UNLV landed a big transfer - literally and figuratively - in Chris Obekpa, a center who stated a little more than a month ago was leaving St. John's.
Citing unnamed sources, ESPN and CBS Sports reported Obekpa's decision. The Nigerian 6-foot-10 center who has become known for wearing short shorts was not an offensive force in the low-post for the Red Storm, but he was a shot-blocking machine.
NCAA transfer rules will keep Obekpa off the court this upcoming season, but he will have one more year of eligibility remaining afterward.
He announced on his Instagram that UNLV was his landing spot by posting a picture of the Runnin' Rebel mascot with a UNLV logo on its waist.
A photo posted by Airwatchman. Khadafi (@obekpa12) on Aug 5, 2015 at 11:06am PDT
The New York Post reported in June that Obekpa's transfer was apparently directly related to St. John's hiring of Chris Mullen, an alum of the school and former Red Storm great. Regardless of Mullen's history in the NBA and college game, transfers are common when a new coach is hired.
"It was a great three years of growing here at St. John's. I am forever grateful for the friends and family I have met during my time here," Obekpa said in a statement at the time. "Much gratitude goes out to my coaches, teammates, professors and administrators for all of their love and support over the past three years."
Obekpa sat out two exhibition games before his sophomore season for breaking unspecified school rules. Most recently, the NCAA kept him out of the Tournament last season for testing positive for marijuana.
