Chuma Okeke
Position: SF/PF
Country: Japan (Nigerian Father)
School: Auburn
Pick: Selected 16th by the Orlando Magic
Bio: Okeke grew up in Atlanta, but many don’t know that his real name is Chukwuma—given to him his Nigerian father. He spoke about the name’s importance to him in an interview with AuburnTigers.com last year.
“It means ‘God knows,’” says Okeke. “It’s cool knowing that I have a meaning behind my name, and not everybody in the world has a Chuma. I’m one of a kind.”
Okeke’s play and subsequent knee injury during the NCAA tournament became an inspiration for Auburn, who went on a one of a kind run to the Final Four. Okeke scored 20 points in Auburn’s upset win over number one seed North Carolina in the Sweet Sixteen. But late in the game, Okeke went down on a non-contact play that was later revealed to be a torn ACL.
Despite the injury, NBA scouts are intrigued by Okeke’s versatility. He’s a solid three-point shooter and ball handler, and despite his lack of size in the paint, Okeke is an adept post scorer who can finish through contact.
