Unlike Michael Bolton in "Office Space,"
Champlin Park senior Emeka Okafor has no ill
feelings about his name becoming popular for
reasons beyond his control.
Okafor, who plays
for the Rebels basketball team, and Charlotte
Bobcats center Emeka Okafor are third cousins.
Born in Nigeria, the younger Okafor came to
Minnesota in 1996. About a half-dozen years
later, his older cousin became a standout
basketball player at the University of
Connecticut, and life was never the same.
Okafor, a 6-7 forward, entered the week
boasting numbers to make his third cousin proud.
He averages 11.9 points and 10.6 rebounds a game
and also leads the Northwest Suburban Conference
with 40 blocked shots.
He spoke with Star Tribune reporter David La
Vaque about his famous third cousin, his role at
Champlin Park (12-11) and his team's chances
down the stretch.
Q I can't even name one of my third
cousins, so I don't suppose you guys hang out
too often. But how often do you see him?
A Every time he comes to town for a
game, he calls and gets me tickets. I have his
number and call him from time to time, but
usually during the season he's pretty busy.
Q How long has basketball been your
sport?
A This is only about my sixth year
playing basketball, and I didn't get serious
about it until ninth grade. I was only
5-foot-11, but I figured I would grow a little
bit. I gave Emeka a call and asked for his
advice on what to work on. He always told me to
work on my ballhandling. It helps when you can
take the other teams' post players off the
dribble.
Q Is being a basketball player and
having the same name as an NBA player ever a
burden?
A It can be. I get heckled by fans.
They'll say, 'You're Emeka Okafor, you're
supposed to be in the NBA.' Or I'll hear,
'You're supposed to be their best player, why
are you missing a shot?' [Laughs] I don't let
that get to me.
Q Coach said you played some varsity
last season, but this has really been your big
year. Is it a relief knowing you are good at
this game?
A It definitely is. There's pressure,
not only with my name, but being 6-foot-7,
you're supposed to be good at basketball. I'm
trying to work hard and get to the next level.
Q Your cousin was an academic
All-America as well. Talk about having to live
up to a high standard.
A It's hard sometimes because any time
I might slack a little on school work my parents
will say, 'Well, Emeka did what he did in
basketball and had a 3.7 GPA,' or whatever.
Q Coach Tuchscherer said you have the
ability to score points, but your biggest
strength is your willingness to do whatever is
needed.
A I came into the season thinking I
needed to score about 20 points a game. But guys
have stepped up as the season went along and we
have good scoring balance. I just do whatever I
can to help. I'll block a shot, grab a rebound,
whatever it takes.
Q Your team lost by only nine to Osseo
(24-0) the second time around. Is that a measure
of your team's improvement at this point of the
season?
A I think so. Coach told us to be
playing our best ball late in the season, and I
think we're doing that. We're making fewer
turnovers and really pressing the ball well.
DAVID LA VAQUE
