By Tyler Calvaruso
PirateCrew.com Recruiting Analyst
It took a little while for the power programs to come calling, but Sam Ayomide’s recruitment is picking up steam.
The Phelps School (Pa.) product picked up his first offers from local schools Temple and La Salle in January. A couple of weeks later, Texas A&M came calling as the first power-six program with an offer. From there, Ayomide has seen his stock skyrocket, with offers coming in from ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12 and SEC programs.
Among the programs showing serious interest in the Nigeria native is Seton Hall. The Pirates became the sixth school to offer Ayomide on May 6 and have remained heavily in the mix since then, speaking to him via ZOOM on a frequent basis. Ayomide’s latest conversation with Seton Hall’s coaching staff came on Tuesday and provided him with some additional insight into the program.
“The staff was saying how interested they are in me and how much they want me,” Ayomide told Piratecrew.com. “I’ve been talking to the head coach, Kevin Willard, a lot.”
One of Seton Hall’s main selling points with Ayomide is what they has been able to accomplish developing big men recently. With Angel Delgado becoming the Big East’s all-time leading rebounder and Romaro Gill winning Big East Defensive Player of the Year last season, Ayomide is intrigued by the thought of becoming the Pirates’ next star in the frontcourt.
“I would say the way they develop their big men definitely adds to my interest in the program,” Ayomide said.
As more power conference programs have become involved, Ayomide’s recruitment has become increasingly hectic. He said all the schools that have offered him are recruiting him “equally hard” right now and is still working on differentiating which schools he would like to visit down the road.
“I’m looking for a school where you can trust the coach and everyone in the program treats each other like family,” Ayomide said. “I also want a school that is good with player development.”
Ayomide does not anticipate distance playing a role in his final decision. He is also not sure when he might want to wrap up his recruitment, as the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench in the recruiting process with in-person visits not possible right now.
As for Ayomide’s game, he is eager to get back out on the floor for his final high school season. Winning is his number one priority, but Ayomide plans on using his senior year to also refine his game before taking off for college.
“I think I play like a combination of Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis,” Ayomide said. “I can rebound, block shots, run the floor and shoot it pretty well too. I do want to work on running the floor non-stop, though. Once you can run the floor and rebound, the rest of the game comes naturally.”
PirateCrew.com Recruiting Analyst
It took a little while for the power programs to come calling, but Sam Ayomide’s recruitment is picking up steam.
The Phelps School (Pa.) product picked up his first offers from local schools Temple and La Salle in January. A couple of weeks later, Texas A&M came calling as the first power-six program with an offer. From there, Ayomide has seen his stock skyrocket, with offers coming in from ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12 and SEC programs.
Among the programs showing serious interest in the Nigeria native is Seton Hall. The Pirates became the sixth school to offer Ayomide on May 6 and have remained heavily in the mix since then, speaking to him via ZOOM on a frequent basis. Ayomide’s latest conversation with Seton Hall’s coaching staff came on Tuesday and provided him with some additional insight into the program.
“The staff was saying how interested they are in me and how much they want me,” Ayomide told Piratecrew.com. “I’ve been talking to the head coach, Kevin Willard, a lot.”
One of Seton Hall’s main selling points with Ayomide is what they has been able to accomplish developing big men recently. With Angel Delgado becoming the Big East’s all-time leading rebounder and Romaro Gill winning Big East Defensive Player of the Year last season, Ayomide is intrigued by the thought of becoming the Pirates’ next star in the frontcourt.
“I would say the way they develop their big men definitely adds to my interest in the program,” Ayomide said.
As more power conference programs have become involved, Ayomide’s recruitment has become increasingly hectic. He said all the schools that have offered him are recruiting him “equally hard” right now and is still working on differentiating which schools he would like to visit down the road.
“I’m looking for a school where you can trust the coach and everyone in the program treats each other like family,” Ayomide said. “I also want a school that is good with player development.”
Ayomide does not anticipate distance playing a role in his final decision. He is also not sure when he might want to wrap up his recruitment, as the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench in the recruiting process with in-person visits not possible right now.
As for Ayomide’s game, he is eager to get back out on the floor for his final high school season. Winning is his number one priority, but Ayomide plans on using his senior year to also refine his game before taking off for college.
“I think I play like a combination of Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis,” Ayomide said. “I can rebound, block shots, run the floor and shoot it pretty well too. I do want to work on running the floor non-stop, though. Once you can run the floor and rebound, the rest of the game comes naturally.”
