EJ Onu
Ejiofor Johnson Onu is an American professional basketball player for Bamberg Baskets in the Basketball Bundesliga. He played college basketball for the Shawnee State Bears.
Early life
Born to Nigerian parents, Ejiofor Onu grew up near Cleveland, Ohio. He started playing basketball at age 14 and stood under as a high school freshman. Onu played for Richmond [Heights High School] in Richmond Heights, Ohio, earning Division IV All-Northeast Lake District honors from the Associated Press. He also ran track in high school.College career
During his freshman season at Shawnee State, Onu set a program single-game record with 11 blocks against the University of the Cumberlands. As a freshman, he averaged 9.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and a nation-leading 3.4 blocks per game, earning Mid-South Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors. He set a program single-season record for blocks. In his sophomore season, he averaged 12 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game. Onu was selected to the Second Team All-MSC.As a junior, Onu averaged 11.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and a nation-leading 5.7 blocks per game. He was an Honorable Mention National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-American, First Team All-MSC and MSC Defensive Player of the Year. As a senior, Onu averaged 16.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game, earning First Team NAIA All-American, MSC Player of the Year and First Team All-MSC honors. For a third time, he was named MSC Defensive Player of the Year and led the nation in blocks. Onu became Shawnee State's all-time leader in blocks while ranking third in points and rebounds. He helped his team win an NAIA national championship. After the season, Onu declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility and entering the transfer portal. On July 6, 2021, he announced that he was remaining in the draft.