June 18, 2010
2010-11 Men's Basketball Quick Facts in PDF Format 
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Godwin Okonji, from Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev., became the third player to sign a National Letter of Intent to attend and play basketball for LMU, announced Head Coach Max Good. Okonji joins Anthony Ireland and Ayodeji Egbeyemi as the Lions freshman class heading into 2010-11 season.
The 6-8, 220-pound Okonji is a native of Nigeria and was a key player for a Findlay program that won a pair of ESPN Rise national crowns, including in 2009 when the team went unbeaten and finished No. 1 in several of the national polls.
Okonji averaged 8.7 points and 7.7 rebounds this past season and was part of a program that went 97-3 during his three years in Henderson.
"He has great size and he really uses it well," said Good. "He developed into a tenacious defender and has started to use his size well in rebounding the ball. We were also very impressed with his leadership and will to win, as shown by the success he had at one of the top programs in the nation."
The 19-year-old chose LMU over Hawaii, Texas Tech, TCU, and New Mexico. ESPN.com has him with a grade of 89 and is the No. 26 center in the nation. His grade is the fourth highest of any player entering the WCC in 2010-11 and he is ranked as the top incoming center.
"Godwin has the skill set and size to really make an impact in the West Coast Conference," said Good. "He gives us great size and added depth to our roster."
Godwin joins Ireland and Egbeyemi as freshmen on a Lions roster that returns 13 players, including four starter, from last year's squad that finished 18-16 overall and advanced to postseason play for the first time since 1989-90.
The Lions return four of their five top scorers and rebounders, including a pair first-team All-WCC selections in senior Vernon Teel and junior Drew Viney. Only three players will be lost from last year's team, Brad Sweezy (graduated), Given Kalipinde (transfer to Salt Lake Community College) and Kevin Young (transfer TBA).
- GO LIONS -
