Jeff Ngandu
6-9 225 lbs
Lubumbashi, Congo (Dem Rep)
Orangeville Prep
Video Highlights
Fall back option? Backup plan? Third choice? Or maybe more, much more.
Seton Hall fan's hearts were broken when just a week ago Adama Sanogo, the 6-9 240 lb man child from The Patrick School spurned the offer of local Seton Hall and chose to join fellow Big East member the Connecticut Huskies under the leadership of SHU grad Danny Hurley. Sanogo, a top 50, 4 star center, was thought to be leaning to the Pirates when he pulled the trigger to instead go north.
Hall fans were distraught, It's difficult losing a top 50 player at a position of need, made even more heartbreaking when you feel you have led for his services for some time. But that's the world of recruiting and you eventually have to set your sights on the next target. And that next target was presumed to be 6-10 center Frank Anselem, originally from Suwanee, GA.
Anselem was down to 5 schools after waiting too long to commit to his expected first choice LSU. One of those schools was Seton Hall and Pirate fans alike thought that a decent consolation prize after losing Sanogo. But again this is the world of recruiting and before Anselem made his choice Jeff Ngandu, a 3 star big man from Orangeville Prep, previous home of current Pirate forward Tyrese Samuel, announced on May 8 that he had committed to continue his basketball career in South Orange to play in the Big East, choosing the Pirates over Oklahoma, Arizona State, Kansas State, Cincinnati, Georgetown, N.C. State, and West Virginia.
“I talked to Seton Hall’s coaching staff and I decided to go there,” Ngandu said. “They’ve been here for a long time, especially coach [Duane] Woodward, and we built a relationship.
Speaking about Kevin Willard Ngandu added. "I really think he is one of the best coaches in college basketball. He does a great job with developing players and based on where I’m at with my game, I believe he can help me improve my game. Also he emphasized building strong relationship on and off the court."
Local beat writer Adam Zagoria https://www.zagsblog.com/2020/05/08...man-jeff-ngandu-to-fill-out-last-scholarship/, reached out to Orangeville Prep assistant Brandon Eniss who noted “Jeff has the tools for both ends of the floor to impact a team right away. “With his wingspan and athleticism, he can be one of the best defensively in his class.”
So the bottom line is a simple one. Did Willard and his staff settle or are they getting a physically talented diamond in the rough? An athletic big man similar in style to another under-recruited player that was a late signee in the Whitehead class of 2013, Mike Nzei. Nzei under the tutelage of Willard and big man coach Grant Billmeier eventually became a staple for the Pirates his last two seasons in Pirate Blue. Ngandu, bigger with more raw upside has the potential to not only reach the heights of Nzei, but with hard work exceed them, he has that kind of physical ability.
WELL TRAVELED
Jeff Ngandu's journey to South Orange was a long one. He was born in the Condo and grew up playing the preferred competition of athletes in his home country, soccer, but at a young age outgrew the sport as he sprouted to 6-6 by his early teens and switched to the basketball.
Eventually he caught the eye of international scouts and when offered to come to the United States to continue his playing career he accepted. Unfortunately eligibility issues became a problem for the big man and he was contacted by Orangeville Prep in Ontario Canada to play north of the border. There he started to catch the eyes of D1 coaches in America, including of course the aforementioned Woodard.
Still, Ngandu was raw and his recruitment was more based on potential than on court results. A situation made all the more difficult when Ngandu suffered an MCL injury which sidelined him for a good portion of this past season. But was that injury a blessing in disguise for Seton Hall? No one will ever know for sure but with Ngandu out of action some of the schools recruiting him slightly backed off allowing the Pirates to swoop in and close the deal.
Now a door has been opened for the Congo native. Not a lot will be expected from him as it wasn't for Mike Nzei early in his career at the Hall. But 'Like Mike' Ngandu has a world of untapped potential but in a bigger more athletic body, and with the proper work ethic and under the guidance of Willard and Billmeier the Pirates just might see their diamond in the rough mature into an outstanding overachieving force in the Big East.
Maybe then the 'fall back option' will be so much more than originally thought.
https://setonhall.rivals.com/
