Clayton News Daily

Jonesboro center Chukedubem “Duby” Okeke committed to Jacksonville University last Thursday.

JONESBORO – When Chukedubem “Duby” Okeke took his official visit to Jacksonville University last Thursday, the 6-foot-8 senior didn’t know what to expect.

But upon boarding the plane to come back to Atlanta, the Jonesboro senior said he didn’t need to wait to return home before making his decision.

Okeke, who became the second Clayton County basketball standout to commit to the Florida school in the last two weeks, said he made up his mind after seeing what he felt like Jacksonville could help him become.

Okeke said he was impressed by Dolphins’ 6-foot-6 power forward Glenn Powell.

Powell averaged 10.9 points and 6.4 rebounds a game last season for the Dolphins. And Okeke said he saw in Powell a glimpse of his own future.

“(Powell) plays my position now,” Okeke said. “He had a big difference from his freshman to senior year. The trainer showed me the pictures from his freshman year until now and the stuff he can do now is unbelievable.”

Okeke wasn’t too shabby in his junior year with Jonesboro. In helping lead Jonesboro to a 26-5 record and final four appearance in the 2012 state playoffs, Okeke averaged 14 points, 13 rebounds and five blocked shots a game.

Okeke selected Jacksonville over offers from Savannah State, Kennesaw State, Chattanooga and Gardner Webb, among others. He also garnered interest from schools like Miami, Alabama-Birmingham, Nebraska and Wichita State.

Okeke’s commitment follows AAU teammate and Mount Zion standout Jarius Holder’s commitment two weeks ago.