Onye Ezeakudo – 6’0” | G | Homestead High School | Class of 2018
Onye Ezeakduo has fully taken advantage of his situation this season. With Homestead graduating a good amount of their team to college, Onye has stepped into the void and filled it well. Ezeakudo is a Senior at Homestead High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is anticipating getting into either biology or engineering in college.
“I’ve been contacted by a lot of DIII schools… and a couple NAIA schools.” The list includes Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Trine University, Manchester University, and Case Western Reserve University.
Onye has been outstanding this season when it comes to scoring the ball at all three levels. His first step off the catch is incredibly quick and he’s a good finisher at the rim under-duress. He uses both hands well around the basket and has a soft touch when he’s able to get the ball up on the rim.
Ezeakudo has been especially efficient from deep. As he’s developed more skills with the ball in his hands, he’s become creative in getting his own shot. He moves well off the ball to get open, running off screens and using his basketball IQ to find weaknesses in the defense. Onye is opportunistic when he gets a switch with the big man on him and attacks the basket to score.
“I think we are playing pretty good defensively and lately our offense has been starting to click.” Homestead is currently sitting at 6-6 after beating Snider last night. “The biggest thing we need to improve on is finishing games. We need to focus on playing better in crunch time.”
The Spartans have dropped three games by a single possession and all but one loss by single digits. They are learning as the season goes on how to give themselves a chance late in the game but need to be able to make winning plays down the stretch.
Ezeakudo has shown leadership late in games, bringing the team together and stressing the importance of each and every possession. Onye creates off the bounce to get his own shot and has been able to get others involved with easy opportunities. “I think I’ve been shooting the ball pretty well and setting up my teammates well too.” He uses the ball-screen action to create stuff going to the rim and catches the ball ready to shoot on every touch.
As the season peaks and teams start heading down the home stretch, Onye is aware of what it’s going to take to be successful late in the season. He was a crucial piece to the Spartans late season success last year but knows this year, he is the guy. “I need to work on my ball handling, being a better facilitator, and controlling the pace of the game.”
Keep an eye on the Spartans as Onye Ezeakudo looks to stay on his hot streak and lead them to a late post season run. Ezeakudo has been flying under-the-radar but is stepping into the spotlight and performing at a high level.
Hudl Profile: http://www.hudl.com/profile/6851730/onye-ezeakudo
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