DePaul lands 7'2" center for 2007

[Da Coach]

DePaul added to a pretty good recruiting class for 2007 by landing a 7'2" center. Kene Obi, from South Kent prep school in Connecticut, is now enrolled at DePaul and could be eligible for the 2007-2008 season.
Obi had also received interest from Binghamton, Lamar, and USC.

Article (probably subscription)--

http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=2&c=660581

From the article--
He didn???‚¬?„?t play that much, but better days are in front of him. He???‚¬?„?s going to be good, he???‚¬?„?s just missed a lot of time on the court with all his travels just to get to the United States.???‚¬??
While Obi did not get much playing time in actual games, he did improve at South Kent just because of the level of competition in practice.
With the addition of Kene, DePaul???‚¬?„?s already heralded Class of 2007 expands to six student-athletes. Obi joins Michael Bizoukas, Mac Koshwal, Matija Poscic, Mario Stula, and Darquavis Tucker.

Profile--

http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=2183942

[casey]

Sounds like a 280 lb James Baptist

[real fan]

I find it strange to see that many recruits from prep schools; I hope the ncaa is looking at these players academics closely as they are borderline students that are probably being given classes that will not help them to graduate any time soon.

[amckillip]

I agree I also question DePaul's 'Heralded Recruiting Class' in terms of whether or not they qualified to play college ball in a fair manner. I mean it's common knowledge they had a VERY close relationship with BTMA and many of their players are near the qualifying borderline, but I guess it's OK because the do play in 'Power Conference.'

[Da Coach]

We know the NCAA has standards for grades achieved in core courses, and for test scores. After that, there is a huge amount of subjectivity used by the NCAA clearinghouse when they consider what courses are acceptable as "core courses", and the quality of the teaching at these prep schools.
I do have my doubts about the fairness of their decision when recruits headed to Bradley (Xavier Crawford) are deemed unqualified, while every one headed to the power conferences somehow always get through the clearinghouse.
I can give many more examples of prep-school kids denied eligibility at midmajors, but I have a hard time thinking of any that were rejected at major schools.

[real fan]

Just the usual double standard; I would have to think that when most of these players do not graduate that DePaul will end up losing scholarships but that Wainwright will be gone by then.