Efe Abogidi to portal

[SaveFerris]

Declared yes but apparently if he comes back to college, it won't be in Pullman. A couple more weeks to go and get the one-time waiver. Hopefully Jackson and Gueye come back and we are able to sign someone like Diongue.

 

[COUGinNCW]

Well that blows.

 

[CougEd]

Declared yes but apparently if he comes back to college, it won't be in Pullman. A couple more weeks to go and get the one-time waiver. Hopefully Jackson and Gueye come back and we are able to sign someone like Diongue.

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Sad stuff. He either goes to Gonzaga and gets Timmes NIL money, or heads to Seattle with Noah.

I think wsu will be punished harshly for recruiting well.

 

[SaveFerris]

...and the goodbye

 

[chugspig]

Odd. Would seem to imply there is $$$ for him somewhere. Frankly can’t blame him. Sad state of affairs but it is what it is.

 

[Observer11]

Just go out of conference. That’s not too much to ask.

Hell, out of state might even be satisfactory.

 

[jourdand]

I expected the draft move but didn’t really expect the portal move. I Thought Efe would come back, but once Rapp left the chances of Efe leaving went way up.

 

[mikalalas]

If 1 more starter leaves, it would probably be CBI at best for WSU.

With Efe gone, it will probably be CBI/NIT at best.

WSU went from likely winning 21 to 24 wins in reg season, only 1 loss in non con, 2,3 in conference, 3 Pac 12 tourny wins, 4th seed to 9th seed in NCAA, 2nd round, Sweet 16, Elite 8, 27 to 30 total wins, after post season.

To:

15,16,17,18 wins in reg season. 3,4,5 non con losses. 6th,7th,8th in conference, 0,1 Pac 12 tourny win. CBI 1st round exit to NIT 1st round exit, 16 to 20 wins total after post season.

UNLESS:

Smith pulls a magic rabbit out of hat, and or gets some ultimate, extreme, BIG TIME mix of Transfers, HS recruits, that are 3.5 star, 4 star, 4.5 star, lowest ended 5 star, etc, recruits, that end up being the real deal, that pan out, develop, produce, etc.

 

[mikalalas]

Well at least WSU can sell IMMEDIATE Co Starter to #1 back up at 4,5 spots, with Jackson(If he stays), Gueye(Will be A STARTER at 4,5 if Jackson leaves), to Diongue now.

 

[CougEd]

Declared yes but apparently if he comes back to college, it won't be in Pullman. A couple more weeks to go and get the one-time waiver. Hopefully Jackson and Gueye come back and we are able to sign someone like Diongue.

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I wonder if that came out of left field or if smith and staff had a feeling ? Next up? Jackson?

 

[Coug4life34]

I wonder if that came out of left field or if smith and staff had a feeling ? Next up? Jackson?

Starting to get a little worried… These are the types of things that usually have a story behind them. Not saying their is negativity in anyway, but they just tend to be a trend on a team for years too come.

 

[Glad Cougar]

Starting to get a little worried… These are the types of things that usually have a story behind them. Not saying their is negativity in anyway, but they just tend to be a trend on a team for years too come.

Could be, but I tend to think this is the new brave world of college athletics. WSU is not the only school where players are constantly looking for better situations....probably driven now by NIL opportunities. What a challenge it must be for coaches who likely don't know what the roster will look like until very late in the recruiting year. I used to get so excited when players like Efe were still underclassmen. I counted on them being around for the duration of their college career. Now, if they are good or have a lot of potential, you are lucky to have them for 2 years. I don't like where this is all headed.

Glad Cougar

 

[How_did_this_happen?]

Declared yes but apparently if he comes back to college, it won't be in Pullman. A couple more weeks to go and get the one-time waiver. Hopefully Jackson and Gueye come back and we are able to sign someone like Diongue.

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It's what I said earlier this week on this site. It was pretty clear by his wording he was leaving either way. It is not surprising.

There's a lot of money being thrown around behind the scenes...

 

[Observer11]

It's what I said earlier this week on this site. It was pretty clear by his wording he was leaving either way. It is not surprising.

There's a lot of money being thrown around behind the scenes...

In the Twitter comments, there were a couple Texas A&M posters.

They way they are throwing money around football NILs to buy players, it stands to reason they are writing checks for basketball too.'

Really sad state of affairs for 'amateur' athletics.

