Rutgers Transfer Okoro Joins NSU Men's Basketball Program

NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Norfolk State men's basketball program added another Division I transfer on Tuesday, as former Iowa State and Rutgers player Nkereuwem Okoro signed a grant-in-aid to play his last season with the Spartans.

Okoro, who goes by the first name Kerwin, is a 6-foot-4, 215-pound guard/forward. He will sit out the upcoming season and have one year of eligibility remaining in 2016-17. Okoro played at Iowa State in 2012-13 and the past two seasons at Rutgers.

"I have known Kerwin since he was 14 years old. He was once regarded as a top high school player nationally, and has played at the highest levels in college at Iowa State and Rutgers," NSU head men's basketball coach Robert Jones said. "His experience in the Big 12 and Big 10 should help provide immediate dividends for us."

Okoro played in 17 games and made one start in 2014-15 at Rutgers. He averaged 2.0 points and 0.9 rebounds while also adding eight total assists. Okoro appeared in 11 games as a sophomore in 2013-14 and averaged 2.7 points and 0.9 rebounds.



He scored 1.0 point per game in nine games as a freshman at Iowa State in 2012-13 before receiving a waiver and becoming eligible to compete immediately at Rutgers beginning in 2013-14.

Hailing from the Bronx, N.Y., Okoro earned first-team All-Bronx honors by the New York Post in 2011-12 as a senior after leading St. Raymond High School to the 2012 New York Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Class AA state title. He averaged 15.5 points per game that year and was also a two-time first-team All-CHSAA honoree as a junior and senior.

He originally chose Iowa State over Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, Arizona and Texas A&M.

"At 6-4, Kerwin possess good size at the wing spot. He can handle the ball like a point guard and is developing into a deadly outside shooter," Jones added. "He will get an opportunity here to showcase his talents. We look forward to him pushing our guys this year in practice and competing for us in the 2016-17 season."

Okoro is the eighth player to join NSU's 2015 recruiting class. Junior college players Jonathan Wade, Preston Bungei and Devarus Craig signed in May, while JC transfer Brian Kelley and incoming freshmen Moses Toriola and Alex Long signed national letters of intent last November.

Okoro joins Iona transfer Daniel Robinson in sitting out the 2015-16 season at NSU.

Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS