Junior Etou: 20 Years Old

[ammtd34]

http://deadspin.com/5976955/dcs-newest-high-school-basketball-star-will-turn-21-this-year-according-to-fiba


And maybe the grumblers are onto something. Junior Etou's full name is Luc Tselan Tsiene Etou. He is originally from the Republic of Congo. Turns out that in 2009, Luc Tselan Tsiene Etou played for the Congo Republic national team in the FIBA Africa Championship in Tripoli and Benghazi. The roster for that tournament lists Etou's hometown as Pointe Noire, the second-largest city in the Republic, and his birth date as "4 June 1992." That would make him 20 years old, not 18.

Edit: Obviously, that should say "Junior."

[PMI]

Morgan Wootten, the former DeMatha coach, is arguably the greatest high school basketball coach of all time, and a really solid person by all accounts. His son, Joe, O'Connell's head coach, is well-known to be the sketchiest in the WCAC. So this wouldn't exactly floor me. I have seen Etou play and he's really good, but if he's actually 20, that would sort of explain some things. Those grown ass men will still lose to Gonzaga's actual student athletes per usual anyway.

[MD Muskie]

there always stories/rumors/myths that JT2 was supplying certain high schools with foreign players that he was recruiting to Georgetown. The main one being Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje. No reall proof, just lots of speculation and rumors, but ones I heard A LOT.

[Muskied]

http://deadspin.com/5976955/dcs-newest-high-school-basketball-star-will-turn-21-this-year-according-to-fiba



Edit: Obviously, that should say "Junior."

Based on this info, seems it should say "senior"

[DC Muskie]

We need to land this kid to pair with 36 year old senior Justin Martin in a few years.

[ballyhoohoo]

We need to land this kid to pair with 36 year old senior Justin Martin in a few years.

He'll Reynolds will be 21 or 22 soon. Four year high school, year I prep, intelligible year.

[XUFan09]

He'll Reynolds will be 21 or 22 soon. Four year high school, year I prep, intelligible year.

After a year of Xavier education, hopefully he's intelligible!

[PMI]

After a year of Xavier education, hopefully he's intelligible!

Or at least as productive as CJ Anderson was off the bat...

[Muskie]

I personally trust the convoluted sources on Wikipedia... :seestars:

[Xman95]

We need to land this kid to pair with 36 year old senior Justin Martin in a few years.

No shit! J-Mart's a pretty old 2nd year player. Unfortunately that's happening a lot more now with kids going to prep schools after high school and then some sitting a year after that prep year. College basketball is not a kids game anymore.

[smileyy]

No shit! J-Mart's a pretty old 2nd year player. Unfortunately that's happening a lot more now with kids going to prep schools after high school and then some sitting a year after that prep year. College basketball is not a kids game anymore.

Its not a bad thing to have more physically developed players.

[MarvAlbert]

Here's a story on FIBA getting ready to declare that Etou is 18 (http://deadspin.com/5986232/fiba-is-prepared-to-say-dc-high-school-star-junior-etou-is-18-years-old-even-though-fiba-was-sure-hes-20?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=Sport+Feed)

And here's a tweet from 2/27

Marcus Helton ‏@MarcusHelton
Bishop O'Connell 2013 F Junior Etou said he's leaning towards Miami and Xavier and plans to visit both next week. #DMVhoops

[nkymuskie]

No shit! J-Mart's a pretty old 2nd year player. Unfortunately that's happening a lot more now with kids going to prep schools after high school and then some sitting a year after that prep year. College basketball is not a kids game anymore.

J-Mart is older than me and I graduate in 2 months. I'm 22. I couldn't imagine being in college still at 24, although I can't say I would mind it.

[xavierj]

J-Mart is older than me and I graduate in 2 months. I'm 22. I couldn't imagine being in college still at 24, although I can't say I would mind it.

Am I the only one who does not think its weird that Justin is older? If he was just a regular student it would be no big deal. Colleges are filled with students in their mid to late 20's and still in school. If you look around college basketball you will find guys all over who are older. It really is not a bad thing. Even at Duke Mason Plumlee is 23, Kevin Dillard at Dayton was 23 before the season started and Sean Kilpatrick is 23 and has another year left.

