Toby Okwuokei (185-G-2000, college: SF State) is a 185 cm guard from California playing his second pro season and first with Pro A team BSW Sixers. He played his rookie season with the NEW Elephants Grevenbroich (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 23.2ppg, 7.8rpg, 3.4apg, 2.7spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 75.7%. He began his basketball career at / Etiwanda High School and then played 2 years at Citrus College (JUCO) averaging 9.6ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 39.9%, 3PT: 23.9%, FT: 68.7% and 17.6ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.9apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 42.3%, 3PT: 30.1%, FT: 74.0% He then finished at San Francisco State University (NCAA2) averaging 12.8ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.2%, 3PT: 26.8%, FT: 57.1% and 11.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 23.2%, FT: 61.6%. He spoke to germanhoops about basketball.

Thanks Toby for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on signing with German Pro B team BSW Sixers. Your basketball journey continues. How blessed do you feel living the dream? I´m sure you take nothing for granted.

Yes! I’m extremely blessed. I thank God for giving me this opportunity to display my talents and abilities beyond the States. It is something I’ve been working for my entire life and I’m just so grateful to see my hard work being to pay off.

You played JUCO and NCAA 2 and last season in the Regionalliga. How tough has the basketball grind been. What has been your secret to being able to keep the dream alive?

It’s definitely been a battle, a lot of good and a lot of bad. But I’m a guy that’s always been a hard worker since a young age and someone who is willing to put in the work to achieve the things that I want in whatever it is I’m doing.

What were the main reasons for joining the BSW Sixers? What do appreciate most about this organization?

I saw this as a great opportunity to and as the perfect place for me to make the next step in my career. What I appreciate most about BSW is their commitment to winning and their support for the club. I feel these two aspects are key in any organization looking to have a good season.

How did the talks go with head coach Lukas Vargas? What do you appreciate most about his basketball philosophy?

My talks with Coach Lukas were great! He really showed how much he felt I could be a big addition to the team. And from our conversations I could see that he and I have similar ideas about the game, but most importantly we both want to see the team be successful this season.

You had a great rookie season with the NEW Elephants Grevenbroich (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 23.2ppg, 7.8rpg, 3.4apg, 2.7spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 75.7%. How sure are you that your game will translate to the Pro B? I´m sure you witnessed some Pro B games last season?

Yes I feel that my game will translate well to the Pro B. I know this is a jump and I’ve been doing all I can to make sure my game is up to par for when I arrive. I feel the qualities I bring on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball are some key qualities that can help me stand out in the Pro B.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 185cm point guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit to how you play?

That’s tough haha, I will say I don’t see one exact player, however some guys that I love to watch and see some of their game in my own would be Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving, and Jrue Holiday. I think the way I play has a good blend of all three and shows in the way I play.

Coach Vargas said you bring great energy, game feeling and leadership. What about versatility. How vital is it for you to win games filling the stat sheet?

Definitely! I kind of like to see myself as a “Swiss Army Knife” I like to show that I can do multiple things on the court and still be effective in all of them. I think my versatility is one of my best traits because a coach can fit me in so many different roles/positions on the court and I can still make an impact towards winning.

You averaged almost 8 rebounds in the Regionalliga. How do you explain your sudden rise in rebounding in your game?

Rebounding has always been an important aspect of the game to me. With my quickness and athleticism, I feel I cause a lot of problems for the other team. Many players aren’t expecting a guard to go rebound as much as I do. But I’m very big on As they say “Rebounding wins championships” and as I mentioned before I feel that is part of what makes me so versatile.

You never averaged more than 3 assists in the last years. How defined is your playmaking at the moment? What do you still need to do to make the next step?

I think that’s one of my underrated skills that will definitely be more on display this season. Last season on the Elephants I had to take on more of a scoring role. But there were glimpses of my ability to playmake and willingness to create for others that I feel we’ll definitely see more of this season.

In school you never shot more than 30% from outside, but as a rookie 39% What is your goal? Can you reach 40% plus this season?

Yeah for sure, at one point last season I was shooting close to 45% from the outside. It’s an area of my game that has made a big improvement and this season I definitely will be looking to maintain that and see it rise high as well.

Talk about your defense. You made strides last season in the Regionalliga as a defender. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I feel last season I really showed how effective I can be on the defensive side. Averaging just above 2.5 steals a game last season but I feel it more than that. Being able to make my man uncomfortable, being in the right help side, and even talking to my teammates while on the floor and seeing what the other team is trying to do. I want to be seen as a “nightmare” for opponents when I’m on defense.

On what areas of the game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?

I feel my playmaking ability is definitely one thing I want to show this upcoming season and the strides I’ve made. Also continuing to build off the year I had shooting the ball. This offseason I’ve worked hard on that and I think this season will show that.

