Nov. 14, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern women's head basketball coach June Olkowski announced the signing of 5-foot-10 forward Ifeoma Okonkwo (Spring, Texas/Klein Oak) to a National Letter of Intent to play basketball beginning in the fall of 2002.
"Athletically, Ifeoma is like no other on the perimeter," said Olkowski. "She will improve year-in and year-out because of how hard she works. She'll be a good fit to our Northwestern family."
Entering her senior season, Okonkwo, is coming off her best season as a high school varsity basketball player. A two-time team MVP, Okonkwo received honorable mention All-American honors by Street & Smith's a year ago averaging 17 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.7 steals a game. Her play earned her two Players of the Week honors by the Houston Chronicle.
As a former Klein Oak defensive player of the year and a two-time all-district selection, Okonkwo was named to the 2001 Houston Hoops All-Stars team and honored with a selection to the "Who's Who in High School Sports" team.
Besides her basketball talent, Okonkwo earned two district high jump titles as a member of Klein Oaks varsity track team. She is the reigning two-time Outstanding Track Athlete of the year for her performances during her sophomore and junior years.
As a freshman, Okonkwo was named Most Valuable Freshman on both her basketball and track teams.
Besides her outstanding athletic accomplishments, Okonkwo is a three-time honor roll student and vice president of her junior and senior class. She also has been a student council representative for the past three years.
Okonkwo is the daughter of Cletus and Francisca Okonkwo and is one of four siblings that includes a twin brother. She was born Feb. 1, 1984 and chose Northwestern over Purdue, Cal.-Berkley, Rice and Baylor.