[Grylls]

Check out the roster for Miami (Fl). They've got 23, 24, and 25 year old guys playing.

[PMI]

He is a hell of a player. I've seen him play several times and would be happy if Xavier got him. When he's on, he's a man among boys out there (pun intended.)

[HuskyMuskie]

Good or bad, 20 or 21, seems as if we have a great chance to land him this week.

http://musketeerxtra.com/2013/04/17/etou-a-muskie/

[GoMuskies]

I had no idea musketeerxtra existed.

[PMI]

I love him as a player, however old he is, and would be pumped if we landed him from that standpoint. But if guys like Mark Lyons and Justin Martin, among others, were deemed ineligible, I don't see any possible way Etou would be. But from a basketball standpoint, it would be a great commitment.

[ammtd34]

I had no idea musketeerxtra existed.

Me neither. There seems to be some good info on there.

[XU 87]

While I'd prefer him to be eligible, if he's not, it's no big deal. We've got 2 scholarships available. Might as well use one of them on him.

[bobbiemcgee]

He'll Reynolds will be 21 or 22 soon. Four year high school, year I prep, intelligible year.

He'll be stopping up at Dana's with Coach Mack after the first game.

[paulxu]

I'm so damn confused.
I thought we had one scholarship for 2013-14.
If this guy comes I'm assuming Vez is not rowing over.

[ballyhoohoo]

I'm so damn confused.
I thought we had one scholarship for 2013-14.
If this guy comes I'm assuming Vez is not rowing over.

We have two

[ballyhoohoo]

We could have the oldest team in the country next year

5th year Seniors
Philmore
Stenger
Cantino

4th year junior
Stainbrook
Justin Martin

3rd year junior
Dee Davis

Sophomores with five years of high school
Semaj Christon
James Farr

Freshman with five ears of high school and one year sit out
Jalen Reynolds

Freshman with a year sit out
Myles Davis

True freshman
Kamall Richards
Brandon Randolph

Possible 21 year old Junior Etou

[paulxu]

OK, I counted all the people you listed and get 13.
What am I missing? Is Stenger walking on?

[UCGRAD4X]

OK, I counted all the people you listed and get 13.
What am I missing? Is Stenger walking on?

I thought he was done.

[ballyhoohoo]

Stenger was on scholarship this past year only. We have two open Stenger will be back.

[ballyhoohoo]

Me neither. There seems to be some good info on there.

There seems to be a lot of information normally posted on the pay sites that is just posted on this site for free. Hmmmmm

[Juice]

I love him as a player, however old he is, and would be pumped if we landed him from that standpoint. But if guys like Mark Lyons and Justin Martin, among others, were deemed ineligible, I don't see any possible way Etou would be. But from a basketball standpoint, it would be a great commitment.

Age doesn't matter. It's eligibility and amateur status. He has both based on everything I've read.

[ammtd34]

There seems to be a lot of information normally posted on the pay sites that is just posted on this site for free. Hmmmmm

Yeah, that's what I was getting at. Though it looks like they cite different twitter sources. Seems like a lot of work.

[XU 87]

Am I the only one who does not think its weird that Justin is older? If he was just a regular student it would be no big deal. Colleges are filled with students in their mid to late 20's and still in school. If you look around college basketball you will find guys all over who are older. It really is not a bad thing. Even at Duke Mason Plumlee is 23, Kevin Dillard at Dayton was 23 before the season started and Sean Kilpatrick is 23 and has another year left.

I agree. With players going to prep school, and then often red shirting their freshman years, or with all the players transferring, the players are going to be a little older.

[DoubleD86]

For what it is worth, I saw this article: http://deadspin.com/5986232/fiba-is-prepared-to-say-dc-high-school-star-junior-etou-is-18-years-old-even-though-fiba-was-sure-hes-20

Now obviously, it seems like he is most likely 20, but as others have said, why would it matter to X/us? As long as he is eligible (which is still in question from what I understand) the age aspect doesn't matter and may in fact help. If he is 20 he would (presumably) be more mature and his body has had time to grow. Lots of Mormon athletes don't enter college until 20 or older so I am not worried about it.

