Rams bolster frontcourt

Colorado State bolstered its frontcourt over the weekend when class of 2015 junior college power forward Emmanuel Omogbo announced over Twitter while on his official visit to CSU that he committed to Larry Eustachy and the Rams.

After returning back to Levelland, Texas, the 6-foot-8, 215-pound Sporting News preseason All-American for South Plains Community College told GoldandGreenNews.com that CSU was the right overall fit.

"They really need a frontcourt man next year, because they've got a lot of frontcourt guys leaving. I'm interested in being a major impact on that and I want to play big minutes," Omogbo told GoldandGreenNews.com. "They were just saying their need for me. Coach Eustachy is a pretty good coach and I want to play for him."

While in Fort Collins, Omogbo was hosted by friend and former South Plains star Stanton Kidd.

"I'm pretty familiar with him. We just talked about his time there. We talked about (South Plains) Coach (Steve) Green, like how they were able to go 36-0 and win the National Championship. We just talked about how they practiced, how they did things. Basically, he just told me to be a good leader and do what he did to be successful.

"I just checked out campus, checked out all the facilities, talked to the trainers, talked to the strength and conditioning coach. He talked to me about adding 15-to-20 pounds as soon as I get in there. I also met the team."

In 35 games as a freshman for a talented South Plains team, Omogbo averaged 7.5 points and 4.3 rebounds, while going 66.4 percent from the free throw line and shooting 57.5 percent from the field. Now a sophomore on a team that boasts nine other second year players, Omogbo hopes to get even better, while being a leader on and off the floor for a squad that finished 29-6 a season ago.

"I want to be an All-American, All-Conference team, basically be a leader and play a big role in all our wins. We're pretty deep this year, so everybody is trying to get somewhere. With me leading the way, everybody should be good."

With his recruitment now behind him, Omogbo is excited to have another strong junior college season, while improving his overall game. He hopes to have a big initial impact upon arriving at Colorado State.

"I'm just going to play my game… don't worry about how others think I look on the court, but just play my own game. I'm not worried about nobody else; just play my own game," he said. "I want to be 'that' guy on the team, do everything to get back into the NCAA Tournament."

With little film available to view his skill set, Omogbo broke down his game on the court.

"I would say I'm more offensively (skilled), but I'm pretty good on the defensive end, too. I can guard multiple positions. I'm not your traditional back-to-the-basket type of guy. I can take my position off the dribble. I'm just trying to expand my game."

Omogbo will sign with CSU on November 15 for the early signing period. He said that his CSU visit will be the only official visit he takes and he anticipates graduating next spring, with an enrollment date at CSU set for the second summer session.

The big power forward will have three years to play two. He ultimately chose CSU over offers from East Carolina, La Salle, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana Lafayette, Southern Miss, Towson, Wichita State, and others.

"I can't remember them all off the top of my head, honestly," Omogbo said of his offers. "I know Arkansas was there, too. They wanted me to visit, but they didn't pull the offer yet."

The Rams are now expected to take one more recruit for their 2015 class, which presumably will be another forward.