Nigerian big man helps Knights win after only 4 days in U.S.
Ogbonna Agbo had been in the United States just four days — in his entire life — before warming up on the Allan & Wade Houston Court at Knoxville Christian School in preparation for his first Knights basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 2.
But this 6-foot-6 big man straight from Nigeria proved way too much for The Kings Academy to handle, as KCS rolled to a 73-51 victory behind Agbo’s game-high 20 points.
“I think he did well,” said Joey Brandenburg, Knights head coach and KCS athletics director. “I think he had a double-double (more than 10 points and at least 10 rebounds). Pretty good for his first night.
“He’s only practiced with the team two times,” added Brandenburg, whose team improved its record to 7-9.
Apparently having mastered English well enough to succeed academically, “In the classroom so far he’s passed all his tests,” the coach said of Agbo. “He’s smart, very humble and he loves the game.
“He’s just glad to be here and have the opportunity.”
Other top Knights
“Joseph O’Leary, I thought he played really well,” Brandenburg said of his sophomore guard’s 15-point performance. “He’s the one that gave us a spark, brought a lot of energy. I think he ended up with a double-double as well.”
Lucas Grethler scored eight points for KCS, while Tucker Duncan added six.
