Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie announced Thursday that he will enter the 2024 NBA Draft after a historic freshman season in which he led the ACC in scoring and emerged as one of the nation's top draft prospects.
Okorie averaged 23.2 points per game this season, ranking eighth in the country and second among freshmen behind projected lottery picks AJ Dybantsa of BYU and Darius Acuff Jr. of Arkansas. His 719 total points rank third in Stanford history for a single season, behind only Adam Keefe and Chasson Randle.
Okorie made an immediate impact, scoring 26 points in his debut against Portland State and following it with a 36-point performance in a stunning upset over North Carolina in January. He later dropped 40 points against Georgia Tech and finished the season with eight 30-point games, breaking the ACC freshman record once held by Duke's Marvin Bagley III.
In a social media post, Okorie thanked Stanford coach Kyle Smith and the team staff for their support. "A year ago you guys took a chance on a kid from New Hampshire with zero high major offers, welcoming me with open arms and allowing me to be the best version of myself on and off the court," he wrote.
Okorie earned first-team All-ACC honors and honorable mention AP All-American recognition. He averaged 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game, matching a stat line last seen from Ja Morant at Murray State in 2018-19.
His perimeter shooting improved as the season progressed, with a 46.9% three-point average in his final 12 games. At 6'5" and 210 pounds, Okorie combines scoring versatility with playmaking ability, drawing comparisons to guards who blend inside-outside threats with quickness and court vision.
Projected as a late first-round pick, Okorie is expected to be one of the top underclassmen selected in the draft. He will need to declare by June 10 to remain eligible.
Okorie is currently working with an agent and is expected to begin pre-draft workouts in the coming weeks.
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