Class of 2019 PF Akok Akok (CT) to UConn

[jdubs30]

I would think the ship has officially sailed now.

It appears Akok seems himself more as a 3, and we just landed QG. QG is a better scorer than Akok.

So next year we'll have a junior Marek, Hughes, and QG all for the 3/4 spots. QG also gets the head start on learning everything since he'll be here in January. Don't get me wrong, we still have to take Akok if he wants to come, but the PT would be nothing like he'd get at UConn or Pitt. Pitt barely has a roster and UConn has zero good forwards. He can go to either one of those places and get 32 mpg+ from day 1; that ain't happenin here

 

[50YRsofCuse]

Need to embrace and enjoy the warmth from the Quincy Guerrier commitment.

Regarding Akok Akok, a person with insider connections that I found to be very reliable and accurate in the past say we are o u t on Akok and Stewart. Definitely a disappointment if the report is accurate. However, no one is 100% accurate all the time. So, I am hoping that lightning strikes and Syracuse is able to land one of these two. If not, there is always someone that is overlooked or resurfaces later in the year.

Let’s enjoy the Guerrier and other commitments we have.

 

[jdubs30]

Need to embrace and enjoy the warmth from the Quincy Guerrier commitment.

Regarding Akok Akok, a person with insider connections that I found to be very reliable and accurate in the past say we are o u t on Akok and Stewart. Definitely a disappointment if the report is accurate. However, no one is 100% accurate all the time. So, I am hoping that lightning strikes and Syracuse is able to land one of these two. If not, there is always someone that is overlooked or resurfaces later in the year.

Let’s enjoy the Guerrier and other commitments we have.

Akok and his HS just left for a tournament in the Bahamas. Only Pitt and UConn saw him before he left. To me that says a lot

 

[50YRsofCuse]

Akok and his HS just left for a tournament in the Bahamas. Only Pitt and UConn saw him before he left. To me that says a lot

Still hoping for lightning to strike for one of these players.

 

[Sgt Cuse]

I would think the ship has officially sailed now.

It appears Akok seems himself more as a 3, and we just landed QG. QG is a better scorer than Akok.

So next year we'll have a junior Marek, Hughes, and QG all for the 3/4 spots. QG also gets the head start on learning everything since he'll be here in January. Don't get me wrong, we still have to take Akok if he wants to come, but the PT would be nothing like he'd get at UConn or Pitt. Pitt barely has a roster and UConn has zero good forwards. He can go to either one of those places and get 32 mpg+ from day 1; that ain't happenin here

Nothing Official has happened. I feel the lowered expectations but still hold out hope. And the lowered odds have pretty much come from an unfounded echo chamber.

I agree that if his determination is based on frosh PT, SU is in trouble. Same could have been said with JG3 and even with QG (if he had wanted to play in the winter he wouldn't be here).

But if Akok can overcome the need for immediate PT, SU has a lot more to offer. SU/JB has shown to deliver on a plan of development. Akok's build and game are a perfect fit for SU. SU will have the better teams. SU has a track record and would provide him with a clear cut potential to the next level.

And in the process, SU would have the more enjoyable and prolific environment for a big time recruit.

I think Akok knows all this but is weighing it against the pressure of appeasing powerful people in his life that would like to see him make a different choice. Tough choice but I could see SU still being in this.

 

[reedny]

I would think the ship has officially sailed now.

It appears Akok seems himself more as a 3, and we just landed QG. QG is a better scorer than Akok.

So next year we'll have a junior Marek, Hughes, and QG all for the 3/4 spots. QG also gets the head start on learning everything since he'll be here in January. Don't get me wrong, we still have to take Akok if he wants to come, but the PT would be nothing like he'd get at UConn or Pitt. Pitt barely has a roster and UConn has zero good forwards. He can go to either one of those places and get 32 mpg+ from day 1; that ain't happenin here

No doubt some recruiters will tell Akok what they think he wants to hear - wing, SF, PF, assistant coach ... whatever. Admittedly, he's a versatile player who moves well and has an outside game. But at the end of the day, he's 6-10. He's ideal for the zone as a stretch-4. Guerrier's a 2/3. If you understand how SU plays and look at the personnel they've had over the years, there's really no conflict. He may not end up here. But I doubt it will be because he sees Guerrier in his way.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Need to embrace and enjoy the warmth from the Quincy Guerrier commitment.

Regarding Akok Akok, a person with insider connections that I found to be very reliable and accurate in the past say we are o u t on Akok and Stewart. Definitely a disappointment if the report is accurate. However, no one is 100% accurate all the time. So, I am hoping that lightning strikes and Syracuse is able to land one of these two. If not, there is always someone that is overlooked or resurfaces later in the year.

Let’s enjoy the Guerrier and other commitments we have.

Yes, excellent post. We have 4 very good kids committed who fit the system. I would like to see one more big - either an athletic rim protector, or a guy who has some post moves and can score inside.

 

[hoopsupstate]

Akok and his HS just left for a tournament in the Bahamas. Only Pitt and UConn saw him before he left. To me that says a lot

It says they are the most desperate. He just visited SU.

 

[OrangeYaGladi]

It says they are the most desperate. He just visited SU.

Meh. It can go both ways. If we were visiting Akok as often as UConn, I think most on this board would be excited. One man's "desperate" is another man's "putting in the work."

 

[PauliePeppas]

I must say...nice for Uconn to have all these prep schools in their backyard

 

[orangemass]

Uconn is putting in work on their akok

 

[moqui]

wait and see if he holds off until spring

 

[albanycuse]

The longer he waits the less likely he goes to UConn imo.