 

[7ICoug]

Sort of no one to blame but ourselves. I wouldn't like playing in front of 3K fans very much and if we can't round up enough money for facilities and get fans interested it would be 100% on us.

 

[gpcoug]

Seems like schools like WSU will just become development programs for the bigger name and money programs to cherrypick the best athletes without having to recruit or develop them.

 

[NMBRCRNCHR]

Seems like schools like WSU will just become development programs for the bigger name and money programs to cherrypick the best athletes without having to recruit or develop them.

Yep, one more cut of a 1,000 that is killing(ed) college athletics.

 

[acgcoug]

Yep, one more cut of a 1,000 that is killing(ed) college athletics.

and killing my interest

 

[425cougfan]

If only this would have been an obvious outcome as soon as NIL hit. Gee, shocker. I know those pulling the strings don't care as long as they get whatever TV ratings they need for games involving schools they deem important enough, but to the extent small school ADs and presidents can band together or otherwise try to exert some pull, something needs to happen very quickly to prevent a downward spiral in interest in, and donations to, programs like WSU.

Hard to stay interested when the deck just keeps getting more and more stacked, and the harder it is to stay interested, the harder it is to donate to a lost cause, the easier it gets to not want to drive down from Spokane, the harder it is for me to interest my kids in watching the Cougs, etc., and a downward spiral can happen quickly.

It always was really hard to recruit to WSU and hard to get coaches to stick around. Now it's getting to the point where even if you hire well, work hard to retain the coach, and the coach does an incredible job recruiting, it's just about impossible to build a good team at a school like WSU. That has all kinds of implications both now and for the future in terms of sustainability of college athletics.

 

[Stretch 74]

If only this would have been an obvious outcome as soon as NIL hit. Gee, shocker. I know those pulling the strings don't care as long as they get whatever TV ratings they need for games involving schools they deem important enough, but to the extent small school ADs and presidents can band together or otherwise try to exert some pull, something needs to happen very quickly to prevent a downward spiral in interest in, and donations to, programs like WSU.

Hard to stay interested when the deck just keeps getting more and more stacked, and the harder it is to stay interested, the harder it is to donate to a lost cause, the easier it gets to not want to drive down from Spokane, the harder it is for me to interest my kids in watching the Cougs, etc., and a downward spiral can happen quickly.

It always was really hard to recruit to WSU and hard to get coaches to stick around. Now it's getting to the point where even if you hire well, work hard to retain the coach, and the coach does an incredible job recruiting, it's just about impossible to build a good team at a school like WSU. That has all kinds of implications both now and for the future in terms of sustainability of college athletics.

Pay attention to the bolded part. As an example, I hope it is a long time before this happens, but in my estate planning, I have set up to fund scholarships for the Elson Floyd Medical School (niece graduated in first class!), Construction Mgmt program, and the Athletic Department. I can assure you right now that if this continues and college sports just becomes minor leagues for NBA, NFL, etc, I will be seriously reconsidering that third one. I would never give it to the Mariners, Sonics, or Seahawks, so why give it to their minor leagues? I hope it doesn't come to that before I leave this life, there are many more worthy causes that could use that money than something that is simply a pro prep league and has done away with anything resembling "amateur".

Happy Easter, everyone! Starting to snow again here in north Idaho. Thank God for the global warming........

 

[mikalalas]

If only this would have been an obvious outcome as soon as NIL hit. Gee, shocker. I know those pulling the strings don't care as long as they get whatever TV ratings they need for games involving schools they deem important enough, but to the extent small school ADs and presidents can band together or otherwise try to exert some pull, something needs to happen very quickly to prevent a downward spiral in interest in, and donations to, programs like WSU.

Hard to stay interested when the deck just keeps getting more and more stacked, and the harder it is to stay interested, the harder it is to donate to a lost cause, the easier it gets to not want to drive down from Spokane, the harder it is for me to interest my kids in watching the Cougs, etc., and a downward spiral can happen quickly.

It always was really hard to recruit to WSU and hard to get coaches to stick around. Now it's getting to the point where even if you hire well, work hard to retain the coach, and the coach does an incredible job recruiting, it's just about impossible to build a good team at a school like WSU. That has all kinds of implications both now and for the future in terms of sustainability of college athletics.

