Blog Entry
NU recruit Joaquim will delay his arrival to Lincoln
January 17, 2009 by Bret Nellor, under 2009 Recruiting Class, 2010 Recruiting Class, Recruiting.
Vander Joaquim has decided to go to the College of Eastern Utah, a junior college, before attending Nebraska. Joaquim, who had signed a letter of intent to play ball for the Huskers next season now looks to be a part of the 2010-11 recruiting class. It’s another disappointment in recruiting for Nebraska basketball. The trouble they’ve had in recruiting lately (Sallie, Diaz) could cause some to believe that someone has put a voodoo curse on them.
Joaquim, a 6-10 F/C once listed as a Top 100 recruit by ESPN.com, will redshirt one semester at Eastern Utah and play one season before attending Nebraska. He also must earn a JC degree before coming to Lincoln. While there is no guarantee that he’ll join the Huskers in 2010, odds are good since the Eastern Utah coaching staff has strong ties to the Nebraska coaching staff. The head coach and an assistant were former players under Doc Sadler and another assistant has connections to NU assistant Walter Roese.
It’s these kind of things that make me not like following the recruiting trail. It’s no lock that this kid will ever play at Nebraska. Sure the odds look good, but no one can predict how this young man’s mind might change in a year and a half. I, for one, won’t be counting on him until I see him in a Husker jersey.
This situation now opens up a scholarship for this year’s recruiting class and it appears that Doc Sadler and his staff have their eyes on 6-7, 235 lb. power forward Anthony Harris from Northeastern (Colo.) Junior College. Harris has interest from Oklahoma State, Utah, Houston, North Texas as well as Nebraska.
The absence of Joaquim from the 2009 recruiting class will continue to leave Nebraska somewhat short-handed when it comes to experienced depth with their big guys. Next season the roster looks to include 6-8 Chris Balham (Sr.), 6-7 Alonzo Edwards (So.), 6-11 Christopher Niemann (So.), 6-8 Christian Standhardinger (Fr.), 6-9 Brandon Ubel (Fr.) and possibly 7-0 Jorge Diaz (Fr.) whom the Huskers are still recruiting.
