The Big Interview: Louis O’Keefe

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wednesday evening <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1660040' first='Louis' last='O'Keefe'] </strong>shared his time with me. We talked about an assortment of topics pertaining to his basketball past, present, and future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He attends Ensworth and plays AAU with Arkansas Hawks/Hoop City 16u. They are playing together for most events.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN Andrew Force</strong>: How do you feel about your basketball career so far?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1660040' first='Louis' last='O'Keefe']: </strong>It has been my main focus since I was very young. I finally received my first offer about two weeks ago, which was great. I go to Ensworth right now in Nashville. I am looking forward to having a great rest of the summer and great school year next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN Andrew Force</strong>: Are you able to tell the difference between the camp invitations to get a large camp and players being invited for the purpose of actual recruiting them?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1660040' first='Louis' last='O'Keefe']: </strong> Yes. For sure. In my experience, for example, I was going to go to their Elite Camp. They came to watch me play at the Team Camp. He actually watched me at team camp, so it felt like it was more purposeful to go to their camp. Same with Columbia. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If a school just reaches out and sends you a copy/paste to invite you an elite camp, then that is not as 'meaningful.'</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN Andrew Force</strong>: Who are some of the top 2026's around middle Tennessee in your eyes?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1660040' first='Louis' last='O'Keefe']: </strong>In Nashville, I would say [player_tooltip player_id='1560719' first='Trey' last='Pearson'] at Pope. And then in Memphis, [player_tooltip player_id='1760993' first='Keeper' last='Jackson']. Those guys I have played with a lot. [player_tooltip player_id='1572632' first='Cam' last='Blivens']. He is really good. I have always played with an against him. Same with [player_tooltip player_id='1508978' first='Jarron' last='Talley']. Both played and against. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN Andrew Force</strong>: He is at Columbia? Gerard. Your brother?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1660040' first='Louis' last='O'Keefe']:</strong> Yes. He is leaving for there next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN Andrew Force</strong>: Have you been to visit there before?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1660040' first='Louis' last='O'Keefe']:</strong> No, I will probably visit him sometime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[Columbia] went to most of my games in the LIVE period this summer. It would definitely be cool to play with my brother, if that was an option.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN Andrew Force</strong>: How long has that stuff been there?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1660040' first='Louis' last='O'Keefe']:</strong> I am not entirely sure, but I know the head coach has been there at least 3-4 years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN Andrew Force</strong>: Staffs turn over pretty fast, but Ivy Leagues tend to have longer tenures than others. Maybe.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1660040' first='Louis' last='O'Keefe']:</strong> I think he has been there seven years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN Andrew Force</strong>: The Miami offer. How did you hear about it?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1660040' first='Louis' last='O'Keefe']:</strong> I believe they came to watch me in Houston during 3SSB during the LIVE period. About a week later, my coach told me that they loved me and loved watching me play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A week later my coach texted me and told me to call Coach [Travis] Steele at 8:30 PM. He told me he liked my effort and how smart I was. He talked a lot about campus and how he was at Xavier before. He called me and told me that they are going all-in and offering me. He would love to get me up this summer for a visit or early in the fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN Andrew Force</strong>: What does Ensworth have in the younger grades that will surprise people?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Obviously, Malachi, but I am pretty sure everybody knows about him. Two 2027's. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2101889' first='Justin' last='Frison']</strong> (Houston) and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2111892' first='Jordan' last='Myles']</strong> (Houston). They both play with me on 3SSB. Jordan is 6'5" and 6'6". </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordan can really shoot it and really play. He has been big for us all season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->