Calvin Godfrey and Nebraska -- match made in heaven?

[Hawkfather]

Long-time lurker, first-time poster. I'm a college basketball junkie and have been a big fan of Miles since his days at Colorado State. Love what he's doing at Nebraska and it's great to see the excitement around the program -- PBA was absolutely rocking last season!

 

Anyway, The 6-foot-9 power forward received his release from Southern and is said to be eligible immediately. As soon as I saw this, I immediately thought 'perfect fit'.

 

Godfrey played one season at Iowa State and transferred to Howard junior college after being dismissed by Hoiberg. At ISU, he averaged 5.7 points on 55 percent shooting, 5.4 rebounds and just under a block over 20 mins per game -- very respectable numbers for a true freshman in the Big 12. Godfrey had some pretty dominant games in the SWAC on his way to averaging 13.1 points (56 percent from the field), 8.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game last season.

 

This kid is as athletic as they come, runs the floor like a deer, has a knack for rebounding and is an electric finisher around the basket. Think Eric McKnight -- who also played at ISU before transferring to FGCU and was recently denied eligibility at Tennessee (eventually committed to Long Beach State) -- but with more upside and a bit more polished in terms of playing with his back to the basket. At Southern, he just began scratching the surface and has an NBA ceiling. He's still a bit raw and needs to add about 15-20 pounds to his frame, but he's a very coach-able kid who was the 'heartbeat' of a Southern team who finished the regular season first in the SWAC at 15-3.

 

After the 6-foot-10 Gary Gaskins was recently granted his release from Oklahoma State, Jeff Goodman believed that Nebraska was going to go after him... but with Godfrey now on the market, I think he should be first priority.

 

Obviously it would be a great opportunity for Godfrey after Smith went down with the knee injury and  he would provide some much-needed depth in the frontcourt for a program on the rise.

[Hawkfather]

Now that I think about it, Godfrey would probably be a better fit at Tennessee as DT's style of play is better suited for his game and there would be more minutes to be had in UT's frontcourt (especially with McKnight getting denied). Walter has the 4 locked down so Godfrey would either be backing him up or sharing minutes at the 5 with Moses. That being said, I'd still love to see him at Nebraska over Tennessee!

[MandRHusker]

How much eligibility does Godfrey have left? The way I read your post he would be a 2 for 2 kid. If so, how is it possible he is immediately available to play?

[Huskerpapa]

Why did he leave Southern?  When he left Iowa State he couldn't get into LSU due to academic issues. No clue what that means, but one would hope that he cleaned up those issues. 

[Hawkfather]

For the record, Godfrey was suspended three games during his freshman season at ISU for violation of team rules. He was dismissed from ISU and played at Howard juco where he averaged 12 and 7 on 62 percent shooting during his soph season and then committed to LSU but couldn't qualify academically as huskercwg said. He was accepted at Southern where he played last season as a junior. I assume since he's eligible immediately that he graduated and has his academics in order. And I assume he left Southern to play on a bigger stage as he originally intended when he committed to LSU back in 2012.

[MandRHusker]

Hmmm. Sounds very interesting as long as he now has his act together. Thanks for the info Hawkfather!

[Hawkfather]

No problem. Roman Banks, the HC at Southern, said Godfrey was coachable and the 'heartbeat' of their team, so that's a positive sign. Another thing that sticks out is his efficiency around the basket as he's shot at least at a 55 percent clip or above from the field at every stop he's been at from ISU to Howard to Southern. 

[Hawkfather]

Here's an article from back in August 2012 on Godfrey which highlights his troubled past and says he was dismissed by Hoiberg due to a drug possession arrest following the season. That being said, it does appear that he's come a long ways in the last two years. And everyone at every stop he's been at has said he's a great kid. Regardless, he would be a high-risk, high-reward signing, and I know you guys are 0-1 with those so far in the Miles era in regards to Dev Biggs.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/62528/trouble-interrupts-godfreys-career-again

 

Goodman tweeted out that high-majors are knocking at his door.

[ajb5856]

[49r]

Welcome, Hawkfather.  It's always good to see lurkers come out of the woodwork and join the discussion.

[Brandon4Real_X]

Welcome Hawk, try not to uses the word Hawk around here to much. Don't really like either university and neither does NU.

I would love a guy like Godfrey. That's my one wish list for Nebraska. Get us a good big man!

[AuroranHusker]

Welcome to the family!

[Hawkfather]

Thanks fellas!  

 

Well, Godfrey committed to Memphis yesterday, which kind of surprised me considering Goodwin and Nichols have the 4 and 5 on lock. Godfrey is eligible immediately due to Southern's APR issues.

 

In the OP, I mentioned Gary Gaskins transferring from Oklahoma State and Nebraska possibly being interested based on a tweet from Goodman. He (Goodman) just tweeted that Gaskins told ESPN that he will visit Nebraska next Wednesday, St. Francis (NY) Sunday and is setting up a visit with Prairie View A&M.

 

The 6-foot-10 Gaskins averaged 9.1 points on 69 percent shooting (lots of dunks), 6 rebounds and just over 3 blocks per game for Brevard back in 2012-13. He was the #32 rated juco player in Brad Winton's Top 100 (jucorecruiting.com) but rarely saw the floor last season for Oklahoma State.

 

http://www.jucorecruiting.com/gary-gaskins-is-off-the-board-to-oklahoma-state/

 

highlights from his time at Brevard: 

 

 

Gaskins may get a waiver due to the fact that he served in the military. Appears Tennessee, Ga Tech and Temple are no longer in the mix.

 

He has one year of eligibility left.

[Norm Peterson]

Thanks for the info.

[Huskerpapa]

I would like us to give him an opportunity.  It looks like he plays a similar role that Leslee played.  He is around the rim and looks like he finishes well.  He can defend the paint.  Between Moses and this kid, we would certainly firm up the paint.

[Ron Mexico]

Great info Hawkfather. Welcome aboard.

[PimpMario]

I would love to land Gaskins.

[ajb5856]

I would love to land Gaskins.

This is the Godfrey thread and Gaskins is unlandable. I think you're behid on your info.