 

[Cusesky8214]

I'm thinking he will announce something shortly after getting back from there Bahamas tournament.

 

[albanycuse]

He cant be their savior. What pieces do they have? Akok wins the tip , passes it down court off the backboard and it bounces back to the 3 point line to akok for 3! Akok inbounds to himself, dribbles down to half court gets picked off, steals it back then launches a 3. Good. Syracuse 125 -UConn 6 at the half.

 

[Admiral33]

Not an insider by any means, but I do know people connected to the program, and more so the coaching staff. And at the game last night was told Akok really likes Cuse and the potential of the program going forward but his "handlers" are really pushing him towards Uconn. And this is why he is struggling to commit. Sad that these kids can't just do what makes them happy.

 

[normaliswear]

Anyone know why his handlers would prefer UConn? What's in it for them?

 

[SU Dreaming]

Not an insider by any means, but I do know people connected to the program, and more so the coaching staff. And at the game last night was told Akok really likes Cuse and the potential of the program going forward but his "handlers" are really pushing him towards Uconn. And this is why he is struggling to commit. Sad that these kids can't just do what makes them happy.

Not pointing at u in anyway

Winners do not make excuses, they figure out a way to succeed no matter what the circumstances are.

 

[albanycuse]

Not an insider by any means, but I do know people connected to the program, and more so the coaching staff. And at the game last night was told Akok really likes Cuse and the potential of the program going forward but his "handlers" are really pushing him towards Uconn. And this is why he is struggling to commit. Sad that these kids can't just do what makes them happy.

If you know people connected to the program and they give u info = insider.

 

[Cusesky8214]

It seems like a lot of cuse people are hearing he likes us alot and the handlers are pushing uconn...that very well might be true but here's a observation I've made. For everything that looked good for us (social media related) with Quincy, Akok is literally the complete opposite. He has pretty much zero cuse related interests when it comes to his IG/Twitter. He follows and interacts with uconn players and the only school he follows is uconn basketball. Again, this doesnt necessarily mean anything but it's a decent way to see what someone's likes/interests are and his says uconn not Syracuse. Now this has absolutely nothing to do with if he likes us or not and what he thinks about our program. Maybe he does like us, but maybe he actually likes uconn. (That hasnt been said often in this recruitment. Everyone pushes the handlers like uconn and he likes cuse) I would like to be thrown for a loop here and have him commit to us but I'm not sure it's going to happen. As some have said, the longer this goes the better I like our chances. Something definitely seems to be holding him back because he could have committed to uconn numerous times by now and he hasn't yet so that in itself is somewhat telling. I'm guessing he makes his decision shortly after he gets back and if we see a Zags article in the next few days about, "Jim Boeheim and Gmac are visiting Akok Akok today per sources." Then we are probably in a better spot then most of us think. I don't think we have to wait much longer before we all find out how this is going to end.

 

[pearl31]

It seems like a lot of cuse people are hearing he likes us alot and the handlers are pushing uconn...that very well might be true but here's a observation I've made. For everything that looked good for us (social media related) with Quincy, Akok is literally the complete opposite. He has pretty much zero cuse related interests when it comes to his IG/Twitter. He follows and interacts with uconn players and the only school he follows is uconn basketball. Again, this doesnt necessarily mean anything but it's a decent way to see what someone's likes/interests are and his says uconn not Syracuse. Now this has absolutely nothing to do with if he likes us or not and what he thinks about our program. Maybe he does like us, but maybe he actually likes uconn. (That hasnt been said often in this recruitment. Everyone pushes the handlers like uconn and he likes cuse) I would like to be thrown for a loop here and have him commit to us but I'm not sure it's going to happen. As some have said, the longer this goes the better I like our chances. Something definitely seems to be holding him back because he could have committed to uconn numerous times by now and he hasn't yet so that in itself is somewhat telling. I'm guessing he makes his decision shortly after he gets back and if we see a Zags article in the next few days about, "Jim Boeheim and Gmac are visiting Akok Akok today per sources." Then we are probably in a better spot then most of us think. I don't think we have to wait much longer before we all find out how this is going to end.

easy - his handlers are obv handling all his soc media activity too

 

[HOFCeluck]

I also heard through the grapevine that the OV was actually attended by a handler on stilts wearing a rubber A2 mask.
DAMN IT GERRY @(&ed US AGAIN

 

[dasher]

I also heard through the grapevine that the OV was actually attended by a handler on stilts wearing a rubber A2 mask.
DAMN IT GERRY @(&ed US AGAIN

Settle down. That still doesn't mean the kid won't sign with us

 

[HOFCeluck]

Settle down. That still doesn't mean the kid won't sign with us

Well. That’s a relief!

 

[Sherman20]

Because we got Quincy, who I’m stoked about, I can live with not getting Akok (if that’s what happens), even if it’s disappointing. So I’m gonna give a positive spin here. I believe in our coaches and believe in their ability to develop talent. I think they can turn Marek into a really good power forward and more of an offensive force by his junior year, while getting him to bulk up at the same time (that may be his biggest challenge). His shot isn’t bad and he proved his mid range game in the tourney last season. If they work with him closely on his shooting and he works really hard on his own, what’s to say he can’t improve to where he’s both a PF who can slash through the lane and a good outside shooter? Akok improved a lot as a high school junior. Why can’t Marek do the same as a college sophomore? If he does that, we won’t need Akok for his stretch four potential. We’ll have Marek. And in 2020 we can try to land a instant impact PF.