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"I can’t think of 10 players better than Shon": Hoops fans react to Cincinnati Bearcats signee Shon Abaev's hooping display

Modified Dec 05, 2024 18:29 GMT

The Cincinnati Bearcats had a fantastic Thanksgiving celebration, signing four-star recruit Shon Abaev. The small forward at Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is ranked 26th nationally by On3.

On Wednesday, @slam_hs and @shotbysep praised Abaev's performance in a collaborative post, and the internet can't get enough of the young hooper.

"Y'all gta stop wit this 4-star shit it's really making me second guess credibility, I can't think of 10 players better than Shon," one user tweeted.

"It's not even three players in this class you can say better than him frl," another posted.

Fans react to Shon Abaev's performance via Instagram/@slam_hs and shotbysep.

Some fans suggested he deserves a five-star rating.

"He should be a five-star. I legit can't even name 10 people in his class better than him," one wrote.

"Definitely deserves five-star, easily an impact player at any major program," another posted.

Shon Abaev signs with Cincinnati Bearcats

Shon Abaev is the second signee in the 2025 class by Bearcats coach Wes Miller after four-star recruit Keyshaun Tillery (a 5-foot-10 point guard ranked No. 50 by ESPN) signed on Nov. 13. Abaev picked the Bearcats over Auburn, USC, Syracuse, Georgia and others.

Fans had mixed reactions to his signing, with one writing, "Damnnnn noooo I wanted him to pick Oregon so bad."

In an interview with On3, he spoke about his decision:

"I chose Cincy because I just felt like it was the best fit for me to be able to make it to the NBA in one year, and I trusted the head coach and his coaching staff. Throughout the recruitment process, I felt like I built the best relationship with Wes Miller."

Miller expressed his delight over Abaev in a statement released by the school:

"Shon puts winning at a premium. He's a Bearcat. He fits here. People point to his scoring all the time. He can really score."

Shon Abaev, who is 6-7, plays for Fear of God Athletics in the Overtime Elite league. In his first four games, he averaged 30.5 points with 7.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists.

In his sophomore year at Calvary Christian Academy, he played 22 games, averaging 12.0 ppg with 4.2 rpg and 1.5 apg. In his junior year, he improved his play and averaged 18.1 ppg with 6.3 rpg and 3.2 apg in 25 games.

Shon Abaev earned the MaxPreps Basketball Player of the Game award three times: once in 2022 and twice in 2023.