7-foot-2 center Riek still in play for Bulls?

Could Stan Heath not be finished with his recruiting class for next season? We've cautioned from the start that 7-foot-2 Sudanese center John Riek, an early-entry candidate for the NBA Draft out of a Massachusetts prep school, was a long shot but considering the Bulls as an option should his draft stock not be what he wants it to be.

Foxsports.com's Jeff Goodman checked in with Riek from the NBA pre-draft workouts in Orlando on Tuesday, and reports that Riek's injured knee was keeping him from competing in 5-on-5 drills. Goodman writes that Riek "told FOXSports.com that ... he'd be best served sitting out the camp and spending next season somewhere such as South Florida – where he can get game action."

Again, Riek would first have to withdraw his name from consideration for the draft, then earn quickly earn qualifying test scores on the college entrance exams he'd need to meet NCAA eligibility requirements. Still, a respected national basketball writer is dropping the name of only one school after talking to Riek, so we'll keep getting updates on this as long as USF is a possibility ...

Comments

[BasketBull.]

Do we even have an open scholarship? With so many coming and going, I have no idea how many scholarships are available.

Also, if he's too injured to practice, do we even want him? I mean the Big East is not a place for healing up.

[Al]

Why waste a schollie and effort on a guy who is going to cut and run to the NBA after a year?

[Reality]

Stan is selling his soul to the African player runners. I hope he is not paying them, or else the program will end up on probation and these kids are not worth it.

[G.A.]

USF has one scholarship available to use this summer.

[The Champ]

Riek would not be 1 and done IF he was to come to USF.It is a known fact that Riek's skill set has fallen off from where it was a couple of years ago.At one time Riek was viewed as the most dominate BIG MAN in his class.In fact what I have read about him according to at least one NBA scout is that Riek needs at least 2 or 3 years in a college program to improve to the level that he is worthy of being drafted.

Now having said that it would be great to have a Riek because with him along with Sanchez, Akol, Espinosa, and Ajayi USF would have a chance to be one of the better defensive teams in the nation.

6-10 C/F Ekpe Udoh is a great defensive presence and would be an awesome pick up for USF.Like the case with Mercer Udoh is a proven performer on the high D-1 level.We need 1 big man for the '09 class and Udoh would fill that need.

USF is close to becoming a pretty good basketball program soon, very soon.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

We could give him Brumbaugh's schollie.

[Reality]

How is Riek's SAT score coming along? About as good as Akol's???

0-19 next year baby!!!

If the Bulls win a game, I feel bad for the team that loses to them, as it would be among the biggest upsets in history.

KG, we hardly knew how good thee were.

[Reality]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hschool/2007/08/19/2007-08-19_the_tug_of_war_-2.html

GReg, my apologies if this causes you any problems, but this story about Riek shows what you guys better get ready to deal with, if you start playing with these African player runners.

Also on there are some videos of Riek.

[G.A.]

No problem with the link. Interesting reading, though I don't know that you can find a 7-foot-2 college recruit that doesn't come with a full entourage and any baggage that goes with that.

Good story on Brumbaugh from rivals:

http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=812409

[The Champ]

Man that's an old story I thought everybody that has Riek showing interest in their team has read that story, but I guess not.

Disappointing I was hoping for something fresh and new.

Anyway good find reality as the article does point to one of many problems that runs deep with hs and college athletics.

[The Champ]

The Brumbaugh article told me something I didn't know about Dorsey.Good job no name poster.

[Tad]

Is BJ Daniels still going to play b-ball next year?

[BasketBull.]

Sad, but funny: our basketball recruiting is like someone putting together a homemade crusade or posse. "You, baker! Yes, you, I know you used to be pretty good with a sword some years ago. I need you; we need you! And you, chimney-sweeper, how far can you throw a brick? Come, join us!"

[Reality]

How about Tyree Evans? Stan, why don't you go after him? We don't care about arrests around these parts as long as you win.

[The Champ]

"You, baker! Yes, you, I know you used to be pretty good with a sword some years ago. I need you; we need you!

Is that quate from a J.V. Jones fantasy bestseller book?

chimney-sweeper, how far can you throw a brick? Come, join us!"