This 1000%. IF WSU could have retained those players(Noah, Efe, in addition to losing senior Mike Flowers to graduation, and Rapp(which normally wouldn't hurt, but hurts now because even having Rapp now would help as Rapp would be a ok co starter, back up), WSU could have not only won 26 to 30 games(after post season), NCAA semi high seed, 2nd round to Elite 8, 2nd,3rd in conference, etc, this coming season, but maybe the year after as well. Which then could have led to reloading, future visits to NCAA's in NEAR future. Which would, could have led to better retention, recruiting, more success, retention of Smith, rinse, wash, repeat. Which would, could have built WSU into another semi blue blood like Gonzaga.

But now the Former Gonzaga's, WSU's can't even build into a semi blue blood like Gonzaga. The Hope will be slim, probably unrealistic, etc, which will semi cause, add to the downward spiral, until it kills not only the Former Gonzaga's, WSU types, but eventually effects, kills college basketball.

Even if Smith pulls a rabbit out of hat, recruits monster transfers, 4,5 star HS recruits, goes to NCAA Elite 8, etc. Either WSU, Smith, Fans, etc, will again lose half to almost the whole team like before.

And even if Smith keeps reloading, having more success, after losing 2/3rds the team, each time, eventually even Smith, would give up, and no sane good coach would replace him, because they would go thru the same difficulties.

Probably the only hope WSU has now, and it's probably a semi slim hope, is that maybe Smith Reloads, goes to the NIT/NCAA every 1,2 years, and stays, and then after enough years WSU stops having this problem, because of Smith, WSU's success. And then maybe after that Smith stays, and will have stayed 13+ years like Few, and built WSU into a semi blue blood, semi DESTINATION. And then after that, maybe a good replacement for Smith is found, and continues another 10+ years, rinse, wash, repeat.

But that might probably won't happen.

I can't see why Smith would put up with this crap for too much longer.

But then again, I didn't see why Few stayed at Gonzaga, and didn't go somewhere else either.

So maybe, hopefully I am wrong.

But if I am wrong, I doubt it.

 

[mikalalas]

This 1000%. IF WSU could have retained those players(Noah, Efe, in addition to losing senior Mike Flowers to graduation, and Rapp(which normally wouldn't hurt, but hurts now because even having Rapp now would help as Rapp would be a ok co starter, back up), WSU could have not only won 26 to 30 games(after post season), NCAA semi high seed, 2nd round to Elite 8, 2nd,3rd in conference, etc, this coming season, but maybe the year after as well. Which then could have led to reloading, future visits to NCAA's in NEAR future. Which would, could have led to better retention, recruiting, more success, retention of Smith, rinse, wash, repeat. Which would, could have built WSU into another semi blue blood like Gonzaga.

But now the Former Gonzaga's, WSU's can't even build into a semi blue blood like Gonzaga. The Hope will be slim, probably unrealistic, etc, which will semi cause, add to the downward spiral, until it kills not only the Former Gonzaga's, WSU types, but eventually effects, kills college basketball.

Even if Smith pulls a rabbit out of hat, recruits monster transfers, 4,5 star HS recruits, goes to NCAA Elite 8, etc. Either WSU, Smith, Fans, etc, will again lose half to almost the whole team like before.

And even if Smith keeps reloading, having more success, after losing 2/3rds the team, each time, eventually even Smith, would give up, and no sane good coach would replace him, because they would go thru the same difficulties.

Probably the only hope WSU has now, and it's probably a semi slim hope, is that maybe Smith Reloads, goes to the NIT/NCAA every 1,2 years, and stays, and then after enough years WSU stops having this problem, because of Smith, WSU's success. And then maybe after that Smith stays, and will have stayed 13+ years like Few, and built WSU into a semi blue blood, semi DESTINATION. And then after that, maybe a good replacement for Smith is found, and continues another 10+ years, rinse, wash, repeat.

But that might probably won't happen.

I can't see why Smith would put up with this crap for too much longer.

But then again, I didn't see why Few stayed at Gonzaga, and didn't go somewhere else either.

So maybe, hopefully I am wrong.

But if I am wrong, I doubt it.

I think the only way to fight this is kind of like what is being floated around on the football board.

WSU Smith, needs to only take 1 HS recruit at most, and have the rest be JC transfers, transfers, grad transfers.

That way players will have used up their free transfer, and will be less likely to transfer again from a WSU type.

