|
Post by dex on May 18, 2015 15:45:56 GMT -5
Brendan McGair @bwmcgair03 48m48 minutes ago .@pcathletics confirms that Paschal Chukwu is transferring. Cooley: "I would like to wish Paschal success in his future plans
|
|
|
Post by Rock on May 18, 2015 15:51:18 GMT -5
possibly the first player to ever transfer because he was going to play too many minutes?....No...just the first since May 2014. : Yes walk, he was a Bob Simon guy. I was told Simon practically lived at his house during his senior year.
That cannot be the reason. Simply implausible at this stage. He's been a Friar too long now to be unable to stay without Simon here. If we've gotten to the point where our value as a program is so thin that an assistant coach's departure can be unravel our roster (I can see it with a HC, sure) then we are selling the program on sticks and straw.
|
|
|
Post by dex on May 18, 2015 16:01:24 GMT -5
I feel for Kris
Not that a frosh is the answer, but I am not expecting Owens unless we get lucky
I renewed my season tix a few weeks ago so I get 10% off on Friar Apparel
Maybe Teddy has another year of eligibility
Hockey is my main sport but I feel terrible for all you guys
|
|
|
Post by oaklawnbob on May 18, 2015 16:01:31 GMT -5
Something is very wrong here. This kid had the starting center position wrapped up. Maybe some tampering going on? If he goes to Alabama watch out.
|
|
|
Post by dex on May 18, 2015 16:03:22 GMT -5
Bama Bob?
C'mon ...can't be...would make Benedict Arnold look like Mother Teresa
|
|
|
Post by thewalk on May 18, 2015 16:20:51 GMT -5
Not that a frosh is the answer, but I am not expecting Owens unless we get lucky...grades or injury?
the walk's observation is as follows (100% speculation and no inside info)....Cooley's a tough love coach...he's a hard azz and ain't for everyone...the coleman's/fortunes/chukwus of the world appear to be of the nicer/quieter type that may not adapt to such a coach for the long-term.....cotton was similar and reportedly wanted out but cooley was able to change his mind...
|
|
|
Post by TheInfoMan on May 18, 2015 16:23:43 GMT -5
Not that a frosh is the answer, but I am not expecting Owens unless we get lucky...grades or injury? the walk's observation is as follows (100% speculation and no inside info)....Cooley's a tough love coach...he's a hard azz and ain't for everyone...the coleman's/fortunes/chukwus of the world appear to be of the nicer/quieter type that may not adapt to such a coach for the long-term.....cotton was similar and reportedly wanted out but cooley was able to change his mind... Best speculation that I've heard to date.
|
|
|
Post by dex on May 18, 2015 16:26:33 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by thumper on May 18, 2015 16:27:18 GMT -5
Leaving work in a bit and will follow up later but this is VERY strange. But what's also strange is that while Jeff Battle isn't showing up yet on our roster, Chukwu is already deleted. PIZZA, SODA, GRINDERS!!!
|
|
|
Post by TheInfoMan on May 18, 2015 16:38:01 GMT -5
From a New Haven, CT TV Station, I think presented as opinion, not fact.sportzedge.com/2015/05/18/ex-fairfield-prep-star-paschal-chukwu-will-transfer-from-providence/He likely believed he’d see more playing time in his first season under former Fairfield University head coach Ed Cooley, who had begun recruiting Chukwu heavily when the big man arrived at Fairfield Prep. But for whatever reason, Chukwu wasn’t able to crack the Friars’ rotation, which included 7-foot senior Carson Desrosiers and 6-8 freshman Ben Bentil.
|
|
|
Post by wtm97 on May 18, 2015 16:51:53 GMT -5
This then from the Fairfield Citizen on MAY 14…
Future bright for Chukwu Chris Elsberry Published 12:09 pm, Thursday, May 14, 2015 Ed Cooley sees the vision in his head clear as day. He is sitting in the Theater at Madison Square Garden or some other venue and watching as the NBA commissioner walks to the podium and says into the microphone ... "With the (blank) pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the (blanks) select ... Paschal Chukwu from Providence University."
Could this happen? Could a kid from Fairfield Prep defy the overwhelming odds and make it professionally? Cooley certainly thinks so. When talking about his players he has never blown smoke in anyone's eyes. He tells it like it is, good, bad or ugly. He did it at Fairfield University and he's doing it now when it comes to his 7-foot-1 center that just completed his freshman season at Providence.
