Syracuse, N.Y. — We have embarked on a series of videos and brief stories about every one of Syracuse's scholarship basketball players.
The idea is simple: The video will show recent action of the player, with audio provided by his position coach defining the player's strengths and detailing which areas of his game still need work.
Final player in the series:
Chinonso Obokoh
Chino Obokoh will spend the 2013-14 season in redshirt limbo. The 6-foot-10 center from Nigeria by way of Bishop Kearney High School in Rochester was widely believed to be a raw defensive presence who could block shots, clog the lane and aid the Orange on the backboards.
That he offers a more developed offensive game than advertized might be the most surprising thing about Obokoh. He is capable of converting the mid-range jump shot to about 15 feet and is solid at the free-throw line.
SU lists him at 210 pounds, but his shoulders and upper body already look as bulky as teammate Baye Moussa Keita's. SU assistant Mike Hopkins likens Obokoh's game to Keita's — both play hard and are fearless competitors. Obokoh's inability to practice with the Orange last summer and accompany his teammates to Canada because of NCAA eligibility questions has made the October learning curve a bit steeper.
Strengths
1) Quickness, athleticism
2) Shooting the ball
3) Knack for rebounding
What SU wants from him this year
1) Better understanding of the offenses
2) Learning how to play the middle of the zone
3) Work on post moves
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