The men's basketball team has had its share of ups and downs during the season, but forward Daniel Okonkwo, BR '97, has been a model of consistency. Since the beginning of Ivy League play in mid-January, Okonkwo has averaged 11.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, both team highs. He has scored in double figures 15 times so far this season, and has double-digit rebounds in nine games, giving him nine double-doubles. This is even more impressive in light of the fact that no Yale player recorded a single double-double during the entire 1994-95 season.
But what about defense, you ask? Well, he also leads the team in steals with 44, including five against Big East powerhouse Connecticut. In fact, he is one steal away from tying the all-time Yale record for most steals in a season (45).
But the road to being Yale's top all-around performer was far from smooth. "I was the last person to make the team in high school," Okonkwo said. "I didn't work that hard, kind of took things for granted. But after that I thought, 'Damn that was close.'" The scare helped Okonkwo turn things around, and by the third game of that first high school season he was starting. "I worked hard and played good defense. Being able to defensively stop anyone on a given night helped make up for any lack of offensive threat."
His freshman year at Yale, Okonkwo had a good season, averaging almost seven points and four rebounds a game. But although his numbers were up his sophomore year, he admits he did not live up to his potential. "I stopped working as hard."
This year, however, has certainly been a different story. The numbers are up again-this time dramatically-and coach Dick Kuchen has nothing but praise for his junior forward. "Dan's got a tremendous work ethic and he's got a lot of athletic ability. But the key thing about Dan is that he's bringing other things to his own game-he's improving his basketball game in a lot of areas. He's worked on his penetration to the basket, his ability to shoot the 15-foot jump shot, and his moves in the block area, the intensity that he plays with. Some of those qualities in his game I didn't necessarily see last year, and that's what's neat about it."
Okonkwo takes great pride in doing what he calls "the dirty work." "I'm just a guy who does his job: plays defense, rebounds." And although he has definitely found the scoring touch this season, defense and rebounding distinguish him. He is currently second in the Ivy League with 205 rebounds on the season, despite the fact that he is a full two inches shorter than the league leader, Kyle Snowden of Harvard. Tim Krug of Pennsylvania, with one rebound fewer than Okonkwo, is five inches taller.
"Rebounding is something I take personally," Okonkwo said. "It's a whole lot easier to score off of an offensive rebound than it is to drive around three people. And being a rebounding threat opens up the offense for the rest of the guys."
"Danny is gifted in a lot of areas that would make a guy an excellent rebounder," Kuchen said. "You still, however, have to have the instinct to go after the basketball. Danny has got that instinct."
That same instinct has vaulted Okonkwo to within 38 steals of the all-time career steals mark of 136 here at Yale. If he keeps up his current pace (1.8 steals/game) throughout the end of this season and into the next, he should easily break the record.
Okonkwo attributes much of his success to simply listening to coaches. "I listen objectively to the coaches, and try to do what they say. For instance, in the Penn game they told me I would have to stop [Ira] Bowman." Stop him he did. Bowman came into the game averaging almost 17 points a contest. Okonkwo held the player of the year candidate to a mere seven. This helped Yale to accomplish the incredible, beating Penn 62-60.
Kuchen also recognizes Okonkwo's willingness to learn as one of his biggest assets. "Dan has got that wisdom to take what you give him and try to work at it and apply it to his game. He's done a great job and I think that's the reason for his improvement."
As for the intangibles that can make a team go, both player and coach acknowledge the leadership Okonkwo has provided. The Elis have a remarkably young team, with a host of sophomores and freshmen seeing significant minutes. "People who watch us might wonder why the heck we make some of the mistakes we do," Kuchen said. "A lot of it is maturity. Both Dan and Jim [Rosneck, ES '97] have been guys that have helped out and been positive. It's really helping the younger guys in the program."
Okonkwo realizes he is setting an example when he performs on the court. "I lead by example. I'm not vocal. I just do my job." There are, however, aspects of his game that Okonkwo thinks he can improve. "I'd like to think I can shoot the ball better. By expanding my range I add a whole new dimension to my game."
That drive to make himself a better player is nothing new. Kuchen summed up, "He has been a guy who has really improved a great deal over the year. He works hard every day in practice to get better as a player, and he's going to continue to get better. Danny is just kind of maturing as a basketball player. It's great to watch him grow and develop."
Hopefully, the outstanding play of Daniel Okonkwo will continue as the Bulldogs round out their 1995-96 season. The Blue will travel to Dartmouth to tip it off with the Big Green on Fri., Mar. 1. After that contest, the Elis will travel to Cambridge, Mass. to play their last game against archrival Harvard on Sat., Mar. 2.
Yale's squad hopes to avenge embarrassing losses to both squads as well as avoiding a season-ending position in last place in the Ancient Eight. During a season in which not a lot could be heralded, Dan Okonkwo will try to finish proving to everyone why his actions speak louder than his words.
Copyright 1996, The Yale Herald, Inc. All rights reserved.
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