ORU SENIOR HOPES FOR TRIP TO HOME COUNTRY
Since his family moved to Edmond, ORU’s Obi Emegano has not been able to visit his home country of Nigeria. The former Edmond Memorial standout hopes to change that this summer.
TULSA — William Emegano paved the path to a better life for his family. Relocating his family from Nigeria to Oklahoma was his way of providing every conceivable avenue to a prosperous future.
In December 1995, two months after Emegano arrived in the United States, his wife, Lucia, and four children successfully migrated across the Atlantic Ocean. The youngest of the four children is Oral Roberts senior guard Obi Emegano, who took full advantage of his father’s uprooting of the family.
“As a young boy, I never thought I’d be here today,” Emegano said. “But I know one thing: My parents expected nothing less. That’s why we moved here — for my brothers and myself to be presented with such opportunities. It is truly a blessing.”
Since his family moved to Edmond, Emegano has not been able to visit his home country. Basketball has hindered his desire to travel to Nigeria and see the family members who still reside in Africa’s most populous country.
He said he hopes to change that this summer.
“My family goes back each year, and I have never been able to because I am always in season,” Emegano said. “Last year, my grandmother passed away, and I was never able to meet her, so that kind of hit me hard. My grandma’s one wish was to see me, and I was never able to make that happen.”
Emegano’s goal in getting back to Nigeria is to introduce himself to his aging grandfather.
“My grandpa just turned 98 a couple weeks ago,” he said. “He is doing well, as far as health goes, but I would hate for him to pass without me meeting him, either. If he passes, one of my biggest regrets would be never meeting my grandparents.”
That plan is on Emegano’s summer calendar. For now, though, he has one final home game to play at the Mabee Center, when ORU hosts Denver (13-13, 5-8 Summit League) on Friday night.
“Time flies so fast,” said Emegano, who graduated from Edmond Memorial and signed with Western Illinois before transferring to ORU. “I remember my first year here, (and) as a young man all you want to do is graduate and get out of college. Now I’m looking back wishing I could spend more time in college.”
From overcoming a torn ACL his sophomore season to shrugging off a torn labrum in his shoulder before his senior campaign, Emegano has endured a litany of injuries at ORU. Those recoveries have caused Emegano to count his blessings.
“The best moments of my life probably would have to be overcoming the injuries I have had,” said Emegano, who has scored 1,278 points during his three seasons with the Golden Eagles (13-14, 5-8).
“Amongst others, I am just thankful I get to wake up every morning and pursue my dreams doing what I love.”
One void in Emegano’s career at ORU has been a Summit League championship and a resulting NCAA Tournament berth. That’s disappointing, considering Emegano’s individual success, ORU coach Scott Sutton said.
“Obviously Obi is a terrific player,” Sutton said. “I’m not sure we’ve had a guy who has worked harder day in and day out. It’s unfortunate for him that our teams haven’t been a little bit better.”
This year, Emegano’s 23.2 points per game ranks seventh in the country. He’s also in the nation’s top 70 in free throws made, field goals made and field goals attempted.
“I’m disappointed that he’s not getting the recognition nationally since our team hasn’t been as good this year,” Sutton said.
Regardless of previous outcomes, Emegano said the collegiate experience has been a fun ride.
“My college years have been a tough roller coaster, to say the least,” Emegano said. “But I wouldn’t change the ride I’ve traveled for anything. Those experiences make me who I am, and the player I am today.”