6-7 1/2
205 lbs
PF
5th year senior
ESPN Rating
75
3 Star
2017 stats:
16.6 MPG
FG% .576
3.9 RPG
FT% .574
3.9 PPG
Call him the forgotten man.
Yes, hard as it is to believe Mike Nzei was indeed a member of Kevin Willard's sterling class of 2014. He made that official on May 19 that year when he signed an NLOI.
Nzei was the final piece of the class that is credited with saving Willard's job as prior to their signing the Seton Hall head coach was firmly on the hot seat coming off a poor 2013/14 campaign where the Pirates finished 17-17, 6-12 in conference.
It would take one more year for all the pieces to fall into place as the young Pirates actually performed worse their rookie season losing 9 of their final 10 games on the way to a 16-15 record and another 6-12 performance in the Big East. And as the Pirates struggled so to did the 6-7 power forward as he was forced to sit out that year by the NCAA as a partial qualifier. That despite speaking four languages fluently, easily passing his SATs, and having a near perfect GPA.
The issue with Nzei according to the powers to be was his transcripts from Our Savior New American School. An issue that proved ill advised moving forward when Nzei was honored in 3 separate years by the Big East being named to the All Academic Team.
Still, despite his academic work prior to enrolling in South Orange Mike did not satisfy eligibility requirements and was forced to sit out his first year at the Hall. Initially an unfavorable decision by the NCAA, but when Nzei was injured during the summer before attending Seton Hall, eventually being forced to sit out the year, a moot one.
Mike made his SHU debut in 2015 and immediately showed a raw offensive game, but one filled with potential as a high level athlete with good mobility and excellent hops.
In high school Nzei was considered an outstanding rebounder who had a nose for the ball and rebounded well outside his area. He had a great work ethic and big time motor, all traits that Seton Hall fans have seen in his 3 years wearing the Blue and White.
Mike has a knack for finishing in the paint with his athleticism and dexterity often using his quick leaping ability and excellent footwork to put points on the board.
Nzei has also been asked at times to play out of position as an undersized center spelling SHU star Angel Delgado when he needed a blow or was in foul trouble.
In looking back on Nzei's first three years at the Hall his numbers don't stand out, but playing behind Delgado and Ishmael Sanogo at his primary position the 4 spot that's understandable. Mike is not a Big East starter but more a player expected to come off the bench and use his athleticism as a secondary inside option playing off Delgado or hitting the offensive boards for put backs.
In that defined role he flourished and at times actually led the Pirates in rebounding. No small feat when playing along side the best rebounding center in the country. In fact as much as he excelled on the court playing second fiddle to the SHU honorable mention All American it did hurt his rebounding numbers, as there were not a lot of caroms available with Angel Delgado cleaning the boards night after night.
Still, Nzei knew his role and played to the needs of his team.
As we move forward now Mike Nzei is a graduating senior, but unlike his fellow classmate he has an extra year due to redshirting in 2014.
Mike will now being able to show his wears as he will be Seton Hall's most experienced returning player in 2018/19.
Bottom Line
Mike Nzei is expected to begin the season as the Hall's starting power forward, but he will face strong competition from rising sophomore 6-10 Sandro Mamukalashvili and at times PF/C Syracuse transfer Taurean Thompson, now eligible after sitting out the 2017/18 campaign.
With Delgado having graduated Mike will have to show that he can perform at a high level without the advantages of playing along side of the big man from the Dominican Republic and the double teams he faced every game. The freedom that allowed Nzei to roam inside as a garbage man cleaning up on the boards or scoring inside is no longer available. Instead what the power forward accomplishes now must be of his own doing.
That poses a legitimate question and if answered will allow the Nigerian power forward the opportunity to play more minutes and show his wares.
In short Nzei will have to improve his rebounding numbers and work on taking his game to 10-12 feet as his scoring in the past has been exclusively within a foot or two of the rim. In this day and age of stretch fours that can be a problem.
He further needs to work on his foul shooting as he comes off this past season netting just 57% of his attempts.
Mike must also work on his defense. He is at best an average defender and at worst a below average one. A trait that will not serve him well if he wants to improve on his minutes per game.
Personally, I expect Nzei will be given every chance to be on the court for the opening tip off when the Hall begins next season, that's usually Kevin Willard's MO with experienced players. But unless he is able to show more game than he did in the past he might not be able to hold off the charge of Mamukelashvili, who has a better basketball skill set although not being as athletic as Nzei.
Seton Hall fans will now ask this question. How much will the team miss starting PF Ish Sanogo? Maybe in the long run the answer will be seeing Nzei and Mamu split time at the 4 with these two different type players giving Willard the best of both worlds. Time will tell.
https://setonhall.rivals.com/
COMMENTS
205 lbs
PF
5th year senior
ESPN Rating
75
3 Star
2017 stats:
16.6 MPG
FG% .576
3.9 RPG
FT% .574
3.9 PPG
Call him the forgotten man.
