The 2018 National Prep Showcase won’t exactly be Groundhog Day for Karim Coulibaly. The deftly skilled 6-foot-9 forward, however, is anticipating much of the same.
After putting up a meager two field goals in Scotland Campus’ 82-70 victory over IMG Academy (FL) in last year’s event, the Class of 2019 Coulibaly knows where the expectation level is set for him.
“I can’t be worried about my shots,” said Coulibaly, who possesses a funky left handed sling shot from beyond the arc and loves to pop out and shoot the 12-15 footer.
“It’s going be to the same. We’ve got a lot of guards who can score it. I don’t care about that. I’m just going to do my job and try to block every shot I can. I need to get rebounds, play good defense and play with energy. I’m just looking to get the win.”
Scotland (3-0), which played to a No.1 national ranking last season, faces Northfield Mount Hermon on 7:30 PM Saturday night.
In last year’s tournament, Koreem Ozier was the prolific scoring engine who lifted a deep team over Anfernee Simons (21 points) and IMG.
Ozier scored 26 points (7-for-12 FG, 10-10 FT). He added 13 rebounds and five assists, recording game bests in each category.
Ozier is now a freshman at Sacred Heart, where he’s averaging 23 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Stronger and headier from the post-graduate experience, the Wisconsin native is proving why Pioneers head coach Anthony Latina invested such time in him throughout the recruitment process.
With Ozier gone and Coulibaly the only returner from last year, the Mali, Africa native said he’s assumed some ownership of Chris Chaney‘s team.
“I feel like it’s my turn,” Coulibaly said. “I’ve got to be the guy who sets the example for the other guys. I’ve got to be a leader and get everyone revved up and ready.”
It’s an easy task, given the sheer force and high horsepower style the face up four-man routinely plays with.
If only his recruitment were this easy and less puzzling.
“Right now, St. Joseph’s, that’s my favorite of the group,” said Coulibaly. “You’ve got to follow your heart and go where you love and go where you belong and that’s what the decision is going to be based on.”
While St. Joe’s has appeared to be in the lead for a while, Coulibaly will not finalize his decision until he takes all of his visits. Pittsburgh, Tulane, and URI are still being considered.
TCU has suddenly come into the picture. You can’t rule out UConn, with Huskies assistant and recruiting ace Tom Moore doing a commendable job. South Alabama has a visible edge with assistant coach Amorrow Morgan. Morgan played under Chaney while at the now defunct Patterson School in North Carolina. That loaded team also featured the likes of Jordan Hill (Arizona/NBA) and Wesley Johnson (Syracuse/NBA).
Morgan was the figurehead in penning Scotland’s K.K. Curry, an electrifying 6-foot-6 above the rim threat out of Tennessee. South Alabama recruited Curry not only as a furious finisher but an underrated passer with a heady overall game that allows him to create offense and guard multiple positions.
Curry played AAU basketball for another Chaney product in former Tennessee guard Bobby Maze.
Will Coulibaly sign late?
“I don’t think so, no,” he said. “At the end of the day I’m going to talk it over with (D.C. New World Basketball Coach) Taj Hawkins and decide which fits best and where I see myself being the best me possible.”
Coulibaly said the end goal is to play in the NBA.
“I grew up not poor, but not rich either,” said Coulibaly, who played soccer originally.
“My family and I always had food on the table. We didn’t live extravagant. We always had enough. If I make it to the NBA, I don’t want to change. I don’t want to let money change me. I will still have the same people around me who were here with me from day one.”
