NU recruit attracting attention
When you’re 17, nearly 6-foot-10, make ESPN’s Top 100 list and turn heads at UCLA and USC, life seems rather exhilarating.
Unless you’re from Angola.
“He’s very naive to all that stuff,” coach Kelvin Starr said, referring to Vander Joaquim, Nebraska’s latest basketball recruit.
Joaquim, who will be a senior on Starr’s Christian High School team in El Cajon, Calif., last week gave his oral commitment to Nebraska. That meant de-committing from the University of San Diego.
“He’s just such a loyal, nice kid, he had a hard time telling Coach (Bill) Grier that he didn’t want to go there anymore, and he wanted to go to Nebraska,” Starr said. “But I think he felt more loyal to Coach Roese.”
That’s Walter Roese, whom Doc Sadler hired from San Diego in May to join Nebraska’s staff.
San Diego coaches, Starr said, weren’t happy about losing Joaquim.
“Very upset, obviously, but that’s part of the nature of the business,” Starr said. “They lost Walter, and when you lose a guy as quality as Walter is, with his contacts and networking ... that’s part of why he got hired at Nebraska.”
Roese, who’s fluent in Joaquim’s native Portuguese, developed a strong relationship with Joaquim.
It’s that bond that makes Starr believe Joaquim will sign with Nebraska while Pac-10 schools in Joaquim’s backyard continue to circle. The early signing period begins in November.
“Trust me, guys are going to ask about him as time goes along,” Starr said, “but as far as I’m concerned, he’s going to Nebraska.”
In his one year in the U.S., Joaquim has already made ESPN’s Top 100 list of 2009 recruits. He’s ranked No. 94. The Web site refers to Joaquim as “arguably the best-kept secret on the West Coast.”
As a junior last season, the 6-9, 220-pound Joaquim averaged 21.2 points and 16.7 rebounds per game, with games highs of 32 points and 27 rebounds. He shot 57 percent from the field and 71 percent from the free-throw line.
“I think the sky’s the limit for him,” Starr said. “He’s almost 6-10 now. He’s long, he’s very coordinated, he’s good with both hands, he’s got great shooting touch, great instincts. He just has to put a little bit more size on him.”
Starr said Joaquim, who plays center, will be a power forward-type in college, and is capable of playing the wing.
Playing for a small high school, Joaquim faces constant double and triple teams.
“He can be so much better when he plays with a lot of good people,” Starr said. “He’s got all the intangibles. Good footwork, good hands, incredible touch.”
Off the court, Joaquim had “a slow start” academically, Starr said, because he knew no English when he arrived in the U.S. last summer.
“He’s trying to do everything he can to get fixed up and be eligible,” Starr said. “He’s just got to work hard, that’s all.”
As for Joaquim’s English?
“He’s come a long way, trust me,” Starr said. “When I first met him last year, a conversation was difficult. Now, he can talk, no problem. He’s in an English-speaking host home, so he’s entrenched in it.”
The language barrier, Starr said, was the only problem between player and coach.
“The type of kid he is is not an issue,” Starr said. “He’s a great, great kid, one of the best kids I’ve ever coached. He works hard, has a great attitude, is a great teammate, and he’s incredibly talented.”
Joaquim, while playing in Brazil with the Angolan national team, made contact with a relative there about finding a high school school in the United States, Starr said. It was the first step in the family’s plan to help the talented Joaquim earn a college scholarship.
Joaquim arrived in San Diego last summer and began staying with a host family sponsored by Shadow Mountain Community Church. Joaquim is living with a different host family this year — one with twin brothers on the basketball team who will also be seniors.
Joaquim is currently in summer school and playing in summer leagues. Starr said Joaquim will play in tournaments in Las Vegas and Los Angeles later this month.
This fall, Joaquim will make his first visit to Lincoln.
“You know how it goes,” Starr said, “he’ll have to come to a football game.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
Unless you’re from Angola.
“He’s very naive to all that stuff,” coach Kelvin Starr said, referring to Vander Joaquim, Nebraska’s latest basketball recruit.
Joaquim, who will be a senior on Starr’s Christian High School team in El Cajon, Calif., last week gave his oral commitment to Nebraska. That meant de-committing from the University of San Diego.
“He’s just such a loyal, nice kid, he had a hard time telling Coach (Bill) Grier that he didn’t want to go there anymore, and he wanted to go to Nebraska,” Starr said. “But I think he felt more loyal to Coach Roese.”
That’s Walter Roese, whom Doc Sadler hired from San Diego in May to join Nebraska’s staff.
San Diego coaches, Starr said, weren’t happy about losing Joaquim.
“Very upset, obviously, but that’s part of the nature of the business,” Starr said. “They lost Walter, and when you lose a guy as quality as Walter is, with his contacts and networking ... that’s part of why he got hired at Nebraska.”
Roese, who’s fluent in Joaquim’s native Portuguese, developed a strong relationship with Joaquim.
It’s that bond that makes Starr believe Joaquim will sign with Nebraska while Pac-10 schools in Joaquim’s backyard continue to circle. The early signing period begins in November.
“Trust me, guys are going to ask about him as time goes along,” Starr said, “but as far as I’m concerned, he’s going to Nebraska.”
In his one year in the U.S., Joaquim has already made ESPN’s Top 100 list of 2009 recruits. He’s ranked No. 94. The Web site refers to Joaquim as “arguably the best-kept secret on the West Coast.”
As a junior last season, the 6-9, 220-pound Joaquim averaged 21.2 points and 16.7 rebounds per game, with games highs of 32 points and 27 rebounds. He shot 57 percent from the field and 71 percent from the free-throw line.
“I think the sky’s the limit for him,” Starr said. “He’s almost 6-10 now. He’s long, he’s very coordinated, he’s good with both hands, he’s got great shooting touch, great instincts. He just has to put a little bit more size on him.”
Starr said Joaquim, who plays center, will be a power forward-type in college, and is capable of playing the wing.
Playing for a small high school, Joaquim faces constant double and triple teams.
“He can be so much better when he plays with a lot of good people,” Starr said. “He’s got all the intangibles. Good footwork, good hands, incredible touch.”
Off the court, Joaquim had “a slow start” academically, Starr said, because he knew no English when he arrived in the U.S. last summer.
“He’s trying to do everything he can to get fixed up and be eligible,” Starr said. “He’s just got to work hard, that’s all.”
As for Joaquim’s English?
“He’s come a long way, trust me,” Starr said. “When I first met him last year, a conversation was difficult. Now, he can talk, no problem. He’s in an English-speaking host home, so he’s entrenched in it.”
The language barrier, Starr said, was the only problem between player and coach.
“The type of kid he is is not an issue,” Starr said. “He’s a great, great kid, one of the best kids I’ve ever coached. He works hard, has a great attitude, is a great teammate, and he’s incredibly talented.”
Joaquim, while playing in Brazil with the Angolan national team, made contact with a relative there about finding a high school school in the United States, Starr said. It was the first step in the family’s plan to help the talented Joaquim earn a college scholarship.
Joaquim arrived in San Diego last summer and began staying with a host family sponsored by Shadow Mountain Community Church. Joaquim is living with a different host family this year — one with twin brothers on the basketball team who will also be seniors.
Joaquim is currently in summer school and playing in summer leagues. Starr said Joaquim will play in tournaments in Las Vegas and Los Angeles later this month.
This fall, Joaquim will make his first visit to Lincoln.
“You know how it goes,” Starr said, “he’ll have to come to a football game.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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