The Boston Massacre right?

[The Champ]

Wait a minute reality why do you care who Stan recruits? Why does any of this concern you at all?

Remember you said that USF will go 0-19 so it doesn't matter what USF does because they are going to suck no matter what, right?

[Ken]

Seven feet two inches tall sounds pretty good to me. And if he can shoot and block and rebound a little, even better. And if he has NBA aspirations, which means he ought to be receptive to learning more, even better. I'd take him if we can.

[The Champ]

BTW Tyree Evans is signed to Maryland so you should head on over there and talk with the Terps' fans about why ole Gary Williams would sign a guy that was accoused of a couple of crimes.

To the young man's credit he is headed in the right direction.

[DJ]

If Heath can get Riek, that is a good pick up. If he gets Akol, that's great. USF will be a good team next year and they will not go 0-19. Come on Mr. Reality, think about what you say. Next year will be better than this past season.

DJ

[pico]

Man, you guys are brutal! South Florida isn't going 0-19; if Riek was 1 and done, that's probably a boon to the program - showing that impact players want to come to the Bulls; and Heath has to get players from anywhere he can, even if they don't match.

There's hardly any basketball tradition and they're at the bottom of the conference. Stan Heath has to get some ragtag players and win some games before he gets the guys with the good grades and the touted recruits.

Riek would be a heck of a get!

[Reality]

UMMMM, Champ, you are slipping. I guess you have not noticed that Tyree has been let out of his commitment....

Gary Williams got his manhood cut off by Debbie Yow, and he lost Tyree. That was after he lost Bobby Maze as well.

Champ, you should know all of this....Reality is ashamed.

That is why I said your boy Stan should get involved.

And there is NO WAY that next year's team is better than this years.

Kentrell Gransbury is GONE, and we have no one to replace him.

NO ONE!!!!!!!!!

The stiffs that have been brought in are not going to get USF any further.

Riek is a none and done player, how is his SAT Greg?

You guys better get your candles lit at church for the good sat score angels to help these guys.

[The Champ]

No not slipping Reality I was just waiting on you to reply.If I had listed that Evans had decided to get out of his scholarship due to AD Debbie Yow and Gary Williams clashing over should he or shouldn't he be allowed to play at Maryland, you would have thought that I was excusing your entire earlier statement which I was not.

Our little yin and yang relationship does allow me to basically guess what you are going to say before you even post something.Other words you are very predictable.

[Bull Hooper]

reality sure is bold, predicting a lack of success for USF basketball. yessir, he's really going out on a limb.

i'll stick to my safe predictions: 1) USF basketball will improve. 2) I will attend every home game.

i also believe that the quality of our recruits is improving, and will continue to improve, and Stan's energy as a recruiter will pay off. also, most of our guys are high character guys (thanks Coach Mccullum) so we can take a character risk or two, if we are wise about it.

so, REALITY: if USF wins one conference game next year, you have NO CREDIBILITY.

agreed?

[The Champ]

Guys believe it or not Reality is actual good for this blog the way he is.

To hate on Reality would be like hating on all clowns, court jesters, cartoons, and comedy shows and movies.

The guy serves a purpose and besides where else can you come and get a good laugh? You can always say, "I'm bored so let me go laugh at what this clown reality has to say now." I work with a guy and everyday he ask me what did reality have to say.When I tell him he laughs, shakes his head, and curses his name, but he seems to feel better.

Besides in a strange way I like reality.

[bob]

i think we got a chance to go .500 in the league this year

[Reality]

Champ, people do usually curse Reality. Reality Bites, which is why so many people live in fantasyland. Plus, I am the only one that calls out Heath, as the rest of you are happy with a brand of basketball many steps below mediocre. I still have no idea what Stan has done here so far to generate such good will. He is lucky no one here cares about basketball, or else he would be on the hot seat.

bob is calling out a 9-9 campiagn. Ari, can you please tell bob how that turns out?

And Champ, please read your post. Nice job trying to play off your lack of knowledge. I expect better from you, but I guess your dad has been hard at work getting new assistants, so he cant spill the beans over dinner too much anymore.

