Miami transfer Michael Nwoko prepping for next chapter in the SEC
Former Miami center Michael Nwoko was one of Mississippi State’s first transfer additions this offseason and he made that decision last month. Since the conclusion of his freshman season at Miami, the former Top 100 prospect has remained in the gym to prepare for his next chapter in Starkville.
Nwoko has put his focus on several areas of his game and that includes both ends of the court. All in all, Nwoko wants to hit the ground running when he arrives in the SEC.
“I’ve been working on a lot of things since the season ended,” Nwoko remarked. “I’ve been working on my skills around the basket. I am trying to expand my game on the perimeter a little bit, trying to get consistent from the free-throw line. I’m also working on my drives and developing my second move when I am cut off. I am working on catching the ball in the mid-post and refining my skills. My goal is to go in there and kill it from Day 1.”
Nwoko is scheduled to enroll at Mississippi State later this month and then begin offseason workouts with his new Bulldog teammates next month. Of late, the Mississippi State staff has talked to Nwoko about what to expect in those workouts and he noted of one big change from his previous program.
“I am supposed to get there on May 31st,” said the 6-foot-11 and 245-pound Nwoko. “Since I committed it’s been going good with the coaches. They told me to get ready for summer conditioning and a lot of running. When I was at Miami we didn’t run a suicide the whole year. So I have to adjust to all of that. It will be a culture shock but I am ready for it and I am ready to compete.”
Last season Nwoko averaged 8.8 minutes a game at Miami but he is expected a bigger role at Mississippi State. As a backup center last year, he did have the practice experience of facing former Miami center Norchad Omier, who averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds last year and is now transferring to Baylor.
“The whole year I went against Norchad Omier in practice,” Nwoko recalled. “I was able to go against him every day and then watch him play in games to learn a thing or two from him. Obviously, I am ready for a bigger role this year and I am ready to put my name out there. I want to show people what I’m about and make Mississippi State fans happy.”
With his new school, Nwoko is familiar with teammate and former Boston College transfer guard Claudell Harris. Miami and Boston College played three times last year with Boston College capturing all three of those games. Nwoko has also been studying film on State standout guard Josh Hubbard in order to find ways he can help Hubbard find more scoring opportunities next season.
“I played against Claudell Harris when he was at Boston College,” noted Nwoko. “So I am familiar with his game and I’ve been watching film on Josh Hubbard, too. I am trying to see where I can help Josh score and what I can do better to help them. Claudell got us good last year in all three games. In all three games he hit daggers on us and he hit a lot of big shots.”
When Nwoko chose Mississippi State, one of his biggest factors was having the chance to learn from Jans and develop under Jans’ attention. And this season, his top goal is to simply win and help the Bulldogs advance to the program’s third straight NCAA Tournament.
“To be honest, I just want to win,” Nwoko mentioned. “I want to be part of a winning program and be a better leader. There aren’t things I am great at yet but there are things I am good at right now. I just have to keep working to become the elite player I know I am capable of.”
The post Miami transfer Michael Nwoko prepping for next chapter in the SEC appeared first on On3.
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