ST. LOUIS – Francis Okoro, a 6-foot-9 forward who played the last two seasons at the University of Oregon, announced he will transfer to Saint Louis University.
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Okoro will sit out the 2020-21 season as mandated by the NCAA and begin his two years of eligibility in 2021-22.
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"We are thrilled to have Francis join the Team Blue family," SLU head coach
Travis Ford said. "I enjoyed watching and recruiting Francis out of high school, and we are excited about bringing him back closer to home where he was a valued member of the Bradley Beal Elite basketball program. Francis brings a great inside presence due to his athleticism, explosiveness and incredible competitive nature. We believe his best days are ahead of him, and we look forward to working with him every day to help develop him into one of the great big men in the country."
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"I want to thank Coach Ford and the rest of the staff for believing in me and offering me the opportunity to play for Team Blue," Okoro said. "I am super excited to work together with my new teammates and coaches, win games, and hopefully make history. Even though I won't play next season, my goal is to still come in and get better and help push my teammates. I love the way the fans are already showing me love, so I can't wait to come in and get to work."
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Okoro started 40 games and appeared in 66 for the Ducks over two seasons, averaging 3.2 ppg and 3.6 rpg. He posted two double-doubles last season, including a 12-point, 17-rebound performance against Montana on Dec. 18. Okoro shot 50 percent from the field during his Oregon career.
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Raised in Imo, Nigeria, Okoro came to the United States prior to high school and lived with family in Normal, Illinois. A highly touted recruit out of high school, Okoro played for Bradley Beal Elite in the Nike EYBL with Billiken teammates
Yuri Collins,
Terrence Hargrove Jr. and
Fred Thatch Jr. He averaged 8.7 ppg and 9.0 rpg over 21 games in the 2017 EYBL.
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Okoro was a consensus four-star recruit and was listed as the No. 34 recruit in ESPN's top 60 in 2019 before reclassifying for 2018. He was touted as the eighth-best center in the nation by ESPN coming out of Normal West High School, where he averaged 15.7 ppg and 12.4 rpg en route to All-State honors his senior season.
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Okoro is one of four newcomers to the Billikens in 2020-21, joining Marten Linssen, Andre Lorentsson and Markhi Strickland.
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