Bulls in mix for big Wake Forest transfer

As USF basketball prepares for two key transfers to join the Bulls' roster, coach Stan Heath is busy courting another impact transfer for next season.

The Bulls are one of four schools in the mix for Jamie Skeen, a 6-foot-8, 250-pound power forward who is transferring after two seasons at Wake Forest. Skeen, who is also considering Seton Hall, Marquette and Virginia Commonwealth, is scheduled to visit USF's campus this weekend. Heath was in North Carolina on Monday night and met with Skeen, who visited Seton Hall over the weekend and is visiting VCU today.

Heath has firsthand knowledge of Skeen's abilities -- as a sophomore, Skeen had 17 points, seven rebounds and three blocks off the bench in Wake Forest's 74-61 win against the Bulls in Winston-Salem.

Skeen, who will enroll at his new school in January, could be eligible after the close of fall exams in December 2009, much the same as guard Mike Mercer (Georgia) and forward Gus Gilchrist (Maryland) will make their Bulls debuts Sunday against Niagara. He would be eligible for the remainder of next season and in 2010-11 as well.

Skeen, who chose Wake Forest over North Carolina and Florida two years ago, was suspended from school this fall for a violation of the Demon Deacons' university academic policy. He averaged 7.5 points and 4.6 rebounds as a freshman, starting 24 games, and 5.6 points and 4.1 rebounds last season, mostly off the bench.

Skeen, whose father Eric played football at Florida State, would bring a tough, physical presence to USF's frontcourt, which has struggled with depth issues in USF's 3-3 start. The Bulls lose two seniors from their post rotation in center B.J. Ajayi and power forward Aris Williams.

(Times photo by Brian Cassella, showing Skeen against USF's Kentrell Gransberry in December 2006)

Comments

[Bull Hooper]

to clarify, i spoke with someone in position to know, who says Skeen to USF is a done deal. This person was also very excited about Mercer and Gilchrist, says Mercer will start for Howard, and says Mercer has "turned his life around," meaning he will be a good character guy.

[bull hooper]

well he will come.

[Bull]

Skeen isn't that good of a player. He has limited athleticism somewhat due to a lingering knee injury. He doesn't have the lateral quickness to guard the SF position and doesn't have the ups or strength to bang down low. He barely dunks. He is a decent outside shooter, but has poor shot selection. He shot more threes than twos at PF last season.

If we get him, I wouldn't expect much. He came off the bench for a Wake team last year that didn't even make the NIT. He isn't going to help our program. If anything he can be a spot up three point shooter off the bench.

[DELdaBULL]

To get high school guys we have to start winning. You just can't sweet talk them to a loser program/team. Therefore you bring in any talent that wants to play for you.
If you can only pull the girl with defects you pick her up then hope the supermodel starts being interested because you have a chic.
Unless you look good, are stupid rich, can sing or act that is the only way you pull the supermodel.
That is why Duke gets all the 'smart' McDs All Americans, Georgetown has a long history of great big men, and UCONN has all of these amazing guards. They have the rep the supermodel players are looking for.

Maybe in 5 to 10 years we can steal some of their models. Right now we have to make due with the scraps.

[Windbane]

Bottom dwellers take all rejects that deserve a 2nd chance.

[DJ]

This is so funny.

[AGW]

Simple Marty, it's because they have talent. Plain and simple. That supercedes all. We need talent and players like Skeen and Thomas have it.

[Marty]

Isn't anyone concerned about his violations of Wake's academic policies? Heath already has APR issues. Why does USF need to take others' rejects?

[The Champ]

HaHaHa Mr Reality!!!

Yes the talent is there but will his knee issues allow him to take full advantage it?

Regardless he should be able to get more than 13 minutes a game here.

[Reality]

This guy is right up USF's alley.

Do we have any video coordinator spots to offer to make sure the transfer is locked up?

This guy was Mr. Basketball in NC, so the talent is there, you just have to take the baggage along with it.

If the guy wants to win and go to the NCAA, then this is not the place, but if he wants lots of minutes in the Big East, this is the garden spot.

Bring in da thugs. Dawg

Can't we just recruit normal high school players?

[Astro]

I can dig

[AGW]

Jamie Skeen is exactly the type of player that we need in our frontcourt. I really hope that he picks USF over those other schools. He could play right away and compliment Gilchrist very well in our frontcourt next season. Both are versatile and can shoot the ball. Hopefully, Skeen picks USF soon. Then, we can focus on Ibrahima Thomas, who was just dismissed from Okla. State. Coach Heath has a connection with other African-born players and hopefully that will resinate with Thomas. At 6'11 240 he is very agile and can shoot the ball well. He blocks shots and has 2 1/2 years left. We need these guys. Go get them Coach ASAP. If we get them our returning top 6 (Mercer, Jones, Howard, Gilchrist, Espinosa, Sanchez) plus these 2 and another 1 or 2 quality freshman (Bledsoe, Calliste, Riley) and we could be pretty deep and VERY competitive.

[AGW]

Jamie Skeen is exactly the type of player that we need in our frontcourt. I really hope that he picks USF over those other schools. He could play right away and compliment Gilchrist very well in our frontcourt next season. Both are versatile and can shoot the ball. Hopefully, Skeen picks USF soon. Then, we can focus on Ibrahima Thomas, who was just dismissed from Okla. State. Coach Heath has a connection with other African-born players and hopefully that will resinate with Thomas. At 6'11 240 he is very agile and can shoot the ball well. He blocks shots and has 2 1/2 years left. We need these guys. Go get them Coach ASAP. If we get them our returning top 6 (Mercer, Jones, Howard, Gilchrist, Espinosa, Sanchez) plus these 2 and another 1 or 2 quality freshman (Bledsoe, Calliste, Riley) and we could be pretty deep and VERY competitive.