JUCO center Emeka Opurum breaks down decision to sign with Auburn
It took a quick visit to Auburn for Emeka Opurum to see what the hype is about.
Opurum announced his commitment to Auburn on Wednesday, one day after wrapping up his official visit. The 7-0 center from Butler Community College said in a recent interview with Auburn Undercover that the friendly vibes around campus played a major role in his decision to sign with the program.
"I like the people and the environment. They're really friendly. When I got here, everyone was waving at me," Opurum said of his visit in an interview with Auburn Undercover. "It's a good place and I really think it's a good fit for me."
Auburn needed to find athletes who could match the production of Dylan Cardwell and Johni Broome in the frontcourt, and Bruce Pearl felt that Opurum was a great match. He scored 9.4 points per game while shooting 67% from the field. His 8.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game were a factor in him winning the KJCCC Defensive Player of the Year award as a true freshman last season.
Pearl believes that Opurum has the tools and the desire to develop into a great player over the next three seasons, which could elevate him to the success that several Auburn big men have experienced under Pearl's guidance.
'I am really proud of the track record we've had of developing big men in the line of Johni Broome, Dylan Cardwell, Walker Kessler and Austin Wiley,' Pearl said following Opurum's commitment. 'Emeka has great upside. He is a legit seven-footer. He has a great wingspan, great timing defensively, and has the ability to move his feet. Emeka has three years of eligibility and a great desire to work on his game and body. He is an outstanding student and athlete. We've had great success with guys with a Nigerian background in Chuma Okeke, Isaac Okoro, and Babatunde 'Stretch' Akingbola.'
Opurum echoed Pearl's thoughts by saying that he can grow in Auburn's system, as well as his faith.
"I really think Auburn is a place I can fit because my playing style. Having great coaches that have a good track record can help me develop as a person, both on the court and outside of the court," Opurum said. "They're also really into faith. I'm a firm believer in God. God comes first in everything. I had to pray and ask Him for help in my decisions and thinking. God always comes first for me."
Opurum is the fourth transfer Auburn has inked this cycle, joining former Mississippi State forward KeShawn Murphy, former UCF forward Keyshawn Hall, and fellow JUCO product Abdul Bashir. Pearl and his staff will continue to search the transfer portal as they look to fill the void left behind by 55% of its Final Four roster.
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