to penn nation

https://twitter.com/_bigcey_

 
palestra38 
Professor
Posts: 32680

Reg: 11-21-04
05-02-22 05:05 PM - Post#340982    
    In response to PennFan10

Excellent. Looks like a legitimate big

https://www.thehoophustle.com/christianubochi

 
Penndemonium 
PhD Student
Posts: 1877

Reg: 11-29-04
05-02-22 05:22 PM - Post#340984    
    In response to palestra38


Well, of course I did some quick research and watched video. Honestly his video was way different than I expected. When I heard "diamond in the rough" I was imagining someone like Dikembie Mutombo - wiry, awkward, limited bt developing skills. Instead, he is very smooth athletically, finishes way above the rim, has great feet and spin moves, and looks like he has been playing way longer than he has. His video looks as promising as any of the big man videos I have seen for our recruits.

It's a bit of a wonder he wasn't more heavily recruited, as he appears to be a good student (Honors PG student) and seems to have a lot of potential. NERR has him ranked 65, which is much lower than I would have expected for someone of his striking physical capabilities.

His success at Penn will probably depend on two things:

First, is whether he develops well enough physical presence for D1. He does not shy away from contact, but he is still a bit thin. Can he apply his potential to be a defensive and rebounding force in college basketball? Or will he be a tweener - not physical enough for the 4 and 5, but not skilled enough to play the 3. Quite honestly, I'm optimistic he can be a good 4/5.

Second, how does he fit with a Donahue scheme? There isn't a lot to go on here, as we haven't had many players with his mix of talent. He seems to be a smoother version of MLL, but we haven't had a chance to see how Donahue uses MLL. Donahue's schemes do seem to favor players with high basketball IQ and shooting touch. I have no idea if Ubochi has had time to develop in these areas. His video looks great, though.

Interesting article on his back story: https://www.willistonian.org/christian-ubochi-is-n ...



 
nychoops 
Junior
Posts: 239

Reg: 11-23-04
05-02-22 05:23 PM - Post#340985    
    In response to palestra38

I’ve seen him play( in full disclosure was their looking at another kid). He’s VERY raw, very long and athletic. I honestly haven’t a clue what he becomes but I thought the same when I saw Koko at Pasadena Poly so who knows?? Credit to Penfan10 for having the respect for the young man and the school to proceed on their timeline

 
Penndemonium 
PhD Student
Posts: 1877

Reg: 11-29-04
05-02-22 05:25 PM - Post#340986    
    In response to nychoops

+1 to PF10.

 
Penndemonium 
PhD Student
Posts: 1877

Reg: 11-29-04
05-02-22 05:28 PM - Post#340987    
    In response to nychoops

nychoops, at what age did you seem him play? With only 4 years of competitive basketball, each year is a big percentage of his overall development curve.

 
Mike Porter 
Postdoc
Posts: 3614
Mike Porter
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
Reg: 11-21-04
05-02-22 07:21 PM - Post#340989    
    In response to nychoops

Definitely a big kid, who seems to have athletic ability a step above, but looks and sounds very raw. Happy to have him at Penn though with that length and hops and hope he develops.

While they aren't very good at closing known talent, the staff usually is very good at diamond in the rough assessment. Let's hope that is what is going on here, and I'm glad they are taking a shot with him.

That said, we should also be realistic that a 65th ranking in NERR is a red flag. Only Cornell has a commit lower than that. For comparisons, Danny Wolf who we were after was 10th and the two kids Columbia landed are 13th and 15th.

Hopefully these rankings are old and from before the season. Anyone find any stats from the season?

 
Silver Maple 
Postdoc
Posts: 3765

Loc: Westfield, New Jersey
Reg: 11-23-04
05-02-22 08:06 PM - Post#340991    
    In response to Mike Porter

It's good to see the staff ink a recruit, particularly since they seem to be struggling right now. That said, I never let myself get excited by any player associated with the terms 'project,' 'potential,' 'upside,' 'raw,' or 'diamond in the rough.'

