Seton Hall lands Saint Peter’s standout KC Ndefo
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (BVM) – As the Shaheen Holloway era begins at Seton Hall, he will be joined by a familiar face in KC Ndefo, who was one of the catalysts for Saint Peter’s Cinderella run to the Elite Eight this past March.
Ndefo is the type of big man every college team would love to have. His combination of size, athleticism and overall IQ make him one of the best defensive players in the entire country.
He broke out onto the scene as a sophomore in 2019-20 averaging 8.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 2.4 blocks and 1.4 steals while coming off the bench. His 2.4 blocks per game was a program record and catapulted him to picking up the first of his three Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year awards.
KC showing why he was named the #MAACHoops Defensive Player of the Year!!#DesireDedicationDiscipline#StrutYourPride pic.twitter.com/2FSBVb0lGK
— Saint Peter's Men's Basketball (@PeacocksMBB) March 12, 2020
Ndefo also secured the MAAC Sixth Player of the Year this season, becoming just the third player in conference history to win two major awards in the same season. He was selected to the All-MAAC Third Team.
Ndefo took another leap his junior season as he was now thrusted into the starting five. He once again led the team in scoring at 13.7 points per game and blocked shots at 3.6 blocks per game.
Nobody was a bigger fan of the block party this season than Ndefo as he led the entire country in blocks per game while also breaking the single-season and career record for blocked shots at Saint Peter’s. He was a unanimous selection for the All-MAAC First Team and MAAC Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the Lefty Driesell Defensive All-American Team.
Ndefo continued off his brilliant junior season in 2021-22. He once again broke the program record for most blocks in a season with 98 and set the Saint Peter’s single-game record for most blocks with 11 against Quinnipiac back on Feb. 4. He picked his third straight MAAC Defensive Player of the Year and was named the Lefty Driesell National Defensive Player of the Year.
That dude KC hosted a block party in Jersey City last night! #StrutUp🦚 pic.twitter.com/dqUceZIELg
— Saint Peter's Men's Basketball (@PeacocksMBB) February 5, 2022
When the lights were the brightest, Ndefo elevated his game even more. In the conference Tournament, he averaged 13.3 points and 3.3 blocks, leading the Peacocks to their first MAAC championship since 2011, earning the MAAC Tournament Most Valuable Player.
He was also spectacular in the NCAA Tournament. His best outing came in the Round of 32 where he dropped a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double with six blocks against Murray State.
https://twitter.com/AllThingBall/status/1505372391924506629?s=20&t=71Ei8JADp8h3r4H_vqXdqw
Ndefo should fit in seamlessly with the Pirates next season. With the all-time shot block leader Ike Obiagu leaving Seton Hall, Ndefo will be able to come in and fill that void. He can provide the same rim protection as Obiagu while providing more athleticism and mobility.
Ndefo is also more refined as an offensive player. His playmaking especially has improved throughout his collegiate career. He averaged a career-high 2.4 assists per game last season for the Peacocks.
There are more actions that can get Ndefo involved in the offense that wasn’t available for Obiagu. Ndefo can make that extra pass off the pick-and-roll, run actions off the elbow, and if he grabs an offensive rebound, he can make the pass to the corner or wing for a wide-open three. Having that type of playmaking at the big man spot can open up the offense even more.
The versatility Ndefo brings on both sides of the floor also allows for lineup flexibility. He can be the sole big man on the court, but if the Pirates need size to match the opposition, they can move Ndefo to the four and have either Yenta or Samuel come in without much trouble.
Ndefo was a huge pickup for the Pirates this season with Coach Holloway needing players to buy into his system. Who better to bring in than the catalyst and defensive anchor for the Saint Peter’s squad who did the impossible three months ago?
