Dunton Signs Two Recruits In Men's Hoops
11/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Liberty Head Men's Basketball Coach Randy Dunton has announced that Nathan Campbell and Ehimen Orukpe have signed national letters of intent for the 2007-08 academic year.
Campbell (6-6, 215, F, Cary, N.C.) is currently attending the prestigious Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., where he is averaging 13.0 ppg and 7.0 rpg through the first seven games of the season. Campbell is the first player to ever sign with Liberty out of Hargrave Military Academy, which has sent numerous of its alumni into the SEC, ACC and NBA, including Josh Howard of the Dallas Mavericks who attended Wake Forest after his days at Hargrave.
"Nathan and his family are overly excited about the opportunity to play at Liberty," said Hargrave Military Academy Head Coach Kevin Keates. "With Nate's size, strength and shooting ability, he will be able to play several positions and will be a great addition to their program."
"Coach Kevin Keates and his Hargrave Military Academy program have long been recognized as one of the top prep programs in the country," said Dunton. "This season will be valuable experience competing against some of the nation's best talent."
Prior to attending prep school at Hargrave, Campbell was a four-year starter at Cary High School in Cary, N.C., where he averaged 12.0 ppg and 7.0 rpg his senior season.
"Nathan Campbell's commitment to our program is exciting. At 6-6, 215 his versatility, toughness and shooting touch will provide additional scoring and rebounding punch from the forward position," said Dunton. "Nate is very effective scorer from the blocks and now is transitioning with greater confidence playing at the perimeter."
With the help of Liberty assistant coach Dominic Okon, the Flames were able to tap back into the Nigeria talent pool. Okon, a native of Lagos, Nigeria, was instrumental in the recruiting process of Orukpe.
Orukpe (7-0, 220, C, Delta, Nigeria) is currently playing for the Ebun Comet, one of the elite amateur club teams in Nigeria which showcased such talent such as former Flames great Peter Aluma. Orukpe is currently averaging 12.0 ppg and 9.0 rpg a game for Ebun. Orukpe's current coach, Ayo Bakare, coached the 1998 Nigerian National Team, which included former Flame Julius Nwosu.
"I am excited about the opportunity for Ehimen to be a member of the Liberty Flames Basketball program; he is a fine young man," said Bakare. "He will follow the in foot steps of Peter Aluma and help Liberty win in the Big South Conference."
"Ehimen's signing is a significant accomplishment for our program," said Dunton. "First, the addition of an athletically gifted shot blocker will greatly enhance our defensive capabilities. Secondly, both high-major and mid-major programs have been committed to recruiting internationally in Nigeria in recent years. It is a huge step for Liberty Basketball to again attract the highest level of Nigerian talent. Thirdly, Ehimen is a student-athlete who embodies all of the characteristics of that we desire to see in the Liberty University community. Needless to say I view this as a big sign in more ways than one and appreciate Coach Okon's effort in the recruiting process."
Orukpe choose Liberty over Auburn, Western Kentucky, Illinois State and Winthrop.
Campbell (6-6, 215, F, Cary, N.C.) is currently attending the prestigious Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., where he is averaging 13.0 ppg and 7.0 rpg through the first seven games of the season. Campbell is the first player to ever sign with Liberty out of Hargrave Military Academy, which has sent numerous of its alumni into the SEC, ACC and NBA, including Josh Howard of the Dallas Mavericks who attended Wake Forest after his days at Hargrave.
"Nathan and his family are overly excited about the opportunity to play at Liberty," said Hargrave Military Academy Head Coach Kevin Keates. "With Nate's size, strength and shooting ability, he will be able to play several positions and will be a great addition to their program."
"Coach Kevin Keates and his Hargrave Military Academy program have long been recognized as one of the top prep programs in the country," said Dunton. "This season will be valuable experience competing against some of the nation's best talent."
Prior to attending prep school at Hargrave, Campbell was a four-year starter at Cary High School in Cary, N.C., where he averaged 12.0 ppg and 7.0 rpg his senior season.
"Nathan Campbell's commitment to our program is exciting. At 6-6, 215 his versatility, toughness and shooting touch will provide additional scoring and rebounding punch from the forward position," said Dunton. "Nate is very effective scorer from the blocks and now is transitioning with greater confidence playing at the perimeter."
With the help of Liberty assistant coach Dominic Okon, the Flames were able to tap back into the Nigeria talent pool. Okon, a native of Lagos, Nigeria, was instrumental in the recruiting process of Orukpe.
Orukpe (7-0, 220, C, Delta, Nigeria) is currently playing for the Ebun Comet, one of the elite amateur club teams in Nigeria which showcased such talent such as former Flames great Peter Aluma. Orukpe is currently averaging 12.0 ppg and 9.0 rpg a game for Ebun. Orukpe's current coach, Ayo Bakare, coached the 1998 Nigerian National Team, which included former Flame Julius Nwosu.
"I am excited about the opportunity for Ehimen to be a member of the Liberty Flames Basketball program; he is a fine young man," said Bakare. "He will follow the in foot steps of Peter Aluma and help Liberty win in the Big South Conference."
"Ehimen's signing is a significant accomplishment for our program," said Dunton. "First, the addition of an athletically gifted shot blocker will greatly enhance our defensive capabilities. Secondly, both high-major and mid-major programs have been committed to recruiting internationally in Nigeria in recent years. It is a huge step for Liberty Basketball to again attract the highest level of Nigerian talent. Thirdly, Ehimen is a student-athlete who embodies all of the characteristics of that we desire to see in the Liberty University community. Needless to say I view this as a big sign in more ways than one and appreciate Coach Okon's effort in the recruiting process."
Orukpe choose Liberty over Auburn, Western Kentucky, Illinois State and Winthrop.