Favor Aire (Miami U)

[dchoya72]

I believe he's in the portal.

[dchoya72]

WCAC graduate. Bishop McNamara, 6-11.

[RBHoya]

He is. And on paper, you would think he's somebody Cooley might pursue. He was a Top 100 recruit out of high school (like most of our other recent additions), spent last year outside of the rotation at a strong high major program (like Styles, Brumbaugh, and some of the guys Cooley had at PC), and would be using his 1 time free transfer to join us, meaning he'd most likely be with us for the next 3 years. It has felt like Cooley has strategically pursued guys with similar profiles both at PC and here--guys who were highly regarded in the prep ranks, but who for some reason did not get big roles at their first stop. One would assume that the high school ranking reflects some natural ability and that Cooley thinks that if he has a few years he can mold that clay into a high quality player. When you consider that Aire has lived and gone to school in DC previously (though he's born in Nigeria), there's reason to think we might get involved.

That said, he's in that tricky "middle" area--whatever is the opposite of the "goldilocks zone." He's not good enough to pursue with a full court press when a guy like Dickinson is still out there, since HD is the superior player by a wide margin and you don't want to do anything that might negatively impact that recruitment. But he's not bad/mediocre enough to commit somewhere where he could end up being second fiddle to an All American center and playing 5-10 minutes a game off the bench. Too good to accept a backup role, not good enough to be top priority. I think the only way we'll be in the mix is if HD chooses somewhere else in the near future, in time for us to still make a big push for Aire.

[ColumbiaHeightsHoya]

Apr 11, 2023 20:44:04 GMT -5 RBHoya said:

He is. And on paper, you would think he's somebody Cooley might pursue. He was a Top 100 recruit out of high school (like most of our other recent additions), spent last year outside of the rotation at a strong high major program (like Styles, Brumbaugh, and some of the guys Cooley had at PC), and would be using his 1 time free transfer to join us, meaning he'd most likely be with us for the next 3 years. It has felt like Cooley has strategically pursued guys with similar profiles both at PC and here--guys who were highly regarded in the prep ranks, but who for some reason did not get big roles at their first stop. One would assume that the high school ranking reflects some natural ability and that Cooley thinks that if he has a few years he can mold that clay into a high quality player. When you consider that Aire has lived and gone to school in DC previously (though he's born in Nigeria), there's reason to think we might get involved.

That said, he's in that tricky "middle" area--whatever is the opposite of the "goldilocks zone." He's not good enough to pursue with a full court press when a guy like Dickinson is still out there, since HD is the superior player by a wide margin and you don't want to do anything that might negatively impact that recruitment. But he's not bad/mediocre enough to commit somewhere where he could end up being second fiddle to an All American center and playing 5-10 minutes a game off the bench. Too good to accept a backup role, not good enough to be top priority. I think the only way we'll be in the mix is if HD chooses somewhere else in the near future, in time for us to still make a big push for Aire.

He would be ideal to apprentice under someone like Hunter for a year. I haven't seen him but presumably he is more than just one year away. It couldn't hurt to find out where his head is at. Miami didn't really play a big center at all and maybe that was what he saw as the reason to transfer. If he would be comfortable being a depth piece for a year, that is where he probably should see himself.

[hoyadoing]

None of these guys are transferring to “apprentice under someone” for a year. They are transferring to get money and playing time. I doubt we are seriously in on Aire, and certainly not if by a glorious miracle we get Dickinson.

[Bigs"R"Us]

Apr 12, 2023 11:45:09 GMT -5 hoyadoing said:

None of these guys are transferring to “apprentice under someone” for a year. They are transferring to get money and playing time. I doubt we are seriously in on Aire, and certainly not if by a glorious miracle we get Dickinson.

A year in college is like dog-years now.

[hoyajmw]

His best attribute is his fabulous name. Saw him a little in high school — struck me as too thin and slow to battle in the post in the Big East, especially against post players already in conference. Would be an ok foot back in the door locally, but I guess my message is don’t worry about this one way or another…

[professorhoya]

Wasn’t he pretty useless in the NCAA tourney when Miami was desperate for backup bigs especially when Omeir was in foul trouble

[dchoya72]

We should pursue. He is 6-11 and very athletic. He can be coached up, and has boundless energy!

[dense]

May 22, 2023 8:08:13 GMT -5 dchoya72 said:

We should pursue. He is 6-11 and very athletic. He can be coached up, and has boundless energy!

Trilly said its between Penn St, GW and New Mexico

[dariantownesvanzandt]

I'm not a huge fan of this kid's game, but it'll be interesting to see how much of Q's time he eats into.

[dchoya72]

Okay, let's see who we end up with!

[professorhoya]

May 22, 2023 13:44:05 GMT -5 dariantownesvanzandt said:

I'm not a huge fan of this kid's game, but it'll be interesting to see how much of Q's time he eats into.

Q just keeps making bad decisions.