Saint Louis Basketball: Analyzing newcomers on the 2020-21 roster

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 17: Javon Bess #3 and head coach Travis Ford of the Saint Louis Billikens celebrate their win against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies after the championship game of the Atlantic 10 2019 tournament at the Barclays Center on March 17, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Saint Louis Billikens defeated the St. Bonaventure Bonnies 55-53. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 18: Francis Okoro #33 of the Oregon Ducks (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Francis Okoro – sitting out this upcoming season

Mr. Okoro is an excellent place to start as he will be the lone recruit in this class who will be sitting out this season. The Oregon transfer will be redshirting for the 20-21 season while also getting healthy after an injury-riddled 19-20 season.

The former 4-star recruit claims his most significant motivation for transferring to SLU was a desire to move closer to home. As while he was born in Lagos, Nigeria, he has called Normal, Illinois home since his high school days. Just a couple hours north of the St. Louis metro area. He also played his AAU ball with the STL based Brad Beal Elite, a program the Billikens are becoming more and more familiar with every year.

Okoro is well known as a strong locker room leader. He is praised for his playmaking, athleticism, and passing on the court—a trademark for Travis Ford big men. The “true” 6’9″ forward offers the Bills a look into the future of the center position in Midtown St. Louis. With Hasahn French graduating and having been the starting 5 since stepping in three years ago, having a center hasn’t been a problem until now.

Adding Okoro is a long term answer to the question that hasn’t yet arrived. While rising sophomore Jimmy Bell Jr. will undoubtedly be a part of that equation, Okoro makes sure the post is locked down after this season.

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