WHO IS CHAMP OGUCHI?

I had just finished watching the Meralco Bolts finally barging into the win column with a dramatic 89-86 victory over the Derby Ace Llamados in a PBA Friday thriller at the Cuneta Astrodome. One player that really caught my eye on is the Bolts import Champ Oguchi. The Nigerian native pumped in two crucial howitzers in the last two minutes of the action-packed encounter en route to a 29 point performance. This is actually just his second game with Meralco as a replacement for original import Tony Danridge. Oguchi erupted for 43 big points (including eight 3-pointers) in his PBA debut a week ago but lost the game to the Talk N Text Tropang Texters. It’s a joy to watch this player with the way he release his sweet-shooting jumpshots and as well as his admirable over-all attitude towards the game. He is what a PBA import should really be. But who really is Chamberlain “Champ” Oguchi?

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(PhilStar Photo)

Oguchi is actually a Nigerian born in Houston, Texas. Oguchi, who will be turning 25 on April 28, played prep ball at George W. Bush High School (Texas). He then played three years of College ball at the University of Oregon from 2004 to 2007 before moving to Illinois State University in 2007 during his senior year. After not being selected in the 2009 NBA draft, Oguchi, who is also a member of the Nigerian national squad, brought his game to Europe and played pro ball with STB Le Havre in the tough French League during the 2009-10 season. He later played for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA D-League. Scouting reports says Oguchi is real excellent shooter who has NBA-range for his jumpers, according to Draft Express.

“Oguchi has NBA range on his jump-shot and will prove that to you almost any time he gets a sniff of the ball. He has no conscience whatsoever--for better or for worse--and will hoist up shots instantaneously if you give him just an inch of daylight. He is excellent coming off screens thanks to his heady off the ball movement and possesses very nice elevation on his jump-shot complimented by a lightning quick release, a pretty follow through and the excellent elevation he gets off the floor.”