by Fitzgerald Cecilio

New Brunswick, NJ

Three-star senior prospect Luc Tselan Tsiene "Junior" Etou, a 6-foot-7, 220-pound power forward, chose to play for Rutgers and new coach Eddie Jordan.

The native of Congo Republic pledged on Wednesday during an official visit, passing on offers from Xavier, Miami, Temple, Washington and Clemson.

Jordan previously coached Etou's AAU team last summer in between jobs with the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers.

"(He) really likes Coach Jordan because if you don't play defense and rebound, you don't play, and it doesn't matter who you are," said Joe Wootten, Etou's high school coach at O'Connell.

Etou averaged 15 points, 14 rebounds and six blocked shots a game for O'Connell. There he played in a high-low offensive set in which he seals his man in the low post by making and maintaining contact to receive the post feed. From the high post, he will make the quick entry pass or hit the jumper.

"The number one thing Junior brings is great presence to the court," Wootten said. "He plays physical and he's a tough competitor. He's also a tremendous shot blocker who has a knack for timing blocks at the right point. Plus, he can guard players at multiple positions."

Etou can also knock down mid-range jumpers and has the ability to shoot the 3. He owns a jump hook and drop-step inside the lane, where he is most comfortable, and can also be a pick-and-pop guy in ball-screen action.

Steve Turner, a coach at O'Connell rival Gonzaga High in Washington D.C., said Etou reminds him of Udonis Haslem: "He is physically tough. ... Never stops rebounding throughout the game."

Etou was born in 1994.

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Post-tumult, Forward Junior Etou Opts to Play for Rutgers