:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49289973/usa-today-8951176.0.jpg)
Back in November at UNLV, Dave Rice was still coach and talented sophomore Goodluck Okonoboh was still on the basketball team. That seems like a hundred years ago. By the end of November, Okonoboh would leave the team, and most believed that he would take his opportunity to transfer to another school.
After the tumult the Runnin' Rebels experienced this season, going from the Rice era, to the brief Todd Simon era, and now Chris Beard era, Okonoboh's decision to now declare is par for the unexpected course.
Okonoboh was a promising UNLV player in his first year, but failed to be a stand out among the uber talented influx of freshmen talent that came into UNLV within the recent season (including Stephen Zimmerman and Derrick Jones - both of whom have declare for the NBA as well). Now, Okonoboh joins in their NBA aspirations (along with former teammate Patrick McCaw who also recently declared for the draft). Are you catching a theme here?
Okonoboh made his statement with this tweet:
— Goodluck Okonoboh (@Goodlucko_12) April 10, 2016
In a dismal sophomore, short season, Okonoboh was averaging just over 3 points and 3 rebounds per game. And the certainty of his NBA capability and attractiveness to scouts is largely uncharted. However, Okonoboh will be hoping that a little good luck - combined with his natural abilities - might land him at the forefront of his NBA goals.