| Game 11: Stony Brook (6-3, 0-0 AE) at Hofstra (6-3, 0-0 CAA) |
| LOCATION |
David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex | Hempstead, N.Y. |
| DATE | TIME |
Tuesday, December 10 | 7 p.m. |
| TICKETS |
Buy Now |
| COVERAGE |
Online: FloSports | Live Stats |
| UP NEXT |
Saturday, December 14: at Providence | 8 p.m.
Next Home Game: Sunday, December 29 vs. Norfolk State | Noon |
STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Seven years ago, a quiet, 6-foot-2, 185-pound freshman was walking the halls of Christopher Columbus High School and had never pursued a career in a sport that would soon pay for his higher education.
"I wasn't very talkative," he recalled. "I would go straight home from school most days".
Junior
Jeff Otchere (Bronx, N.Y.) had not begun his basketball career, unless 3-on-3 in gym class counts. It was not until his sophomore year that he played on the school's team.
"We would play pickup [in gym class] and I decided I was going to try out," Otchere said. "I was ready to go home after school that day and one of my friends convinced me to stay and try out".
That is when it all started for the reigning America East Defensive Player of the Year, who finished first in the country in block percentage last season.
Standing at 6-4, speed was the only weapon early on for this natural athlete out of the Bronx.
"Jumping and running were easy… I was a big body," he said. "It wasn't until the end of the season that I started blocking shots and doing more".
The journey to Long Island was only just beginning for Otchere, who would make four stops in two years before joining the Seawolves.
Starting at Bull City Prep, Otchere made stops at Delaware State, Ranger College in Texas and Garden City Community College in Kansas before the Seawolves came calling.
After stopping at a growing prep school in North Carolina, Otchere was ready to become a Hornet after a freshman year to boost his grades.
"I wasn't on scholarship but I was in talks with the coaching staff and they were holding it for the following year for once I got my grades up," the big man recalled. "I liked the guys but it just wasn't for me".
The Lone Star State called after that, but for a short amount of time.
"I was there for like a month. Before the season started, I transferred to Garden City".
It was there that he led the nation in blocks, with 3.8 per contest. He earned Region VI Defensive Player of the Year honors, as well as the same accolade from the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference.
Since his arrival on campus, he has swatted 96 shots in 42 appearances with the Seawolves and grabbed 202 rebounds.
"One of my friends that helped me in the process looked for schools that would be a great fit and Stony Brook was at the top of the list," Otchere said. "He highlighted the returners when I first got here and realized I could make an immediate impact".
Not so bad for a guy who has only played organized basketball for six years.
For an inside look at the Stony Brook men's basketball program, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
