Nashua’s Ebuka Okorie has been drafted as the 17th pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder but was later traded to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night, according to ABC.
The 19-year-old graduate of Brewster Academy is the highest draft pick ever from New Hampshire.
A 6′ 1″ guard coming off a sensational freshman season at Stanford, Okorie led the ACC in scoring with 23.2 points per game. He also averaged 3.6 rebounds and assists per game.
On the Pistons, Okorie will be a teammate of New Castle’s Duncan Robinson.
In an interview with News 9, Okorie talked about his journey to the highest level of basketball.
“Ever since I can remember as a little kid, my goal has always been to make the NBA, and honestly, just a lot of sacrifice, being whatever it was, for me to be able to get to this point,” said Okorie.
Despite moving far from home to play basketball after high school, Okorie hopes to inspire young Granite Staters.
“And also, I just hope I’m really just inspiring the next generation. Yeah, just really an inspiration for all those kids in New Hampshire,” said Okorie.
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At just 19 years old, Okorie said now is the perfect time to begin his NBA career.
“After this season, just talking with everyone around me and my whole support system, my whole sport, we really just felt like it was the best time for me to go for the draft,” said Okorie. “I had a pretty good season at Stanford, and I really feel like I’m ready to take on the next challenge.”
When asked about his goals for the league, Okorie said he wants to use his skills to help the team.
“Contribute however I can to help the team win. I feel like I’m a very versatile player, whether it’s scoring, playmaking, being disruptive on defense,” said Okorie.
“My main goal is really just to win. Hoping to have a long career in the NBA and really just take it day by day and really just be the best that I can be.”
His parents and three siblings are supporting his NBA journey.
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