Akol signs with USF

Posted Jun 27, 2008 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Jun 27, 2008 at 03:46 PM

Teeng Akol, a 6-foot-11 forward from the Sudan, who spent the past season at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, signed with the University of South Florida Friday.

Akol will be eligible this season.

“He has great upside and a high ceiling,” USF coach Stan Heath said. “He’s someone that’s real hungry to be good. He has good skills inside and out and he’ll continue to work and get better.”

Heath said Akol has the talent to contribute immediately as a freshman.

“I’ve seen him in games where he’s shot 3s and then worked around the basket, blocking shots,” Heath said. “He has a great intensity level and whether he plays forward or center for us, it doesn’t matter. We will have to get him in the weight room and gain some weight.”

Akol completes USF’s recruiting class along with guard Gaby Belardo, center Alex Rivas Sanchez, forward Eugene Teague Jr. and forward Eladio Espinosa. St. Benedict’s Prep point guard Dwan McMillan originally signed with USF but is still trying to meet NCAA entrance requirements and will not attend USF, Heath said.

The Bulls also added Georgia transfer Mike Mercer, who becomes eligible to play Dec. 12, and Maryland transfer Gus Gilchrist. It’s unknown yet whether Gilchrist will have to sit out a transfer season.

All of USF’s incoming players, including Akol and Gilchrist, will begin summer school on Monday, Heath said.