ophomore forward S.K. Shittu has seen his game improve since arriving at Rogers Providence Christian Academy from Nigeria in October of last year.
Shittu , 6-9, 193 pounds, was first noticed after showing outstanding athleticism and work ethic at Arkansas' camp in August and was the best prospect among an impressive group of about 60 athletes.
He averaged 7.8 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks per game as a freshman and has increased his production to 12.3 points, 13.6 rebounds and 3.8 blocks while shooting 52 percent from the field this season.
Tulsa was the first school to extend a scholarship offer after a Golden Hurricane assistant coach saw Shittu in action while scouting senior forward A.J. Cockrell of Tulsa Memorial at a Dec. 19 matchup.
"So on Dec. 23, they called and made it official," Providence Christian Coach Austin Bivens said.
Shittu, who lives with Bivens, his wife, Lisa and two sons, Spencer, 14, and Stewart, 13, has changed his body over the past year. While playing in Tulsa in mid-November, an official didn't recognize Shittu and thought he was a new member of the team.
"He said, 'That kid isn't new?' and pointed to S.K," Bivens said. "I said, 'No,' and he said, 'You mean that's the skinny little kid from last year that looked like J.J. from Good Times?' "
Bivens has led the Patriots to a 23-12 record going in tonight's game against Destiny Christian in Del City, Okla.
Providence Christian isn't affiliated with the Arkansas Activities Association and plays as an independent against teams from Oklahoma and Missouri as well as competing in the Oklahoma Christian Schools Athletic Association state tournament.
Shittu has changed his body through hard work in the weight room.
"People just haven't recognized him because if how much bigger he looks," Bivens said. "He's about 192-193 [pounds], but it's all muscle. When he takes his shirt off, it's just God-given. He's worked very hard in our weight program."
Arkansas assistant coach Matt Zimmerman attended a game earlier in the season and associate head coach Melvin Watkins checks in on a regular basis. Oklahoma, Appalachian State and Davidson are others showing interest.
Bivens is confident Shittu will add several more offers while playing for the Northwest Arkansas Hawks 17-under team coached by former Razorback Brad Freiss during the spring and summer.
"He's really learning the American game," Bivens said. "What we're really noticed the most is his progression of knowing how to slip to the rim while taking a better angle, knowing how to get posted up at the right angle."
Shittu has hit 3 of 7 three-pointers this season, but spends much of his time closer to the basket.
"His range is very much 15 feet and in," Bivins said. "His shot looks so good. The Tulsa coach commented on that, too. He's got a really good looking shot to be that long."
Bivens said he sees Shittu being more active with his outside game and shooting 30 to 35 three-pointers as a junior.
"The only reason I'm not letting him shoot them right now even on a semi-consistent basis is because he has so much more work around the rim," Bivens said.
Shittu, who has a 3.5 grade point average, has adapted an American trait and now has a sweet tooth for donuts.
Lisa Bivens is determined to stop Shittu's sugar weakness.
"She said, 'S.K., you have all this ability and you came with so much of a better work ethic and food habits than a lot of these American kids,' " Bivens said. " 'I'm not going to let you get hooked on these sugar donuts.' "
Taking a look
Arkansas men's basketball Coach Mike Anderson and his staff were able to secure the oral commitment of highly touted forward Ted Kapita on Thursday for several reasons.
Kapita, 6-9, 222 pounds, of Huntington (W.Va.) Prep, officially visited Arkansas on Oct. 24-26 and picked the Hogs over scholarship offers from Missouri, Memphis, West Virginia and others.
He moved to the United States in 2011 from Congo. On his Arkansas trip, he was hosted by Bobby Portis, Trey Thompson and Moses Kingsley.
"He and Moses Kingsley hit it off pretty well," Huntington Prep Coach Arkell Bruce said. "The family atmosphere and the coaching staff did a great jib of recruiting him. He just enjoyed his visit."
Bruce accompanied Kapita on the trip. He said Anderson showed how he wanted to use Kapita, who is rated the No. 40 prospect in the nation by ESPN, as a power forward with ball-handling skills.
"But also play down low and play to his strengths that he has right now as far as rebounding and playing hard," Bruce said.
Kapita hasn't played this season because of a pinched nerve in his left hip.
"He should be probably back within about two weeks," Bruce said.
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 02/17/2015