0-19 is an outlandish comment, and most of you think it is crazy, but the other teams in the Bigeast have gotten SOOOO MUCH BETTER!!!! and USF lost KG, along with 5 other players. They were replaced with Mike Mercer and a cast of characters. You are counting on a guy that can't read to get enough points on his math score to make up for a 220 verbal score. And how many games are we going to win?

[The Champ]

Sorry good buddy but all I had to due was copy and paste that statement about Maryland.I would have to be sleepy and/or tired before you get one over me.

You know Maryland does have a message board on rivals.com.Simple research friend.

BTW it was a good day for you because people on the blog actually started back to responding to your comments again.To tell the truth I was starting to feel sorry for you, all that negative posting and no responses.Now don't get use to people responding to you everytime you make a silly comment.Things just could easily go back like the way it was prior to yesterday.

Once again I like you because you are one funny guy.

[DJ]

Sorry Reality, KG is one player. The other five that were let go aren't half as good as what they will be replaced with. The style of ball without KG will be much different. The results will be much better. Plus to be honest, KG was mediocre at best. Good rebounder, but not great. More of a role player. Guards win games.

[AGW]

From everything that I have read John Riek and Keith Brumbaugh are not performing well at the NBA Pre-Draft camp in Orlando and seem to be better served to attend college. In Brumbaugh's case for a year to work on his mid-range game, gather some experience and work on his perimeter defense. Im regards to Riek it may be for at least a year, but maybe closer to 2 or 3 years similar to Thabeet at UCONN. Everyone thought he was 1 and done but now will play for 3 years in Stoors. Add that to the fact that we could possibily add Udoh from Michigan a shot-blocking extrodinaire.

G.A. is there any chance we land Brumbaugh, Riek or Udoh? If so what you you consider those chances to be? We could have 3 spots open depending on if Akol gets his needed qualifying score and if we let Aris Williams go.

Brumbaugh could prove himself at the 3 playing against BE comp. Riek needs to develop a post game and get stronger. Udoh wants minutes and a chance to shine and he could get that at USF for sure.

[AGW]

If we could even land 2 out of the above stated 3. USF will be in a good position for next year and years to come. And everyone will be singing Stan Heath graces. We would have a lineup of 5 starters that could all eventually play in the NBA. Mike Mercer, Dominique Jones, Keith Brumbaugh, Ukpe Udoh, John Riek.

Add that to a bench of Howard, Verdejo, Espinosa, Moyaji, Rivas, Teague and McMillan. That's a pretty deep bench that consist of a veteran PG, scoring wing, and defensive depth in the post.

[Reality]

Well subtract the last 3 people from your starting lineup, and add in the next 3, and that is the team once January comes along. Not very exciting, and no bench, and no size. 0-19 folks.

Riek and Brumbaugh cannot play in college due to academics.

Just like I will bet money on Akol not passing his test either.

Long year coming up, and I WILL BE VINDICATED come next year!

[lol]

its hilarous to laugh at realitys comments. hes prob some overweight nerd who has never played bball in his life

[Reality]

Actually underweight, and definitely a nerd. So a skinny dork maybe, but you cant hurt me with words. I know my ball. And the people that doubt me, are dead wrong.

[lol]

gee reality, it took you only 16 min to respond to my comment. is gregs blog your homepage or something that you constantly refresh?? nerd alert nerd alert

[G.A.]

Hey. Nothing wrong with making this your homepage. I encourage the practice, actually.

[Reality]

Actually it is my homepage, is that wrong?

I may hate the current coaching regime, but I am a Bull through and through.

I will be here long after Stan gets blown out of here.

Yes that means you Champ, I will be here long after YOU are gone, and I hope you move on soon! Tell dad to get working on those new assistants, because the current big recruiting class is not even mid-major good.

[The Champ]

Welcome back AGW you have been missed on this blog, but it has been slow until G.A. decided to feed the fans what they crave for.LOL

[AGW]

Thanks Champ and yeah it has been slow lately. I hope he picks it up with the basketball news. I'll take a little football as well.

[The Champ]

Well reality I guess Akol got eligible after all.Also Stan didn't have to pay off anybody for that to happen.