May 4, 2004
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University men's basketball program announced the signing of Fremont (Calif.) American High School forward Okechukwu Mbanugo a national letter of intent, according to head coach Dick Davey.
Mbanugo joins three previous additions to the Bronco program. Point guard Brody Angley from Redding, Calif. and forward Mitch Henke from Minnetonka, Minn. signed to play for Santa Clara during the NCAA's early signing period last fall and junior college forward Tristan Parham from Dolton, Ill. signed a financial aid agreement to attend SCU earlier in the current signing period. The NCAA spring basketball signing period began April 14 and ends May 19.
Mbanugo, who goes by the first name of Okey, is a 6'-9", 210-pound forward who averaged 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots per game for coach Steve Kline at American High School in Fremont. He is a native of Nigeria who permanently moved to the United States in 2000 and began learning the game of basketball at that time. He blossomed into a first-team all-Mission Valley Athletic League selection at the center position as a senior. He helped lead the Eagles to a 15-11 overall record and 5-7 mark in league play.
"I believe Okey has a really promising future ahead of him in basketball," said Davey, who enters his 13th season as the head coach at Santa Clara this fall. "He is very athletic and has a strong desire to continue to improve his skills. He is a solid student and I think he has a chance to be a real contributor for us down the road."
2004 Santa Clara Men's Basketball Signees
| Name | Pos | Ht | Wt | Cl | Hometown |
| Brody Angley | G | 5-11 | 195 | Fr.-HS | Redding, Calif. / Enterprise |
| Mitch Henke | F | 6-7 | 205 | Fr.-HS | Minnetonka, Minn. / Hopkins |
| Okechukwu Mbanugo | F | 6-9 | 210 | Fr.-HS | Fremont, Calif. / American |
| Tristan Parham | F | 6-8 | 225 | Jr.-Tr | Dolton, Ill. / Coffeyville CC |