[jcmanson]

I think comparing Soko’s size to Brolin is a good comparison. Of course I think Ovie’s got an inch or two on him.

[paradox]

Size isn't really an issue with Ovie. He's percieved as an undeveloped talent with tons of potential and athletic ability.

[SuperJon]

Size isn't really an issue with Ovie. He's percieved as an undeveloped talent with tons of potential and athletic ability.

So he's exactly like Brolin.

[paradox]

Maybe. Somewhat comparable to Floyd. But probably a little closer to where Ace was, starting out in JuCo, if we need to compare. I don't know how relevant comparisons are at this stage. Some guys blossom quickly, others take more time. We'll have to wait and see.

[dompennix]

Maybe. Somewhat comparable to Floyd. But probably a little closer to where Ace was, starting out in JuCo, if we need to compare. I don't know how relevant comparisons are at this stage. Some guys blossom quickly, others take more time. We'll have to wait and see.

Good, i really want a Ace type player.

[kel varson]

Maybe. Somewhat comparable to Floyd. But probably a little closer to where Ace was, starting out in JuCo, if we need to compare. I don't know how relevant comparisons are at this stage. Some guys blossom quickly, others take more time. We'll have to wait and see.

And some never reach there potential---unfortunately. I hope Floyd, Smith, Baker and Co. really work hard in the offseason. They've got a long way to go, but the ability is there. I'm not nearly as concerned with Sanders and Curry. They are already way ahead of the curve.

[ballah09]

Small forward Ovie Soko verbally committed to Liberty over the weekend. Soko is originally from London, England.

ESPN.com's National Recruiting Director Paul Biancardi likes what second-year head coach Ritchie McKay has brought to the Flames.

"Liberty continues to make waves in the recruiting circles as Coach McKay and his staff have done an excellent job bringing talent to Lynchburg.

"With Soko, they have a combo forward who is one of the better players at his position remaining in the late signing period," said Biancardi. "Ovie has a great frame and when it fills out he could be an all-league player for the Flames.

Soko can knock down mid-range jumpers and rebounds the ball effectively at both ends of the floor. He needs develop more post moves, according to Biancardi.

"He can hit jumpshots out to 15 feet and has a nice overall touch around the basket but I'd like to see him work more on his back-to-the-basket moves," he said. "This summer will be crucial for him as far as adding strength in the weight room and developing a more well-rounded game. I expect his game to rapidly improve with hard work."

Speaking of Liberty's overall class, Biancardi says Liberty fans should be excited for the future.

"Liberty only loses senior guard Anthony Smith and they had an outstanding year this past season as Coach McKay and staff have brought life into the program. With four recruits coming in who can all play, McKay is bringing both quantity and quality to his club," he concluded. "All of them should provide immediate help in some way, shape or form."


from ESPN

[SethWeBelieve]

Mbai Goto Oliver what about this guy at Bethel it says on ESPN that he hasnt decided we need to use our Bill Weaver and Ovie Soko connections to get this guy. He is rated a 95 on ESPN.

[olldflame]

Oliver did not play at Bethel this year. He went to prep school after making a verbal to Clemson last year. Looks like he still plans to go to Clemson, but he can go wherever he wants til he signs. He sounds a lot like Soko actually. Possibly a bit more skilled and perimiter oriented.

[ballah09]

Just an update he committed to UAB. Good luck Ovie!

UAB added to its 2009 basketball recruiting class with the addition of Ovie Soko, a 6-foot-7, 200-pound forward from Bethel High in Hampton Roads, Va.

Soko visited the UAB campus this past weekend and signed with the Blazers before heading back home on Monday. He is fully qualified and is expected to begin classes at UAB later this month.

Soko, who is a London, England native, played as a junior at Hampton Roads Academy and attended Bethel High as a senior. He averaged 17.1 points and 8.6 rebounds as a junior and 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds as a senior on a Bethel team that included three Division I scholarship recipients.

