When E.J. Liddell watched the various college teams recruiting him play on television last season, he didn’t just treat them like normal basketball games. Instead, he envisioned himself on the court.
Liddell, a four-star prospect from Belleville (Illinois) West, imagined himself in the offensive system. He considered how he might fit alongside the pieces on the court and looked for someone similar to him in order to visualize a path to success.
That meant, when viewing Ohio State, the 6-foot-7, 225-pound power forward fixated on Keita Bates-Diop.
“I see him as a versatile four,” Liddell said.