Edit: The biggest worry I could see is, if he was deemed good enough, leaving for the NBA early because of his age. At this point I am not sure that is much of a worry, and frankly if he does that means he likely had a good career while he was here.

[PMI]

Age doesn't matter. It's eligibility and amateur status. He has both based on everything I've read.

Yes I know age doesn't matter, but my concern is eligibility. People seem to believe he's going to be alright in that regard, but I don't. From what I can gather, he's probably not anywhere near as close to being eligible as people want to believe. And that's before you consider our own history of getting absolutely zero benefit of the doubt. Joe Wootten, his high school coach, is someone who I would not put much past. I certainly believe he knew that he was too old to play high school ball for him and did not care. With that in mind, knowing how O'Connell does things under Wootten, I have my doubts that his eligibility in in perfect standing.

[casualfan]

Yes I know age doesn't matter, but my concern is eligibility. People seem to believe he's going to be alright in that regard, but I don't. From what I can gather, he's probably not anywhere near as close to being eligible as people want to believe. And that's before you consider our own history of getting absolutely zero benefit of the doubt. Joe Wootten, his high school coach, is someone who I would not put much past. I certainly believe he knew that he was too old to play high school ball for him and did not care. With that in mind, knowing how O'Connell does things under Wootten, I have my doubts that his eligibility in in perfect standing.

I've heard for awhile now that he is an academic risk. This was something I had read about before Xavier started recruited him so take it FWIW.

[Masterofreality]

“@insidemdsports: Hearing #Xavier leads for O'Connell PF Junior Etou, who will likely decide within the next week

[casualfan]

Has he visited?

[bobbiemcgee]

If he, in fact, graduates from Bishop O'Connell, doesn't that put his elgibility problems to rest? I could really care less about how old he is, if he can help us.

http://247sports.com/Player/Junior-Etou-13797

[paulxu]

If he, in fact, graduates from Bishop O'Connell, doesn't that put his elgibility problems to rest?

That hasn't proven to be sure fire in the past.

[bobbiemcgee]

yeah, I read 95% of their graduates go on to 4 yr. colleges, so he'll be in the 5% with our luck.

[Masterofreality]

I think we have a real good shot at this kid. Supposedly there is verified documentation that he's actually 18, but who knows for sure?

[paulxu]

What's that all about in regard to playing basketball?
I was 17 when I started college. Do you have to be 18 to play ball?

[LA Muskie]

The only effect of "age" on eligibility is that a player has only 4 years (with a minor exception for a single course in the 5th year) to satisfy the core course and GPA requirements.

That said, if he is found to have lied about his age, that also could affect his eligibility.

[paulxu]

The only effect of "age" on eligibility is that a player has only 4 years (with a minor exception for a single course in the 5th year) to satisfy the core course and GPA requirements.

That said, if he is found to have lied about his age, that also could affect his eligibility.

I'm still in the dark. You are talking about completing high school courses in 4 years? What about kids that go a complete 5th year to prep school?

[XUFan09]

I'm still in the dark. You are talking about completing high school courses in 4 years? What about kids that go a complete 5th year to prep school?

That's why he included the parenthetical clause: "with a minor exception for a single course in the 5th year." Kids take full courseloads if they do a prep year, but only one of those classes can actually count toward course requirements. Probably all the classes count toward GPA though, if that's in question. Prep school classes also probably just do what the name claims, prepare the kids better for college coursework than the schools they often come from.

[paulxu]

Thanks for the clarification. Makes sense with the exception of our kids who weren't eligible last year. It seems like one of them was called out for one class that the NCAA ruled didn't meet some standard, but I had the impression he was taking more classes than just that one in order to complete his requirements.

