Akok transferring to Georgetown
One of the most popular players in recent UConn men’s basketball history will be playing against the Huskies twice next season.
Akok Akok has transferred to Georgetown, according to his AAU coach, Vin Pastore.
“It seems like it’s a good fit. I’m glad he’s still in the Big East. It’s a great league,” Pastore told Hearst Connecticut Media.
Akok was recruited by Georgetown out of Putnam Science Academy, making a visit to campus with his mother four years ago. He wound up committing to UConn and enrolling in school early, joining the program in January, 2019 as a redshirt freshman who only practiced with the team and didn’t play.
As a freshman the following season, Akok quickly emerged as a fan favorite, blocking shots (2.6 per game, tops in the American Conference), averaging 5.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game and doing it all with boundless energy and often a megawatt smile on his face.
However, he tore his Achilles tendon in a game against Memphis in February, 2020, and his career hasn’t been the same since. Akok made it back to the floor earlier than expected in 2020-21, but ultimately only played sparingly in seven games. This past season, Akok’s playing time dwindled as the season went on, and wound up averaging just 3.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in just under 14 minutes per game. He did shoot a team-best 46.4 percent from 3-point range.
Pastore said Georgetown coach Patrick Ewing envisions Akok as a face-up four who can knock down 3pointers, while also blocking shots and rebounding on the defensive end.
“I think he’s pretty confident that position is his,” Pastore said. “They don’t seem to have anybody else that does what he does. He’s unique there. It’s college basketball, so one never knows. But I’m pretty sure he’s gonna be a starter at Georgetown.”
Akok made three visits (by himself ) to Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Georgetown. He was also visited in Storrs by WVU coach Bob Huggins, Pitt coach Jeff Capel and an assistant from Ohio State, which came into his recruitment late. Akok drove to a restaurant off campus for all three meetings.
“He tought it was disrespectful to do it on campus,” Pastore said.
Ultimately, Akok chose Georgetown and Ewing, who has struggled to win since taking over the reins a few years ago — other than a Big East tournament title in 2021.
“He liked him the first time,” Pastore said. “These are difficult decisions to start with. He is an NBA Hall-of-Famer. We are East Coast people, the Big East has been our league forever. We’re still in the Big East. He gets to play Providence and UConn. He gets to come home.”
And Akok can expect a warm ovation from the UConn crowd when he plays the Huskies next season.
“I hope he does,” said Pastore. “He’s a good man.”