Center Hamga chooses UNLV over UK

[colonel-fan]

Center Hamga chooses UNLV over UK

 

A visit to Kentucky last weekend did not change prospect Beas Hamga’s intention to play for UNLV. He announced his commitment to the Runnin’ Rebels on Monday.

 

His coach at Decatur (Ill.) Christian School, Alan Huss, noted the “very solid personal relationship” Hamga, had developed with UNLV Coach Lon Kruger and assistant Greg Grensing.

 

“Also, he has a very close friend that just finished up an outstanding career there,” Huss wrote in an e-mail. “He really feels that if he develops the same way that Gaston Essengue (the friend at UNLV) then he will play in the NBA.”

 

Essengue, like Hamga a native of Cameroon, finished his UNLV career this past season.

 

Hamga, an athletic 6-foot-11 1/2-inch center, originally committed to Iowa. When Coach Steve Alford moved to New Mexico after this past season, Hamga re-opened his recruitment.

 

Hamga visited Kentucky last weekend. Earlier this spring, he visited UNLV. He also was considering New Mexico and Indiana.

 

Former UK Coach Tubby Smith had been recruiting Hamga, whose first name is pronounced “Bee-Az.” Billy Gillispie picked up the recruiting trail when he became UK coach.

 

With a 7 foot, 3 inch wingspan, Hamga plays like a 7-footer, Huss said. Recruiting analysts considered Hamga as raw offensively, but a player who could defend and rebound relatively quickly.

 

The recruiting interest moved Hamga to seek to have his academic status changed. He had been considered a high school junior. But because he had fulfilled NCAA requirements for college eligibility, the player has asked to be considered a member of the high school senior class of 2007.

[HammerTime]

No real surprise here. Good luck to him.:thumb:

[98NCCalum]

I thought UK was WAY ahead of everyone else?

[blackcatfaithful]

So much for everyone's "sources". Strike 2. :lol:

[BigBlueFreak]

This could turn out to be a pretty rough day for the Cats.

[Baseballguy]

I thought UK was WAY ahead of everyone else?

 

 

 

Guess you were wrong.

[98NCCalum]

So much for everyone's "sources". Strike 2. :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[98NCCalum]

Guess you were wrong.

I was never wrong, this is what some yUK fans kept telling me.

[MBWC41]

I'm not gonna lie, I thought Hamga was coming to UK.

 

Oh well, hope he does well at UNLV.

 

Looks like were down to Sanchez and Patterson for big men.

[Baseballguy]

I was never wrong, this is what some yUK fans kept telling me.

 

 

Ok...Bash away then.

[ColonelCrazy]

I had a good feeling about Hamga, but I honestly think he was the fallback if Kentucky could not get Patterson & Lucas.

 

Kentucky needs someone who can come in and contribute immediately. While Hamga would be able to do that, it sounds like he's not nearly as polished offensively as some of the others available. And with what UK is lacking inside, Hamga probably isn't (wasn't) the best available.

[Sharp]

I was never wrong, this is what some yUK fans kept telling me.

Then you should address those folks personally.

[98NCCalum]

Ok...Bash away then.

:lol: :lol: Who me?:sssh:

[HammerTime]

:lol: :lol: Who me?:sssh:

He passed on IU too. :sssh:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let me guess they have a great class coming in they didn't need him.

[gametime]

Ouch...