[danaandvictory]

Thanks for the clarification. Makes sense with the exception of our kids who weren't eligible last year. It seems like one of them was called out for one class that the NCAA ruled didn't meet some standard, but I had the impression he was taking more classes than just that one in order to complete his requirements.

It's not just a raw number of classes, they have to be spread around in certain areas. If a kid takes an English class in high school that is later invalidated, he is short even if he has the requisite number of total credits.

[BMoreX]

@BSnowScout: Junior Etou has committed to Rutgers per his twitter account and http://t.co/fk6HZvIAqg

[PMI]

We may have been his leader at one point, but with Eddie Jordan getting in the mix, this is no surprise. Both are WCAC guys. I like and respect Eddie Jordan and think he will turn Rutgers' mess around in due time. With him being in college basketball now, the DC area just got a lot harder to recruit, and that includes JT3 and the rest of them. He will do good things in the Big Ten.

As for Etou, he's a good player who plays like the grown ass man he might be. I would've like to have had him. But knowing our recent ineligibility history with guys with far fewer red flags in that department, I can live with someone else taking the chance.

[SixFig]

Damn! Plenty of playing time in Rutgers so I guess that is a big enough carrot

[ammtd34]

We also may have backed off. If we thought we could get a better wing in 2014, taking Etou this year wouldn't make any sense.

[DC Muskie]

A bit surprising. For some reason I always thought the guy would end up at Miami.

[More Cowbell]

A bit surprising. For some reason I always thought the guy would end up at Miami.

With all of the turnover, he is going to be guaranteed playing time at Rutgers. He would have to compete at X.

[DC Muskie]

With all of the turnover, he is going to be guaranteed playing time at Rutgers. He would have to compete at X.

There's plenty of time available at Miami.

[PMI]

Remember that the rule in the Big East is no more partial or non qualifiers on your roster. I think that's enough in and of itself to go another route.

[Muskie]

what's this rule?

[casualfan]

Remember that the rule in the Big East is no more partial or non qualifiers on your roster. I think that's enough in and of itself to go another route.

yep, it will be interesting to see how this rule plays into our recruiting plan

[PMI]

what's this rule?

The Big East conference does not allow partial or non qualifiers. I believe that if a kid doesn't fully qualify, he can still go to the university and pay his own way, but he can't be a part of the team. So guys like Mark Lyons and Justin Martin, who were partial qualifiers and could be on the team but not play in games their freshman years, would not be able to do so now.

[DC Muskie]

The Big East conference does not allow partial or non qualifiers. I believe that if a kid doesn't fully qualify, he can still go to the university and pay his own way, but he can't be a part of the team. So guys like Mark Lyons and Justin Martin, who were partial qualifiers and could be on the team but not play in games their freshman years, would not be able to do so now.

That's a terrible rule.

[More Cowbell]

The Big East conference does not allow partial or non qualifiers. I believe that if a kid doesn't fully qualify, he can still go to the university and pay his own way, but he can't be a part of the team. So guys like Mark Lyons and Justin Martin, who were partial qualifiers and could be on the team but not play in games their freshman years, would not be able to do so now.

That was the old Big East deal. Since this is a new conference, I think they would re-examine the rule.

[DC Muskie]

Eddie Jordan coached Etou in AAU (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/recruiting-insider/wp/2013/05/01/oconnell-forward-junior-etou-commits-to-rutgers/)

[Juice]

That's a terrible rule.

"Hey, that thing that usually isn't your fault, but the fault of stupid adults...yeah, it's going to take away your scholarship"

[PMI]

That was the old Big East deal. Since this is a new conference, I think they would re-examine the rule.

The rule will remain in effect, and I wouldn't really mind it as long as we had some way of knowing for sure whether or not a kid is eligible to qualify (or at least strongly on track to) before taking his commitment. The problem with it is the NCAA decides to throw it on you after it's too late.

[casualfan]

That was the old Big East deal. Since this is a new conference, I think they would re-examine the rule.

