Patriot Pressure: Baraka Okojie commits to George Mason

By
Joseph Szymanski
-
179
2323

By: George Mason Recruiting Staff

Baraka Okojie has committed to George Mason. The 6’3 PG, who received the first offer Coach Skinn made after he took the job, will re-class to 2023 and join the Patriots immediately, becoming the second member of the Patriots’ 2023 recruiting class alongside fellow freshman Austin Ball. A Canadian-native out of Brampton, Ontario, Okojie excels as an attacking lead guard on both ends of the floor and serves as the unquestioned emotional catalyst for his team. He’s more than capable of taking over a game as the primary offensive option, while also being able to serve as an elite playmaker for his teammates.

“George Mason was the right spot for me because of the opportunity and relationship that was built with Coach Skinn and the rest of the staff”, said Okojie. “The way they have dealt with me and my family throughout the whole process showed me that they really value me and believe in my abilities.”

Okojie has international experience with the Canadian National program at the U16 & U17 levels. As the starting point guard for Team Canada at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in July 2022, Okojie averaged 8.9ppg, 4.3apg & 3.6rpg while contributing over 2 steals per game on the defensive end. He played this past season at DME Sports Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida leading his team to a 26-8 record while averaging 14 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds per game on his way to 1st team All Sunshine Independent Athletic Association honors and earning a spot in The Grind Session All-Star game.

 

 

Okojie was selected to participate in the BioSteel All-Canadian Game at the beginning of April, which featured the top 24 high school level players in the country. Playing in front of NBA GMs and scouts, as well as on a national television broadcast, Baraka made a name for himself, pouring in 20 points to go along with 6 assists, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals.

Here is a quick write up from Nick Kwon of OnPointBasketball.com following the game:

“Baraka Okojie is everything you want from a modern point guard. He’s a willing passer with good court vision, and yet, he’s blessed with all the scoring tools a slender basketball player can ask for. He has a wicked first step along with the handle and body control to maintain possession as he blurs to the cup. He’s just as quick on the defensive end with enough lateral speed to keep up with the top offensive talent in the country.

Okojie was fearless when attacking the rim, almost to a fault. Seeing larger defenders protecting the paint did little to deter him from driving in. This may be a function of being used to attacking larger players considering how much he’s practiced against his larger older brother Ose Okojie, a BioSteel All-Canadian alumnus (and current member of the Howard University basketball team).

Still, you can’t be too upset because he finishes well and clearly has a knack for getting to the charity stripe, as he attempted a game-high of 12 free throws.

He has made rebounding his priority despite his role as a guard. Even if he didn’t come down with the ball, he was great at tapping loose balls towards teammates and at being disruptive in 50/50 situation.

It will be interesting to see how Okojie can develop as a playmaker. He’s already solid at making basic reads and his play at BioSteel was suggestive of untapped upside. It was passes like this that inspired confidence in him one day becoming an elite table setter.”

 

 

We were able to make it down to Atlanta for the UAA Finals earlier this month to see Baraka play with his grassroots club, Canada Elite. During the two games we watched live, he showcased every attribute mentioned above, along with a few others. Throughout the weekend, Okojie continually attacked the basket, creating for teammates, finishing at the rim through contact, or getting to the line where he was exceptional. He threw several alley-oops to teammates, a few of which were on the money from beyond the 3-point line. To go along with all of that, Okojie continued to display a consistent ability to knock down mid-range jumpers and a few 3’s when the opportunities presented themselves. These efforts helped lead Canada Elite to an appearance in the championship game, and a 2nd place overall finish on the UAA circuit.

This is an extremely solid late addition for the staff to close out the 2023-2024 Patriots roster. At this point, I think it’s undeniable to say that “Patriot Pressure” isn’t just a catchy term from the press conference, it is truly being reflected in current and future roster construction. A Tony Skinn team is going to attack you for 40 minutes, and the newest Patriot is the embodiment of that philosophy.

“Mason fans can expect a show from me. I love to play really fast and get out in transition as much as possible. I’m a guard that’s going to make the right decision every play.”   – Baraka Okojie

 

Highlights:

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

179 COMMENTS

  9. Wow that was strange. I just wrote an really long commentbut after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say great blog!

  25. Thanks , I have recently been looking for info about this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I’ve discovered so far. But, what about the bottom line? Are you sure about the source?

  27. Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular article!It is the little changes which will make the greatest changes.Thanks a lot for sharing!Here is my blog post; agen King855 (918kiss-m.Com)

  36. By knowing the sport, it can make both taking part in and viewing much more interesting and enjoyable. This is where the arms war begins: a continuous cycle of learning and manipulating.

  45. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you, However I am having troubles with your RSS. I don’t know why I cannot join it. Is there anybody getting the same RSS problems? Anyone who knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanks!!

  50. Thanks for the good writeup. It if truth be told wasonce a leisure account it. Glance complex to far introduced agreeable from you!By the way, how can we keep in touch?my blog post chengdian.cc

  66. Having read this I believed it was rather enlightening.I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this information together.I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and commenting.But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  93. My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was entirely right.This post truly made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent forthis information! Thanks!

  94. My brother recommended I might like this blog.He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine just how muchtime I had spent for this information! Thanks!

  95. I do accept as true with all the concepts you’ve presented on your post. They are very convincing and will certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are too short for newbies. May you please lengthen them a bit from next time? Thank you for the post.

  110. I’m not sure where you are getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful information I was looking for this information for my mission.

  131. In comparison with their ‘ancient’ predecessor, the point XI and Mark XII, which is consider the genuine pilot’s observe through aficionados, steps Thirty-six millimeters across.

  140. This is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Short but very accurate informationÖ Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read article!

  151. 705360 925891I dont leave lots of comments on a great deal of blogs each week but i felt i had to here. Do you require a lot of drafts to make a post? 801876

  161. What’s up, this weekend is fastidious for me,for the reason that this moment i am reading this great informative piece of writing here atmy home.

  164. อนิเมะเรื่อง Bleach เป็นละครทีวีอนิเมะของญี่ปุ่นที่ผลิตขึ้นมาจากมังงะของ Tite Kubo ที่ผลิตโดย Studio Pierrot แล้วก็ได้ NoriyukiAbe เป็นคนกำกับ ซีรีส์นี้ถ่ายทอดทางทีวีโตเกียวตั้งแต่เดือนตุลาคม 2547 ถึงเดือนมีนาคม 2555 มีความยาว 366 ตอน

  166. Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Very useful information specially the last part 🙂 I care for such information much. I was seeking this particular info for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.

  171. magnificent issues altogether, you simply received a emblem new reader. What would you recommend in regards to your submit that you made some days ago? Any certain?

  179. สล็อตออนไลน์เกมคาสิโนยอดฮิตตลอดกาล เล่นง่าย แจ็คพอตแตกไวต้องที่ แทงบอลออนไลน์ จ่ายจริง จ่ายเต็ม มีเกมให้เลือกมากมายทั้งแทงบอล บาคาร่า ยิงปลา มาเว็บนี้เว็บเดียวโคตรคุ้ม สร้างเงินได้ง่ายๆ จบที่เว็บ สล็อตออนไลน์ ได้เลยครับ

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here