As they say, pessimists are never disappointed.

 
Buckeye Quake 
PhD Student
Posts: 1601

Reg: 11-21-04
05-02-22 09:06 PM - Post#340993    
    In response to Silver Maple


Depends on who's using the terms. Consider the sources. Start with anyone that's actually seen someone play.

 
Penndemonium 
PhD Student
Posts: 1877

Reg: 11-29-04
05-03-22 02:27 AM - Post#341001    
    In response to Silver Maple

I would agree with that overall, except that those are words I would have used to define a few other players such as Koko Archibong, Max Rothschild, DNH, and a few others.

I will also concede that there are far more projects who haven't starred such as Jarrod Simmons, Cam Gunter, Mark Jackson, and many more.

 
QHoops 
Senior
Posts: 368

Reg: 12-16-04
05-03-22 05:42 AM - Post#341002    
    In response to Penndemonium

Let's hope in this case the applicable comparison is not Gavin Hunt.

 
AsiaSunset 
Postdoc
Posts: 4350

Reg: 11-21-04
05-03-22 06:30 AM - Post#341005    
    In response to Buckeye Quake

  • Buckeye Quake Said:

Depends on who's using the terms. Consider the sources. Start with anyone that's actually seen someone play.



How about Adam Finkelstein from NERR

Adam Finkelstein
@AdamFinkelstein
Penn adds a late 2022 pledge from
@WNSBVBasketball
big man Christian Ubochi. Tremendous physical tools & clear untapped potential.

 
AsiaSunset 
Postdoc
Posts: 4350

Reg: 11-21-04
05-03-22 06:41 AM - Post#341006    
    In response to AsiaSunset

Or

Aaron Burgin
@FullTimeHoops1

Former Mater Dei Catholic 6-10
C Christian Ubochi (Williston Northampton ‘22) has committed to Penn. Athletic rim-running big is an elite rim protector and has a ton of upside.

 
TheLine 
Professor
Posts: 5597

Age: 60
Reg: 07-07-09
05-03-22 08:03 AM - Post#341008    
    In response to AsiaSunset

It's tough to get an accurate gauge from highlight reels, otherwise you could conclude Penn just recruited a player who hits 100% of his free throws.

Ubochi looks quite green to me, even without seeing him in a full game tape. It looks like he needs lots of hard work and polish. You can look no further than the current Penn roster to understand the odds of making the leap. I'm not saying he can't, just saying to not bank on it.


 
PennFan10 
Postdoc
Posts: 3578

Reg: 02-15-15
05-03-22 10:16 AM - Post#341022    
    In response to TheLine

Well size and athleticism is going to get him on the floor for a shot at making an impact. No one else on the roster has that combination (save MLL maybe). That by itself gives Ubochi an edge over most others buried on the roster. If he can go in a game and block/alter 3 shots in 10 minutes he's gonna play.

 
AsiaSunset 
Postdoc
Posts: 4350

Reg: 11-21-04
05-03-22 10:41 AM - Post#341023    
    In response to TheLine

I agree it’s hard to gage everything from highlight reels; however, his highlight reels don’t evidence a project - just the opposite.

But the people who have tracked him over time say he is, but that he is one with the attributes Pennfan10 and others have described. That seems to me the accurate takeaway.

All things considered Ubochi is an incredibly interesting late addition to this class. As I said in the initial post, time will tell.

 
Jeff2sf 
Postdoc
Posts: 4466

Reg: 11-22-04
05-03-22 12:10 PM - Post#341029    
    In response to AsiaSunset

it would be an interesting and exciting addition if the class wasn't so desultory to begin with.

 
Jeff2sf 
Postdoc
Posts: 4466

Reg: 11-22-04
Newest Penn Commitment
05-03-22 12:12 PM - Post#341030    
    In response to Jeff2sf

pf10, i would agree he could get on the floor with his athleticism. But maybe it's one too many Paul Reed watches by me lately but I feel like he could be a foul machine, not know where to be, etc. and undo all his good work with lots of bad just like Paul the Bball.

having said that, f rivers, morey and jordan.

