Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Former SMU big man Blaise Mbargorba said he thought long and hard before making the decision to transfer to Boston University over Seton Hall.
“I think BU is a great fit for me and also it’s a good school academically,” he told SNY.tv Thursday by phone.
Many had thought that the 6-foot-11, 221-pound center would land at Seton Hall. His AAU coach, Sandy Pyonin, had said the thought the Pirates were the best fit.
“Oh man, I been considering Seton Hall since the day that I think about transferring,’ he said. “I strongly considered it because I have a really good relationship with all the staff — Kevin Willard, Shaheen [Holloway], Grant [Billmeier], [Steve] Sauers, all the Seton Hall staff. I’ve been knowing them for a little while.”
Mbargorba said he made the decision himself and that his mentor, Joe Tuomo, did not influence him.
“Joe wanted me to make my own decision and he never told me to go anywhere,” Mbargorba said. “He told me to do what’s best for me.”
The 6-foot-11 center — who recently broke his nose — flew back to SMU Wednesday for summer school and plans to finish up classes there.
“Yeah, I’m here for basically like four weeks or so,” he said. “And in July, I’m going to move back to BU.”
Mbargorba, who averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds as a senior at The Peddie (N.J.) School, did not play last season at SMU because of a shoulder injury.
He won’t suit up at BU until the 2014-15 season unless he gets a waiver.
“I don’t really mind sitting out a year anyway,” he said. “I didn’t play last year so I’m going to take advantage of this year, work on my game and get better. So it will be helpful.”
As for his broken nose, he said, “I had a little surgery like a week ago, so it’s getting better.”
Looking ahead to his time at BU, he said they “pretty much have all the pieces.”
“I think I’m the only one missing right now, so I think he will use me on offense,” he said. “I will be like the main player to use.”
Meantime, 6-11 big man Billy Magarity, who lives in Sweden but has roots in Philadelphia, is taking visits.
“My son Bill is visiting three schools — Seton Hall, Boston College and Temple University,” his father, former Philadelphia Catholic League star Bill Magarity, told SNY.tv by email.
“Our visit to Seton Hall went well. Having a good visit now at Boston College. We leave for Temple late [Thursday] afternoon. After our visit with Temple we will return to Stockholm on Sunday.”
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
Former SMU big man Blaise Mbargorba said he thought long and hard before making the decision to transfer to Boston University over Seton Hall.
“I think BU is a great fit for me and also it’s a good school academically,” he told SNY.tv Thursday by phone.
Many had thought that the 6-foot-11, 221-pound center would land at Seton Hall. His AAU coach, Sandy Pyonin, had said the thought the Pirates were the best fit.
“Oh man, I been considering Seton Hall since the day that I think about transferring,’ he said. “I strongly considered it because I have a really good relationship with all the staff — Kevin Willard, Shaheen [Holloway], Grant [Billmeier], [Steve] Sauers, all the Seton Hall staff. I’ve been knowing them for a little while.”
Mbargorba said he made the decision himself and that his mentor, Joe Tuomo, did not influence him.
“Joe wanted me to make my own decision and he never told me to go anywhere,” Mbargorba said. “He told me to do what’s best for me.”
The 6-foot-11 center — who recently broke his nose — flew back to SMU Wednesday for summer school and plans to finish up classes there.
“Yeah, I’m here for basically like four weeks or so,” he said. “And in July, I’m going to move back to BU.”
Mbargorba, who averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds as a senior at The Peddie (N.J.) School, did not play last season at SMU because of a shoulder injury.
He won’t suit up at BU until the 2014-15 season unless he gets a waiver.
“I don’t really mind sitting out a year anyway,” he said. “I didn’t play last year so I’m going to take advantage of this year, work on my game and get better. So it will be helpful.”
As for his broken nose, he said, “I had a little surgery like a week ago, so it’s getting better.”
Looking ahead to his time at BU, he said they “pretty much have all the pieces.”
“I think I’m the only one missing right now, so I think he will use me on offense,” he said. “I will be like the main player to use.”
Meantime, 6-11 big man Billy Magarity, who lives in Sweden but has roots in Philadelphia, is taking visits.
“My son Bill is visiting three schools — Seton Hall, Boston College and Temple University,” his father, former Philadelphia Catholic League star Bill Magarity, told SNY.tv by email.
“Our visit to Seton Hall went well. Having a good visit now at Boston College. We leave for Temple late [Thursday] afternoon. After our visit with Temple we will return to Stockholm on Sunday.”
