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Message: [QUOTE="AWMKY, post: 690783, member: 3415"] Biancardi on Goodluck [B][FONT=verdana][COLOR=#333333][SIZE=12px]Comparing Okonoboh and Noel [/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [SIZE=12px][FONT=verdana][COLOR=#333333]As I watched ESPN 100 center Goodluck Okonoboh (Boston/Wilbraham & Monson) over the five-day event, I reflected back to watching [/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE][URL='http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/97363/nerlens-noel'][COLOR=#608fd6][FONT=verdana][SIZE=12px]Nerlens Noel[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/URL][SIZE=12px][FONT=verdana][COLOR=#333333] during his high school days. Over the years, I’ve had a chance to study the games of both Boston natives, who were one-time teammates at the Tilton School (N.H.) and with the BABC travel team. [/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=12px][FONT=verdana][COLOR=#333333]They are both exceptional shot-blockers who are similar in many ways but also have some distinct differences. In an [/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE][URL='http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9478192&categoryid=9231289'][COLOR=#608fd6][FONT=verdana][SIZE=12px]interview with Dave Telep[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/URL][SIZE=12px][FONT=verdana][COLOR=#333333] on Sunday, Okonoboh talked about learning from Noel. Here’s a quick breakdown of their shot-blocking abilities at the same stage of their careers. [/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=12px][FONT=verdana][COLOR=#333333]Noel did it with his poise and patience, staying on his feet longer and waiting to elevate. And when he did block a shot, he kept the ball in play to ignite the fast break. Noel is also longer and taller than Okonoboh and picked his spots more carefully for when to go after the block and when to simply contest and alter the shot. Noel went up with his arms straight up for the most part, which limited his fouls. [/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=12px][FONT=verdana][COLOR=#333333]Okonoboh is rapidly learning the trade of rejecting shots, but at this time he does it like a volleyball player who is spiking the ball over the net too hard. He also leaves his feet too soon and often gets caught out of the play as a result. He is also prone to foul trouble because he swats down on the block, and he must continue to learn when to simply challenge with high hands versus when to go after the block. [/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=12px][FONT=verdana][COLOR=#333333]Regardless of the improvements Okonoboh still needs to make, having someone who can both protect and score at the rim is a big asset in college basketball. That’s why it’s no surprise Okonoboh had some of the nation’s top college head coaches at his games throughout the adidas Invitational and why he will be heavily follow and pursued all summer. [/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE] [/QUOTE]

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