Harvard commit has high hopes for Crimson

Top-100 Edosomwan has National Championship aspirations

Zena Edosomwan is one of the premier big men in the nation. At 6’8, 215 pounds, the California-native can rebound with the best of them. With interest pouring in from several of the nation’s finest basketball schools such as Arizona, Texas and UCLA, Edosomwan decided to take a different route.

In March, Edosomwan committed to Harvard University, the first top-100 prospect to ever commit to an Ivy League program.

This past season, coach Tommy Amaker and the Crimson continued to make strides, finishing first in the Ivy League with a 26-5 (12-2) record and earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament. 

While Harvard basketball is a rising program, Edosomwan understands the academic pedigree the Cambrige, Mass. school holds.

On why Harvard is the right choice, Edosomwan said, “It’s Harvard, simple as that… Putting myself in the best situation after basketball.” 

The North Hollywood-native also mentions “coach Amaker, (assistant) coach Yanni Hufnagal, the city, the people,” as motivation for his decision.

“I expect to be a big player, a player that wins games for [Harvard],” he said. 

While Edosomwan admits the expectations for himself individually will be high, the brute forward also believes a National Championship is the ultimate goal for Harvard.

“Just because we’re an Ivy [school], don’t sleep on us.”

Edosomwan is coming off of excellent showings at the Pango’s All-American Camp as well as the NBPA Top 100 Camp. Before he arrives on Harvard’s campus in the fall of 2013, the low-post force will spend a year at Northfield Mount Hermon in Massachusetts.

As Harvard continues to elevate its basketball program, bringing in a high-character individual such as Edosomwan is heading in the right direction.