Oleka is the DMV's New Phoenix
Ron Bailey, Publisher
Another player has risen from nowhere...the ashes so to speak.
August 10, 2011 - From time to time soon-to-be high
school senior wows college recruiters, instantly jumping on the recruiting
boards of schools across the land. Of course the District-Maryland-Virginia
(DMV) area produces such late bloomers, with now National Basketball Association
professional Jeff Green exploding going into his senior season in 2003,
and two years ago current college junior Thomas Robinson following the
same script. Green ended up at Georgetown, while Robinson is currently
at Kansas.
Green did his high school hoops work at Northwestern High School (MD),
which was home for two years of the next DMV player to rise from nothing
- Obinna Oleka.
Obinna Oleka has made himself a hotly recruited player.
Standing 6'8" and weighing around 6'8", Oleka, a forward known
as Obie to those who know him, skyrocketed to prominence via a stellar
Reebok Camp performance. Media reports and word of mouth had him finishing
everything around the cup, filling lanes and defending there. On the travel
circuit, Obie plays for Kids First Basketball, coached by Lyndon 'Black'
DeBellotte.
"I mostly played the four (power forward) at Reebok" recalled
Oleka, currently a senior at Florida Christian (FL), of his experience
at that national level camp. "Later on, one coach said 'I see you
dunking. I saw you in West Virginia (with Kids First) dribbling'. He thought
I could be an impact player at a high level".
With an ever improving mid to long range shooting wheelhouse, that assessment definitely holds true. Though interested in the prospect, he's not married to the idea of playing high major hoops, saying while dripping sweat after a recent perimeter based workout "I'm just looking for the best fit".
What does that actually entail right now?
"A team that gets up and down the floor" he answered. "Playing defense and getting easy shots". Academically, Oleka plans on majoring in criminal justice.
Oleka after a workout.
His Kids First coach and mentor, DeBellotte, also added other concerns,
sharing "We always talk about life after basketball. Some coaches
care about the kids, some could care less - that's important. Also support
services are paramount"; the focus on academics is prominent in the
mix. So much so, Obie shared his mother, Cordi "doesn't care about
basketball. She just wants me to go to college. Just go!” The group
is also evaluating "track records with the pros", per DeBellotte.
Options have been generated.
Missouri, UAB, Appalachian State, Charlotte, George Washington, and Cleveland
State, in no special order, comprise Oleka's leaders, all of whom have
offered scholarships. Joining them in extending that benefit and are being
considered by Obie are Florida Gulfcoast, Towson, Hampton, Longwood, Morehead
State, Robert Morris, Furman, Radford, Creighton, LaSalle and Fairfield.
Seton Hall, DePaul, Arizona State, Oregon State, Clemson and Rutgers have all expressed strong interest. Expect other high majors to join them and Missouri, as Oleka will surely garner more attention during his senior season.
So just what has made a player who this time last year nobody knew, a budding household name in recruiting circles?
"It's all the hard work he put in the 'lab', said DeBellotte, a
player known as one of the best DMV scorers in the last 30 years, of their
gym session. He knows I'm a task master. The first time he was kind of
apprehensive, but he saw the nurturing I do with all the kids. He always
listened, comes in the gym and works on his game. He does the little things
to get better".
During this summer, DeBelotte shared Oleka, a natural finisher "impressed
coaches with hitting shots out to 25 feet, bringing the ball down, communicating
with teammates and playing defense". Add his motor to that skill
set.
Going forward that development will continue on several fronts, including
"passing, footwork and defense", according to Obie. Being rather
nonplussed regarding the attention - he shared “I feel better when
little kids give me love more than adults – I like kids” -
it’s a good bet he will not lose focus.
DeBellotte has no hesitation his young charge will continue improving,
given Oleka's history and maturation: "He rose like the Phoenix,
from ashes. Tears came to my eyes when he realized what he can finally
do".
That obviously, is a lot.
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