EJ Neal to Push Idaho to Vandalize

6-foot-5 City College of San Francisco guard EJ Neal has multiple numbers to be proud of this season including 11.0 points per game, shooting percentages of 54%, 41% and 78%, plus 4.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists while playing on an extremely talented team. But one number looms extra large in particular: 100+ charges taken in his last two seasons. It's an achievement that requires a particular mindset, one that very few players are willing to adopt. The primary reasons being doing so will never get anyone on a highlight reel and collisions often physically hurt. Credit Neal for his particular unselfishness.

His words: "Coming into high school, I wanted to make an impact other than scoring so I began studying film. Taking a charge is a foul on the other team and I'll give up my body to get the ball back. People say it hurts but that's soft. My mindset is win at all costs."

Now Neal is headed to University of Idaho to play for Coach Alex Pribble, a Bay Area native. "He first made contact with me back when he was the head coach at St. Martin's (a DII university in Washington). "He knew what I could do even back then." Pribble went on to assist at Seattle before landing the Idaho position.

Why Choose the Vandals?

"Idaho was the best opportunity, the facilities are good and the fan base is ready to win. I loved what they are trying to build and having a first-year coach asking me to help played a part. 

After starring as an All-League honoree at Sacred Heart Prep of the West Coast Athletic League, Neal spent a season at Balboa Prep, down near San Diego. Having relatives in the area helped in a smooth transition. What did he achieve? "I expanded my game by playing against the higher competition down there and I also played my true position, not in the post."

What will Idaho fans be witnessing from him? "I have a take-no-prisoners attitude, vocal leadership and I get the guys ready. I'm a shooter and scorer and my shooting is underrated. I'm a three-level scorer, who can shoot the deep ball, go to the rim and score mid-range. My ballhandling and rebounding are good and I can defend the 1-5 positions. I play with a lot of passion -- I want it more."

After two seasons at vaunted CCSF, Neal offered that he is prepared. "JUCO is hard. We had a lot of D1 caliber guys and practices were intense."

Neal's Long Memory

Interestingly, Neal easily remembers those schools who displayed interest in him but later backed off. Two are fellow Big Sky Conference members. "I felt slightly overlooked and I don't think I'm going to hold back." So conference play and maybe even some non-league games look to be extra intense.  Count on Neal to make it so.