The fall signing period has begun with a bang for Seton Hall basketball.
Godswill Erheriene, a senior forward/center at prep powerhouse Long Island Lutheran, committed to the Pirates Thursday. He’s their second Class of 2024 commit, joining combo guard Jahseem Felton out of North Carolina, who signed a National Letter of Intent Wednesday.
Here are three things to know about Erheriene.
1. He’s Nigerian.
The 6-foot-9, 225-pound Erheriene arrived in the U.S. in January 2022. He quickly got the attention of the recruiting industrial complex. 247Sports rates him at three stars and the No. 115 player in the 2024 class. Rivals has him at three stars and No. 128. On3 has him at four stars and No. 108.
In recent interviews, Erheriene indicated that Ole Miss, Mississippi State and UMass were recruiting him hardest along with Seton Hall.
2. He’s a power player who knows his role.
In late 2022, 247Sports talent evaluator Eric Bossi called Erheriene “easily one of the most intriguing post players” at the HoopHall West showcase.
“A 6-foot-9, 225-pound center who looks like he’s already spent a few years in a college weight room…he’s acclimated quickly and has been productive simply by playing to his strengths in the low post,” Bossi wrote. “That’s playing with power, dunking everything he can, blocking shots and helping out on the glass.”
In late August, at the Will Barton Elite Camp, PrepHoops.com called Erheriene “the most dominant big in attendance. He used every bit of his 6-foot-9 frame to establish position in the paint and make himself available for entry passes, rebounds at both ends or altering shots around the rim.”
The evaluation continued: “He tried to dunk any touch that he had in the paint. When he wasn’t tearing the rim down, he was converting soft touch hooks over his left shoulder or earning second-chance points for his squad. He set punishing screens, pursued rebounds out of his area and his presence alone was enough to make opposing guards think twice.”
3. He can make an immediate impact
Seton Hall has several bigs scheduled to return next season, but none of them are proven. Erheriene will have a chance to contribute right away.
After fits and starts, the Hall’s staff is stringing together some successes in recruiting the high school ranks. As of now the Pirates don’t have any more scholarships available next year – postgrads Al-Amir Dawes and Jaden Bediako are the only current players whose eligibility expires – but obviously much can change in this transient sport.
The National Letter of Intent fall signing period runs from Nov. 8-15.
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. He is an Associated Press Top 25 voter. Contact him at [email protected].