Edited by Jeff2sf on 05-03-22 12:12 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.

 
palestra38 
Professor
Posts: 32680

Reg: 11-21-04
Re: Newest Penn Commitment
05-03-22 12:15 PM - Post#341032    
    In response to Jeff2sf

But Harden was to be the savior!

My view of this kid is that he has unbelievable athleticism and from his video, is not Abraham Okorududu. He can be a very good player at our level within a couple of years IMO.

 
Buckeye Quake 
PhD Student
Posts: 1601

Reg: 11-21-04
05-03-22 12:27 PM - Post#341034    
    In response to AsiaSunset

That's two and thanks for them. Both clearly have a much more positive assessment than what's being stated here.

 
Buckeye Quake 
PhD Student
Posts: 1601

Reg: 11-21-04
05-03-22 12:29 PM - Post#341036    
    In response to Jeff2sf

Amen!

 
Penndemonium 
PhD Student
Posts: 1877

Reg: 11-29-04
Newest Penn Commitment
05-03-22 01:39 PM - Post#341042    
    In response to Buckeye Quake

The thing is that when you watch the video, he has quickness, moves, and athleticism like a power conference SF. His feet and hands are smooth. He soars on his athletic dunks. The ivies just don't have people doing that. I really like how in his highlights, he is immediately looking to go up with the ball rather than putting it on the floor. If he puts on some muscle, I'd keep him on the floor just as a defender and rim runner. He could be great for tips.

That said, it seems no one who has actually seen him seems to describe him as a ready product. We keep hearing the word potential. What we don't see on the highlights: What do his turnovers look like? What does his half-court defense look like? What does it look like when he puts the ball on the floor? How quickly does he read the defense? Can he hold his own on the defensive boards? Can he shoot facing the basket? How many of those hook shots (which look pretty decent) does he miss?



 
palestra38 
Professor
Posts: 32680

Reg: 11-21-04
05-03-22 01:41 PM - Post#341043    
    In response to Penndemonium

It looks to me like he is ripped. It's not muscle he needs--just some weight.

But I agree, he does things most Ivy big men don't do...something I loved about MLL from the first time I saw him. If only we can get him on the court.

 
Penndemonium 
PhD Student
Posts: 1877

Reg: 11-29-04
05-03-22 01:43 PM - Post#341044    
    In response to palestra38

MLL has athleticism, but not this level of explosiveness. MLL has pretty good vertical hops, but not this guy's lateral smoothness.

 
Silver Maple 
Postdoc
Posts: 3765

Loc: Westfield, New Jersey
Reg: 11-23-04
05-03-22 01:44 PM - Post#341046    
    In response to palestra38

Athleticism is great. But the factors that will determine whether he becomes an effective player are how hard he's willing to work, how quickly he learns, and how well the coaching staff does in coaching him up. Without those things, he'll be nothing but potential.

 
palestra38 
Professor
Posts: 32680

Reg: 11-21-04
05-03-22 01:47 PM - Post#341047    
    In response to Penndemonium

That smoothness looks a bit slow for our level. I'm pretty confident he will learn and improve. I think MLL appears to be faster, if we ever put in an offense that took advantage of the guys we have who can run. But to reach our potential this year, we need to utilize a real big man who can protect the rim. That was the single most significant weakness of the team last year.

 
TheLine 
Professor
Posts: 5597

Age: 60
Reg: 07-07-09
Newest Penn Commitment
05-03-22 03:00 PM - Post#341062    
    In response to palestra38

There's an awkwardness to his game on both ends of the court that will take a bunch of effort to iron out. He seems off-balance a lot, which is going to make it tough for him to defend without fouling.

It would be good if he has an offensive game that goes beyond dunks and layups.

His FT shot is different. Would like to know whether it works.

He is big and reasonably mobile, so there's that. You can't coach big.

Is there any full game tape of Ubochi in action?

