Providence in the Mix for UNLV Transfer Goodluck Okonoboh

Goodluck Okonoboh announced his intention to transfer from UNLV on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Because of the timing, some fans might have missed the news or forgotten that the former NEPSAC big man and top-30 recruit in the class of 2014 is now available and looking for a new home for the final 1.5 years of college eligibility. Okonoboh is looking to enroll somewhere for the second semester and would have to sit out that semester and the Fall semester next year before becoming eligible for competition, per NCAA transfer rules.

New England Recruiting Report writing at Cox Hub is reporting that Providence is one of the many schools in the mix for the 6’10 shot-blocking extraordinaire from Boston. Other schools mentioned in the article include Arizona State, Georgetown, Tennessee and UConn, though there are likely many other high profile schools inquiring about Okonoboh’s services.  Providence can certainly use a shot-blocking presence on their roster next season, even if they would have to wait until mid-to-late December 2016 to actually include Okonoboh in competition.

The Friars have Ben Bentil who is having a breakout season early in 2015-16, but Bentil is suited better long term to play the 4 position and he doesn’t figure to develop into a real shotblocker. Okonoboh finished his freshman season last year 26th in Block % in the nation, according to Kenpom.com. For some context, Carson Desrosiers was 20th that same year. The Friars do have an open scholarship at the moment. Because Okonoboh wants to limit his time off the court, he would need to either pay his way for a semester or receive a scholarship for the Spring semester at whatever school he chooses. Providence doesn’t have any open scholarships for next season but those things have a way of working themselves out.

Follow me on Twitter @pcbb1917

About Author

Mike Hopkins

See author's posts