Recruiting Wrap

Emmanuel Ochenje 'coming along'

Posted by: Jeremy Werner

Friday, October 16, 2009 8:21 AM

It's hard to miss Emmanuel Ochenje in the gym. Scouts and college programs have fawned over the 6-foot-9 sophomore's blend of height and athleticism. ChicagoHoops.com ranks the thin Brehm Prep standout as the No. 1 prospect in the state's Class of 2012.

But Brehm Prep coach Aaron Lee cautions that the Nigerian-born Ochenje is still a raw prospect.

"He's coming along," Lee said. "He's gotten stronger. He's beginning to understand what we expect of him. And of course, the best thing about freshmen is they become sophomores. They get smarter as they go. He's figuring things out, and it's showing in his play. It's showing in his work ethic. We're expecting him to play more this year and be a factor."

Ochenje, who averaged about eight points and five rebounds as a freshman, immigrated to the U.S. from Nigeria about a year ago. He is joined on the roster by another Africa native, 6-foot-6 junior James Siakam of Cameroon. The teammates share a background but are still very new to basketball, Lee said.

"They both make the same mistakes, so it's hard for them to help each other," Lee said. "Most kids from the states understand that if a guard breaks to the free throw line coming to the basket, you dive to the basket. They still don't always do that. So what should wind up being a dunk sometimes ends up being a 14-foot jump shot. ...They both are making the same mental errors."

Some of the schools that have shown early interest in Ochenje include Illinois, Kansas, Wake Forest, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, LSU, Purdue, Oregon and Oregon State. None have extended the sophomore a scholarship offer yet. But schools will continue to monitor his development.

"His athleticism will, at some point in time, make him very versatile," Lee said. "Emmanuel, if he works hard, could be pretty versatile at 6-foot-9 because he shoots the ball well from outside. That 15 or 17-foot jump shot, he hits consistently. For him, it's a matter of where he improves first. Because we want him to start in with his back to the basket and then work his way out, not the other way around. He still needs to work on his footwork and develop better habits."

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