Four-star Stanford commit Kezie Okpala has huge upside

FULLERTON, Calif. -- Even in an area as populated and heavily scouted as Southern California, prospects can still fly relatively under the radar and four-star Stanford commitment Kezie Okpala is an example of that.

Make no mistake, the 6-foot-8 senior small forward at Anaheim (Calif.) Esperanza isn't a total unknown. The Stanford scholarship, four-star status and No. 69 overall ranking in the 2017 Rivals150 are proof of that.

However, even on a relatively off night in the Orange Holiday Classic, Okpala came on late to finish with 23 points and 11 rebounds and two blocks while showing off tremendous upside for the next level.

For the night, Okpala finished 9-for-23 from the field (2-8 3PT, 3-3 FT) but he shook off an awful start to finish strong and help Esperanza take out La Mirada (Calif.) High and move the finals of the tournament.

"I just know that I have to keep playing hard and keep working for my team when the shots aren't going down," Okpala said. "It's my senior year and I just want to do whatever I can to help us win."

A long and lean wing, Okpala is a high-level ball-handler, a sleek athlete and he sees the floor well. At times, he settled too easily for deep jumpers and he needs to get more lift with his shot, but the upside he showed is through the roof and he's a strong candidate to make a move up in the final Rivals150 for the senior class.

"I'm looking for consistency with my shot and my motor," said Okpala. "I'm working on not getting down if I'm missing my shots and making sure that even if I'm missing shots I'm still playing defense and giving 100 percent."

While some players with his ability might feel slighted that they haven't gotten the type of publicity that a high major prospect usually gets, Okpala has no issues. He didn't play a lot of high-level travel ball and the way he sees it, he is just now getting good and there really wasn't any reason for anybody to fuss over his game.

"I just think that playing hard and working on your skill is all that really matters," said Okpala. "I think I'm just starting to play at a high level. Even during the summer, I wasn't really playing at a high level. I think the start of my senior year I've been playing at a high level because I'm more athletic and I've got my confidence."

Okpala feels like he has some elements of Jamal Crawford and Brandon Ingram to his game. He's glad to have his recruitment over with and whatever attention he does or doesn't get he won't stress out because his future at Stanford is secured.

"I just know that the program is the right fit, academically they are strong and it's the Pac-12," said Okpala. "The coaches and the players when I went up there made me feel really good."