Rivals150 junior Zimife Nwokeji pledges to Florida State
Florida State has remained relatively silent in the 2018 recruiting cycle so the Seminoles went ahead and started their 2019 class with the commitment of Rivals150 forward Zimife Nwokeji. A super talented combo forward that is built in the mold of past FSU frontcourt stars, Nwokeji is an excellent addition. The four-star prospect is ranked No. 68 in the 2019 class.
Born in Ann Arbor, Mich., before moving to Tallahassee in 2006, Nwokeji didn’t see the need to wait out the process.
“I had gone on visits to Ohio State and Notre Dame but just recently was my first unofficial to FSU," he said, "and looking at the campus, the academics, meeting the athletic director, and meeting everyone, it just showed me that FSU has just as good of facilities of the other schools that I had seen. The question came up of what school I was waiting for and if I had a dream school or not and I just figured that there is nothing for me to wait for.”
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He held offers from Butler, Ohio State, Georgia Tech and a handful of others, but the idea of playing close to home was too much to deny.
“I think I am the first one in a real long time to commit to Florida State from Tallahassee,” Nwokeji said. “Growing up here the majority of my life, it means a lot to me since there has been a bunch of really good players from here that hadn’t really caught Coach Ham’s (Leonard Hamilton) eye, so it really means something to me.”
A 6-foot-7 forward that can play multiple positions and on either end, Nwokeji is the type of frontcourt prospect that has come to flourish under Hamilton’s watch in recent years. The Maclay School product is a capable shooter and can create for others, and brings even greater value to the defensive end thanks to his length, quickness and instincts.
The loss of Phil Cofer in the frontcourt in 2019 should give Nwokeji ample opportunity to contribute immediately.
