Clondalkin’s Aidan Harris Igiehon strongly tipped to become one of US basketball’s hottest properties
By Stephen Leonard
CLONDALKIN’S Aidan Harris Igiehon is strongly tipped to become one of hottest properties in US basketball.
The former Dublin Lions player made the move to New York three years ago to play for Lawrence Woodmere Academy and has already sparked huge interest from some of the top basketball colleges around the country.
Indeed his tremendous performance at the recent Nike Elite 100 camp, which provides college scouts the opportunity to view the top 100 prospects, has resulted in a number of universities joining the queue for his services.
It is a massive boost for the 16-year-old who has worked tirelessly to improve his game and rise to the top of schools basketball in the States since his move there.
Igiehon, who was back in Clondalkin this week to head up the Dublin Lions Summer Camp in Coláiste Bríde, explained “It was difficult at first.
“Physically I was behind [the other players] when I moved there, but I started getting stronger and was working on my core and I began dominating.
“When I was with Dublin Lions I tried playing in all positions and when I went to the States I was playing more as a defender at first because I wasn’t strong enough to play as a power forward.
A pleasure to put on a show for my city once again #IrishAndProud pic.twitter.com/6kQ073Ff8b
— Aidan Harris Igiehon (@Big_harris22) August 9, 2017
“But as I got stronger I was used more as a power forward and that’s the role I’m most comfortable with now.
“At the Nike Camp I was the best player there. I was dominating and the scouts were like, no this is a five-star recruit.
“I’ve had 31 offers [from different universities] and I’m likely to have more. It’s just that I can’t take calls now in Ireland so when I get back that’s likely to be up to 40 or more.
6’10” and a 38″ vertical leap ? pic.twitter.com/Z6Si2yZyk0
— Aidan Harris Igiehon (@Big_harris22) August 6, 2017
“I graduate in 2019 but hopefully I’ll have made my decision before that. I hope to have my choices cut down to the final 12-15 by next year.
“When I get back to the States I want to start visiting these colleges and when the season starts I hope to be going to a lot of games to see how these teams play and how I’ll fit in.
“I’m ranked 20th in the country right now, but my goal is to be Number One” he told Echo.ie
Another former Dublin Lions player who has begun to grab a lot of attention across ‘the pond’ is Max Amadasun.
The Lucan lad was just turning 16 when he made the move to New York where he currently plays as a centre with Our Saviour Lutheran School in The Bronx.
Running from November through to April, the competitive season sees him and his team mates pitched against top teams on the East Coast.
Speaking to Echo.ie, Amadasun said “At first it was difficult getting used to the higher standard and the pace of the game over there, but after a few months I started getting more game time and it’s been good.”
