Jordan Nwora, the 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward from Vermont Academy and the NY Rens, has committed to Louisville following an official visit this past weekend, he told ZAGSBLOG.
A Buffalo, N.Y., native ranked the No. 21 small forward in the Class of 2017 by 247Sports.com, Nwora also considered Georgia Tech, Cal, Utah and N.C. State. He said he’s uncertain if he will sign in November or in the spring.
“They told me I could come in and make a big impact right away and play a lot of minutes as a freshman,” Nwora said Wednesday by phone. “Coach [Rick] Pitino said he knows for sure that he can get me to the league [NBA] fast. So him and Coach [Kenny] Johnson made it clear that I would be able to come in and make an impact right away and play a lot and get to the league.
“I felt really good about it, especially it being said from a Hall of Fame coach so I knew that it would be a good decision.”
Nwora joins 7-footer Malik Williams and 6-2 guard Darius Perry in Louisville’s 2017 class. He’s the third Rens player to commit this fall, following Christ the King point guard Jose Alvarado, who chose Georgia Tech, and forward Samson George, who picked Iona. He’s also the third Vermont Academy commit, following Christian David (Butler) and Marcus Santos-Silva (VCU).
As for what skillset he will bring, Nwora said, “Just being an elite scorer and that’s what they’re looking for. I can score from everywhere, so that’s what I want to do. They’ll be able to taking my scoring to the next level and increase my level of play so I’ll be even better there.”
Said Rens coach Andy Borman: “Jordan is a 6-8 wing who can play multiple positions. He was one of the best shooters on the EYBL circuit and rebounds the ball very well. He is an impact player right away as a freshman.
“He’s extremely coachable, a great teammate and a willing worker with his best basketball ahead of him. He’s one of the biggest stock-risers of the entire 2017 class.”
Louisville may receive a Notice of Allegations in the Katina Powell sex scandal case this week, but Nwora said he’s not overly concerned.
“They talked about it a little bit,” he said. “They said they already gave themselves the biggest punishment they could last year banning themselves from the NCAA Tournament. So they just want to look to the future and put everything behind them because they’ve already took the highest punishment possible. The only thing that could happen is Pitino would not coach maybe for one or two games this season, something like that maybe.
“I’m not worried about that really at all. Whatever happens, it’s not going to affect me going there.”
Pitino met last week with Alex Nwora, Jordan’s father and the coach of Erie (N.Y.) Community College.
“He loves his skillset, his IQ and his size,” Alex said Thursday by phone. “He said Jordan can play the 1-4 in his system. He said he has good leadership on the court and is a great kid that has NBA potential. He said for sure he’s a pro.
“He promised that he will play major minutes as a freshman and has a chance to play against the best every game. He wants him to come and do what he does, which is score the ball.”
Nwora averaged 14.6 points and 6.1 rebounds with the Rens on the EYBL circuit, and 15.8 and 6.2 during the Peach Jam where the Rens made a run to the quarterfinals.
If 6-7 sophomore Deng Adel leaves early for the NBA, Nwora could take his spot on the roster.
“He wants Jordan to come play the 2 and 3, come and score for him,” Alex said. “[Pitino said], ‘I don’t have anybody who can score like him.'”
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