Pirate Preview: Godswill Erheriene

Published: Wednesday, October 9, 2024

by AJ Rayer

Along with the eight new transfers to this year's Pirates squad, three freshmen are eager to make an impact in their first season in South Orange. Among the most intriguing is four-star recruit Godswill Erheriene, a 6-foot-9 center with exceptional athleticism and a dominant presence in the paint.

Hailing from Nigeria, Erheriene came to the U.S. in 2022. He spent his junior and senior seasons with national powerhouse Long Island Lutheran (LuHi), where they finished his senior year ranked No. 4 nationally by ESPN. Erheriene played alongside top recruits, most notably five-star prospects VJ Edgecombe and Kiyan Anthony. He committed to the Pirates in November 2023, choosing Seton Hall over Arizona State, USC, Texas Tech, Maryland, and BIG EAST rival St. John’s.

Erheriene started at center in both his junior and senior seasons with LuHi, playing as a back-to-the-basket post player who excels at finishing around the rim. He had multiple double-double performances during his senior year against national competition. However, it is on the defensive end where he truly shines. His main takeaway from the numerous recruiting camps he attended has been the emphasis on his defensive intangibles.

So, what does Coach Holloway envision for Erheriene? The most notable change since Erheriene arrived on campus this summer has been his weight loss. He weighed 225 pounds at LuHi last fall and has slimmed down to 214 pounds at Seton Hall. It's clear that Holloway aims to tap into Erheriene’s athleticism and prepare him for the fast-paced play of the BIG EAST.

This season will likely be one of growth for Erheriene as he competes for minutes in a crowded frontcourt featuring seasoned transfers like Prince Aligbe (Boston College), Yacine Toumi (Evansville), and Emmanuel Okorafor (Louisville). However, with his size and skill set, Erheriene could become a key piece for the Pirates down the road.

AJ Rayer can be reached at alexander.rayer@student.shu.edu. 

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