UC lands John Reik

[xufan02]

Looks like UC is taking a gamble on John Reik, should be interested to see how this plays out, and if he can get eligible. This dude could be a monster.

http://xavier.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=63042

[jcubspoe]

Does he have classroom issues or something? Big pick up for UC...prob 1 or 2 years and off to the NBA I'd imagine.

[Araceli]

I would think that they are wellcome to him. A big guy, but lots has to be done to turn him into a guy that understands the game. UC has not changed academically and for lack of others they got him.

[xufan02]

Academic and NCAA clearinghouse issues possibly. With all players from overseas there are always questions about age, amateur status, etc. All in all if UC can get in figured out and get him eligible they have a very intriging prospect. He is raw but you can not teach 7'2 with a 9 foot wing span.

Like Odia and Sato before him, foreign prospects get put through the ringer before they can play.

[Stonebreaker]

He certainly has low post presence. Whether or not he'll make the team, or be a force, remains to be seen. I do know this...a lot of big time schools were after this kid.

[Juice]

The article on Rivals mentions something about trying to enter the draft. Is he that old?

[xufan02]

More info if you are interested

http://www.zagsblog.net/2008/08/03/john-riek-to-cincinnati/#more-1295

[DoubleD86]

I was reading on a UC board about this kid. I guess I should say monster. He is an incredibly intriguing prospect, but a lot of the fans over there are reigning in their enthusiasm for a couple of reasons.

The first has been stated, with Academic and Clearinghouse eligibility yet to be confirmed. They say he has to take his SAT still, but has no ability to read, write, or speak English.

Second, they say he has suffered some injuries.

Third, There are some stories claiming he had signed an agent.

Last, There are reports that his high ranking and draft ratings were proven false when scouts watched him and he is actually not all that good, just a great presence and defender. Some accounts claim that he was rather ineffective at IMG Academy.

Hopefully for UC and their fans, this kid is eligible, healthy, and actually good. It would be a HUGE get for UC (both literally and figuratively).

[sash19]

From what I have been told Riek has about a 50/50 shot at becoming eligible academically. He could be 30 years old and probably will have trouble becoming eligible both with the clearinghouse and UC. However, I think that Cronin should be applauded for the recruiting effort he put forth. Riek, before his ACL reconstruction, was a 5 star player. Heck, he is 7'2" and 240 lbs. He is a monster on the defensive end however very slow, as to be expected. If he was able to play at UC then he would be a great addition to their team. Either way, nicely done by Mick. Congrats to them.

[Juice]

Sash, I am going to disagree with you on the recruiting effort by Mick. It seems to me that this guy has so many problems becoming eligible and with his health that everyone else has backed off. Rivals has listed other big programs that were recruiting him but I bet they have all been out of the game for awhile. So UC beat South Florida for this kid, and it sounds like they were the few that were left in the game. South Florida and UC need to take chances on guys like this because they are in the bottom half of the Big East and this is how you catch up.

[DoubleD86]

Juice...I think Connecticut was also actively recruiting him when he chose UC. So add them in there, although on the UC board they said they think UConn was cut by Reik because they are semesters and if he is eligible this year it would have to be at a Quarter school....

So I guess he didn't actually "beat" UConn

[kyxu]

although on the UC board they said they think UConn was cut by Reik because they are semesters and if he is eligible this year it would have to be at a Quarter school....

Oh yeah, that had to be the reason

[Stonebreaker]

When he learned Thabeet was returning, he turned his attention towards Cincy. Things might have been different otherwise.

[xeus]

He can't be worse than Biggie McClain as the backup 5. From what I have heard 50/50 chance of eligibility is optimistic. It would be nice to see the kid get a shot.

[XURunner85]

From what I heard he will be an asset on defense with a 7'8" reach that can block shots but that he needs to learn how to play offense, not very good on that end unless he is going to block his teammates shots....