LOWELL — Mere hours away from the biggest night of his basketball career, and possibly his life, Alex Oriakhi finally feels nervous.
For the last two months, the 6-foot-9, 255-pound Lowell native has been feverishly traveling across the country, trying to impress NBA teams. Throughout the stressful process of the constant workouts and interviews, Oriakhi somehow managed to stay relatively stress free. In fact, he enjoyed the journey, with a refreshing perspective that he was fortunate and happy to have even made it this far.
But Thursday night — the Big Night — is rapidly approaching. Oriakhi will watch the NBA Draft (7:30) with his family and close friends in his home in Lowell, hoping to hear his name called.
A lifelong dream hangs in the balance. Cue those nerves.
“It’s really hard to think about anything else. I’m just so anxious,” said Oriakhi, who arrived in Lowell on Monday and did much of his training for the draft in the Los Angeles area. “This is what I’ve wanted since I was five.”
Oriakhi’s anxiety stems somewhat from the fact that in many mock drafts, his name is missing from the board. It is far from automatic that he will be selected in the two-round draft.
It’s a bit head-scratching when you consider Oriakhi’s college accomplishments.
He helped lead UConn to a 2011 national title as a starting sophomore center, and was arguably the best player in the national title win against Butler. He transferred to the University of Missouri for his senior year in 2012-13 and averaged 11.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, while shooting 63.9 percent from the floor and 74.6 percent at the line. He also proved to be a defensive force with a massive 7-foot-3 wingspan.
All that in power conferences like the Big East and SEC.
Yet, Oriakhi has routinely been underestimated during the pre-draft evaluations.
He was not among the 60 players invited to the Draft Combine in Chicago last month.
“If it was up to me, I would be the No. 1 pick. I love my game,” joked Oriakhi. “It might not go my way. But I feel like I had tremendous workouts and interviews. I asked myself, what would make me not get drafted? Sixty-four percent from the field, 75 percent at the line. I think I’m one of the best players in the draft. I’m not an arrogant guy. You have to be confident.
“Everybody thinks they know where you’re going. I learned to tune those people out a long time ago. I can’t listen to negativity. After the top 15 in this draft, I think those spots are there for anybody.”
Oriakhi says he is hearing positive things from his agent Thad Foucher, of Wasserman Media Group. The Indiana Pacers (pick No. 53), Philadelphia 76ers (pick No. 42) and Dallas Mavericks (pick No. 44) are among the teams who could have interest in Oriakhi.
The 23-year-old worked out for the Pacers with four wing players.
He says he thinks he impressed Indiana by showing his athleticism and versatility, and effectively guarding on the perimeter.
Oriakhi’s position in the NBA concerns some teams. He is considered by some to be too undersized to match up against centers. Some also believe he can’t score consistently enough from beyond 15 feet.
In today’s NBA, it is often desired that a power forward have a reliable mid-range jumper to use in the pick-and-pop.
“I don’t think I really missed many mid-range jump shots in my workouts,” Oriakhi said. “I was able to score.”
The former New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year at the Tilton School and McDonald’s All-American knows there are other avenues to the NBA if not through the draft. Oriakhi looks to the success of undrafted free agents like Rockets guard Jeremy Lin and Blazers guard Wesley Matthews for inspiration.
The focus now, however, is Thursday night.
He’ll surround himself with loved ones and nervously sit and wait to get that call. If it doesn’t come, there will be no shame.
“I’m really happy with my progression,” Oriakhi said. “Not many players even get to make it this far.”
Follow Matt Langone at Twitter.com/MattLangone
