News and Notes: Top tier recruits making their way into the AMP, breaking down Bryce Hopkins' shot selection, the Friar D, and more
1. In the weeks following Kim English’s hiring last spring I was told that the new Friar coach believed he could bring five star players to Providence. English has certainly aimed high in his first few months on the job, as evidenced by the number of top level recruits that have visited games already this fall.
The latest is Canadian guard Efeosa Oliogu, a 6’5 scoring guard who On3.com ranks as the fifth best shooting guard in the class of 2025. He is on campus this weekend, and was at the Lehigh game on Friday. Oliogu was one of the best scorers on the Under Armour Association Circuit last summer, and PC’s staff got an up close look at him while monitoring Ryan Mela and Daquan Davis on the UAA at the time. He was going to attend a prep school in Florida before changing course and heading to Overtime Elite. Oliogu, a terrific athlete, is averaging 8.9 points, 3.0 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game at OTE this year.
He led the UAA in scoring last summer, averaging 20.8 points per game.
The 17-year old is expected to choose between Providence, Auburn, Maryland, and Missouri within the next month.
2. Mela and Middlesex Magic defeated Oliogu and Canada Elite in the UAA championship this summer. Mela finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in the 58-54 victory, while Oliogu had 14 points and seven rebounds.