Okwandu Commits To UConn

Chukwuma 'Charles' Okwandu, a 7-foot-1 center from Nigeria, said during his official visit to UConn Saturday that he was in no rush to decide on a college.

Less than a week later, he has landed at UConn.

Okwandu, who is attending Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, Pa., gave the Huskies an oral commitment Wednesday and will sign a letter of intent this week.

He will join guards Kemba Walker (New York) and Scottie Haralson (Jackson, Miss.) as first-year players at UConn next fall. UConn received a letter of intent from Haralson Wednesday, the first day of the spring signing period. Walker signed in November.

Okwandu, who has three years of eligibility left, originally committed to Arizona. But he couldn't go because of problems with his visa and ended up at Harcum, a junior college.

He could be looked at as a replacement for Hasheem Thabeet, if Thabeet decides to enter the NBA. Okwandu, who plans to major in international business, said Saturday he hopes Thabeet returns. 'I could maybe learn from him,' he said.

Okwandu had also planned to visit West Virginia and Villanova, calling those schools and UConn his best three options among many.

UConn is still expecting a visit from Ater Majok, a 6-10 center from Sudan via Australia, on April 24. Majok, the main target of UConn's frontcourt recruiting efforts, is considered to have the ability to make an immediate impact. Okwandu, on the other hand, is raw, having played only 4 1/2 years. But at 255 pounds, he is thicker than Thabeet and provides an instant defensive presence.

With guard Doug Wiggins transferring, Okwandu can slide right into an open roster spot. With at least one other player likely to transfer - and with he possibility of Hasheem Thabeet, leaving - there could be a minimum of two other scholarships available.

The Huskies are waiting to see if Nate Miles, a 6-7 guard/forward from Toledo, Ohio, who has made an oral commitment, will qualify academically.

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