Samuels praises Echenique at Akron; It's a Bit Early For '09 Stud

MATT AGNOLI

AKRON – Samardo Samuels may have slipped away and into the hands of Rick Pitino and Louisville, but Rutgers remains undeterred and continues its focus on another St. Benedict’s big man.

Junior Greg Echenique, who grew up in Caracas, Venezuela, is a 6-8, 240-pound bruiser ranked No. 48 in the latest Rivals Top 75.

In his sophomore season, Echenique averaged a near double-double with 9.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game during a 26-2 season for St. Benedict’s, which is coached by Danny Hurley.

This weekend he is getting reps in with 70 of the best players in the country at the elite Nike Lebron James Skills Academy in Akron, Ohio, including his high school teammate Samuels. Both players have been impressive.

“I think it’s great, it is a great opportunity to come here,” said Echenique after a Saturday scrimmage. “You’re playing with the best.”

Samuels effusively praised his younger teammate and believes Akron will only make him stronger.

“Greg likes the challenge,” said Samuels. “He’s always getting better, more physical.

“He knows people are watching him, and that he needs to do (well). On the court I tell him it’s all business.”

RU coach Fred Hill and assistant Jim Carr were both in attendance this weekend to watch Echenique, whose list currently includes all of the big boys of college hoops: Florida, Memphis, Kentucky, Villanova and Syracuse. Rutgers is also on the list and Echenique has already taken an unofficial visit to RU in late April.

“Yes, I know the guys from Rutgers,” said Echenique. “They’re nice people, a nice coaching staff.

“It (recruiting process) puts me in a bad mood. Sometimes you want to focus on basketball and practicing on your game,” he added. “You have a lot of schools trying to reach you and talk to you. But right now I’m looking as many schools as I can, and then by the end of my junior year I will have (solid) list.”

When asked if Rutgers has a good chance to be on that list by the end of his junior year, Echenique responded “Yes, definitely.”

Echenique said he needs to improve in many areas, including his rebounding, post moves, jump shot and conditioning.

“Basketball here is a lot faster than South America,” Echenique said. “When I was in Venezuela I was one of the biggest guys so I didn’t have to run a lot. When I got here, it seems big guys have to work on all the (fundamentals), like your speed…so you can compete.”


When Samuels ultimately departs to the ‘Ville in 2008, the post will belong to Echenique, according to his battery mate.

“He has to be a leader,” said Samuels. “He’s the leader off the court because he’s a good student, and his character. I think he needs to have enough confidence to be a leader on the court. He has the potential to do that, I think he will be very good.