And when they take a HS recruit, have it be a fan, legacy like Dylan, someone local, an or a Foreign, international player that is more likely to stay(Efe is the exception, as foreign international players stay more often.)

If there is any coach that can do that SUCCESSFULLY at a WSU type, it's Smith.

And if Smith does that, it can, semi probably semi would solve all WSU's problems with this issue, and would have consistent success, and would probably stay, build WSU into a semi blue blood, etc.

The question is will Smith do that, pivot, change, adapt, fast enough to do that. I guess we will see or not see about on that.

Some might say that if that strategy becomes mainstream, that it would hurt HS freshman more. Their right it would. But as bad as that is, WSU, Smith can only do what works, etc, and fault NIL, etc.

 

[How_did_this_happen?]

Pay attention to the bolded part. As an example, I hope it is a long time before this happens, but in my estate planning, I have set up to fund scholarships for the Elson Floyd Medical School (niece graduated in first class!), Construction Mgmt program, and the Athletic Department. I can assure you right now that if this continues and college sports just becomes minor leagues for NBA, NFL, etc, I will be seriously reconsidering that third one. I would never give it to the Mariners, Sonics, or Seahawks, so why give it to their minor leagues? I hope it doesn't come to that before I leave this life, there are many more worthy causes that could use that money than something that is simply a pro prep league and has done away with anything resembling "amateur".

Happy Easter, everyone! Starting to snow again here in north Idaho. Thank God for the global warming........

Happy Easter Stretch...and everyone!

 

[Stretch 74]

Happy Easter Stretch...and everyone!

Thanks, and you too. More snow today on Christmas morning, uh....I mean Easter morning. Crazy weather.

 

[roses04]

NIL and the portal have changed the entire dynamics of college sports, needless to say. You used to focus hard on recruiting High School players. Now you have to focus recruiting on High School, your current roster, and the transfer portal. And you have to find NIL money, to keep your current players and lure players from the portal. Not an easy task, not sure where this all ends, but without significant NIL money, your roster will be constantly turning over. You see players leaving the top tier programs as well, they just have deeper rosters and a lot more money to work with. If they don't put a cap spending, on this or put some additional restrictions on the portal things don't look good for most teams except the top 20-30 in all sports.

 

[Rich Lewis]

I have a different take on NIL that most seem to have. I could be completely wrong but I don't see it as having much of an impact. I think only the superstars are going to gain from NIL. For example, in Spokane the only player I see garnering anything from NIL is Drew Timme. No one is going to pay Tyrell Roberts to put his mug on anything.

I think the portal, and the huge turnover it creates, on the other hand is going to have a huge detrimental effect on college sports. Especially basketball where there are only 13 scholarships. Before the portal you could expect a player to be with the team 4-5 years. Over that time there was a sense of loyalty both ways. Fans felt like they built a relationship with each player and wanted to watch them mature over their time at the school. Fan interest and allegiance is bound to wane over time. I saw a great number of games with hardly anyone in the stands (Stanford, Cal, UW, Oregon, ASU, etc.) so it's not just WSU. Part of it was due to COVID to be sure but lessened fan interest was also a factor. Given the opportunity players are going to move for a myriad of reasons, but mostly because the grass is always greener.

 

[How_did_this_happen?]

I have a different take on NIL that most seem to have. I could be completely wrong but I don't see it as having much of an impact. I think only the superstars are going to gain from NIL. For example, in Spokane the only player I see garnering anything from NIL is Drew Timme. No one is going to pay Tyrell Roberts to put his mug on anything.

I think the portal, and the huge turnover it creates, on the other hand is going to have a huge detrimental effect on college sports. Especially basketball where there are only 13 scholarships. Before the portal you could expect a player to be with the team 4-5 years. Over that time there was a sense of loyalty both ways. Fans felt like they built a relationship with each player and wanted to watch them mature over their time at the school. Fan interest and allegiance is bound to wane over time. I saw a great number of games with hardly anyone in the stands (Stanford, Cal, UW, Oregon, ASU, etc.) so it's not just WSU. Part of it was due to COVID to be sure but lessened fan interest was also a factor. Given the opportunity players are going to move for a myriad of reasons, but mostly because the grass is always greener.

Agree. Good take.

Regarding the transfer portal, I can't think of one good reason why players should be loyal to schools since their coaches aren't even loyal. Anyone disagree?

