Shon Abaev’s coach Cilk McSweeney on what he brings to UC Bearcats
Shon Abaev’s coach Cilk McSweeney on what he could bring to Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati Bearcats basketball coach Wes Miller has added his second four-star recruit in a month as 6-foot-8 forward Shon Abaev from Overtime Elite/Fear of God Athletics/Calvary Christian Academy has signed with UC for next season.
Abaev announced at noon on Thanksgiving Day and surely the Bearcats are thankful. He posted a video on Instagram and shortly after UC confirmed he had signed.
“Shon puts winning at a premium,” UC coach Wes Miller said. “He’s a Bearcat. He fits here. People point to his scoring all the time, he can really score. People point to his shooting all the time, he can really shoot it. The thing I don’t think people realize (is) he’s unbelievable making plays for others. He’s unbelievable when he has the ball in his hands as a facilitator. He’s a big, big-time player.”
Miller in the announcement video went on to say Abaev was better than all the things people have said about him. He cited his work ethic and desire to win. Miller also credited Abaev’s high school coach, Cilk McSweeney who has known Miller dating back to his prep school playing days.
“Fifth Third is going to be rocking as we continue to build this program with guys like Shon Abaev and Keyshuan Tillery in this class,” Miller said..
Last Friday when UC was in Atlanta for Georgia Tech, Abaev’s Overtime Elite team played nearby.
“They want me to come in and lead the team from the start,” Abaev said “They see me as the main player when I come in. Just doing that and helping them win a national championship.”
Where does Abaev rate with recent top UC recruits?
Abaev has a five-star composite rating from 247Sports. If you were to compare recent recruits from the “mathematical ranking” era, Abaev’s numbers are second only to former NBA player and one-year Bearcat Lance Stephenson (.9951 composite to .9910). He’s ahead of former five-star Jermaine Lawrence and center Yancy Gates. Gates had the longest UC career with Lawrence averaging less than four points per game in a season at UC and one at Manhattan.
Obviously, the ratings system wasn’t as prevalent for a bevy of Bearcats including Naismith Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson and Jack Twyman, former Naismith Player of the Year Kenyon Martin, and NBA players Nick Van Exel and Corie Blount.
Before the Cincinnati Bearcats faced Georgia Tech last weekend, UC staffers were on hand to watch the talented swingman at Overtime Elite’s arena in Atlanta. Abaev then attended some of UC’s 81-58 win over the Yellowjackets before heading back for a Saturday afternoon game where he scored 42 points.
In Abaev’s first four games this season, he’s averaged 30.5 points, 7 rebounds and 5.3 assists.. He comes just weeks after UC snared point guard Keyshuan Tillery from the New Hampton School in New Hampshire, another four-star. He’s a featured attraction when playing for Overtime Elite and often draws plenty of defensive and scouting attention. He had well over 20 offers.
“Shon’s had the camera on him since ninth or 10th grade,” Fear of God coach Cilk McSweeney said.
Abaev added, “I’m used to this. I’ve been doing this for a long time already. It’s just a regular game for whoever’s in the crowd.”
Abaev achieved a 4-star ranking from 247Sports.com, On3, ESPN and Rivals. His top five were Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Cincinnati, and Oregon.
Abaev is currently No. 29 in ESPN’s Top 100 rankings of high school players, with future teammate Tillery at No. 49. Abaev is left-handed and is listed at 200 pounds.
