By JACOB POLACHECK
Class of 2022 four-star center Christ Essandoko has committed to Providence, he tells ZAGSBLOG.
“I’m committing to Providence College,” Essandoko said. “I decided that it was the best choice for me. I made my own choice. I had a lot of advice on where I was supposed to commit, but I decided to commit to coach (Ed) Cooley. I really trust him. I trust his program. I trust the coaching staff. I really loved the school when I visited in June.”
Essandoko, a 6-foot-11, 260-pound center from Winston-Salem (NC) Prep, joins high school teammate Quante Berry and Long Island (NY) Lutheran guard Jayden Pierre in Providence’s 2022 recruiting class.
“I feel like Quante is part of my family. On the court, we are really tight. We’re always talking,” Essandoko said. “Off the court, we’re always giving each other advice on what we can do better and I’m really excited about going to college with him.”
He chose Providence over Maryland, Georgetown, Illinois, Oral Roberts, NC State and Seton Hall.
After taking an official visit in June, Essandoko will be returning to Providence on Oct. 14 for another visit.
“Providence was really when I went to coach see coach Cooley’s whole neighborhood,” Essandoko said. “We saw where he was living when he was younger and he was showing us how he was living. I learned that Cooley is about the person and not only the basketball player. He wants us to be great adults when we come out of Providence College. It’s not only about basketball.”
On his visit, Essandoko went to see Cooley’s house and said his relationship with the players was a major selling point.
“When I went to his house with his players and saw that he was trying to always be with them and build a relationship,” he said. ” It’s not all about being on the court. It’s about being together all the time and trying to do some team-building. That’s the thing that stood out from other schools: team-building and relationships with the coaches.”
Ranked by 247Sports.com as the No. 24 center in the class of 2022, Essandoko describes himself as a versatile 7-footer that can shoot, dribble and pass.
“I have the ability to score because of my footwork and touch around the rim,” he said. “I can also pass out of the double team. My defensive abilities are good as I can block shots and guard ball-screens.”
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