Emmanuel Okeke '25 Recruiting Profile

As an immigrant from Nigeria, I had the opportunity to come to the U.S. at the age of 3. Maryland, in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S., became home to my family of eight. When I first arrived here, it was like a whole different world where technology was accessible and at the touch of your fingertips. Televisions, desktops at home and at the library, tablets, cell phones, game consoles, and systems. When my family had a TV and later on a computer, I was glued to TV watching cartoons such as Dragon Ball Z Kai and playing games on my father's laptop, even though he repeatedly told me not to play games on the laptop and tablet. But little 4-year-old me still kept playing, ignoring my father's remarks and keeping playing. And as I grew up, I started to learn about more forms of technology, primarily game consoles like the Nintendo DS, Xbox, and PlayStation 4. As life progressed and as I grew, I needed to "wake up and smell the coffee.''In middle school, I took charge of my grades and didn't allow slip-ups or any failing grades, even despite some teachers harboring animosity against me for my excellence. It didn't stop me from being recognized by other students and lending a helping hand to others in class, but what really made me who I am would be when I lost my grandmother, and she died on my birthday. I didn't shed tears but became really empty inside. It was shown through my daily basketball practices with my coaches and affected my game, as it caused me to mature and be forward with my approach to life. Which brings me to where I am now. 

One of my aspirations is to achieve greatness and make a name for myself both in the basketball world and in the fields of engineering and cybersecurity. As an immigrant from Nigeria, I had the opportunity to come to the U.S. at the age of 3. My family of eight settled in Maryland, in the mid-Atlantic region. Initially, educators were concerned about my transition, but I quickly demonstrated my reading and writing proficiency, earning several academic awards.

This academic success continued in middle school, where I often assisted my classmates with papers and other tasks when my teacher was busy helping others. During my last year of middle school, the global pandemic dramatically changed the academic environment. Despite these challenges, I maintained strong grades and became aware of new opportunities.

I believe I am a strong candidate because I excel in teamwork, building strong relationships, and demonstrating leadership. Although I am a quiet person and take time to open up, those who get to know me—my coaches and teachers—appreciate my behavior and work ethic. My background and family place a strong emphasis on academics, believing it to be just as important, if not more so, than basketball.

In addition to my academic and athletic pursuits, I am actively involved in various groups and organizations, such as Upward Bound, Boys Mentoring, the Future Engineers Club, and the National Honor Society. These experiences have further developed my skills and reinforced my commitment to excellence in all areas of my life