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Huntley grad Egekeze makes his mark at Belmont

Huntley graduate Amanze Egekeze's college career has been one of steady progression.

And that progression is reaching a crescendo this year as Egekeze has seen his numbers blossom as a member of the Division I Belmont University men's basketball team in Nashville.

Egekeze, a 6-foot-8 senior forward, is leading the team in scoring at 17.6 points per game, while averaging 6.3 rebounds. More impressively, through 19 games, he's shooting .516 from the field and a robust .417 from the 3-point line in 132 tries (55 makes). Egekeze also is a strong 52 of 64 from the free-throw line (. 813) for a Belmont team that's off to a 13-6 overall start including a 5-1 mark in conference play.

"This year it's mostly been my consistency," Egekeze said earlier this week from Nashville. "I knew a lot more was going to be asked of me in all aspects this year and from a leadership standpoint. We lost a talented senior class. We knew it was going to be a challenge filling those shoes. Over the summer, I felt more comfortable - more comfortable than I had felt in the past."

Egekeze referenced his 3-point shooting as one Xs and Os aspect that has taken a leap forward.

"I knew I would have to shoot from three," he said. "I knew coach probably would call a few plays for me to get a 3. I had to improve my consistency. My mechanics have improved. I'm getting it faster and releasing it. I feel like I've done a pretty good job with that so far."

That's not to say Egekeze has given up playing with his back to the basket. "I feel pretty comfortable in the post," he said. "A lot has been asked of me because we lost a big post player who had been there the last three years. I've always played in the post going back to middle school and high school. I'm confident there and I think the numbers have been pretty good when I've been inside. I try not to be one-dimensional. I want to be as versatile as I can be. If I'm asked to post up and roll more inside, I'm going to be ready to make a positive play. I feel more comfortable than I ever have been inside since I've been in college."

Last year, Egekeze averaged 11.3 points to go with 5.5 rebounds compared to sophomore year where he was at 9.0 points and 3.4 rebounds and freshman year where he was at 5.4 points and 3.2 rebounds.

"I've taken a nice few steps every year," he said. "I've focused on building every year. Freshman year I started quite a few games but was more of a utility guy making plays on the defense end playing against bigger guys. I was a defender making hustle plays. Sophomore year I keyed in on my mechanics because I had the potential to be a good shooter. That's where I saw my biggest growth. Last year it carried over and now this year I've gotten better all-around and am able to help out whenever I'm needed. I've built upon every part of my game. Whatever coach asks I'm going to be ready to step in and do it. But confidence has been my No. 1 improvement. Confidence affects every part of your game. The game slows down a lot when you get more experience. I've been in big games and lost a few but I also know how to succeed in big environments and I have to give my coaches and teammates a lot of credit. They have played a big part in my development."

And Egekeze still pinches himself at the thought of playing Division I men's basketball.

"It's been the best basketball experience I could have ever asked for," he said. "It's been amazing and it's gone by so fast. Looking back, I can't believe four years have gone by. It's been so fun and it's because of a lot of things that have not been on the court. I'm blessed to have great teammates. The guys I play with all are great on and off the court. I've bonded with them and that friendship has carried onto the court. When the chemistry is good, amazing things can be accomplished on the court. There's a great culture here."

As his college career winds down, Egekeze, who is studying business and would like to get into sports management or sports marketing post-school, is well on his way to putting the final seal of approval on a key goal he had when he chose Belmont.

"I wanted to go somewhere that I could continue to win," he said. "It was like that in middle school, high school and in AAU. Winning is a skill and it sticks with you. I wanted to go to a place where I could help carry on a winning tradition."

And Egekeze has done just that at Belmont.

Off at College wants your help: Send information and/or statistics on Fox Valley-area athletes playing collegiately to Mike Miazga at mjm890@gmail.com.

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