Link Kabadyundi

NCAA March Madness Final Four weekend has similarities to the NFL Super Bowl. National atttention and all the media responsibilities that come with it. Almost every NCAA coach will be in North Texas to witness a 2014 National Champion crowned.

Morning after? Like the eve of free agency! Tuesday preparations for the 2014-15 season begin. Coaching staffs will be strategizing on how they can fill scholarship voids for the 2014 season — only five months away.

Montreal Quebec native 2014 7-1 C Link Kabadyundi (Alma Academy) has turned a strong senior season in to an overwhelming sweepstakes as of late.

Kabadyundi against Canadian high school competition including tournaments in the Greater Toronto Area stood out like David Robinson. Twice once in November and then again in March. Playing in front of a full house and several NCAA scouts at the 2014 National Prep School Invitational in Rhode Island Kabadyundi managed double digit rebound performances in Alma Acadmey’s two victories versus West Oaks Academy (FL) and Bridgton Academy (ME).

According to older brother Yannick, who began handling Link’s recruitment last June after returning home from abroad playing professional ball says that a large list of schools are showing serious interest now.

“We all thought at one point 2-3 months ago it was going to be all easy, we would pick up a couple schools and now were racking up close to 8 schools and all of them look very strong. We just have to take some time and re-evaluate. Let’s understand this is for Link, I’m just his facilitator here to guide him through” older brother Yannick elaborated.

One of the most popular voids to fill with window’s closing on any class are centers, big man, let alone seven footers that come around very few and far between.

Kabadyundi not only plays the position in demand, he has positioned himself to be a benefactor late in the game on the recruitment scene.

OFFICIAL VISITS

Nebraska Cornhuskers with proven program builder Head Coach Tim Miles officially hosted the Kabadyundi camp on the weekend of March 8th. The amped-up sellout crowd of 15, 998 at Pinnacle Bank Arena lived up to their reputation and the Cornhuskers knocked off the now Final Four bound Wisconsin Badgers.

“Link enjoyed the Nebraska visit. Their venue was arguably the best in college basketball last season. The hype was real.” Yannick said who with Kabadyundi witnessed their faithful storm the court.

In his first season as an Assistant Coach at Nebraska is Kenya Hunter. Former Georgetown Hoyas coach of six seasons. He has an extensive development history working alongside NBA draft picks Roy Hibbert, Greg Monroe and most recent Otto Porter. Hunter is reportedly spearheading the Cornhuskers pursuit.

UNOFFICIAL

February 22nd former NBA coach now head coach at Oklahoma Lon Kruger hosted Kabadyundi on an unofficial. As an Oklahoma Sooner Link could join a fraternity with Clippers Blake Griffin a Sooner alumni.

DEVELOPMENT

Kabadyundi’s camp understand the learning curve can be steep in college, especially on the defensive end. Red shirting a year is a possibility but aggressive schools are willing to deal with Link’s freshman mistakes.

Days of standing in the lane in a high school game, daring opposition to come down the lane and blocking their shots are over. Kabadyundi has to worry about screening action, being screened, guarding pick-and-rolls, guarding big guys who shoot and being in the right spot. There’s a lot that goes into that.

HIGH INTEREST

#-1 ranked Final Four bound Florida Gators according to Yannick have expressed interest. A program led by a future hall of fame coach Billy Donovan where developing big man is their sweet spot.

“SEC is a very good conference. I would be thrilled to see Link play in that conference and develop. Florida have a good history developing big guys such as the Noah’s, Horford and those guys. They showed great interest and I think being at an institution like that for four years would definitely develop a good young man and definitely a good basketball player considering their history with big guys and how they are consistently playing in the post season, those are opportunities of a life time.” Yannick explained.

“After their finished their post season run assistant coach Burno from Florida said he was definitely interested in linking up and having us come in for an official visit ” Yannick explained.

NIT Championship finalists SMU coached by Hall of Famer Larry Brown is another program on the rise after Link. Coach Brown has a staff filled with NBA experience such as former Sixers George Lynch and Eric Snow also a 5-star recruit Emmanuel Mudiay headed their next September.

UNLV dealing with draft concerns surrounding fellow Montreal native Khem Birch and Roscoe Smith, have allready begun expecting the best and preparing for the worst. Rebels have reportedly identified Kabadyundi on their radar as a target to potentially replace Birch if indeed he decides to go pro.

TCU, Georgia, Fresno State, Indiana and UMASS have all expressed interest. Assistant coaches Kenny Johnson at Indiana and Shyrone Chapman from UMASS have both recently exchanged dialogue w/Links’s camp.

“We welcome all kinds of schools. Were open to it. We need to be able to compare something. In order for us to compare we need to be open to anything and every opportunity that’s out there. The race is not over yet, its wide open. Show us what you have set up. Academically primarily because we need him to have a good support system pushing for him to graduate. Link has got ways to go. Were trying to put him into a position to maximize his ability and we’ll go from there. “

From the beginning stages Buffalo University (losing senior Javon McCrea to graduation) and New Mexico State (set to lose 7’5″ Sim Bhulllar to 2014 NBA draft ) have been in the fold trying to fill a void at their center positions respectively. Tulane too established a relationship with Link early on in his recruitment process

“Buffalo we heard got a kid from North Carolina and things turned around with them but we haven’t heard back so we wont draw conclusions. I promised Tulane and New Mexico State we would visit there. I like to stand firm with my word. Those were the programs that came in early.” Yannick told Hoops Hype Canada.

