Kerwin Okoro said he’s looking forward to playing with Tavon Sledge at Iowa State. (christina santucci)
St. Raymond swingman Kerwin Okoro, one of the top rising seniors in New York City, has verbally committed to Iowa State, The Post has learned.
Okoro, who took an unofficial visit to Ames in January, informed Cyclones coach Fred Hoiberg Sunday night.
“It feels right,” Okoro said. “I’ve been in touch with a couple of players going there, especially [Half Hollows Hills West guard] Tavon Sledge. They’re getting a lot of verbals and I wanted to be a part of it. It felt like the perfect time.”
Okoro chose the Cyclones over Seton Hall, Pittsburgh and Dayton, who all offered the Bronx native. Iowa State was also on him since his sophomore year and were the most aggressively recruiting him, according to St. Raymond coach Oliver Antigua.
“It’s great to have a kid commit to a high-major Division I school, continuing the tradition of excellent in basketball at St. Raymond’s,” Antigua said. “I’m happy for him because it’s always been a dream of his to play D-I.”
Okoro said it was important for him to see how committed Hoiberg and his staff were to him, saying they were the most consistent during the recruiting process.
“It showed me how much they really wanted me,” Okoro said.
Okoro, who was named second team all-city by The Post, averaged 13.6 points per game, helping lead the Ravens to the CHSAA Class AA intersectional semifinals despite playing with a badly injured right thumb throughout the season.
Now healthy, he’s elevated his game with the Long Island Lightning, one of the area’s premier AAU programs, and has set winning the CHSAA Class AA title as a senior after back-to-back semifinals losses to Christ the King a top priority.
“I had a few things I was worrying about, including what to do with my recruitment,” Okoro said. “But now that I’ve gotten that out of the way and I know where I’m going to be playing college basketball, I can focus on trying to win a city and state championship at St. Raymond. We’ve come close the last few years and it means a lot to the seniors that we close out our high-school careers the right way.”
Antigua said Iowa State, which was the first school to offer in the fall, likes Okoro’s versatility and motor and sees him as someone who could play both the two and three guard positions.
“I think Kerwin’s better basketball will be coming down the road,” Antigua said. “He’s still working on changing his body and improving his jump shot. He’s got unbelievable heart and great work ethic. That will translate to the college game.”
Okoro, who is on track to qualify academically, said he likes the Cyclones up-tempo style of play and he’s relieved the recruiting process is over.
“I want to thank all my AAU coaches, coach Antigua and my family,” Okoro said. “It made my mother and my family real proud. I’m getting a free education, which is the most important thing. I’m thankful and I’m going to continue to work hard.”