Temple still in running for Westtown junior Daniel Ochefu, a top center of Class of 2012
Temple is still in the running for Daniel Ochefu, the Westtown School center regarded by ESPN as the 20th-best college basketball prospect in the Class of 2012.
Temple is still in the running for Daniel Ochefu, the Westtown School center regarded by ESPN as the 20th-best college basketball prospect in the Class of 2012.
The 6-foot-10, 235-pound junior - who has pared down his list to Villanova, Georgetown, Texas, and the Owls - will make an unofficial visit at Temple on Friday with his parents.
Westtown coach Seth Berger believes the Owls have a legitimate shot at signing the inside presence over the national powers from power conferences.
"Temple has been a top 25 school as long as I can remember," Berger said of the Owls, who dropped out of the Associated Press men's college basketball rankings on Monday. "They won the Atlantic Ten for the last three years. So I think Temple is also a national program, and has been for years, going back to even before coach [Fran] Dunphy.
"If Daniel didn't think Temple was as strong as the other ones, it wouldn't be in the final four."
Ochefu and his parents have made unofficial visits to Villanova and Georgetown. According to a source close to the situation, the family will make an official visit to Texas in the second week of March.
Afterward, the source said, the Ochefus will sit down and decide on a school.
Berger would not comment on the decision-making process. He did say that Ochefu is not leaning toward one school.
Temple, Villanova, Georgetown and Texas all offer something unique, the coach said.
"Each of them are very different," Berger said. "They are four different opportunities. Each of them provides him with a great education, great coach and a chance to be a pro.
Whoever lands Ochefu will get a multiskilled player. In addition to being a solid shooter, he is a good ball handler for someone his size. Ochefu also has a high basketball IQ and is a solid rebounder and shot blocker.
He has averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots per game this season.
"Danny has a great chance to be a great college player and an NBA player," Berger said.
"It's just a matter of finding the right fit."