BTW, tweets by internet recruiting personalities are worth the paper they are printed on. We should all know that by now.

Edited by TheLine on 05-03-22 03:02 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.

 
Penndemonium 
PhD Student
Posts: 1877

Reg: 11-29-04
Newest Penn Commitment
05-03-22 03:23 PM - Post#341065    
    In response to palestra38

I didn't see the same thing in terms of speed. I saw a springy runner, which we never get from someone 6'10.

-----

Actually just re-watched MLL's recruiting videos. He looked great too. Hope we can get him on court!

Edited by Penndemonium on 05-03-22 03:27 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.

 
Jeff2sf 
Postdoc
Posts: 4466

Reg: 11-22-04
Re: Newest Penn Commitment
05-03-22 04:15 PM - Post#341068    
    In response to TheLine

This isn’t meant as a big criticism for your post but when you say it’s be nice if he had more than dunks and layups… I mean obviously true BUT I wonder how much he’d be allowed to do that in our heliocentric offense. Maybe all we want is a Dwight Powell to our Luka.

 
UPIA1968 
PhD Student
Posts: 1116
UPIA1968
Loc: Cornwall, PA
Reg: 11-20-06
05-03-22 05:00 PM - Post#341070    
    In response to Jeff2sf

Of course Penn is not going to get anything but a project at this late date in a recruiting year. With that in mind Christian clearly exceeds my expectations for late additions. Add one more player with some potential and this year's class would match up to the other Ivies. While that is short of our hopes for breakthrough recruiting, it give me hope for improvement next season.

 
palestra38 
Professor
Posts: 32680

Reg: 11-21-04
05-03-22 05:16 PM - Post#341071    
    In response to UPIA1968

The losses suffered by the other Ivy leaders and the return of MLL, along with the year of experience of a solid core of underclassmen almost certainly guarantees "improvement" for next year. I'm looking for more than that, regardless of the doom and gloom in here.

 
Quake Show 
Junior
Posts: 218

Reg: 03-04-20
05-03-22 07:51 PM - Post#341078    
    In response to palestra38

Want to say I am happy that the staff was able to sign another recruit– and a big man at that.

From what footage I have been able to see: I like his footwork a lot, and echo what others have said in that he tends to go straight up with the ball. These are all good things that bode well.

However, I noticed that his team did not seem to face another big man in any of the highlights posted. He was at least 4-5 inches taller than his competition– not sure how that translates to matching up against other big men

 
penn nation 
Professor
Posts: 21081

Reg: 12-02-04
05-03-22 08:52 PM - Post#341081    
    In response to Quake Show

Just make sure that we schedule appropriately.

 
Penndemonium 
PhD Student
Posts: 1877

Reg: 11-29-04
05-04-22 03:07 AM - Post#341087    
    In response to penn nation

I re-watched MLL's high school tapes. He looked great back then too. Fingers crossed for both tomorrow.


 
Penndemonium 
PhD Student
Posts: 1877

Reg: 11-29-04
05-04-22 04:56 PM - Post#341121    
    In response to Penndemonium

I meant next year.

 
palestra38 
Professor
Posts: 32680

Reg: 11-21-04
05-04-22 05:05 PM - Post#341123    
    In response to Penndemonium

We know that you just cannot contain your excitement for next season.

 
TheLine 
Professor
Posts: 5597

Age: 60
Reg: 07-07-09
Re: Newest Penn Commitment
05-06-22 09:01 AM - Post#341174    
    In response to Jeff2sf

  • Jeff2sf Said:
This isn’t meant as a big criticism for your post but when you say it’s be nice if he had more than dunks and layups… I mean obviously true BUT I wonder how much he’d be allowed to do that in our heliocentric offense. Maybe all we want is a Dwight Powell to our Luka.


I don't expect him to develop an outside game. Or even a Henry Brooks-ian mid game. There would need to be more variability to his inside game though, and it's not clear he has even that. Any guy his size can dunk over dudes a half-foot shorter but that's not what he'll be up against at the next level.

