Xavier is starting out portal season hot, as they have plenty of scholarship spots to fill. Richard Pitino is entering year 2 with a splash. Mike Nwoko is a Junior Forward, out of LSU, who averaged 13.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG on 61% shooting from the field. He should be a key piece for a Xavier team aspiring to make the tournament. Of note, Mike trains with the same trainer as Jovan does, which should hopefully help chemistry.
Let’s dive into what Nwoko brings to the Cintas Center.
What to Expect on the Court
Nwoko is described as having an NBA-ready physique and his interior skill is at a high level. Mike is very efficient around the rim, shooting 61% from the field, and he excels at finishing through contact. He also possesses the strength that X needed so badly down low last year. Nwoko is also a rim defender, putting up nearly a block a game last year. Mike is on a huge trajectory, as he went from a bench player at Miami (FL), to a star on LSU. His physicality should fit well in the Big East. Nwoko does have his weaknesses; he lacks a 3-ball. As many young bigs do, foul trouble can be an issue. Nwoko is definitely considered more of a finisher than a facilitator. Mike should be a great front court piece for Xavier.
Comparison
If there is a Big East player who compares to Nwoko, it would be Tarris Reed Jr. (UConn). Both are dominant interior scorers who deliver emphatic finishes and can take over games on the offensive boards. While Reed reached an elite caliber this past year, Nwoko has the tools to follow a similar path and be a high-impact player for the X-Men.
Picture Credit: AP
