Despite scoring a game-high 25 points last month in the annual North-South All-Star game, then scoring a team-high 14 points in the Hudson-Essex All-Star Classic a week later, Hudson Catholic standout hoopster Darlington Okerulu had to begin to wonder what he has to do to get an NCAA Division I program to come calling.
After all, Okerulu proved with his performance this season – averaging 25 points and 12 rebounds per game, leading Hudson Catholic to its best season in over a decade – that he belongs in major college basketball. Although he is only 6-3, Okerulu proved that he can play with the best on a consistent basis.
"I guess the way I played in the All-Star games brings me more attention," Okerulu said. "But that’s the way I’ve been playing all along. Even though they were All-Star games and they were supposed to be fun, I still had something to show some people. I proved that I’m a hard worker."
Okerulu was asked if he was impressed with his point totals in the All-Star games.
"In a way, I am surprised," Okerulu said. "But I was also confident coming into the games that I could do well. I knew I could play with a lot of those guys. I’ve played against them before in AAU (last summer), so I knew it wasn’t going to be a big problem. But scoring as much as I did, I was just lucky to have the guards get me the ball. Then, I just made my shots."
Okerulu is not without college scholarship offers. He has narrowed down his choices to four NCAA Division II schools, namely Clarion, Dominican, St. Anselm’s and Stonehill. All four are excellent academic institutions, so Okerulu’s educational future is definitely safe.
"I’m still undecided," Okerulu said. "I will make my decision official later in the month. All four are pretty equal right now. There is no favorite. I can’t let it bother me that a Division I school hasn’t given me an offer. If a Division II school wants to give me a full ride and they are good schools, then why not take it? So I have good choices."
However, it’s still not the same. Darlington Okerulu is a good basketball player with good grades. He will be a freshman projector, meaning that he has the necessary grade point average and Scholastic Aptitude Test scores that will enable him to play college basketball right away.
But for some reason – more than likely, his size – the Division I schools, like the one with a 4-23 record just up the block from Hudson Catholic, namely St. Peter’s, have decided to stay away.
Why wouldn’t St. Peter’s coach Bob Leckie, with a bunch of scholarships to give, even talk to Okerulu and see what his plans are? Perhaps they could have worked out a deal, even as a non-scholarship player with financial need.
That idea even has Okerulu scratching his head.
"I think they’re missing out," Okerulu said. "I know I’m only 6-3, but I’m an intense player, a hard worker who plays hard. I don’t know why these schools haven’t even contacted me. I’m not worried about it, but I think I’ve proven I can play with anyone."
Okerulu is happy with the way he performed with the best players in New Jersey.
"I’m very proud of the way I played," Okerulu said. "For a while, I was in the state of shock, realizing that there are so many great players in the state and I was right there with them. But it was a real good way for me to end my high school career. I finished strong and now I’m ready for college."
Whatever college that may be. – Jim Hague