UCI Strengthens Front Line with Transfer

The UC Irvine men’s basketball team has acquired some much-needed bulk with the arrival of Uzoma Obiekea, a 6-foot-7 1/2, 245-pound junior transfer from U.S. International.

Obiekea, who is from Oguta, Nigeria, will be eligible immediately because USIU dropped its basketball program. Under NCAA rules, transfers from four-year colleges usually sit out one season, but that requirement is waived when a program is discontinued.

Obiekea averaged about two points and four rebounds last season for the Gulls, mostly as a reserve, although he was a starter early in the season.

“I’m very happy to have him,” said Irvine Coach Rod Baker, who is preparing for his first season at the school. “I saw some film. He’s OK. He’s big and he’s strong. From what I can tell, he can rebound the ball. That (ability) is not something we have a whole lot of.”

Irvine’s only returning inside starter is Jeff Von Lutzow, a 6-9, 195-pound junior, and the team’s only other player taller than 6-6 is Don May, a 6-9, 220-pound senior.