Nathan Ekwu came to New York City two years ago to give himself the chance to attend college in America.
The native of Enugu, Nigeria, didn’t know he would end up being able to pick the school.
The 6-foot-7 forward has begun to tap into his vast potential this winter, leading CHSAA title contender Cardinal Hayes in rebounding and blocked shots.
College coaches have become very familiar with Ekwu, who began to draw Division I interest after playing with New Heights on the AAU circuit over the summer. Ekwu holds scholarship offers from Temple, Iona, Fairfield, St. Bonaventure, Quinnipiac and Duquesne. Minnesota, Boston College, Fordham, Buffalo and Providence also have expressed interest in the rapidly developing forward.
“It’s something that you see being reality,” Ekwu said. “You never knew how it was going to happen.”
Ekwu had a breakout performance in December, scoring 14 points against defending city and state champion Christ the King and Adonis Delarosa, the Royals’ highly recruited big man.
There is a difference of opinion on what level Edwu is best suited for. Hayes coach Joe Lods thinks he is an Atlantic-10 prospect, one college coach sees him as a possible high-major talent given he continues to improve and another coach feels the MAAC would be ideal.
“He can separate himself there,” the second coach said.
Across the board, the consensus is Ekwu’s greatest quality is his relentlessness on the court. It’s no surprise his favorite players are Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant because of their “competitive fire.”
“I’m doing something I like doing and I hope I end up doing it the rest of my life,” he said.
Lods said he feels Ekwu is just scratching the surface after only picking up the sport four years ago in Nigeria. Ekwu has just started flashing perimeter skills, such as a feathery 3-point shot.
“His upside is so high,” Lods said.
Like most kids growing up in Nigeria, Ekwu played soccer. One day, he watched basketball on television and was intrigued.
“I just loved the atmosphere,” he recalled.
Ekwu has impressed Lods more with his academic acumen than his basketball skills. He has a 95 average and wants to study economics in college. Ekwu just isn’t sure where yet.
“It’s a dream come true,” Ekwu said of the opportunity with which he finds himself. “I’m going to make the best out of my situation.”
Roselle (N.J.) Catholic junior Isaiah Briscoe, one of the top point guard prospects in the country, visited Rutgers on Thursday for its win over Temple.
Columbia hosted verbal commit C.J. Davis of Archbishop Molloy and sophomore point guard Ty Jerome from Iona Prep, in addition to Christian Vital, Salim Green, Jule Brown and Mike Almonacy for its game against St. John’s at Barclays Center last Saturday.
Football
Lincoln All-American defensive tackle and Penn State verbal commit Thomas Holley will wait for the Big Ten school to hire a new head coach before making a decision after Bill O’Brien left State College for the Texans. The future of interim head coach Larry Johnson, Holley’s lead recruiter, will play a major role, according to Lincoln coach Shawn O’Connor.