College Commitment: Chuka Mekkam (2017 Jesuit/Vincennes JC)
It’s been a journey the past three years for Chuka Mekkam, but it’s one that will end at college basketball’s highest level. The shifty 6-foot point guard graduated from Jesuit High School in 2017, went to prep school for a year, and spent the last two seasons in junior college in Indiana. But along the way Mekkam developed his game, picked up a NJCAA national championship, and is now headed D-I having committed to Drexel University over Memorial Day weekend.
“I had heard a lot about Coach Spiker and his success not only on the court but just developing his players to be amazing off the court,” Mekkam said. “It’s an environment I wanted to be apart of.”
Coach Spiker is Drexel head coach Zach Spiker. Mekkam noted the Dragons came in late in his recruitment, of which he was getting looked at by several D-I and D-II programs after this past year at Vincennes. But when it came down to it, the feel Mekkam got with Spiker was what ultimately made the difference for him.
“We just built a very good relationship the past couple weeks,” Mekkam said. “He was very different, genuine type of guy that will not only make me a better player but a better person.”
If you had lost track of Mekkam the past three years, he’s been playing at a high level ever since he left Jesuit. He first played a year of prep school at famed Bridgton Academy in Maine. From there, the point guard went to traditional JC power Vincennes where as a freshman he averaged 2.4 points and 3.0 assists in a key reserve role on a NJCAA national title team. This past year as as sophomore, Mekkam stepped into the starting lineup and averaged 8.0 points and 4.5 assists with a greater than 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. His development as an all-around point guard is what ascended him to college basketball’s highest level and he’s grateful for how it all went for him.
“I played for the best junior college coach ever which was a blessing,” Mekkam said. “I’d say I was always a good defender, but he taught me attention to detail. I got better at pressuring defenders and beating ball screens. We spent countless hours in the gym working on developing a more consistent jumper. In high school I could’t shoot the ball to save my life, this season I shot 37 from 3.”
“I got better at pick and roll situations as well,” Mekkam continued. “Honestly I’d say its night and day. Coach (Todd) Franklin really helped me ascend my game.”
COMMITTED!!! Excited to announce that I will be furthering by education and collegiate basketball career at Drexel University! #DragonNation #allglorytogod 🐉 🐉 🐉 pic.twitter.com/STvLtumj9P
— Chuka Mekkam (@cmekk5) May 24, 2020