The majority of Arizona's top prospects in the 2016 class are now off the recruiting board, but one top-rated prospect, while receiving loads of college interest currently, has decided to go the prep school route for next fall.
Dysart High School's 2016 graduate, 6-foot-10 post Malik Ondigo has really impressed this spring during the NCAA Evaluation Period. Ondigo, after mulling over many recruiting options recently, advised me this week that he plans to attend South Kent Prep in Connecticut in the fall, and will play a post-graduate year at the prep program - making Ondigo a 2017 prospect.
This week, Ondigo also received a nice scholarship offer, his biggest to date, when Kansas State extended an offer to the talented post prospect. According to Ondigo, the offer was as a 2016 or 2017 prospect.
"They want me for either year," said Ondigo.
Ondigo advised me that he still plans to go to prep and then make his college decision while at South Kent.
Ondigo also currently has offers on the table from UTEP and Cal Poly. He is also now receiving strong interest from many other schools, including Washington, Washington State, Stanford, Arizona State, Wyoming, Santa Clara, Grand Canyon and Northern Arizona.
Ondigo has blossomed this spring, after a spring and summer (2015) last year where he struggled somewhat due to tendinitis in his knees, as a result of his immense physical growth. Last club season, Ondigo struggled running the floor like normal and did not have his normal lift off the ground. This club season, now much more athletic and active around the post, and able to run the floor like his normal self, Ondigo has looked extremely impressive.
Ondigo has come up big this spring. First leading his Arizona Power-Factory ballclub to a runner-up finish in the Southwest Showcase Main Event, and then playing very well during the NCAA Spring Evaluation Period. As a result, Ondigo has began to generate much more college recruiting interest from college coaches.
Since the beginning, Ondigo has planned to take a post-graduate year next fall to develop much more physically and to catch up in age. Still only 17 years of age, a post graduate year would do Ondigo very well, as he could mature much more physically and also mentally for the collegiate level - a perfect reason for a post-grad year and the true reason the NCAA allows for such a possible action.
Ondigo plans to travel this July with his club program, and will look to generate much more recruiting interest as a result.
Ondigo is also the son of a former college player that played locally at Grand Canyon University, so he has the bloodlines to develop physically over time. He is also an excellent student and carries a 3.3 CUM GPA.
We will continue to follow Ondigo's college recruitment closely this summer, and bring you any updates as they continue to develop.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Post players often take a much longer time to develop as college prospects, and as a result, I always have to project where a student-athlete will land over time. A post talent such as Ondigo projects extremely well, since he has excellent length and is still growing. His length and athleticism are attractive and his work ethic is as well. Ondigo has the body and early skillset that suggests that he will only continue to develop a great deal. His best attributes currently are his length which allow him to block or alter shots consistently, while also being able to actively rebound outside of his area of the floor. He has good anticipation and lateral quickness, and is also able to run the floor and finish in transition. Offensively, Ondigo has a solid jump hook and solid footwork, but is still developing. He will need to continue to develop his low post moves and also develop a consistent mid-range jump shot over time. As he gains a better feel for the game offensively, he will reach his maximum potential as a player. His best asset on the floor is his defensive ability and activity on the floor, which allows him to affect games. His affect on the game will only increase over time as well. A nice looking prospect all the way around with a very bright future ahead.