 

[kougkurt]

NIL and the portal have changed the entire dynamics of college sports, needless to say. You used to focus hard on recruiting High School players. Now you have to focus recruiting on High School, your current roster, and the transfer portal. And you have to find NIL money, to keep your current players and lure players from the portal. Not an easy task, not sure where this all ends, but without significant NIL money, your roster will be constantly turning over. You see players leaving the top tier programs as well, they just have deeper rosters and a lot more money to work with. If they don't put a cap spending, on this or put some additional restrictions on the portal things don't look good for most teams except the top 20-30 in all sports.

Headed toward 1 “super” league and a handful of feeder leagues.

 

[SaveFerris]

Headed toward 1 “super” league and a handful of feeder leagues.

Is there a market for a "super league"? I don't know the answer, but my sense is no. As much as the power programs would like to go on their own, I think they still need the "feeder programs" for the model to work.

 

[Observer11]

Agree. Good take.

Regarding the transfer portal, I can't think of one good reason why players should be loyal to schools since their coaches aren't even loyal. Anyone disagree?

The coaches and ADs killed the golden goose.

 

[Rich Lewis]

The biggest problem is higher than ADs and coaches. It starts with the head clown Mark Emmert and the lesser but equally stupid clowns he surrounds himself with. Don't know about other conferences but the last two Pac-12 commissioners have been disasters. Jury still out on current one.

 

[425cougfan]

Agree. Good take.

Regarding the transfer portal, I can't think of one good reason why players should be loyal to schools since their coaches aren't even loyal. Anyone disagree?

Players and those in favor of unfettered transfers can use coaches having no loyalty as justification for players behaving similarly, as you do here.

The thing is, though, that they are additive, not offsetting, when it comes to hurting smaller schools and decreasing donations to, and interest in, college athletics. It already sucked knowing our coaches almost certainly would move on if they did well. That, in addition to the inherent recruiting and retention challenges a program like WSU always will face, already made it hard. Players now bailing, especially if it becomes a cash grab, is something like a baseball bat on the camel's back, not a straw.

 

[jourdand]

It almost seems like a way for players to stay relevant. A guy like Noah was picked as preseason all PAC12 had a bad year. Enters transfer portal and regains a little exposure/ puts his name back on peoples lips. Same with Efe big hoopla coming in. 2 solid years but not spectacular and all of a sudden you start to become yesterdays news. Start fresh at a new school and generate more press and name recognition.
Let’s face it most draftees are sophomores or freshmen. If you haven’t put yourself in a draft able position by the end of your sophomore year maybe it’s time to start fresh. If that is your primary goal.

 

[SaveFerris]

What a list. LMAO...

 

[jourdand]

I’m assuming that everybody who has contacted him.

 

[Glad Cougar]

What a list. LMAO...

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It appears the list of schools Efe is not considering is only slightly longer.

Oregon State? Seriously?

I'm pulling for the Vermont Catamounts to win the Efe Abogidi sweepstakes!


Glad Cougar

 

[How_did_this_happen?]

What a list. LMAO...

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UW? Oh wow. That would be a kick in the teeth.

No way in Hell the Zags pick him him. They're looking for bigger fish imo.

 

[mikalalas]

If Efe hadn't been injured, and if Jackson wouldn't have been injured, and had been able to take the heat, focus off Efe(because of Efe's great, good freshman year), then instead of averaging about 8.3 ppg and 5 rebounds, 1,2, 1.5 blocks, 1 steal, good defense, etc, he Efe probably would have done about 9.5 to 10 to 10.5 to 11 to 11.5 ppg, and 7.5 rebounds per game, 2,3 blocks, 1,2 steals, good defense, athleticism, and next year, season he would have probably averaged 12 to 14 to 16 ppg, 10+ rebounds, 3,4 blocks, 2,3 steals, etc, per game, IF he had not gotten injured at WSU, and if Jackson hadn't gotten injured.

But as is, Efe will still probably do at least 8.5 to 9 to 9.5 to 10 ppg, 6.7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1.5 steals per game, great defense, athleticism, his Junior year.

And Senior year: 11 to 13 to 15 ppg, 8.7 rebounds per game, 2,3 blocks, 2 steals, awesome defense, asthleticism, per game.

And that would be good enough for him to go top of 2nd round to last pick of 1st round of draft.

