KC Ndefo is following Shaheen Holloway from Saint Peter’s to Seton Hall, and in doing so, filling a major need for the Pirates.
The 6-foot-7 forward verbally committed to the Big East school on Saturday and will continue his career under Holloway, the new Pirates head coach. Together, the two were a major part of the magical run Saint Peter’s made to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in March. Now, they will try to create even more fond memories at Seton Hall.
“I committed to Seton Hall because It’s basically a no brainer to go to the coach who’s been recruiting me since my high school days,” Ndefo, and Elmont, N.Y. native, told 247Sports.com. “This will be taking the next step with him where I’m graduating, and finishing the NBA draft process. I’ll definitely be taking my talents to Seton Hall with Coach Sha.
“I’m staying with the culture and the people who believed in me since day one. Since Coach first got the job he told me to come over and bring the culture we built at Saint Peter’s to Seton Hall.”
The plan is for the Pirates to use the multi-talented Ndefo as a small-ball four, utilizing his shot-blocking and playmaking abilities against less athletic and mobile big men. He fills a need as a rim-protecting, defensive-minded forward after Seton Hall lost top shot-blocker Ike Obiagu to graduation.
Ndefo, the three-time MAAC Defensive Player of the Year who averaged 10.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks a year ago, developed into one of the best mid-major players in the country under Holloway’s tutelage. Saint Peter’s was his lone Division I scholarship offer coming out of high school. Holloway attended Ndefo’s graduation from Saint Peter’s on Friday, along with assistant coach Rasheen Davis, who played a major role in Ndefo returning to Saint Peter’s a year ago after he considered transferring.
“He’ll help any team in our league in my opinion. Not an all-league guy, but a great role guy,” one Big East coach familiar with Ndefo said. “I love how hard he plays. Elite shot-blocker. Tough as hell. He’ll find a way to be productive [offensively].”
Holloway has now rebuilt the Seton Hall roster through the transfer portal, adding Ndefo, Clemson guard Al-Amir Dawes, Pittsburgh wing Femi Odukale and Louisville wing Dre Davis to a core that features Kadary Richmond, Jamir Harris, Tray Jackson, Alexis Yetna and Tyrese Samuel. An NCAA Tournament bid in Holloway’s first season as Seton Hall’s head coach is possible with this remade roster.