On Achiuwa: A dominating big man and an imposing physical specimen with an 87-inch wingspan ... an intimidating shot-blocker on defense and a powerful rebounder on both ends of the floor ... displays incredible speed in transition, particularly for an athlete his size ... a versatile scorer who can face up or play with his back to the basket on offense.

Steve Lavin On Achiuwa: "Gift is a talented frontline player who possesses tremendous size, strength, speed and skill. He is an ideal fit for our baseline-to-baseline attacking style of play. The maturity Gift gained from two years of junior college basketball with a combined 55-6 record will make him a nice complement to what is one of the youngest teams in the country. He is fundamentally sound, and comes from a program with a tradition of winning, where a strong work ethic, playing hard and discipline is demanded on a daily basis."

At Erie C.C.: Earned first team NJCAA All-America honors as a sophomore in 2010-11 after leading Erie Community College to a 28-4 record and a fourth place finish in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Tournament ... also earned NJCAA Region III Player of the Year and Region III Tournament Most Valuable Player honors ... finished the season ranked ninth in the NJCAA in scoring (22.3 points per game), 10th in rebounding (11.7) and 17th in blocks (2.2) ... shot 56.0 percent from field and 36.7 percent from 3-point range ... scored 32 or more points in four outings and netted 39 points against Monroe C.C. on Feb. 8, 2011 ... announced as one of 16 Erie student-athletes named to the 2010-11 NJCAA Region III All-Academic Team ... earned third team NJCAA All-America and Region III Co-Player of the Year accolades as a freshman in 2009-10 ... averaged 13.1 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game to help Erie post a 27-2 record in 2009-10 ... coached at Erie by Alex Nwora.

Personal: God'sgift Onyekachi Achiuwa ... born in Port Harcourt, River States, Nigeria ... son of Eunice and Donatus Achiuwa, a minister ... the third of six children ... has an older sister, Grace, and a younger sister, Peace ... also has an older brother, Promise, and two younger brothers, God'swill and Precious ... chose St. John's because of its religious attributes and basketball success ... majoring in administrative studies.

UP CLOSE WITH GOD'SGIFT ACHIUWA
Nickname: Gift.
Favorite movie: Any action movie.
What's on the iPod/iPhone: Gospel.
Favorite food: Fufu.
Favorite place to hang out on campus/NYC area: Dorm room.
Favorite class: Math class.
Favorite book: "Authority of the Believer" by Kenneth Hagin.
Since coming to St. John's I've learned: How to stay in the dorm.
Greatest athletic accomplishment: NJCAA Region III Player of the Year.
Hero/role model: Jesus.
Favorite athlete/sports team: The Miami Heat.
Favorite St. John's athlete: Phil Greene.
Few people know that: I sing.
One word to describe me on the court: "Team."
The St. John's basketball player that will surprise you this year is: Phil Greene.
After St. John's or my basketball career, I'd like to: Have my own business.
What do you want to accomplish this season: Win games.
Favorite quote: "Jesus saves."
What are your funny superstitions/pregame rituals: Listen to music.
If I were president for the day I would: Give a holiday.
If I were Coach Lavin for the day I would: Give a day off.
The teammate that inspires me is: Phil Greene.
If I wasn't playing basketball, I'd be: The best student on campus.