Maybe he has that game too, but you can't tell from the highlight reels.


 
AsiaSunset 
Postdoc
Posts: 4350

Reg: 11-21-04
05-06-22 09:28 AM - Post#341175    
    In response to TheLine

https://newenglandrecruit ingreport.com/in-the-news...

 
Penndemonium 
PhD Student
Posts: 1877

Reg: 11-29-04
Re: Newest Penn Commitment
05-06-22 09:43 AM - Post#341176    
    In response to TheLine

I'm not sure if you saw this one. The opponent seems to have a reasonably tall team. He is taller than most, but they are not small. His athleticism still looks good to me.

https://www.thehoophustle.com/news_article/show/12...


 
91Quake 
PhD Student
Posts: 1123

Reg: 11-22-04
05-06-22 09:57 AM - Post#341177    
    In response to Penndemonium

He is clearly athletic and also clearly a big body. We could have used both those traits last year. Providing spot minutes as a defense and rebounding specialist as he further develops his game can be very valuable for us.

Looks like he has good footwork also.

 
UPIA1968 
PhD Student
Posts: 1116
UPIA1968
Loc: Cornwall, PA
Reg: 11-20-06
05-06-22 01:28 PM - Post#341184    
    In response to 91Quake

This guy can jump higher than anybody in the league now. That should be worth something.

 
section110 
Masters Student
Posts: 847

Loc: south jersey
Reg: 11-22-04
Re: Newest Penn Commitment
05-06-22 01:28 PM - Post#341185    
    In response to Penndemonium

The opponent's center (15) is a 6'7 junior.

 
penn nation 
Professor
Posts: 21081

Reg: 12-02-04
05-06-22 01:49 PM - Post#341186    
    In response to section110

If nothing else, MLL and Mosh will face much stiffer competition during practice, which can only be for the better.



 
AsiaSunset 
Postdoc
Posts: 4350

Reg: 11-21-04
05-06-22 02:03 PM - Post#341187    
    In response to penn nation

That’s right. And all of us should remember that Mosh was our starting center for most of last year and is 6’7”. Interestingly AJ was only 6’8” as is last year’s Ivy POY.

I think the starting forwards on Ubochi’s Williston team were 6’8” and 6’7”.

 
Buckeye Quake 
PhD Student
Posts: 1601

Reg: 11-21-04
05-06-22 04:01 PM - Post#341190    
    In response to penn nation


Let's hope Moshkovitz never has to play center next year. A healthy Lorca-Lloyd, Spinosa with a year of experience and hopefully this kid, should allow Michael to concentrate on playing the four where he can maximize his effectiveness.

 
SomeGuy 
Professor
Posts: 6391

Reg: 11-22-04
Newest Penn Commitment
05-06-22 06:12 PM - Post#341191    
    In response to Buckeye Quake

Who knows, maybe Larson makes a leap too. I suspect the pandemic robbed him of some needed development time, and maybe he kind of catches up to his body.

I’ll also push back gently re Mosh (I seem to have somehow become his biggest fan on here). I think there will be instances where we want him playing the 5. The problem last year is that a lot of the time we had to (and there were a few games where, when he was out of the game, we were playing with Martz there). I don’t mind seeing Mosh at the 5 when the matchups dictate or when we want to try to change things up. But we need a legit option with size on defense every game.

Edited by SomeGuy on 05-06-22 06:17 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.

 
OldBig5 
Masters Student
Posts: 639

Age: 66
Reg: 02-18-18
05-06-22 08:54 PM - Post#341192    
    In response to SomeGuy

I'm cautiously optimistic about this kid. Hope he develops.

 
Streamers 
Professor
Posts: 8141
Streamers
Loc: NW Philadelphia
Reg: 11-21-04
05-07-22 08:46 AM - Post#341194    
    In response to OldBig5

I agree we should not dismiss Larson. I suspect he is filling out as we speak and from what little I saw of him, he can shoot some which distinguishes him a bit from the others.

 
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