One of Monroe’s Okocha Triplets to Play for Cougars Next Fall
MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ—All three Okocha’s are headed to college. Monroe’s star triplets are going in different directions though. While Jonathan Okocha will be attending TCNJ, and Josh Okocha will play at Arcadia, Eli has other ideas. Eli Okocha committed to Kean recently, and will likely compete against his brother Jonathan a lot in the NJAC.
A standout in two sports, Eli Okocha had a terrific season for the Monroe Falcons. According to stats compiled at nj.com, Okocha played in all 27 games for Monroe in 2021-22. In those 27 games, Eli Okocha made 109 total field goals including 44 three pointers, and 61 free throws for 323 points. Okocha averaged just under 12 points per game.
Okocha Turns in Superb Senior Season
Eli Okocha ranked third behind brothers Jonathan (415 points) and Josh (358 points). Combined the trio scored 1,096 points and accounted for 71.3 percent of Monroe’s scoring this past season. The Okocha triplets were the 7th highest scoring trio in the GMC for 2021-22. Eli ranked second in three pointers made behind his brother Jon Okocha. He ranked third in two point field goals, total field goals and free throws made.
Okocha scored in double figures 17 times in 2021-22. In those 17 games, he scored at least 20 points on three occasions. Included in those three 20 plus point performances was a career high of 30 points versus Old Bridge. Okocha made 10 field goals including three treys, and 7 foul shots in Monroe’s 64-54 victory over the Knights in the 2022 GMCT Round of 16 on February 17th.
Eli Okocha’s Career at Monroe
A three year varsity player for the Falcons, Okocha played in 50 career games. Over half of those games played were during this past season. During his varsity career, Eli Okocha made 134 total field goals including 59 threes and 75 foul shots for 401 points. Okocha averaged 8.0 points per game during his career. He scored in double figures 19 times.
Eli and his brothers helped Monroe reach the GMCT Final Four for the first time in 12 years. The Monroe Falcons finished 22-5 overall including a 12-3 mark in the GMC Red. One of those Red Division wins was a 52-49 victory over 2nd ranked St. Joseph’s on January 20th in Monroe. Okocha had a team high 16 points including the game winner on a 30 foot buzzer beater. Eli earned an All GMCT Team selection in 2022.
During Okocha’s three years at Monroe, the varsity boys basketball team had an overall record of 42-25 including a 21-17 mark in the Red Division. The Falcons qualified for the state tournament in two of those years: 2020 and 2022. Although the 2020-21 season was cut short by COVID, Monroe made the most of it by winning the Taylor Family Pod Championship. The Falcons also won the 2021 Bound Brook Summer League.
Okocha Commits to Kean Squad Looking to Improve
Okocha will be joining a Kean men’s basketball program looking to improve. Under former St. Joseph’s and Middlesex County College head coach, Dave Turco, the Cougars finished 14-10 overall and 9-9 in the NJAC in 2021-22. Former GMC standouts, Letrell West (St. Joseph’s), JD Daniels (Monroe), and Jared Meyer (Old Bridge) will be returning next season. All three played for Turco at MCC.
In the COVID shortened season of 2020-21, Kean finished only 1-6 overall including a 1-5 mark in conference. Two seasons ago, the Cougars finished only 6-19 overall and 3-15 in conference. Kean doubled its win total from the previous two years combined in 2021-22. The Cougars enjoyed their first double digit win season in 8 years. West received All NJAC Second Team honors.
Congratulations Eli, and best of luck at the next level.