Kabadyundi & co will weigh the the pros and cons of each programs particulars over the next couple weeks and that should separate the pretenders from contenders. Older brother Yannick did verify a time table, “Week of April 16th”.

MOUNT ROYAL TOWERS

Yannick and Link also have a younger brother Jordy Tshimanga who is a 6’11 sophomore at MacDuffie in Massachusetts. Together they are nicknamed the Mount Royal Towers after an infamous hill in the beautiful town of Montreal. Keep tabs on this brother duo from Montreal both flirting with high major potential.

Follow 2014 7’1″ Link Kabadyundi (Alma, QC) on Twitter

More on Link read Link Kabadyundi Sweeptakes 1.0 here

Follow 2016 6’11″ Jordy Tshimanga (MacDuffie, MA) on Twitter

More on Jordy check out: Oh My Jordy! 6’10″ Southpaw Surfaces

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2014 Canadian 7-footer Link Kabadyundi’s (Alma Academy) stock is on the rise. After a 2013 Nike Global Games invite last summer the towering young Montreal center has followed it up that with some fine form travelling on an American circuit with Alma Academy (QC).

Basketball runs deep in the Kabadyundi family. He has a father who played for Zaire (Rep.Dem. of Congo), an older brother who played D1 & now professionally abroad, a sister that just received a 2015 scholarship to Providence and little brother Jordy who is playing high school ball in New England poised to be a top 10 ranked 2016 talent by summer’s end.

When Link was reached by email and asked about who he models his game after the Montreal big man was willing to share his thoughts,

2014 7’1″ Link Kabadyundi native of Montreal, QC.

“When I think of the great big man in the game one of the players that I look up to is Andrew Bogut because not only he uses his size well but brings much to his team offensively and defensively which I find important playing both ends. He is also a great facilitator for his team. Also I like Kevin Garnett, like KG I’m trying to integrate the jumper into my offensive game alongside my post moves.” Link Kabadyundi wrote.

The seven footers stock started to rise after older brother Yannick began handling his recruiting. Yannick is a Boston native while his younger siblings reside in Montreal, Quebec.

“I’m in the loop now as far as where he can go and what he can do, I just want to be very clear and make sure things are done the right way…In this business, word can get spread around what is good or bad so quickly before you can catch it.” Yannick told Hoops Hype Canada.

Link’s play has helped garner serious interest among the likes of Buffalo, Minnesota, New Mexico State and Providence who’ve all been linked with Link’s recruiting sources told Hoops Hype Canada. Yannick would not confirm or deny reports.

Asked about why Link hasn’t regularly played for Team Canada and Yannick responded,

“How come Canada isn’t talking with me about Link? I strongly believe after I’m done putting together this whole school package for Link, to have him in the right program and develop him as a big guy, Canada’s going to regret overlooking him.” Yannick explained.

“I’m kind of disappointed what Canada as a whole has brought to the table. When I have Canadian AAU programs call me am I supposed to just jump and run to them because my brothers are Canadian? I have no disrespect to the folks in Canada but I have reason to question their ability to get the job done.” Added Yannick.

Kabadyundi in action for Alma

Despite skepticism from Yannick about Link’s development north of the border, Link did earn a Nike Global Games invite. Nike Representitives saw Link play in Montreal with Alma and with Canada in search for a big after Trey Lyles pulled out, Global Challenge staff discussed the possibility of Kabadyuni filling the roster and Link was given his shot.

Reviews from DC that weekend were that Link was a legit 7-footer who ran the floor well but struggled with foul trouble all weekend and played limited minutes as a result. Despite the honour to be invited older brother Yannick likes to look at the bigger picture,

Even though it’s pretty big to be there, kids get better when they get developed. I’m always into developing the kids. You don’t want to throw him out with the wolves without developing him. I feel Canada as a whole basketball community failed to maximize Link’s ability to develop. Nobody cared to find out who Link’s father was, because his Dad would’ve said ‘Hey, I got my son down there in the States. You guys need to contact him about this basketball situation’.

Elaborating on Link, older brother Yannik shot down any health concerns too,

“Let’s set the record straight, Link does not have any health problem. It’s all 100%. Only thing with Link is to continue developing and growing as a player. Now that I have him under my wing, our primary goal is to get him to a good Academic and athletic program. And after 4years of playing D1 ball, I believe Link will have enough tools to play Pro.

Yannick is concerned about Canadian basketball development but at the same token the thought of Link Kabadyundi the Olympian he is all for too,

“I would love for my brother to play for the National team. It would be an honor. Brazil 2016, he’ll be ready to earn it” Yannick reiterated.

At the next level, with added strength Link should be able to establish deep post position with ease. If he develops a consistent mid-range jumper, he’ll be an above-average NCAA center who can impact the game on both sides of the ball. Length and athleticism are in ABUNDANCE. With no shortage of bulk and shot blocking ability look out for Link Kabadyundi. The big man is a late-bloomer, but his combination of shot-blocking and offensive skills makes him an intriguing option for any coach south of the border.

FREE THROWS

‘Leaders Of Canadian Hoops’ North Pole Hoops a national recruiting service in Canada has Link rated 66th in Canada amongst his 2014 class. After Trey Lyles, Chris Egi & Jabari Carig we couldnt think of any other big fellas even in the same conversation.

Follow Link Kabadyundi on his journey on twitter at @Kabadyundi

Follow Hoops Hype Canada on twitter at @HoopsHypeCa

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Kabadyundi Sweepstakes 2.0

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