Nope. The Big East wants to be a big time basketball conference and big time conferences don't take partial qualifiers.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I thought the whole partial qualifier rule was done. You either qualify or you don't. If you don't you have to pay your own way your Freshman year but if you qualify for your sophomore year you retain 4 years of eligibility. How has that changed? Kids in the Big East still played their Sophomore years and retain the 4 years...see Shaquille Thomas for UC.

[casualfan]

I thought the whole partial qualifier rule was done. You either qualify or you don't. If you don't you have to pay your own way your Freshman year but if you qualify for your sophomore year you retain 4 years of eligibility. How has that changed? Kids in the Big East still played their Sophomore years and retain the 4 years...see Shaquille Thomas for UC.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/7885522/new-incoming-eligibility-standards-create-term

[LA Muskie]

I thought the whole partial qualifier rule was done. You either qualify or you don't. If you don't you have to pay your own way your Freshman year but if you qualify for your sophomore year you retain 4 years of eligibility. How has that changed? Kids in the Big East still played their Sophomore years and retain the 4 years...see Shaquille Thomas for UC.

Not according to the Big East Policy Manual (http://www.bigeast.org/portals/5/fls/19400/pdfs/Policy_Manual/section8.pdf):
A recruited or non-recruited student-athlete who does not achieve the NCAA academic minimum qualifying standards (non-qualifier) for athletic competition upon initial full-time enrollment at a BIG EAST Conference member institution shall not be permitted to compete in athletics at a BIG EAST Conference member institution.

[Masterofreality]

He's Baaaaaaaaaaaaaack.....

Well, maybe.

"@JonRothstein: Rutgers transfer Junior Etou will visit Xavier Wednesday and Thursday, source told @CBSSports. Visited Tulsa this past weekend."

[casualfan]

He's Baaaaaaaaaaaaaack.....

Well, maybe.

"@JonRothstein: Rutgers transfer Junior Etou will visit Xavier Wednesday and Thursday, source told @CBSSports. Visited Tulsa this past weekend."

Isn't this guy like 25 now?

If we get him we would definitely have a mature front court between he and Jalen.

[XU 87]

Isn't this guy like 25 now?

If we get him we would definitely have a mature front court between he and Jalen.

I think he is a mere 23.

[casualfan]

I think he is a mere 23.

You are right. According to the deadspin article on the front page he will turn 24 this year which would make him eligible for his age 25 and 26 seasons.

[Masterofreality]

Isn't this guy like 25 now?

If we get him we would definitely have a mature front court between he and Jalen.

He'd have to sit a year, but a good protect if Jalen leaves after next year. He's done OK at Rutgers and had a 12 point 11 rebound game against the Suckeyes.

By the way. Aren't all those fun to watch BYU guys like 36?

[xudash]

He'd have to sit a year, but a good protect if Jalen leaves after next year. He's done OK at Rutgers and had a 12 point 11 rebound game against the Suckeyes.

By the way. Aren't all those fun to watch BYU guys like 36?

Ha! Exactly what I was thinking when I started reading all these posts about his age. Don't the Mormons like to send them off to do ministry work for a few years so that they can then come back and play football and basketball in their 20's, but having done good works already, of course.

[GoMuskies]

By the way. Aren't all those fun to watch BYU guys like 36?

Not exactly an advantage for them, though. They essentially spend a year not working out or playing their sport.

[Steve A]

Committed to Tulsa over the weekend.

[casualfan]

Committed to Tulsa over the weekend.

I would imagine that means we passed. It's not often you see a guy visit school A, leave without comitting, visit school B then circle back and commit to school A.

[Juice]

I would imagine that means we passed. It's not often you see a guy visit school A, leave without comitting, visit school B then circle back and commit to school A.

Brandon Randolph did that.

[ammtd34]

I think a lot of guys do that. It makes sense to me if you're weighing all your options.

[xavierj]

I think a lot of guys do that. It makes sense to me if you're weighing all your options.

I think the Xavier coaches are pretty comfortable with their roster and chemistry at this point. I don't think they worked to hard to get a commit from this kid. Xavier is in good shape moving forward.

[DC Muskie]

Phew! Good luck to him and thank goodness he isn't coming here.