(Editor’s note: Carroll College athletics release)
HELENA — Carroll College men’s basketball added a dynamic player to its roster when it signed 6-foot-7 Ifeanyi Okeke of La Verne, California.
“Ifeanyi brings a unique skill set to our program which includes a combination of high academic success, high character, hard work and athleticism,” Saints coach Kurt Paulson said. “He is the type of player we were looking for all year with his ability to get up around the rim. He will be able to defend in our conference with his length and quickness. He is an unbelievable jumper and his length allows him to get to the rim quickly for finishes and blocking shots.”
Okeke comes to the Saints after a solid prep career at Damien High. The Spartans finished with a 25-6 record and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Division 1 playoffs in California. He averaged 8.3 points, seven rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game his senior season.
The athletic defender figures to be a key contributor to Carroll’s rebounding efforts and defensive game plan while he develops into a threat on the offensive end.
“He has played in very high quality programs and will come in with a great knowledge of what it takes to win,” Paulson said. “At 6-7, his frame will allow him to add muscle and get stronger once he arrives at campus and he already has a great feel for the game with his passing and scoring ability. Like all of our players, he can shoot well from outside. We are proud that he chose Carroll College to further his academic and basketball career.”
Okeke shores up a need on the interior after the graduation of Carroll’s bevy of 6-8 players Matt Wyman, Match Burnham and Alejandro Santos Piqueras, whose length allowed them to score from inside and out. He becomes the sixth player in the Saints’ 2019 recruiting class.
Carroll went 29-8 last season and advanced to the NAIA National Championship game.
2019 Carroll College Men’s Basketball Recruiting Class
Ifeanyi Okeke, 6-7, F, La Verne, California
Dennis Flowers III, 6-2, G, La Canada, California
Brendan Temple, 6-7, wing, Castle Rock, Colorado
Sayer Patton, 6-3, wing, Choteau, Montana
Gaven Ramirez, 6-6, wing, Corona, California
Jonny Hillman, 6-2, G, Post Falls, Idaho
