Akachi Okugo is a crafty, quick point guard who is the No. 12 ranked player in the NorCalPreps.com 2012 boys basketball rankings. He started playing organized basketball since he was six years old and was the first varsity freshman starter for the Jesuit High Marauders of the Delta River League. As a sophomore on the team, Okugo helped the Marauders to a 22-7 record that ended with a second round loss in the state playoffs to Oakmont 82-70. Okugo averaged 9 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals per contest.
At 6-foot-1 and 165 pounds, Okugo considers himself to be a finesse player because he is skilled at different game situations and considers his in n out crossover dribble to be his most effective move. When asked whose game he models his after, Okugo compares himself to San Antonio Spur Tony Parker because of his ability to use his speed to get by people and to use floaters. Jesuit HS Coach Greg Harcos says of Okugo's strengths, "He is a competitor and wants to be great. He is a natural leader and as a point guard that helps tremendously. Has great handles and understanding of the game."
During this summer, Okugo has been working out and playing with him summer team, Team Superstars. Okugo says of experience playing with Team Superstars and with highly-skilled teammates that include Arik Armstead, Andre Mcphail, Quincy Smith, and Roderick Bobbit, "We played well as a team and didn't have any selfish players."
This Marauder has been working on a midrange jump shot because it will then force defenders to respect both his perimeter shot and finishing skills. In addition to unleashing this new jump shot, Okugo wants to see all his personal stats increase for his junior year and that would help lead the Marauders to a section title and a deeper run in the state title. Okugo will team with shooting guard Parker U'u to make an effective duo for Jesuit.
U'u says, "Akachi has the ability to compete at a high level. He can be a very positive leader and really gets players pumped up. If he works on managing a team and getting everyone involved, he will become a better player. We plan on working extremely hard on the court to secure our playoff spot. With Akachi as one of our point guards, it will be easy getting the ball to our whole team which is a necessity to our success this season. With our chemistry and ability to run the floor, it should be interesting to see what happens this season."
Speedy point guards that make good decisions are a necessity at the college level and Okugo is being courted by some programs already. Cal, Nevada, Notre Dame, Penn (Michael Martin), Portland (Eric Jackson), Stanford, and UC Davis have contacted him. He has no geography restrictions and has only made some unofficial visits to local programs. Coach Harcos says of Okugo's college future, "Akachi will play somewhere at the DI level because he is so driven. With two years left, where remains to be determined. He works so hard and uses all criticisms as motivation. He is a gym rat and is always looking to improve. He needs to continue to work on his shot and getting others involved. If he does so, I know he will make the jump to the DI level."
This Marauder wants to attend a program that gets up and down and where the coaches are a right "fit" for him as a player and person. Academically, Okugo has a 3.60 GPA and has not taken the SATs yet. He is undecided on his major but his favorite subject is English.
AO11, nickname that is a combination of his initials and jersey number, used to play soccer but focuses on basketball now. His older brother, Amobi Okugo, was a soccer star for UCLA and is now a midfielder for a Major League Soccer team, the Philadelphia Union. Akachi Okugo, whose name means "Hand of God" in Nigerian dialect, considers himself to be a comedian and likes to sing. Watch for Okugo's holy hands on the court in Carmichael, CA this upcoming season.
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