Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Former Providence center planning visits

Paschal Chukwu, Derrick Wilson

(AP)

AP

Earlier this week 7-foot-2 center Paschal Chukwu caught many by surprise with his decision to transfer from Providence after just one season. Predictably it hasn’t taken long for programs to reach out to Chukwu, who will have three years of eligibility remaining at whichever school he decides to transfer to.

Two programs that have reportedly reached out to Chukwu are Kansas and Nebraska, with Chukwu having already scheduled a visit to Lawrence. As first reported by JayhawkSlant.com, Chukwu’s visit is scheduled for the first weekend of June. Chukwu didn’t see much playing time last season, as he averaged just 9.9 minutes per outing for the Friars, but he would be a good addition for a team whose front court depth will take a hit after the 2015-16 campaign.

Kansas, which has won the last 11 Big 12 regular season titles, will lose Perry Ellis, Jamari Traylor and Hunter Mickelson from its front court. Bill Self does have two talented freshmen in Carlton Bragg and Cheick Diallo due to arrive on campus this summer, but there’s still a need for another addition.

Chukwu wouldn’t be able to play immediately obviously, but the year in residency would allow him time to get used to Self’s system while also working against some quality big men in practice.

As for Nebraska, the Huskers are in a similar position when it comes to their need for another body in the post. Sophomore Jacob Hammond is their most experienced interior player, and he only played an average of 3.3 minutes per game in 11 appearances.

Nebraska will also add two forwards this summer in freshmen Ed Morrow and Michael Jacobson, but the recent de-commitment of junior college forward Keanu Pinder strengthens the need for a front court player. Height is something that coaches can’t teach, so Chukwu’s recruitment should only intensify in the coming weeks.