Akingbala Sign With Clemson

Nov. 15, 2001

Clemson, SC – Clemson Head Coach Larry Shyatt has announced the signing of the second member of his 2002 freshman signee class. On Thursday, Shyatt received a signed National letter of Intent from 6-9 forward Akin Akingbala. On Wednesday, Shyatt announced the signing of 6-2 guard Shawan Robinson of Raleigh, NC.

Akingbala, a native of Lagos, Nigeria, is a senior at The Brunswick School in Greenwich, CT. He averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds and six blocked shots per game a year ago. He had a high of 11 blocked shots in a game and shot 68 percent from the field.

Akingbala led his team to a 19-6 record last year and a runner-up finish in the New England Prep School Championships. The Brunswick School won the New England Championship his sophomore year. Akingbala was ranked among the top 100 rising seniors for 2001-02 by Hoop Scoop this past summer.

“Akin is an athletic and enthusiastic leaper,” said Shyatt. “He has excellent desire, especially on the defensive end where he is an intimidating shot blocker. His athletic ability on the soccer field and in basketball is eye-catching. He too fits exactly what we are looking for in our program. He has excellent academic credentials.” Robinson attends Leesville Road High School in Raleigh and is considered one of the top players in North Carolina and a top 100 player nationally. He averaged 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals per game last year.

Robinson is ranked in the top 100 in the nation by All-Star Sports and by Hoop Scoop. A first-team all-conference player the last two years, he combined with current Florida State freshman Anthony Richardson to lead Leesville Road to the state championship game last year. His father, Darryl Robinson, is the Leesville Road High School Head Coach.

“Shawan will be a tremendous asset to Clemson University and our basketball program,” said Shyatt. “He comes to us from a wonderful family and is an excellent student. You can tell he is the son of a coach.. He is an excellent combo guard who will help us immediately as a primary ball handler and deep shooter.”