The Calvin Sports Information Office recently caught up with Calvin sophomore Uchenna Egekeze. A member of the Calvin men's basketball team, Egekeze was named the 2022 MIAA Defensive Player of the Year and landed a spot on the 2022 All-MIAA Second Team. He later helped Calvin reach the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA III Tournament. Egekeze hails from Huntley, Illinois, where he prepped at Huntley High School.

CALVIN SPORTS INFORMATION OFFICE Q & A WITH UCHENNA EGEKEZE

When did you start playing basketball and did you play other sports growing up? How did basketball become your lead sport?

I started playing basketball very early around elementary school. Growing up I did track and field, but basketball became my lead sport when I decided to do AAU basketball in the springtime.

Tell us a bit about your decision to come to Calvin. What led you to become a Calvin Knight? How did your family help you with that decision?

 My AAU teammate committed to Calvin, and I still was deciding between schools. So, when he told me about Calvin and when coach (Bill Sall) contacted me, I decided to go for a visit and then ended up committing to Calvin. My family helped me a lot in my decision as they told me to pay attention to what's best for my future along with my education and basketball.

What has your Calvin basketball experience been like through your first two years?

 I feel like in a way it's been a night and day experience my first two years at Calvin. There were a lot of special moments my first year, but Covid really halted a chance at having a true college basketball experience in general. My second year was a complete turnaround since it felt like an actual Calvin basketball experience. There were fans, there was a lot of fun games like the Hope vs Calvin games, and there was a lot of special moments like making it far in the NCAA tournament.

Describe what it was like to find out your team had received a bid to the NCAA III Tournament last month and what was it like to play in the tournament?

 It was a great feeling because we were not sure if we were even going to make it. We knew we had a chance since we beat good teams all year, but we didn't win the conference championship. It was fun playing in the tournament. We had nothing to lose, and we treated it like it was a new season. It was nice to win some games too.

Academically – what are your majoring in or what do you plan to major in? Any idea on what you would like to do after graduation?

 I am currently majoring in marketing. I'm not too sure yet what I plan on doing after graduation.

Who is your favorite basketball player and what makes the player stand out to you?

Growing up my favorite player was Steve Nash because I really liked the Phoenix Suns team when he was playing for them.

Your favorite place to hang out or spend time on campus is where?

Van Noord arena would probably have to be my favorite place to spend time on campus. I see most of my friends there and I of course get to play basketball there too.

Last question: Why has Division III been a good fit for you?

 Division III has been a good fit for me because I still get to play and compete in a sport I love while also preparing myself for my future in whatever I decide to do.