Men's Basketball Signs Auda, Okoloji

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Seton Hall men's basketball head coach Kevin Willard announced today that Patrik Auda (Brno, Czech Republic) and Anali Okoloji (Brooklyn, N.Y.) have signed national letters of intent to attend the University and play basketball for the Pirates beginning in the 2010-11 season.

"We are very pleased to be able to sign a pair of talented front court players for next season," Willard said.  "With Fuquan Edwin already signed, we believe the additions of Anali and Patrik fortify a strong recruiting class that will make an immediate impact."

Auda comes to Seton Hall via Europe having played most recently at the Canarias Basketball Academy (CBA) in the Canary Islands, Spain and is a native of Brno, Czech Republic.  He is the latest in a pipeline of Seton Hall players from overseas which include stars such as Arturas Karnisovas and Rimas Kaukenas.  The 6-foot-9, 225-pound left-hander is regarded as a good three-point shooter, but also possesses a strong physical inside game.  ESPN.com ranks Auda as their #63 power forward.  He was named to the National Prep School Invitational All-Tournament Team after averaging more than 17 points and nine rebounds per game.

"I've seen CBA in action first hand, and without a doubt, it's one of the top basketball academies in Europe," Willard said.  "Getting a student-athlete from CBA means getting a well-coached, highly-disciplined player."

Okoloji is regarded as a versatile big man with a strong work ethic.  In his lone season at Impact Basketball Academy (Fla.), he averaged 25 points, 11 rebounds and six assists per game.  The 6-foot-8, 220-pounder originated at Benjamin Banneker High School in Brooklyn before transferring to Impact.

"Anali's prep year really helped him develop his game to a much higher level than it was in high school," Willard said.