August 10, 2007
Enoch Andoh’s perfect timing
Each recruiting season, some prepsters jump up in the rankings, some stay put and others drop faster than Johnny Knoxville in a stunt attempt gone awry. Count 6-foot-8, 250 pound senior-to-be Enoch Andoh, who is rising by the minute, in the former.
Enoch Andoh
Named first-team all-tourney in the recent second annual Fullcourt Press End of the Trail Classic, Andoh was also a Cream of the Crop selection at the July 2007 Fullcourt Press All-West Camp.
Completing the trifecta, Andoh added very solid performances a couple weeks back in Las Vegas with the Tucson-based Sporting Chance club team. Andoh’s connection to Sporting Chance coach Gary Malis goes back to his freshman high school season and, according to Andoh, "Coach Malis has always been there for support," hence his continued play with an Arizona squad during summer team play.
These are heady achievements for a young man born in Montreal, whose parents both came from Ghana in west Africa.
Andoh first began making a name for himself at Salpointe Catholic High in Tucson, Arizona. He played his freshman and sophomore season there before his family moved to San Jose, California. Andoh enrolled at Archbishop Mitty High and he instantly became a teammate of UCLA-bound Drew Gordon and top 2008 wing prospect Collin Chiverton.
His game currently is an inside one where he uses his strength, bulk and footwork to good effect. Although he says "my perimeter game is something I’m working on" consider it a plus that he’s an in-the-paint player who recognizes his role, plays to his strengths and doesn’t jack up threes in an attempt to prove his versatility. He admires new Boston Celtic Kevin Garnett and Elton Brand of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Andoh did play baseball and football in his younger days but settled on basketball. "It’s just always fun, I never get tired of it," he said of his chosen sport.
Andoh has taken unofficial campus visits to Portland and New Mexico and also to nearby Santa Clara but his frequent flyer miles will really accumulate come the recruiting cycle prior to the November signing period. Asked what he is looking for is a college, he replied, "A school with a reputation for good academics and a solid basketball program." As for a coach and playing style, he responded, "I want a coach who cares about his players, who will help me better myself on and off the floor and who plays both an up-and-down the floor and a halfcourt, set-it-up offense."
The actual decision for his next destination will be his to ultimately make, he said, "but I’ll certainly be listening to advice from my parents who have always guided me to be my best and do things the right way."
Academics have always been an Andoh family strong point and it is no different with Enoch, who carries a 3.45 grade point average. He’s already passed the ACT and will be taking the SAT soon. Being a recruit who carries no academic baggage with him in this era of NCAA mandated Academic Progress Rates is another positive in his recruitability.
Plus, he may not be done growing as he will graduate as a young 17-year-old and he has two uncles who are 7-0 and another whose measures 6-10.
Getting bigger in length and better in the eyes of recruiters, with his senior season upcoming--that’s hitting another trifecta.