In a normal year, Isaac Okoro would be in the NBA Draft's Green Room at the Barclay's Center.
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He would hear his name called in the early goings, shake Adam Silver's hand, and get to work with his new team.
Well, 2020 hasn't afforded us normal.
Instead, Okoro will watch as his future is determined virtually. He'll be surrounded by friends and family.
His family, and his parents specifically, came way to the United States via Nigeria.
Isaac Okoro's Family
Okoro's parents, Godwin and Gloria Okoro, immigrated from Nigeria to the Atlanta, Georgia metro-area in the 1980s.
Confidence is something Isaac's had to find growing up. He used to wrestle his older sister Ashley and imitate WWE stars, sometimes Ashley defeated her little brother to the point of tears.
One day, their father had to step in. He told his son, "Don't let her make you cry."
From that point, the wrestling matches turned in Isaac's favor — a gain of confidence that translated to the basketball court.
Isaac Okoro's Auburn Career
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Okoro graduated from McEachern High School in Powder Springs, GA. His regular training with AAU coach Omar Cooper, his high school teammate Sharife Cooper's father, elevated his game and status on the Nike EYBL tour.
The Georgia native suited up for USA Basketball World Cup team at the 2018 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Argentina. He recorded 4.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game en route to the gold medal.
Okoro led McEachern to a state title as a senior — the first state championship in program history — and was awarded a spot on the USA Today All-USA Georgia First Team and the MaxPreps All-American second team. His successful season garnered an invited to the prestigious Nike Hoop Summit in 2019.
As a four-star recruit, the small forward committed to play college basketball for Auburn University over Alabama, Oregon, Texas, Florida, and Mississippi State. Under Auburn basketball head coach Bruce Pearl, Okoro started 28 games and averaged 12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.9 blocks.
His play helped lead the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team to a 25-6 regular season record before the SEC and NCAA Tournaments were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19 outbreak. The Tigers finished second behind Kentucky in the final SEC standings — ahead of the likes of Arkansas, LSU, and Tennessee, per CBS Sports.
Okoro was named to the Second-Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive Team. He earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors along with SEC Freshman of the Year and fellow NBA Draft prospect Anthony Edwards.
Isaac Okoro's NBA Draft Stock
Okoro is a projected lottery pick. He's lauded for his high-motor, work ethic, physicality, and effectiveness on both ends of the floor.
When Okoro is selected, he'll join a growing list of basketball players with Nigerian roots including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Josh Okogie, Victor Oladipo, OG Anunoby, and Al-Farouq Aminou.
As he joked with ESPN's Jonathan Givony, the influx of Nigerian players must have something to do with the local cuisine.
