Auburn basketball's 2018-19 season has been picking up hype since the offseason began, and forward Chuma Okeke is a big reason why.
Okeke averaged 7.5 points and 5.8 rebounds a game as a freshman last season and has begun his sophomore campaign with a bang, earning SEC Player of the Week honors Monday.
In Auburn's first two games of the season — both big wins at home — Okeke averaged 19.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.5 blocks and two assists per game. From beyond the arc, the versatile Okeke has displayed improved range, shooting 75 percent from deep this season.
In a season-opening victory over South Alabama, Okeke notched a new career-high in points with 20.
Thanks in large part to Okeke's play to start the year, Auburn was ranked No. 9 in Monday morning's AP Top 25. The Tigers host Division-II Mississippi College on Wednesday at 7 p.m. CST.
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Nathan King, senior in journalism with a minor in business, is The Plainsman's sports editor.