The kid has potential. The kid has ability. But does he have the drive to make it in the NBA? It's Cooley's job to make sure that he does.
"I think the kid, if he continues to develop, could play in the NBA when all is said and done," Cooley said in a recent phone conversation. "I think the kid could be the defensive player of the year in the Big East, I think he could be a first-team all-Big East player and I think he has a chance to be the player of the year candidate. But he has to feel the same way. Does he see what we see in him? That's my job, to pump him up because a lot of times they can't see it. You've got to be able to deliver it to them. You've got to coach them through it."
After one season, well ... so far, so good. Coming off the bench and playing in a reserve role for most of the Friars season, Chukwu gave Cooley decent minutes and decent production as Providence finished 22-12 and reached the NCAA tournament, losing to Dayton. The freshman -- who led Fairfield Prep to back-to-back Class LL championship games 2013 and 2014 -- played in 34 games, averaging 9.8 minutes, 2.65 points and 2.44 rebounds. Not eye-popping but more than enough for Cooley.
"I think he's exceeded my expectations as a freshman," Cooley said. "Because I had a fifth year guy here in Carson Deroises, I could have easily played Paschal more. Paschal helped us win many games in the Big East this year."
Two games immediately come to mind for Cooley. One, a game against Butler where he played the entire second half (a 66-62 win) scoring four points, grabbing nine rebounds and blocking two shots and a game against Marquette, where he scored eight points and had six rebounds in a 77-66 victory. "What I appreciated about him was he doesn't mind being developed," Cooley said. "He's working out in the weight room like a madman. This season, his minutes will double and he'll be a starter for us. I think he'll be one of the impact players for us in the Big East."
Chukwu -- who declined to be interviewed for this story -- shot 66 percent from the field (33 of 50), grabbed 83 rebounds and had 23 blocks. He had a season high nine points against Rhode Island, nine rebounds against Butler and four blocks against Marquette.
"Great things are going to happen with him," Cooley said. "I can't brag enough about him. I'm as high on him as any kid I've ever recruited and I know his best is yet to come. He should have a hell of a run from here on out. I'm excited as I can be about him.
"He's got really good hands. He's got a great touch. He can score around the basket. His biggest growth is going to come from strength. Once he gets stronger and is not moved out of the post ... that development in him will help him get to another level."
But that development will take time. Cooley knows it. But he's determined to drive Chukwu hard over these next three seasons to make sure that the kid has every opportunity to make that vision of seeing his name selected in the NBA draft come true.
"I'm going to give him all the confidence in the world to be that great player," Cooley said. "He's a long, big, individual and I tell you what, the sky's going to be the limit for him. No bull (blank), this kid has a high, high upside. I love that kid, what a great kid."
|
|
|
Post by drairf on May 18, 2015 16:52:51 GMT -5
Walk's speculation is about the best I can come to terms with. Cooley is a hard ass and probably annoying as hell (in a demanding way) and some guys just don't want to deal with that when they can go somewhere else, play high major ball, and not deal with it to that extent.
Whatever it was, it really sucks. Big blow to the future of the team.
Brick by Brick, but many bricks continue to crumble.
|
|
|
Post by drairf on May 18, 2015 16:55:08 GMT -5
Think Cooley granted that Fairfield Citizen piece as an attempt to keep Chukwu from leaving? Noticed Chukwu declined the intereview...
|
|
|
Post by Rock on May 18, 2015 16:56:17 GMT -5
Not that a frosh is the answer, but I am not expecting Owens unless we get lucky...grades or injury? the walk's observation is as follows (100% speculation and no inside info)....Cooley's a tough love coach...he's a hard azz and ain't for everyone...the coleman's/fortunes/chukwus of the world appear to be of the nicer/quieter type that may not adapt to such a coach for the long-term.....cotton was similar and reportedly wanted out but cooley was able to change his mind... Likely right on the money but as a leader you have to adjust somewhat to the personality you're dealing with. Can't be inflexible when dealing with different people, not until you become Coach K or Tom Izzo anyway, even then it won't work perfectly. Tough love has to have the love part in caps with some kids.
|
|
|
Post by TheInfoMan on May 18, 2015 16:59:40 GMT -5
I think of Bobby Knight, but it was a different era of transferring then...even if it is recent history.
|
|