[Ta town]

Hi all,

I'm a WSU fan and I've noticed quite a bit of talk about in regards to Oruke. What baffles me is from what I can gather he is signed to you guys and I havn't seen anything from his end saying he wants out because of the coaching change. As you know Marshall hired Okom as DOBO and the word on the street so to speak is that Oruke might follow. I'm sure you guys appreciate me coming on here and asking but it's a slow period as far as news in wichita and so I'm asking around myself. So any info on this situation would be appreciated. Also what are your thoughts on Okom as an assistant? One last thing if anybody knows, who did Benjamin Eze-Frank end up signing with. Thanks in advance, hopefully you don't hate me for coming on here and asking about this.

[Cider Jim]

Ta Town, the general thought here is that "our" 7-foot Nigerian is gone, even before he arrived; and many have speculated that he will end up at WSU, though one of our posters says that his "gut" is telling him otherwise. Others have said that we have already given away his scholarship, though that comment hasn't been made by any of our coaching staff.

[jcmanson]

Thanks for stopping by TA. I think the 7' is gone, and will be coming to WSU. Okon was only here for 1 year, but I've only heard positives about him. He seems to definitely have a pipeline in Nigeria. Good luck to you all.

[olldflame]

Our coaching staff may not have said anything about Orukpe's schollie being "given away", but they really don't need to. It's simple math, and the signing of Derick O. and Johnny S. put us at the NCAA limit of 13 players under scholarship, not including Orukpe.

Jeremy Anderson
Tyler Baker
T.J. Bannister
Nathan Campbell
Justin Holland
B.J. Jenkins
Armon JOnes
Alex McLean
Russell Monroe
Derek Oestreicher
Rell Porter
Anthony Smith
Johnny Stephene

Having Okon on staff may have expedited the process of recruiting Nigerian talent, but I hope our current staff will reestablish contact w/alumni like Julius, Peter and Kenneth and use their knowledge to pursue this in the future. We have a good history there, and there is certainly a "large" talent pool. Orukpe's club team alone had 6 or 7 players 6'9" or taller.

[Cider Jim]

Old Flame, what's simple math for some, is not so simple for others.

So with Derek sitting out next year as a transfer, that means we will only have 12 scholarshipped players on the court next year, plus however many walk-ons we have. Does the NCAA limit the number of walk-on players, as well?

[PAmedic]

I thought somebody- I forget who- said you can put as many walkons out there as you want; which explains why the home team sometimes has 20 sitting on the bench

[Sly Fox]

First off, if the shoe was on the other foot we'd certainly be heading to your board to ask questions.

Based on my understanding, our only contact for Orukpe was through Dominick. With him no longer on staff I believe we have had zero contact with him. Based on that we moved ahead and gave him scholie to somebody else. But with no contact, there has been no ask for release of his scholarship. But I suspect that will come soon now that Dominick has an employer.

I would be shocked if he's not a Shocker this coming season (yes, lame pun intended). I'm sure Coach Okon was using EO as a bargaining chip for a gig. And wouldn't we all int he same circumstances?

As for Frank Benjamin Eze, your guess is as good as mine. He very well could've signed with one of the Euro academies or he could be staying in Nigeria. Coach Okon apparently has a great relationship with the club that both of these Nigerian 7-footers play on. So one way or the other you should have a nice Nigerian pipeline coming to Kansas.

On a side note, our prayers go out to all of those affected by those killer twisters just west of you.

[Ta town]

Thanks for all the info guys. It is appreciated, good luck in the up coming season (although you guys have football to look forward to first, unfortunately WSU does not)

[Sly Fox]

Since you brought up the subject, does all of the money you are spending on Gregg assure that football remains a pipe dream in Wichita? Or is there a legitimate effort to bring football back to campus? Just curious since you dropped by.

[Ta town]

No I don't believe so, there are a few donors at WSU with huge pocket books. WSU had that tragic plane crash back in the 70's I believe killing a lot of the players. The team never really recovered and was a bigtime money loser and eventually was shut down in the 80's. With the sucess of Basketball and Baseball I believe WSU athletics is well in the black and added football would have a HUGE effect on the athletic dept as womens sports would have to be added as well. Just not something the AD wants to do at this time.

[Sly Fox]

Fair enough. Its too bad there isn't an FCS presence in the Sunflower State.

