Daniel Utomi commits

[Hilltopper]

Daniel Utomi a 6'6" forward from Houston Texas commits to the Zips. The Texas pipeline continues.

http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/daniel-utomi

Check out Daniel Utomi (@KINFOLKDAN): https://twitter.com/KINFOLKDAN?s=09

http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2015/02/boys-high-school-athlete-of-the-week-daniel-utomi/#28481101=8

[Blue & Gold]

What's up with the Texas connection?

[ZachTheZip]

Class of 2015? Hmm.

[gozips19]

What's up with the Texas connection?

I can't remember where or when I heard this but I remember KD saying that the staff has started to look into areas that produces good basketball players that doesn't have a lot of mid majors. Texas is a perfect example as there are a few major schools and a lot of lower tier schools. Where as Ohio has a few major schools and a ton of mid major schools. I love the concept.

[LZIp]

Was he a HS teammate of Antino?

[gozips19]

Doesn't look like it. It does look like they played in the same league.

[LZIp]

this is about all I can really find on him that tells us anything. Nice list of strengths/weaknesses, and this guy had him pegged as a low-major. Can't find anything about offers.

https://future150.com/hs/basketball-profiles/daniel-utomi-sf-2015

edit: check that. the verbal commits link has his only other offer from prairie view a&m

[ziptrumpet87]

Still keeping with the Old Testament names

[UAZip0510]

There's the BJ Gladden replacement.

1. Kretzer

2. McAdams

3. Forsythe

4. Johnson

5. Cheatham

6. Aaron Jackson

7. Antino Jackson

8. Robotham

9. Ivey

10. Williams

11. Agba

12. Olojakpoke

13. Utomi

[Dave in Green]

Daniel is of Nigerian descent and is listed with other Nigerian HS players along with Peter Agba.

Daniel was named one of the top performers at the 2014 TX Classic for high school talent from across the state, which was attended by many college coaches:

Daniel Utomi Rookies 2015 6'6 Wing/ 2015 Physical specimen very active scores all over the floor.

Daniel was ranked the 60th best 2015 class HS player in Texas by Texas Boys Basketball.

[akronzips71]

NEEDS TO IMPROVE

3pt Shooting

Ball-Handling

Mid-Range Shooting

Off-The-Dribble Shooting

Scoring On All Three Levels

Speed

Better work really hard over the summer!

[Hilltopper]

NEEDS TO IMPROVE

3pt Shooting

Ball-Handling

Mid-Range Shooting

Off-The-Dribble Shooting

Scoring On All Three Levels

Speed

Better work really hard over the summer!

That article was from last summer. This season he averaged around 28 points and 10 rebounds per game.

[ZipsBurgh]

Looks like he goes by DJ. Here's a list from last season with another familiar name on it.

Also, this from November 2014

[zippy5]

28-10 wow!

[Dave in Green]

... Back in the den is Daniel (DJ) Utomi, who could likely be the district MVP. Utomi is a hybrid hooper who can bang inside and handle the ball with guard-like skills. ...

I keep seeing references to DJ being a skilled ball-handling wing with a muscular physique who can bang inside like a 4. BJ Gladden was also a skilled ball-handling wing in HS who was described by one scout as an "undersized power forward." BJ was listed at 6-6, 215 pounds this season more than a year out of HS while DJ is currently listed at 6-6, 215 in his senior HS season. The similarities between DJ and BJ are remarkable.

[Hilltopper]

28-10 wow!

After I double checked my source, I'm not sure if those numbers are correct. But what I did verify was that he is capable of putting up those numbers and did so on numerous occasions this season.

[Dave in Green]

Looks like DJ has been playing the 4 in HS, and that he was also getting a look from TCU:

... Iheanacho and Utomi are the only starters back from last year, when Westside repeated as district champs and made the regional semifinals before falling to eventual Class 5A champion Travis.

Utomi is another 6-6 forward who can shoot the 3 or post up. He's receiving interest from TCU and New Orleans.

"They're the biggest part of the carryover from last year," Williams said. "They play the four and five for us ...

[Blue & Gold]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vVq6nR7l0I

Another brief video.

[Blue & Gold]

https://texashoops.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1755567

Update on Utomi from Rivals.com. By the picture you can tell Daniel's a strong dude.

Article says Tulsa, Butler & TCU all "flirted" with Daniel.

Says he made his decision on Akron because of the winning tradition & already knowing Antino & Olojakapoke.

[ZachTheZip]

Officially signed

Dambrot compared him to Brett McKnight.

Someone asked what the Houston connection is. According to the press release, it's Charles Thomas.

[Dave in Green]

After I double checked my source, I'm not sure if those numbers are correct. But what I did verify was that he is capable of putting up those numbers and did so on numerous occasions this season.

You were only a little off. GoZips.com reports the following:

"I view Daniel as a Brett McKnight-type of player," Dambrot said. "He is big, strong and can score from anywhere on the floor. You don't average 27 points per game in Houston if you are an average player."

Utomi, a 6-6 combo forward from Westside High School, was named the District Most Valuable Player in 2015 after leading the Wolves to a 21-9 mark and a spot in the regional tournament last season. He averaged 27 points and 14 rebounds per game while shooting approximately 50 percent from the floor and 46 percent from 3-point range.

[zippy5]

27-14 isn't too shabby

[Z.I.P.]

Looking back, there is little to suggest this Houston HS kid, D.J. Utomi would ever become a guy who's now talked about as an NBA prospect!  Thanks coach Thomas for seeing his potential.