And during the NIT, Coaches, Announcers, Former NBA players, former college players, former college and NBA coaches, experts, pundits, etc, compared Efe to Shawn Kemp, and Domenique Wilkins, and said he is a Future NBA pro, player, prospect, had NBA freakish Athleticism, but that because he is RAW, that it would take time for him to blossom develop, that despite that he will be NBA bound, etc.

There is a LOT of hype surrounding Efe, and rightfully so, because of his awesome performance, hightlight reel material against the better teams, players in the country, in the NIT.

You cant or shouldnt go by only his 8 ppg and 5 rebounds per game like Jourdand is doing, because his 8 ppg and 5 rebounds, doesn't tell a full accurate story.

I'm as disappointed that Efe is leaving as much as you all, maybe even more, but despite how disappointed I am, I am not gonna do what some fans do and say untrue things like "He wasn't that good anyway", " He is not, or won't be NBA caliber", "His 8 ppg, and 5 rebounds per game, won't be desirable to other awesome team's", etc.

 

[How_did_this_happen?]

If Efe hadn't been injured, and if Jackson wouldn't have been injured, and had been able to take the heat, focus off Efe(because of Efe's great, good freshman year), then instead of averaging about 8.3 ppg and 5 rebounds, 1,2, 1.5 blocks, 1 steal, good defense, etc, he Efe probably would have done about 9.5 to 10 to 10.5 to 11 to 11.5 ppg, and 7.5 rebounds per game, 2,3 blocks, 1,2 steals, good defense, athleticism, and next year, season he would have probably averaged 12 to 14 to 16 ppg, 10+ rebounds, 3,4 blocks, 2,3 steals, etc, per game, IF he had not gotten injured at WSU, and if Jackson hadn't gotten injured.

But as is, Efe will still probably do at least 8.5 to 9 to 9.5 to 10 ppg, 6.7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1.5 steals per game, great defense, athleticism, his Junior year.

And Senior year: 11 to 13 to 15 ppg, 8.7 rebounds per game, 2,3 blocks, 2 steals, awesome defense, asthleticism, per game.

And that would be good enough for him to go top of 2nd round to last pick of 1st round of draft.

And during the NIT, Coaches, Announcers, Former NBA players, former college players, former college and NBA coaches, experts, pundits, etc, compared Efe to Shawn Kemp, and Domenique Wilkins, and said he is a Future NBA pro, player, prospect, had NBA freakish Athleticism, but that because he is RAW, that it would take time for him to blossom develop, that despite that he will be NBA bound, etc.

There is a LOT of hype surrounding Efe, and rightfully so, because of his awesome performance, hightlight reel material against the better teams, players in the country, in the NIT.

You cant or shouldnt go by only his 8 ppg and 5 rebounds per game like Jourdand is doing, because his 8 ppg and 5 rebounds, doesn't tell a full accurate story.

I'm as disappointed that Efe is leaving as much as you all, maybe even more, but despite how disappointed I am, I am not gonna do what some fans do and say untrue things like "He wasn't that good anyway", " He is not, or won't be NBA caliber", "His 8 ppg, and 5 rebounds per game, won't be desirable to other awesome team's", etc.

He's an incredible athlete. So explosive.

But he's still got a lot of work to do on his game before he can be a 1st or 2nd rounder.

I wish him the best though.

 

[mikalalas]

UW? Oh wow. That would be a kick in the teeth.

No way in Hell the Zags pick him him. They're looking for bigger fish imo.

Oh yes Gonzaga would take him. See my comment about how good he Efe is.

If Efe went to Gonzaga, he would likely produce about 11 to 13 to 15 ppg, 8.5 rebounds per game, 3,4,5 blocks per game, 1,2,3 steals per game, 1,2,3 take a charge per game, floor burns, hustle, NBA FREAKISH Athleticism, comparable to Shawn Kemp., great defense against the weaker players, teams in the WCC, and their weaker non con schedule.

And his Senior year he would do about 15 to 17 to 19 ppg, 10+ rebounds, etc at Gonzaga.

He would do less at other colleges, tougher conferences.

But he would do better at Gonzaga. If nothing else, Gonzaga's other good bigs would prevent teams, coaches, players, etc, from focusing on shutting down Efe, which would further help Efe do awesome at Gonzaga.

Agree with you not wanting Efe to go-to UW.