Last season you played with the NEW Elephants Grevenbroich (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 23.2ppg, 7.8rpg, 3.4apg, 2.7spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 75.7%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home?

I would say that on any given night you can get beat, so every game you have to leave it all out on the floor. I see it as you’re playing in front of someone for the first time so you have to make that first impression of yourself matter in a good way.

How tough was that playoff series loss to Wulfen? You shot 39% from outside during the season, but only 7/24 in the 3 game series. What did you learn personally from this series?

Yeah that series was a tough one, I feel we as a team myself included could’ve done somethings better that could’ve seen us advance especially in that decisive game 3. As for myself I feel there was parts of the series where I was rushing and not playing at my pace. So that definitely was something I went back and watched for when I’m back in those moments I will be better prepared for them.

How vital was Oluwashore Adenekan in your rookie season? Was he like a mentor for you?

Definitely! Shore coming in was huge. His experience and presence was big for us on both ends of the ball. As for me and him, I feel the two of us have a great relationship till this day, with both of us being of Nigerian descent, I think we gravitated to one another as well. I’m definitely grateful that I was able to play along side and learn from him as well.

You played 2 seasons with Citrus College (JUCO) averaging 9.6ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 39.9%, 3PT: 23.9%, FT: 68.7% and 17.6ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.9apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 42.3%, 3PT: 30.1%, FT: 74.0%. Every guy that I have interviewed that played JUCO have reported that the experience was a grind, but an experience that they wouldn´t have given up for the world. How was it for you?

I completely agree 100% I feel JUCO can get a bad rap, but quite honestly I think a lot more players need and should consider the JUCO route. Yes it will be a grind no doubt about that, but I feel it teaches you and prepares you for a high level of basketball that all players need if they have aspirations in playing basketball for a long time. But outside of basketball the relationships you develop with teammates and coaches are unmatched. I personally feel going JUCO was one of the best decisions I made for my basketball career.

You made a big jump in your second season in JUCO: How important was head coach Brett Lauer in your early basketball development?

Coach Lauer and the staff at Citrus were amazing. Our relationship till this day is still as strong as it was when I played there. But what I’m most grateful for from coach Lauer and staff is that they trusted me, they put their time, energy, and faith into me being the main guy on the team. Letting me play through some mistakes so I could learn and understand the game better.

You then played 2 seasons with San Francisco State University (NCAA2) averaging 12.8ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.2%, 3PT: 26.8%, FT: 57.1% and 11.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 23.2%, FT: 61.6%. How did your game grow in these 2 years?

My game took a leap as I learned what it takes to win at a higher level. Coming to practice every day focused on improving and finding new ways to impact winning and how I can help improve myself to better the team.

You had many great games in the NCAA 2. What was your fondest moment?

I would say there are two games that come to mind and that is Cal State University Los Angeles (CSULA, NCAA2) on December 10th, 2021. I remember it was the first home game of the conference but what made it most memorable was me hitting a Game winning Three at the buzzer. It’s a moment all players dream of and to have it happen was a special one. The other would be against University of California Santa Barbra (UCSB, NCAA1) that was an exhibition game my second year and I remember I left the game with 20points. That game was always special because it felt to me that I could compete against a Division 1 school with no doubt in my mind. I feel I was the best player on the court that night regardless of team.

How did head coach Vince Inglima groom and prepare you best for a pro career?

Coach Inglima and the entire SFSU staff, especially Assistant Coach Henry Anyiam, were instrumental in helping me break down the game and improve key areas. I’m grateful for all they did during my time at San Francisco State.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jalen Flannagan?

Me and Jalen didn’t play 1-1 too much (I think he was scared haha) but when we did they were always competitive. I feel we definitely got each other better during our time at San Francisco State.

Who was the toughest player that you faced in your career that reached the NBA?

I would say it would be Lonzo Ball. I remember I played against him my sophomore year of high school, his senior year. Matching up against him showed me why he was touted as one of the best player sin the country and a future NBA player.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

My five best teams of all time.. Wow! That’s tough haha, I’ve played with many good players and developed a bound with many that I still hold today. But if I could only pick five I would say… – Elijah Harkless, Kessler Edwards, Jalen Flannagan, Viktor Frankl-Maus, and the last spot it’s a tie between Eche Okeke or Jacob Washington.

Please list your NBA Rushmore of past or present heads?

My NBA Mount Rushmore, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Who is your GOAT?

Kobe Bryant. I feel his approach to the game along with his Skill Set is unmatched.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I actually didn’t see it, but from what I heard it wasn’t too good haha. But I’ve always loved the original one so I’m kind of glad I didn’t see the sequel haha. Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jalen Flannagan? How did head coach Vince Inglima groom and prepare you best for a pro career?

Thanks Toby for the chat.