Charles Okwandu is in his junior year as a Center for the UConn Huskies.  He’s only been playing basketball for three years.  “After I graduated from high school in Nigeria, I started watching some professional basketball players.  Then my mom took me to a basketball court, and I’ve been playing since then.”

Charles’ most memorable experience so far is coming to America.  It took three years to get here, but he’s here to stay.

Charles made his decision to come to UConn because he wanted to learn from Hasheem Thabeet (current UConn player).  “I watched Connecticut on television, and I loved to watch Hasheem.  Hasheem is 7’3” and I’m 7’1” so I want to play like him, and want to be like him.”

After spending his first year of college at Harcum Junior College in Pennsylvania, with a Division II basketball program, he transferred to UConn.  “I’m here in Connecticut.  It’s a very big transition but it’s a great one.”

Final Four Bound:  “It’s going to take hard work to get to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Final Four but I see it, a dream come true.”