[Ta town]

agreed,

I have found the playoffs on espn over the last few years just as enjoyable as any 1-A game. Texas St. two years ago was a blast to watch. Thats something else that always comes up......woud be push for 1-A or try to be competitive in FCS. I would perfer the latter, especially with the strength of the Gateway (mvc if enough mvc teams were involved).

Anyways, again thanks for the info and good luck in the future

[Sly Fox]

If anything firms up on Orukpe, drop by and let us know.

[prototype]

Sources are saying that he brought all three liberty recuits with him. Rumor is they would have come here if McKay hired him. Including the 7 footer.

[flameshaw]

I would be very suprised if all 3 Liberty recruits or all 3 of any BS school recruits could play regularly at WSU. Hate to lose the 7 footer, but looks like we picked up another one for 08 from NM and maybe his sister as well. These things shouldn't suprise us when changes are made, happens every day. Glad they will not end up in WU.

[Ta town]

All 3 liberty recruits? I don't think WSU has the scholarships for that. Nor have I heard anything close to that. Rather 3 recruits from a certain region of the world. Did Liberty have other Africans it was recruiting?

[shockerfan13]

All 3 liberty recruits? I don't think WSU has the scholarships for that. Nor have I heard anything close to that. Rather 3 recruits from a certain region of the world. Did Liberty have other Africans it was recruiting?

Good question. But we do have 2 left right now and COULD have a 3rd if we lose one to academics....so who knows

[Sly Fox]

To be honest, I detect some sarcasm in Proto's post.

[prototype]

No actually 3 athletes. 7 Footer, another transfer from CC where he coach before, and a kid from Hillsborough, FL I believe.

[Ta town]

oh well 2/3rds of that combo has already signed with WSU. So if the 7' guy signs then you are correct.

[shockerfan13]

If anything firms up on Orukpe, drop by and let us know.

Just thought I would drop by and give an update. Today the official Wichita St athletic site announed that Orupke has signed a LOI.

Ehimen Orukpe Signs with Men's Basketball
Courtesy: Wichita State
Release: 05/14/2007


WICHITA, Kan. – Seven-foot center Ehimen Orukpe, a native of Lagos, Nigeria, has signed a National Letter-of-Intent to play men’s basketball at Wichita State, Head Coach Gregg Marshall announced today.

“Ehimen is immediately a shot-blocker and a rebounder, and can run and jump, at seven feet,” Marshall said. “The potential for this young man at 18 years old is extraordinary.

“I had sent a representative from my Winthrop staff to Nigeria and when he returned Ehimen was our primary target amongst many targets that would be capable of helping us at Winthrop. Through the transition of coaching staffs, not only at Wichita State, but also at Liberty, where he originally signed then released from his NLI, we began to recruit him to WSU in earnest once that occurred.

“We knew of the talent and size that he possessed. As we continue to develop him offensively, and he gains strength and confidence, and learns to play in our system, he should be an impact player offensively and on the glass.”

Ehimen (A-hee-may) Orukpe (7-0, 220, C, Delta, Nigeria) played for the Ebun Comet, one of the elite amateur club teams in Nigeria.

Orukpe averaged 12.0 ppg and 9.0 rpg a game for Ebun. Orukpe’s coach, Ayo Bakare, coached the 1998 Nigerian National Team.

Orukpe was also recuited by Liberty, Auburn, Western Kentucky, Illinois State and Winthrop.

Orukpe joins Hillsborough (Tampa, Fla.) Community College forward Ejike Hart, a Monrovia, Liberia native; Paris [Texas] Junior College forward Ramon Clemente, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound forward and Queens, N.Y., native; and Three Rivers [Mo.] Community College forward Mantas Griskenas, a 6-foot-7, 220-pound forward from Rokiskis, Lithuania as Wichita State men’s basketball Spring signees.

[LUconn]

I don't know that I would wish somebody who works hard to fail, especially a kid, but man, if he turns out to be some kind of phenom, I think I would be sick. If he's a decent contributer though, I'll live.

[TIMSCAR20]

Luconn, he is gonna be great (to borrow a phrase from this board). It is a big loss to not have him in a Liberty Uniform but there will be other big time athletes come through the doors in the RMK era.

[prototype]

Like SCAR, Jr.

[TIMSCAR20]

Wow, I didn't realize RMK signed an 18 year contract It will be at least that long until you see a SCAR JR. Unless one of my nephews comes here of course. But they are more the academic type than the athlete like their uncles and fathers....SCAR JR sounds scary just thinking about it...WOW am I getting old.