Prospect Spotlight: Hakeem Odunsi (2018)
Maturity comes at different times for different people, and Iowa City West wing Hakeem Odunsi realized after last season that it was something he needed to work on.
The 6-foot-5 point-forward helped the Trojans to a state title last season, and the then-junior Hakeem Odunsi was a key role player, averaging 4.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
But he feels he could have done more.
“It was rough for me at first (last season), I felt like I wanted to do things my own way. And Coach (Steve) Bergman was not having that,” said Odunsi. “I feel like this year, I’ve changed, I’ve worked on some things to fix that.”
He added: “I really worked on my attitude, because that’s one thing that I really thought was holding me back. I don’t think I achieved what I could have achieved at West, and my coach and I didn’t see eye to eye most of the time.”
After helping his team win the 4A title, Odunsi reflected on his season, worked on his attitude, and used offseason time to hone his skill-set with one of Iowa’s best grassroots teams, Iowa Dynasty 17U.
Some recruitment has come his was, but not a lot. And Odunsi — Iowa’s 30th-ranked 2018 — says JuCo might be something he’d like to pursue.
“There’s schools that have talked to my (grassroots coach) about me, like Chicago State, when we played in a tournament in Chicago was asking about me. And then I just get letters from schools, I’m not really even sure who. But, it’s been slow, honestly,” said Odunsi.
“I’m hoping to change that my senior year, so I can prove a couple wrong, and things like that.”
Though no JuCos have reached out to him this yet, Odunsi made it very clear that following in former Trojans small forward Wali Parks’ footsteps was a goal of his. That’s to head the JuCo route, and play Division I after that.
“I hope I go to JuCo and work on my game and my grades and then go somewhere else. Some of my coaches have told me that I could be a mid-major D1 player or something like that,” said Odunsi.
“Kirkwood has followed me on Twitter, but they haven’t said anything to me yet, and I wouldn’t mind going to Kirkwood or DMACC or a school like that.”
Odunsi brings a unique set of skills to the table, and has a flare about him as a passer. He finds guys better than most point guards, but is also big and skilled enough to compete as a forward.
“I feel like the strong point of my game is creating for others, and then getting my teammates going. I feel like I can get myself going whenever I need to, so it’s my job to create for my teammate,” said Odunsi.
“I like playing with Seybian (Sims), because when I drive, he cuts, and there’s always someone to throw the ball to.”
With Iowa City West as a front-runner for yet another state title this season, Odunsi says it will be his turn to take the reins as one of the team’s top players.
“I believe Dadrian Hoambrecker, Brayden Adcock, Paul McGee, Dante Eldridge and other guys could make a big impact for us this year. Paul brings intense defense that we need, Dadrian is a slasher and those three will be good lead guards for us,” said Odunsi.
“I feel like Seybian and me and Patrick (McCaffery) are going to have a big role this year, and lead us to another state championship.”