CSU visit set

High priority junior college big man Emmanuel Omogbo has scheduled his first official visit as the basketball recruiting season heats up. The 6-foot-8 power forward told GoldandGreenNews.com Monday night that he will visit Colorado State on October 4.

"I'm just looking forward to the atmosphere, just what kind of people am I going to be with all week, and obviously people who respect my parents, who respect me, and what kind of opportunity am I going to get when I get there?" Omogbo explained.

"Most people think that location will be something big in recruiting with me, but it really is not. I'm from Maryland, but I grew up in Texas, so if I can do a year out here, I can do two years anywhere else."

CSU assistant Ross Hodge made a visit to see Omogbo at an open gym last Wednesday, but unfortunately for Omogbo, a freak injury prevented him from playing in front of him.

"I had a little setback because I was hurt with the whole coaches coming to see me play this week. I only played Tuesday when Wichita was here. I got hit in the face and the doctors gave me the wrong antibiotics, so I had a swollen face all week. I'm just getting back together and I'm not one hundred percent, yet. I'm just getting into it," he explained.

Ram head coach Larry Eustachy is expected to stop by in a few days for an in-home visit with the Maryland native.

"I've got a great relationship with the staff," the talented big man said. "The staff at Colorado State is pretty cool. I've got the head coach coming in here… Coach Eustachy is coming back on Wednesday."

Omogbo averaged 7.5 points and 4.4 rebounds coming off the bench last year. A player he has bonded with over the past year due to a similar situation in going from Maryland to South Plains is current CSU small forward Stanton Kidd.

"Stanton Kidd went here two years ago, so I talk to him and we get along pretty cool. I just met him this summer and my coach introduced me to him and that's when Colorado State started to recruit me then. We started texting and talking. He's been talking like it's been a pretty good experience to be over there. He likes it. Obviously, he might be an all-league guy next year and he's like, 'You could step in and do the same thing. Just follow in my footsteps,' and that sounds pretty cool."

CSU is hardly the only team in contention for Omogbo's services, however. According to the Levelland (Tex.) South Plains C.C. forward, Towson, La Salle, East Carolina, Duquesne, Wichita State, Colorado State, Middle Tennessee State, and Southern Miss are among the teams that have each offered him.

Omogbo said he doesn't have any favorites, but he only plans on taking two or three official visits before announcing a commitment no later than October 15. With the intention of signing in November for the early signing period, Omogbo hopes to end the process sooner rather than later.

"I'm trying to set up a visit before that (CSU visit). I'm trying to go to Wichita State, but I'm not sure yet. I'm still trying to cut something down if I'm going to be free that last weekend before I go to Colorado State. I'm trying to take between two-to-three visits before I make any decision."

Ultimately, CSU has told Omogbo that they like his versatility.

"Just being able to have an immediate impact, just to step in right away and play," he said. "They like my rebounding skills and I play pretty hard."

Several factors will determine who he commits to.

"Well, it comes down to my coach. They've already told me everything I need to know, so if I like a school, I'm just going to go there, just because I like it; base it off instincts. What can I bring to the table as soon as I come in? I just have two more years and I can't really start coming in getting fifteen minutes a game. As soon as I get in there, I need to have a good year."