Oriakhi is a McDonalds All-American
On Wednesday night, the 24 players selected to participate in this year’s McDonald’s All-American game were announced, and Alex Oriakhi’s name was among them.
“It’s definitely a lifelong dream,” Oriakhi said of his selection. “This is something I’ve always wanted to accomplish. I watched the game last year and wasn’t sure I’d ever have a chance to play in it. I just feel so honored and blessed to be selected.”
Being selected to the nation’s most prestigious all-star game is perhaps the crowning achievement of Oriakhi’s career thus far.
The athletic big man first came into the national spotlight in the summer following his 8th grade year, when he traveled to the Nike Peach Jam tournament with the Boston Amateur Basketball Club. BABC General Manager Chris Driscoll still recalls the play that announced Oriakhi’s arrival on the national stage.
“He was in the 8th grade and playing against kids three or four years older. I can’t remember exactly who it was, but I know it was a very good player, someone who went on to be a McDonald’s All-American the next year. He was coming in for a lay-up and Alex pinned it against the backboard. From that point on everybody was buzzing about him.”
That play turned out to be symbolic of things to come. In the years since, Oriakhi has gone on to tremendous levels of success, committing to the University of Connecticut and earning numerous team championships on both the high school and AAU levels.
His BABC team has reached unprecedented levels of success over the last three years. In 2006 they had an overall record of 85-3 including gold medals at the 15U AAU Nationals as well as the 16U AAU Super Showcase. A year later they claimed the bronze at the 16U Super Showcase while also reaching the semi-finals at the Nike Memorial Day Classic and claiming the championship at the Boo Williams Invitational. Last summer, BABC won the championship at the King James Classic, went to the finals at the Nike Peach Jam, and the semi-finals at AAU Nationals.
Oriakhi also earned a championship at the high school level last year as he and longtime teammate Jamal Coombs-McDaniel led Tilton to the NEPSAC Class B title.
“He’s won a ton of team championships,” said Driscoll. “Lots of those times, he didn’t score as much as he could have, because he had so many other good players on his team. He never complained about that, and now he’s finally getting the personal credit that he deserves.”
Tilton head coach Marcus O’Neil, who has coached Oriakhi for the last two seasons, was equally happy for Oriakhi’s achievement.
“Everyone is excited for him. He’s worked hard and made a lot of progress. He’s 20 pounds heavier than he was last year and it is all muscle, he’s improved his skill level. He’s deserving of the honor.”
As for Oriakhi himself he couldn’t have been more gracious and humble when he spoke to the New England Recruiting Report on Thursday morning, as he kept reiterating “what an honor it is” and “how blessed I am”. He was also quick to express his gratitude to some of the people who have been instrumental in his development.
“If it wasn’t for Leo [Papile] and Chris [Driscoll] I don’t know where I would be,” he said. “I wouldn’t have my scholarship, be a McDonald’s All-American, Jordan Brand All-American…I just can’t thank them enough.”
Oriakhi was also quick to express his gratitude to O’Neil.
“Coach O’Neil has done a lot for me as a player…teaching me to not just be a big man, but a basketball player. More than anything he’s taught me just to have confidence and take pride in everything I do.”
The 2009 McDonald’s All-American game will take place on April 1st in Miami, Florida. Oriakhi will be joined on the east roster by Derrick Favors, Lance Stephenson, DeMarcus Cousins, Kenny Boynton, Ryan Kelly, Dominic Cheek, Dante Taylor, Dexter Strickland, Milton Jennings, Maalik Wayns, and Peyton Siva. The west squad will feature John Henson, Xavier Henry, Renardo Sidney, Abdul Gaddy, Avery Bradley, Wally Judge, Mason Plumlee, Michael Snaer, Tommy Mason-Griffin, Keith Gallon, Travis Wear, and David Wear.
Jamal Coombs-McDaniel
Alex Oriakhi