Ace Sports
He has the nickname, the stellar inside game, and now Syracuse hoops has its second verbal commitment for the class of 2013. Three-star Bishop Kearney HS Center Chinonso Obokoh (Chin-nun-so) tells The Fizz he “felt at home” while on campus Friday for Orange Madness. It was the main reason why the 6’10” 220 lb senior chose Syracuse so quickly right after his visit.
“It feels great. I’m so happy it’s over… I think I felt at home when I got there. I haven’t been on campus before, but I always came for basketball camps, but I felt at home.”
The Rochester native was deciding between SU, Villanova, Texas, Temple and James Madison. But he had too much fun with the Orange on Friday night inside the Dome.
Maybe it’s something about wild SU events that these kids can’t get enough of. “Chino” is looking forward to playing for The Per’fessor and Coach Mike Hopkins, who recruited him. He has a great relationship with Hopkins, and says he can’t wait to work with him over the next few years. But sitting in front of the thousands of screaming fans inside the Loudhouse, he couldn’t resist. Obokoh is eager to play in front of crowds of 30,000 plus.
“Absolutely. It’s kind of like a dream come true to play in that kind of an atmosphere. It’s going to be big. I haven’t experienced that kind of a big crowd, but I know it’s going to be a great thing.”
Chinonso is the second Orange commit for the class of 2013. He joins SG Tyler Ennis who commit back in August. Obokoh also loved the Syracuse Whitman Business School, which he will enroll in in 2013.
This is a huge pickup for SU. Chino is a true shot blocker, and brings length and mobility inside the paint. He will work nicely in the 2-3 zone. At just 220 lbs. he can get up and down the floor with ease. He explained to The Fizz the trademarks of his game.
“I’m a defensive player; I block shots, I rebound the ball. And also, I’m a runner, I run the floor well, and also I do some stuff that other big guys can’t do in terms of speed. I can get down the floor easily, and I can track down guards with my own speed.”
The Nigeria native averaged 14.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, and nearly five blocks a game for the Kings his junior year. He’s a double-double machine. More importantly, Obokoh also tells us he might do a little recruiting of Bishop Kearney teammate Thomas Bryant. The class of 2015 prospect is regarded as the top PF, and the 13th best prospect in the nation according to ESPN. He is getting some serious interest from SU.
Obokoh also hinted to The Fizz that more good news may be on the horizon for SU. Fellow ’13 recruit, SF BJ Johnson, the fifth best prospect in Pennsylvania who was also at Orange Madness on Friday, is making his decision on Wednesday between SU, Villanova, Rutgers and Temple. Chino said he had a good feeling about the Lower Merion HS product. Reading the tea leaves, it looks like Johnson will be choosing Syracuse.
What a week it could be for the hoops squad: two commitments in just two days. Johnson is a 6’7” 180 lb. swingman who’s game is perfect for SU and its zone. So look out, it might be Christmas in October for Orange fans.
Posted: Kevin Fitzgerald
