Zena Edosomwan – Harvard Westlake to Harvard University

It’s generally tough to find fault with season averages of 16.4 Points and 11.5 Rebounds per game. As I initially reviewed the game, however, of Zena Edososmwan (formerly of Harvard-Westlake) I found the results a bit shy of the clear physical gifts. At 6’8 and 235lbs and possessing surprising quicks and bounce for a man his size, I half expect 25 and 15 type production. Edosomwan has a high level motor and routinely beats smaller men down the court. I’ve seen glimpses of passable ball skills and hints of an evolved inside game. Teamed with up and coming Forward Derrick Newton I was also fairly surprised to find Edosomwan and the Harvard-Westlake crew to have ended ’11-’12 a decent, but not exceptional (20-10). Is this another case of underutilized talent gone to waste? Is Edosomwan another shockingly gifted athlete failing to put in the work required to cultivate God-given physical gifts? As I came full-circle in reviewing Edosomwan’s game, I slowly approached a conclusion, #34’s game is not as much about today’s results as it is about tomorrow’s potential results. Not as much about what’s on paper/video from the ’11-’12 season, but what we should expect to read and see 2-3 seasons down the road.

Almost solely responsible for production questions raised by Edosomwan’s ’11-’12 campaign is the striking jump in production between his ’09-’10 results and those of ’10-’11. As a 6’6 210lb sophomore, he registered barely a blip on the statistical radar. In 31 games, Edosomwan failed to register a double-digit point game and managed just 2.0 rebounds per game and a total of 4 Assists for the entire season. Opponents of the ’10-’11 squad wondered what became of the prior’s year’s version of #34 and why the new #34 was taking it to them. Edosomwan burst on the scene with 17.0 Points and an impressive 11.5 Rebounds per game. Just imagine what he was going to produce once he hit the floor in ’11-’12. What he end up producing was fairly close to the breakout campaign of the prior year. Expectations demanded more. What was previously eye-popping statistical improvement plateaued in mundane similarity. Herein lies the rub, Edosomwan decidedly remains a work in progress. Much of his production came without the benefit of a fluid low-post game or the technique of accomplished rebounders. Despite lacking advanced offensive skills, the young man put up 16 and 11….what will he produce when those skills develop?

Areas of opportunity for Edosomwan are apparent. First and foremost he must improve from the Free Throw line. He shot 216 Free Throws last season, and 202 the year before. He is a physical presence and invites/initiates contact he is going to spend time at the line. 58% (FT) in ’10-’11 and just 52% in ’11-’12 resulted in missed scoring opportunity. It will take 65% or better to ensure he remains on the court in crunch time at the NCAA level. There was also a drop in Assists and Steals. I do not count either as significant categories on Edosomwan’s stat sheet, but it is surprising to note the statistical regression. There are glimpses of a low-post game, but at this point, they appear more mechanical than fluid/natural. Further work must be completed before committing the moves to muscle memory. Having committed to Harvard University, Edosomwan has re-classed to 2013 and will enroll in prep school prior to donning a Crimson uniform. The refinements and improvement over the next year will ultimately determine further evidence supporting Edosomwan’s game as on the rise or having already plateaued.

If Zena Edosomwan lands at Harvard as is, he should prove a consistent producer in the 10-13 Point and 7-9 Rebound range. His athleticism, high level motor, and current skillset should prove difficult for many Ivy League opponents to combat and as an upperclassman Edosomwan could garner All-Conference consideration. If, however, Edosomwan refines his low-post game, addresses the Free Throw issue, and is a focal point of the Crimson offense there is little doubt he will prove a nightmare for conference foes. It is not a stretch to envision Edosomwan in the 16-19 point and 10-12 rebound range and in the running for multiple conference awards/commendations. Recent showings give light to the version of Edosomwan Harvard may soon welcome into the fold. From Eric Bossi’s (June 18th 2012) Rivals.com installment:

Zena Edosomwan: The coaches at Harvard have to be doing back flips over pulling this one off. The 6-foot-8 prep school-bound big man is a brute on the blocks and plays with loads of fire and intensity. He rebounded, he ran the floor, he intimidated physically, and he will be an impact player for the Crimson.

Also from Bossi in review of the Pangos Camp event (June 4th 2012):

Reclassified into the class of 2013 from 2012, Harvard commitment Zena Edosomwan is a physical and strong power forward. Sunday afternoon, when everybody else was running on fumes, the 6-foot-8 senior was still in top shape and playing physical, aggressive basketball. He finished strong around the rim, is a dependable rebounder and has excellent hands. With another year to continue developing his offensive footwork, Edosomwan should be ready to make an immediate contribution on the college level.

What remains unclear is the final product of the young man dripping in potential. Many signs point to Zena Edosomwan transforming potential into production, but much work remains undone. Intelligent enough to meet the vaulted admissions standards of Harvard University, there’s little doubt Edosomwan is keenly aware of the possibilities before him. Should be an enjoyable watch as Zena Edosomwan makes the opportunity-laden trip from Harvard-Westlake to Harvard University.

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