Emmanuel Negedu, a one-time recruiting target of Indiana, is listed as stable after collapsing during a workout at the University of Tennessee.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reported that Negedu collapsed shortly after 4PM on Monday at the Neyland-Thompson Sports Complex:

Negedu did not have a pulse when he was revived with a defibrillator at the scene by UT athletic training staff members.

He had regained consciousness and was alert when EMTs arrived to transport him to UT Medical Center by ambulance, according to a source in the Vols’ athletic community.

Negedu played in 33 games for Tennessee last season and averaged 1.9 ppg. He originally signed with Arizona, but was released from his Letter of Intent and chose the Volunteers over IU, Georgia Tech and Memphis. Negedu moved to the United States from Kaduna, Nigeria with Mark Adams’ A-Hope program. Inside the Hall would like to wish Negedu a speedy recovery.

Gary Parrish of CBS Sportsline got the news straight from the mouth of Negedu, who also considered Indiana, Memphis and Georgia Tech. Not a huge shocker by any means, as the whispers the past few weeks seemed to indicate that Tennessee and Memphis were the schools to beat. Ultimately, Negedu’s relationship with the Volunteer coaching staff sealed the deal.

As much I like to follow recruiting, there are some things that drive me crazy. One of those things is when a recruit, parent, coach, representative or handler takes a list of schools and discusses it with a reporter. Take Emmanuel Negedu’s coach at Brewster Academy, Jason Smith, for example. Smith talked to Adam Zagoria of the Zagsblog about the four schools in the running for Negedu and the result was a big pile of nothing:

Indiana has tremendous tradition and passion for basketball. The previous staff recruited Emmanuel, so he was familiar with the University, but it was a great chance for him to get to know Coach (Tom) Crean and hear about his style and track record of player development. They are rebuilding and would offer a shot at immediate playing time. He is very familiar with Bloomington, since he lived there and played for Indiana Elite. A few of his former teammates at IU definitely make it an attractive option. Emmanuel enjoyed getting to know Coach Crean. It’s very evident he’s a high-energy, upbeat coach who Emmanuel reports works non-stop…constant motion.

Indiana has tradition and passion for basketball? Who knew? I know some of you are waiting anxiously on a decision from Negedu, but all signs point to Tennessee or Memphis. Luckily we have Kyle Taber* back to hold down the paint.

{HT: Basketblog}

*For the record, Kyle Taber is a fine lad who I enjoy watching play basketball.

In an interview with Rivals.com recruiting analyst Justin Young (subscription required), Emmanuel Negedu sounded less than enthusiastic about his visit to Bloomington a week ago today. Negedu called his time in Bloomington “okay,” but expressed excitement about his visit today to Tennessee as well as Thursday’s trip to Memphis. I’m not sure exactly what to make of this because kids change their minds all of the time in recruiting, but if Negedu’s comments are any indication, it sounds like IU is a long shot to land him.

The best player still on the market for the 2008 class — Emmanuel Negedu — will visit the Indiana campus on June 3 to meet with the coaching staff, according to Chris Korman of the H-T/Hoosier Scoop. No word on where Indiana is positioned on his schedule of visits, but he will likely visit all four schools still in the running (IU, Memphis, Tennessee and Georgia Tech.)

Update: It looks like Negedu’s other visits are as follows: Georgia Tech (June 8), Tennessee (June 10) and Memphis (June 12). In other words, a strong first impression better be in order if IU hopes to land Negedu.

Previously on Emmanuel Negedu:

• Breaking down Emmanuel Negedu’s possible destinations
• Negedu LOI decision coming today
• Maurice Sutton and Emmanuel Negedu

With his recent release from Arizona, Emmanuel Negedu is the top remaining player on the board for the 2008 class and will consider Georgia Tech, Memphis, Tennessee and Indiana. Inside the Hall takes a look at his list and breaks down how Negedu could fit in at each destination.

Georgia Tech: Paul Hewitt’s club loses Jeremis Smith (10.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg) to graduation and Tech’s lone 2008 recruit is a point guard. Zack Peacock is their top returning big man in terms of scoring (9.9 ppg), but he didn’t start at all this past season. In other words, Negedu would likely step right in for the Yellow Jackets at the four spot.

Memphis: All five Memphis starters will be eligible for the NBA Draft (although Antonio Anderson and Robert Dozier have not signed with an agent) which means that John Calipari is in search of players to fill out his roster. Couple that with the fact that Calipari recently hired Josh Pastner (who recruited Negedu to Arizona) to anchor his recruiting and Memphis might be the school to beat.

(more…)

Tuesday was another whirlwind day for Indiana basketball as Tijan Jobe joined the 2008 class, Jordan Hulls pledged for 2009 and Emmanuel Negedu was released from Arizona and is listing IU as a possible destination. Here are some links to coverage of those stories, plus an update on Maurice Sutton and Muncie Central guard Jeremiah Davis, for your reading pleasure:

• IU signs 7-footer, gets commitment from Hulls (Indianapolis Star)
• IU picks up Bloomington South guard (Indianapolis Star)
• Q & A with Jordan Hulls (Hoosiers Insider)
• Hulls picks IU (The Hoosier Scoop)
• Assist to Jordan Hulls’ neighbors (The Hoosier Scoop)
• The newest Hoosier: Tijan Jobe (The Hoosier Scoop)
• Hoosiers score JUCO big (Scout.com)
• Could Negedu follow Pastner to Memphis? (Tucson Citizen Wildcat Blog)
• They had to release him (CBS Sportsline)
• Bye bye Negedu? (Arizona Daily Star)
• IU offers scholarship to Central frosh (The Star Press)
• Villanova awaits word on late recruit (Philadelphia Daily News)