Chris Obekpa’s family.
Ever since Hakeem Olajuwon and Manute Bol captivated the nation with their larger-than-life tales of life in Africa and their basketball prowess, curiosity has followed every big man from that continent to his American college basketball career.
So it is with Chris Obekpa.
The St. John’s shot-blocking freshman phenom from Nigeria was an unknown when he arrived at Our Savior New American in Long Island as a junior in September 2010. But when he averaged a near triple-double — 12 points, 13 rebounds and nine blocked shots — as a senior, elite Division I schools got curious.
Now the 6-foot-9, 223-pound Obekpa has emerged as one of the more intriguing players in the game. About a third of the way through the 2012-13 season, he the has blocked more shots (64) than any player in the nation, and the Johnnies lead the Big East in blocks for the first time.
Yes, call him the Prince of Swat, a title he should wear comfortably. In his home village of Otukpo, Nigeria, Obekpa is a direct descendent of royalty and receives that level of respect.
His grandfather, who is known by the family name, Obekpa, is 7-feet tall and once held the title of chief of the land of the Idoma tribe. His father, Gabriel, is a prince. His uncle Elais has the title of His Royal Highness.
“It is not something I think about,’’ Obekpa told The Post. “But I am expected to set a good example for my family and my town people. My younger brothers look up to me and children at home do. You never know who is watching, so you must always be at your best. It is something I take very seriously.’’
So is playing defense. Obekpa already owns the St. John’s record for blocks in a game with 11 on Dec. 8 against Fordham. Barring injury, he will shatter Walter Berry’s single season record of 76. He does this with a 7-foot-5 wing span, a symphony conductor’s timing and a relentless pursuit of every shot.
“He’s more of a defensive player first,’’ his older brother Ofu told The Post. “That’s what he likes. He thinks anyone can score. Defense is something that people usually ignore.’’
In his first few post-game press conferences, Obekpa did his best to block any attention. He answered with short sentences always punctuated by an embarrassed laugh. He was a shy young man, still adjusting to a new culture.
“Oh, is he?’’ fellow freshman forward JaKarr Sampson said, mock shock on his face. “Well, around us he’s completely different. It’s like night and day, I guess. He’s the clown of the team. He’s the goofball. He’s the one always playing tricks on people, always making jokes. He’s that guy on our team.’’
He was that guy growing up in his home, too. The seventh of 10 children born to Alizabeth Ameh and Prince Gabriel Obekpa, Christopher Ewaoche Obekpa was the second son. He acted more like the clown prince than a prince.
“Gorilla impression,’’ Ofu said. “He does some pounding and stuff.’’
It was Ofu who took him to the outdoor courts in nearby Benue State.
“He fell in love with basketball right on the spot,’’ Ofu said.
Of course he did. In his first game he blocked a shot. On the next possession he went up for another block — only to get a forearm shiver in the chest. But that first block lingered like a first kiss.
When Ofu left for the United States (he played basketball at the University of Maine at Machias), Chris began to mature. Ofu sent him videos: a Phil Jackson coaching tape, an And1 street-ball reel.
Word of Obekpa began to circulate in the city of Jos, five hours north of Otukpo, where, along with Lagos, the Nigerian Basketball Federation develops its international teams. Obekpa’s eyes grow wide when he talks about playing on a hardwood court in an indoor gym for the first time. He was 15.
“I went to turn on the lights,’’ he said. “It was crazy. You couldn’t see nothing. I was like, ‘What the heck?’ And you look up, there was light everywhere. You can’t even see the basket. You had to get used to it, gradually.’’
Obekpa is just beginning to adjust to the college game. Against Baylor’s huge front line, Obekpa had two blocks but fouled out in just 17 minutes. The big bodies in the Big East will make it harder for him to use his quickness and wingspan.
Thus far, however, Obekpa has exceeded every expectation.
“He blocked a shot when he jumped, the guy went by him, he’s up in the air, he turned, then smacked if off the glass,’’ Sampson said of a block Obekpa made against St. Francis of Brooklyn. “There’s a lot of moments where I’m [thinking], ‘What in the world? How did he get that?’ ’’
Coach Steve Lavin still marvels more at Obekpa’s, well, royal bearing. An “old soul,” he says.
“Chris Jones came down and either back rimmed a dunk or threw it out of bounds,’’ Lavin said of the St. John’s freshman forward. “He fell to the ground, and the crowd was ‘Oh!’ The first guy over to pick him up, put his arm around him was Chris Obekpa. I got chills.’’
Yes, Obekpa is supplying thrills and chills. He’s blocking shots and breaking up teammates with spot-on mimicry. He’s a prince in Nigeria and the royal highness of shot blocking in America. His story is just unfolding.