"If he played in another program, he probably would have averaged 25 points per game," said Bethel coach Craig Brehon.

Soko originally committed to play at Liberty University but changed his mind when head coach Ritchie McKay left for an assistant coach's job at Virginia. Crehon said Soko patiently waited for the right opportunity. Other schools that recruited him recently, according to Crehon, included Missouri, Michigan, Providence and Old Dominion.

[jcmanson]

Yeah I hope he does well. Would have been nice to see him at LU, but it wasn't meant to be.

[jcmanson]

Ovie is averaging 10 ppg and 6 rpg for the 10-2 UAB Blazers.

[LUconn]

I was just thinking about him the other day. I didn't remember where he went. Man, we would have been SO good this year. I don't care what kind of revisions you guys want to make about the direction we were headed.

[ballah09]

also...Bo Barnes is averaging 9 ppg and shooting almost 45 % from 3 on a 9-4 Hawaii team.

[ToTheLeft]

also...Bo Barnes is averaging 9 ppg and shooting almost 45 % from 3 on a 9-4 Hawaii team.

And BJ Jenkins, and Austin Smith, and Seth Curry, and Brolin Floyd....

Yeah, we would have won a few more games the past few years.

[jcmanson]

I was just thinking about him the other day. I didn't remember where he went. Man, we would have been SO good this year. I don't care what kind of revisions you guys want to make about the direction we were headed.

I try not to think about it

[SuperJon]

also...Bo Barnes is averaging 9 ppg and shooting almost 45 % from 3 on a 9-4 Hawaii team.

And BJ Jenkins, and Austin Smith, and Seth Curry, and Brolin Floyd....

Yeah, we would have won a few more games the past few years.

I got a text from a friend a couple weeks ago that said, "Just saw the replay of NAU. I really really like the way Austin Smith plays. I miss him."

Although I'd take Brolin off that list. He would've gotten kicked out of school for not keeping it in his pants. Then again, if some of our guys in the previous regime were able to stay then maybe he would've been able to as well. Nevermind.

[LUconn]

On TV right now playing a team with some other player formerly associated with LU basketball.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

also...Bo Barnes is averaging 9 ppg and shooting almost 45 % from 3 on a 9-4 Hawaii team.

And BJ Jenkins, and Austin Smith, and Seth Curry, and Brolin Floyd....

Yeah, we would have won a few more games the past few years.

I got a text from a friend a couple weeks ago that said, "Just saw the replay of NAU. I really really like the way Austin Smith plays. I miss him."

Although I'd take Brolin off that list. He would've gotten kicked out of school for not keeping it in his pants. Then again, if some of our guys in the previous regime were able to stay then maybe he would've been able to as well. Nevermind.

Oh Oh Oh... Pick Me... Pick Me ... I wanna go next!

[jcmanson]

On TV right now playing a team with some other player formerly associated with LU basketball.

That was an interesting game. It was like watching "LU: what could have been"

Ovie looked pretty good for a sophomore playing @ #1 Duke

[jcmanson]

Bump

I heard Ovie's name mentioned on the radio last night...he ended up transferring to Duquesne after spending his first 3 years at UAB. He's averaging 17.2 and 7.8.

[jcmanson]

And just reading through this thread is depressing. We were close...

[BJWilliams]

[youtube]

[/youtube]

[TIMSCAR20]

I watched him play vs VCU last week. He got in early foul trouble but the broadcasting crew was saying how he was their go to guy and leading scorer.

[Chippy]

I watched him play vs VCU last week. He got in early foul trouble but the broadcasting crew was saying how he was their go to guy and leading scorer.

He's 6'8" with a 42" vertical leap and has made ESPN highlights a couple times this year - he's a beast at the power forward for Duquesne. They were up on VCU at the half but Soko was in foul trouble and he's not as good when he's floating around the offensive perimeter. His game is power. He gets to the foul line a lot.