Recruiting News: More on Josh Figini

As The Cornell Basketball Blog previously posted, the Big Red received a verbal commitment in the last week from forward, Josh Figini. The new recruit made his decision following a visit to Cornell during the weekend of February 13. Figini is a 6'9" combo-forward from Chisago, Minnesota and Chisago Lakes High School. Through February 17, 2009, Figini is averaging 25. 5 points and 14.0 rebounds per game.

This week The Cornell Basketball Blog had an opportunity to speak with Figini's high school coach Herb Jangor and AAU Coach Charlie Paxson of the Minnesota Glory about Figini.

Jangor stressed, "Josh is a better person that he is a basketball player. He volunteers, he is a good student, No. 1 in his class, just an outstanding young man." Paxson expressed similar sentiments. But both coaches emphasized that Figini is a legitimate Division I basketball player and that he drew a wide range of college recruitment interest.

"He's a 6'9" inside/outside player," said Paxson. Jangor added, "We've asked him to play all five positions, even point guard. Depending on the college system, he can play either the 4 or the 3."

Paxson noted that Figini was recruited by Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Boston University, Belmont, Samford, Wisconsin Green Bay, Navy, Army, Lafayette, and Columbia among others. Paxson even noted that Minnesota asked if Figini would commit as a non-scholarship walk-on. Colorado's interest was noted at a serious level. Jangor added that North Dakota State was another D-I program interested in Fingin's services.

When asked what precluded more Division I interest in Figini, Jangor noted that Figini lacked strength at 200 lbs. But he also added, "When Josh gets up to Cornell and works with the great strength and conditioning coach they have up there, adds weight and muscle, he is going to get better." Paxson emphasized that Cornell was not influenced in any way by the level of interest in Figini from the other Division Is.

"Cornell was on him a year ago," Jangor noted. "When they watched the full range of Josh's skills in the game against Princeton High School [where Figini scored 46 points and grabbed 22 rebounds], I think that is when they were sold on him. Coach Zach Spiker was persistent and did a great job in his recruitment of Josh."

As a high school junior Figini averaged 23 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks per game. Josh shot 55% from the floor 42% from three point range, and 76% on free throws.

Figini was All-North Suburban Conference as a sophomore and junior. He earned the Minneapolis Tribune February 1, 2008 Player of the Week and finished on the St. Paul Press Third Team All-State Team. Also as a junior, he was also named to Minnesota Basketball News' second team All-State squad. The Chisago County Press noted, "Figini is the rare breed of ball-handling big man. His ability to not only score inside with his 6'8" frame, but to also break the press bringing the ball up the court, or shoot effectively from beyond the arc has catapulted him to all-star games around the state, and numerous awards."

Heading into the summer of 2008, MinnesotaPreps.com ranked Figini as the #16 player in the state and evaluated him during the summer of 2008 as f0llows:

He runs a lot like Jon Leuer and there are parts of his game that are reminiscent of Leuer although Josh is at least two inches shorter as well as thinner. Figini was versatile enough to bring the ball up some for the Glory and he also showed some quality pull-up jumpers. Josh has a soft touch on his shot with range.

As a senior during 2008-2009, he was the Pioneer Press Athlete of the Week on December 9 and February 17. He was also the Minneapolis Tribune Athlete of the Week on December 9 after exploding for 46 points and 22 rebounds in a game against Princeton High School. He is nominated for the McDonald's All-American Game.

Figini is also one of 15 finalists for Minnesota's Mr. Basketball. The list includes the following:

Josh Figini, Chisago Lakes (committed to Cornell)
Rodney Williams, Cooper (signed with Minnesota)
Mike Bruesewitz, Henry Sibley (signed with Wisconsin)
Chris Halvorsen, Henry Sibley (signed with Valparaiso)
Royce White, Hopkins (signed with Minnesota)
Mike Broghammer, Hopkins (signed with Notre Dame)
Trent Lockett, Hopkins (signed with Arizona State)
Raymond Cowels, Hopkins (signed with Santa Clara)
Sam Dower, Osseo (signed with Gonzaga)
Tydan Storrusten, Pelican Rapids
Mike Felt, Redwood Valley (signed with North Dakota State)
Mike Muscala, Roseville (signed with Bucknell)
Jordair Jett, St. Bernard's
Nate Wolters, St. Cloud Tech
Marc Sonnen, Tartan (signed with Northern Iowa)

An excellent student, Figini's GPA is 4.0, and he is a member of the National Honor Society. Josh is also a student council member, and plays saxophone in his high school jazz band.