Mike Nzei
Grade B
ESPN profile
Mike Nzei
6-7, 205 | Class of 2014
3 Star
47 POSITION
41 REGIONAL
9 STATE
ESPN Analyst
Updated 05/19/2014
Strengths:
Nzei is a high level athlete who is equally mobile and bouncy. He covers the court, moves well laterally and is very quick off his feet. He's a high volume rebounder with a great nose for the ball who will come up with boards both in traffic as well as outside his area. He plays hard and has a motor and is consequently valuable atop any type of extended zone pressure. Offensively, he's an excellent finisher around the rim who not only bounces up for quick dunks but also has dexterity and a sense of when he needs to go to the other side of the rim. Nzei also has a developing mid-range touch and is capable of making an open jumper from the elbow or short-corner.
Weaknesses:
Nzei is just slightly undersized for the power forward position, at least at the highest levels of college basketball. He isn't much of a low post scoring threat and gets the vast majority of his points by rim running, going to the offensive glass, or via his guards' dribble penetration. He's not productive when looking to put the ball on the floor and more of a turnover threat with each passing bounce.
Bottom Line:
He's a high level athlete with a motor and a clear niche in his ability to rebound the ball. He's never going to be an offensive star but because he's such a good finisher and capable mid-range shooter, he's not without value on that end.
MPG 13.5
PPG 3.5
RPG 3.0
APG 0.2
SPG 0.2
BPG 0.6
TOPG 0.7
.633 FG%
.486 FT%
Didn't attempt any shots from the arc.
At season's beginning the thought was the Hall would only go as far as the PF position would take them and since the 4 was considered the team's weak link with the hope that Brandon Anderson would offer some solace expectations were low.
Enter the unlikely combination of Ish Sanogo and Mike Nzei. Sanogo did most of the heavy lifting but he was capably aided by the 6-7 freshmen forward from Our Savior.
Nzei was Willard's last recruit in 2014. To some an afterthought. Especially considering how offensively raw he was coming out of HS.
To further exacerbate the problem Nzei badly hurt his wrist before ever donning a SHU uniform needing surgery which for all intents and purposes wiped out a very important first year for him. One where considerable work was needed between the staff and the player to cultivate his game to ready Nzei for Big East action.
Fast forward to the beginning of this season and no one could be blamed for thinking Nzei would rarely see the court. But through hard work, both by Mike himself and by Willard, Billmeier and company Nzei surprised everyone by becoming a badly needed rotation player giving Sanogo a blow when needed and doing so without the loss of efficiency.
Sure Nzei was not a complete player. His defense at times caused issues although as the season progressed he got better.
And other than put backs (a strength for the crafty and tenacious forward around the glass) Mike didn't offer much when the Hall had the ball. But in truth he wasn't asked to as his job was to basically to hold down the fort for his teammates when Sanogo was out of the game.
Mission accomplished for the youngster who through hard work and natural athleticism is projected to get better as he gains experience.
Mike Nzei will never be a star. Never a go to player. But every good team needs someone like him to ensure the whole is better than the sum of its parts. Nzei is such a player.
Comments?
Grade B
ESPN profile
Mike Nzei
6-7, 205 | Class of 2014
- Hometown Centereach, N.Y.
- School Our Savior New American School
- Position Power Forward
- Status Committed Seton Hall 05/19/2014
3 Star
47 POSITION
41 REGIONAL
9 STATE
ESPN Analyst
Updated 05/19/2014
Strengths:
Nzei is a high level athlete who is equally mobile and bouncy. He covers the court, moves well laterally and is very quick off his feet. He's a high volume rebounder with a great nose for the ball who will come up with boards both in traffic as well as outside his area. He plays hard and has a motor and is consequently valuable atop any type of extended zone pressure. Offensively, he's an excellent finisher around the rim who not only bounces up for quick dunks but also has dexterity and a sense of when he needs to go to the other side of the rim. Nzei also has a developing mid-range touch and is capable of making an open jumper from the elbow or short-corner.
Weaknesses:
Nzei is just slightly undersized for the power forward position, at least at the highest levels of college basketball. He isn't much of a low post scoring threat and gets the vast majority of his points by rim running, going to the offensive glass, or via his guards' dribble penetration. He's not productive when looking to put the ball on the floor and more of a turnover threat with each passing bounce.
Bottom Line:
He's a high level athlete with a motor and a clear niche in his ability to rebound the ball. He's never going to be an offensive star but because he's such a good finisher and capable mid-range shooter, he's not without value on that end.
MPG 13.5
PPG 3.5
RPG 3.0
APG 0.2
SPG 0.2
BPG 0.6
TOPG 0.7
.633 FG%
.486 FT%
Didn't attempt any shots from the arc.
At season's beginning the thought was the Hall would only go as far as the PF position would take them and since the 4 was considered the team's weak link with the hope that Brandon Anderson would offer some solace expectations were low.
Enter the unlikely combination of Ish Sanogo and Mike Nzei. Sanogo did most of the heavy lifting but he was capably aided by the 6-7 freshmen forward from Our Savior.
Nzei was Willard's last recruit in 2014. To some an afterthought. Especially considering how offensively raw he was coming out of HS.
To further exacerbate the problem Nzei badly hurt his wrist before ever donning a SHU uniform needing surgery which for all intents and purposes wiped out a very important first year for him. One where considerable work was needed between the staff and the player to cultivate his game to ready Nzei for Big East action.
Fast forward to the beginning of this season and no one could be blamed for thinking Nzei would rarely see the court. But through hard work, both by Mike himself and by Willard, Billmeier and company Nzei surprised everyone by becoming a badly needed rotation player giving Sanogo a blow when needed and doing so without the loss of efficiency.
Sure Nzei was not a complete player. His defense at times caused issues although as the season progressed he got better.
And other than put backs (a strength for the crafty and tenacious forward around the glass) Mike didn't offer much when the Hall had the ball. But in truth he wasn't asked to as his job was to basically to hold down the fort for his teammates when Sanogo was out of the game.
Mission accomplished for the youngster who through hard work and natural athleticism is projected to get better as he gains experience.
Mike Nzei will never be a star. Never a go to player. But every good team needs someone like him to ensure the whole is better than the sum of its parts. Nzei is such a player.
Comments?
