Unsigned Series Duby Maduegbunam
The New England Recruiting Report’s “Unsigned Series” will profile some of the region’s top available prospects remaining in the class of 2014.
One of the most common reasons a prospect doesn’t get the type of recruitment he would have hoped for is something called the “look test.”
The look test is a process by which college coaches quickly rule out a prospect based on a quick first impression. In other words, the prospect isn’t quite big enough, long enough, strong enough, or athletic enough at first glance and so he doesn’t get the benefit of a true evaluation.
As common as this may be, the look test certainly isn’t the problem for Duby Maduegbunam.
In fact, he passes with flying colors. The six-foot-five swingman has obviously great size for the perimeter along with a long, chiseled, and very athletic looking frame.
So then the problem must lie in his production right?
Not so. Maduegbunam averages 13 points and 7 rebounds per game on a KUA team that is now 14-4 and 9-0 against Class AA competition. Maduegbunam has also played well against stop competition, going for 17 points on 7-11 shooting from the floor against Brewster and pulling down 14 rebounds against Cushing.
“I have a hard time believing there are too many more players at this level putting up the numbers he does,” Kimball Union Academy head coach Mike Olson said, “and he does it in a complimentary role as most of our actions are directed toward Malik Abu.”
Maduegbunam, the younger brother of former Penn State signee Akosa Maduegbunam, arrived at KUA nearly two and a half years ago side by side with Abu.
At the time, they were considered similar level prospects before Maduegbunam suffered a knee injury and Abu’s game quickly jumped to a new level.
“I think oftentimes, in this age of mix-tapes and rankings, young players get pigeon-holed. Perhaps Duby was seen too much as a younger player---when, admittedly, he had more holes in his game. He has matured,” Olson said. “Duby has steadily improved throughout his career. He is very slippery on the glass, can score in several ways, and he is a plus defender, particularly on the ball where his length is a factor.”
Whiel Olson says that Marist, Bryant, and Vermont have shown the most interest, as well as the vast majority of the Northeast 10, it is difficult to understand why Maduegbunam is still waiting for his first offer.
He’s got a terrific basketball body, is a proven producer at a high level of competition, and has demonstrated the learning curve necessary to consistently improve as a player.
“What someone is going to get with him is a quiet, humble young man, an honor roll student, and a basket maker. Pretty simple really.”
It certainly sounds like it should be…
Duby Maduegbunam
Akosa Maduegbunam