Nwankwo Joins Men's Basketball Recruiting Class
5/11/2017 1:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State University head coach Rob Senderoff has announced the addition of Jonathan Nwankwo to the 2017 men's basketball recruiting class.
We're pleased to add Jonathan Nwankwo to the program," said Senderoff. "Obviously, he has tremendous size and strength. The one thing we really needed to add was a big, physical presence inside, and that's what Jonathan is."
Nwankwo was born in Lagos Nigeria and has spent six years living in the United State. He attended high school first in The Bronx, New York before attending Victory Prep in Bradenton, Florida. The 6-9 forward first attended college at VCU, where he redshirted before transferring to junior college power, College of Southern Idaho. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
"He has had a unique journey to the United State and now to Kent State, one that I think our fans will really enjoy," noted Senderoff. "He was coached this past year at the College of Southern Idaho by a tremendous junior college coach in Jared Phay. He's been well coached and we're excited for him to start in June."
In his redshirt freshman year in Idaho, Nwankwo averaged 9.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. He shot an efficient 60.2 percent from the floor and 76.7 percent from the free throw line. Nwankwo was sidelined by an injury 18 games into the season, but his early campaign was highlighted by a 15 point, 13 rebound performance against Gillette on Dec. 3.
Nwankwo joins a class that also includes Ohio high school standout BJ Duling and recently signed post players in Akiean Frederick and Philip Whittington. All four signees in this year's class are listed at 6-7 or taller.
