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THE BEST IN ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL RECRUITING!

Umeadi Looks to Enhance Stock
by Jason McGee
July 12, 2006

Gozie Umeadi is another talented guard in the class of 2008; a class that is showing to be guard dominant with the play of players such as Lewis Jackson, Verdell Jones III, DeAndre Liggens, and Matt Humphrey just to name a few. With these players dominating the headlines it is easy to overlook talents such as Umeadi.

Standing at 6-4 and weighing 190 lb., Umeadi has as well developed a body as any guard in his class and one of the best developed in the state. He uses his size to his advantage as he averaged 7 rebounds per game this past high school season as the leader of his Fenton team. He also had a point average around 15 and an assist average around 5 per game.

Umeadi is a first generation American as his parents are both originally from Nigeria. He has been back to Nigeria four times over his young life and based on the height of his relatives, many of whom are tall, believes that he could easily end up being 6-7. This size will only improve Umeadi's potential as a prospect and a player. He already is a big strong guard who has the versatility to play inside. He features a solid all around game that allows him to be a scoring threat from anywhere on the floor. Umeadi's size also causes problems on defense for opposing players.

On the AAU circuit Umeadi plays for the Rising Stars. He originally starred alongside Rob Belcore as the stars of the 16U Gold squad. Since that time Belcore has moved on to the 17U Illinois Wolves team. Umeadi has also moved up a level as he has been picked up by the Rising Stars 17U Blue team. He has already joined them in Louisville at the Nike Kentucky Hoop Fest and will close out the AAU season with them at the Super Showcase and National Championships both in Orlando, Florida.

"I am just hoping that I can get more exposure so more people can see me," said Umeadi.

Schools have taken note of Umeadi's potential. Purdue, DePaul Marquette, Northern Illinois, Bradley, Southern Illinois and Loyola have all shown interest in the developing player. Look for even more schools to take an interest in Umeadi as he continues to refine his game and begins to maximize his potential.