At 6-foot-4, her height would seem to be her calling card. But when you meet Ogechi Oekek, it's her smile that stands out first.
It’s disarming —unexpected. You might assume that someone her size is a bruising post, bullying opponents in the paint.
Wrong. She’s just as likely to help an opponent up off the floor as she is to post them up on it.
“I moved from Sweden before the eighth grade and I’m still pretty new to basketball,” the super junior said. “I was really uncoordinated at first and would let the little things get to me. I’ve read several books on mental health, and my confidence has improved so much. I want to uplift people— that’s just my nature.
“I used to hate my height. Now, I love it and the opportunities it’s giving me.”
Now ranked No. 19 nationally in the Class of 2027, the Hightower junior is one of the most coveted recruits in the country. She helped lead the Hurricanes to the Class 6A State Finals, earning spots on the All-State Tournament Team, All-Region Team, and first-team all-district.
And now, it’s her time.
“Coach (Jasmine Brewer) has made this program a sisterhood,” Okeke said. “She’s been telling me since my freshman year that there would come a time when I’d need to lead. I think that time is now.
“I never realized how many people looked up to me — my teammates really rely on me. I’m not just doing it for me anymore. It’s for us. I’m pouring my energy into them and making sure everyone feels at home.”
Whether it’s making TikToks, hanging out at each other’s houses, or hitting Chick-fil-A, the Hurricanes have that rare chemistry —that special sauce — every great program needs.
“My social life, my school life, and my basketball life —they’re all the same people,” she said. “These girls are my family. We lean on each other because we’re all going through the same things, on and off the court.”
The sisterhood is real.
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