UNC Recruiting Update: Alex Oriakhi Meets With Xavier, Missouri and Yes Kentucky

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Connecticut senior transfer Alex Oriakhi recently asked for and was granted his release by the Huskies due to their upcoming ban from the NCAA Tournament next season.  After an appeal by the University was denied, it is now official Oriakhi will play somewhere next season.  Where?  That’s anybody’s guess, a lot of teams are after him and his visits are underway.

Buckle up because we’re probably not going to find out for a while either.

Oriakhi spoke with Zags Blog about his visits.

Kentucky

"“He would like for me to come in and lead right away and I definitely feel he was honest. He did present Kentucky very well. He talked about how the basktball players have a high GPA so he values education with his players. I think it really went well.”"

"“He just told me he has two players returning,” Oriakhi said of Calipari. “He has nobody.”Asked if that was appealing, Oriakhi said, “That’s definitely appealing to know that he doesn’t have anybody coming back. It means major minutes are definitely there. It’s definitely appealing. Obviously, he’s the best at having guys one and done.”"

Missouri

"“He’s a down to earth guy,” Oriakhi said. “He said the same thing that Xavier said. They don’t just want me, they need me. They have one of the best playmakers in college basketball"

Xavier

"“They are not a big-time school but basically they just do as much as those big-time schools,” he said of Xavier. “He basically gave me the depth chart and said, ‘We don’t just want you, we need you.’“They don’t really have any post players. They definitely need me. That’s a plus.”"

Oriakhi also discussed the teams on Tobacco Road pursuing his talents for next season. Both North Carolina and Duke are after the soon to be senior center. Unconfirmed rumors as of late had Duke eliminated in the Oriakhi race, apparently that’s not so.

"“I never said they were out,” he said. I’m talking to North Carolina and Duke as well. I’m pretty sure visits are going to come in the future. I don’t want to miss classes.”"

He also confirmed that he will not rush the decision and will take his time making his choice of schools.  When asked if he had a date in mind he indicated he did not but “probably” by the end of the month.  Oriakhi will probably visit all the schools he is interested in, talk with the coaches, cruise the campus’ and then make his decision.  Expect many twists, turns and false rumors (like that Duke one, why can’t that be true?!?!).  I’ve racked my brain and I can’t recall a transfer being this heavily recruited with so much interest in the history of college basketball.

UNC fans should not worry about the fact that he has yet to meet in person with Carolina.  The likely reason is simply scheduling, timing and getting Alex and Roy Williams in the same spot at the same time.  Kentucky has a disadvantage against the rest of the field.  Because the SEC does not allow one-year transfers, Oriakhi would have to file for an academic waiver in order to become eligible at Kentucky.  Although the Wildcats are in his final four, I just don’t see the Kentucky getting a “academic waiver” by the NCAA here.  Everybody knows Oriakhi is transferring for basketball reasons and an academic waiver would be a slap in the face to the process.  The same rule applies to Missouri with their transfer into the SEC.

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