By JACOB POLACHECK
It’s been quite the week for Class of 2023 center David Oyona.
Oyona, the 6-foot-10 big from Sunrise Christian (KS) Academy, has picked up offers from TCU, Minnesota and Oklahoma since Monday.
He broke down each school:
TCU: “I’m gonna be honest, I don’t really know a lot about TCU. The first time I talked to their coach was on Monday when their assistant coach called me and told me a little bit about their program. They’re a private school located in Texas. I’m looking forward to learning more about TCU and their program.”
Minnesota: “The assistant coach at Minnesota, [Kyle Lindsted] used to be the head coach at Sunrise. He used to coach at Sunrise and after that he went to Wichita State and now he’s the assistant coach at Minnesota. He’s the one who talks to me and he offered me. We have a good relationship. He came to watch our practices at Sunrise this past year.”
Oklahoma: “I don’t know a whole lot about Oklahoma. I got to talk to their assistant coach and he offered me. I’m looking forward to learning more about them.”
Before this week, Oyona’s only offer was from Oklahoma State, who offered during his eighth grade graduation in 2019.
“I like them because they were the first school to believe in me and offer,” he said. “My family are big fans of Oklahoma State and I like their program.”
Oyona is also receiving interest from Texas.
“I also got to talk to the Texas coach,” he said. “He told me and my family that he’s going to be recruiting me.”
When evaluating these schools, Oyona says he’s paying the most attention to each school’s academics and basketball program.
“I’m looking at if they’re going to help me get to the next level, grow as a player and a human being,” he said.
Oyona, who is originally from the Congo, started playing basketball at the age of 12.
“I started training then, but I didn’t start playing actual, organized basketball until I was 13,” he said. “It was when I moved to the United States. That’s when I started playing actual games.”
Oyona, who speaks French, Lingala, Munukutuba and English, says the language barrier was the most difficult part of his transition to the United States.
“When I first got here, it was tough for me because it was hard to communicate with teammates and understand the system,” he said.
When Oyona first arrived in the United States, he spent time at Capital Christian (WA) and Covington Douglas (OK), before transferring to Sunrise Christian for his freshman year.
“I get to compete every day and get better because there are some great players there,” Oyona said. “Our coach is very demanding so we get better every single day.”
Sunrise is expected to be a national powerhouse next season with 2021 five-star prospects Kendall Brown and Kennedy Chandler, Kansas commit Zachary Clemence and 2022 forward Gradey Dick.
“We can’t take any plays off, so we get to compete every day,” Oyona said. “It’s been a really great experience so far and I’ve learned a lot.”
Last season, Oyona says he wasn’t in his best shape and struggled to guard the pick-and-roll, but this year is a different story.
“This year I’m able to guard the 1-5 positions,” Oyona said. “I would say my strong suit is my defense. I’ve been working on my jumper, so my mid-range is getting better and I’m good at finishing around the rim.”
“I bring lots of energy,” he said. “I’m a great competitor. I love to compete. I get rebounds.”
Off the court, Oyona spends his time like any other high schooler, watching movies, watching basketball and listening to music.
“I like music a lot,” he said. ” I like rap music, but I also listen to gospel music and that’s about it.”
Photo: Sunrise Christian Academy
This story has been updated.
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