Yes, hard as it is to believe Mike Nzei was indeed a member of Kevin Willard's sterling class of 2014. He made that official on May 19 that year when he signed an NLOI.
Nzei was the final piece of the class that is credited with saving Willard's job as prior to their signing the Seton Hall head coach was firmly on the hot seat coming off a poor 2013/14 campaign where the Pirates finished 17-17, 6-12 in conference.
It would take one more year for all the pieces to fall into place as the young Pirates actually performed worse their rookie season losing 9 of their final 10 games on the way to a 16-15 record and another 6-12 performance in the Big East. And as the Pirates struggled so to did the 6-7 power forward as he was forced to sit out that year by the NCAA as a partial qualifier. That despite speaking four languages fluently, easily passing his SATs, and having a near perfect GPA.
The issue with Nzei according to the powers to be was his transcripts from Our Savior New American School. An issue that proved ill advised moving forward when Nzei was honored in 3 separate years by the Big East being named to the All Academic Team.
Still, despite his academic work prior to enrolling in South Orange Mike did not satisfy eligibility requirements and was forced to sit out his first year at the Hall. Initially an unfavorable decision by the NCAA, but when Nzei was injured during the summer before attending Seton Hall, eventually being forced to sit out the year, a moot one.
Mike made his SHU debut in 2015 and immediately showed a raw offensive game, but one filled with potential as a high level athlete with good mobility and excellent hops.
In high school Nzei was considered an outstanding rebounder who had a nose for the ball and rebounded well outside his area. He had a great work ethic and big time motor, all traits that Seton Hall fans have seen in his 3 years wearing the Blue and White.
Mike has a knack for finishing in the paint with his athleticism and dexterity often using his quick leaping ability and excellent footwork to put points on the board.
Nzei has also been asked at times to play out of position as an undersized center spelling SHU star Angel Delgado when he needed a blow or was in foul trouble.
In looking back on Nzei's first three years at the Hall his numbers don't stand out, but playing behind Delgado and Ishmael Sanogo at his primary position the 4 spot that's understandable. Mike is not a Big East starter but more a player expected to come off the bench and use his athleticism as a secondary inside option playing off Delgado or hitting the offensive boards for put backs.
In that defined role he flourished and at times actually led the Pirates in rebounding. No small feat when playing along side the best rebounding center in the country. In fact as much as he excelled on the court playing second fiddle to the SHU honorable mention All American it did hurt his rebounding numbers, as there were not a lot of caroms available with Angel Delgado cleaning the boards night after night.
Still, Nzei knew his role and played to the needs of his team.
As we move forward now Mike Nzei is a graduating senior, but unlike his fellow classmate he has an extra year due to redshirting in 2014.
Mike will now being able to show his wears as he will be Seton Hall's most experienced returning player in 2018/19.
Bottom Line
Mike Nzei is expected to begin the season as the Hall's starting power forward, but he will face strong competition from rising sophomore 6-10 Sandro Mamukalashvili and at times PF/C Syracuse transfer Taurean Thompson, now eligible after sitting out the 2017/18 campaign.
With Delgado having graduated Mike will have to show that he can perform at a high level without the advantages of playing along side of the big man from the Dominican Republic and the double teams he faced every game. The freedom that allowed Nzei to roam inside as a garbage man cleaning up on the boards or scoring inside is no longer available. Instead what the power forward accomplishes now must be of his own doing.
That poses a legitimate question and if answered will allow the Nigerian power forward the opportunity to play more minutes and show his wares.
In short Nzei will have to improve his rebounding numbers and work on taking his game to 10-12 feet as his scoring in the past has been exclusively within a foot or two of the rim. In this day and age of stretch fours that can be a problem.
He further needs to work on his foul shooting as he comes off this past season netting just 57% of his attempts.
Mike must also work on his defense. He is at best an average defender and at worst a below average one. A trait that will not serve him well if he wants to improve on his minutes per game.
Personally, I expect Nzei will be given every chance to be on the court for the opening tip off when the Hall begins next season, that's usually Kevin Willard's MO with experienced players. But unless he is able to show more game than he did in the past he might not be able to hold off the charge of Mamukelashvili, who has a better basketball skill set although not being as athletic as Nzei.
Seton Hall fans will now ask this question. How much will the team miss starting PF Ish Sanogo? Maybe in the long run the answer will be seeing Nzei and Mamu split time at the 4 with these two different type players giving Willard the best of both worlds. Time will tell.
https://setonhall.rivals.com/
COMMENTS
