WASHINGTON (June 26, 2024) – The Howard University men’s basketball program welcomed five new faces to The Mecca, coming from three states, The District and overseas. The announcement came Wednesday afternoon.
Here is more information on the five newcomers:
Antonio Chol (Buffalo, N.Y. / Minnesota Prep / Rutgers) 6-foot-9, Forward, Redshirt Sophomore
Chol comes to Howard University after two seasons at Rutgers where he saw action in seven games. Coming out of high school, Chol was the fifth ranked player in the state of New York and a top 75 recruit in the nation.
“Chol’s NBA-level skill set will give him an opportunity to help us elevate this program to the next level,” said Howard men’s basketball head coach Kenneth Blakeney. “But the key to his success will ultimately depend on his willingness to buy into our culture and do the tough things that winning requires.”
Anwar Gill (Washington D.C. / Gonzaga H.S. / LaSalle) 6-foot-4, Guard – Graduate Student
Gill returns to The District, where he attended nearby Gonzaga H.S., as a graduate student following four seasons with LaSalle. Last season, Gill averaged career highs in points (9.3) and games started (15).
“I’ve probably watched Anwar more than any other college basketball player, dating back to my time at Under Armour,” Blakeney said. “He’s all about the right things, wants to win and is the ultimate competitor. His spirit and who he is embodies the culture that’s allowed us to win back-to-back MEAC championships and will give us an opportunity to accomplish some things that have never been done at Howard.”
Jaren Johnson (Lynwood, Calif. / Lynwood / Dartmouth) 6-foot-5, Guard – Graduate Student
Johnson arrives at The Mecca after playing at Dartmouth the previous three years where he saw minutes in 26 games during the 2023-24 season. As a junior, Johnson led the team in free-throw percentage at almost shooting 92-percent and nearly had a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio in 56 career games with the Big Green.
“Having a veteran guard that was a little more mature and a guy that has played at a high level would really settle our team down in a way that gives us the most efficient way to play and win,” Blakeney expressed. “Being a 6-foot-5 point guard with that kind of length gives us an opportunity to be really versatile defending.”
Mounir Hima (Tillaberi, Niger / St. Benedict’s H.S. [N.J.] / Duquesne / Syracuse) 6-foot-11, Center – Senior
Hima brings his talents to The Mecca after two seasons with Syracuse. In 2024, Hima shot 67-percent from the field. Prior to his time with the Orange, Hima played for Duquesne where he averaged a block a game.
“For the first time in my tenure, we have someone in the middle that can be a defensive stopper at that five position,” Blakeney said. “I’m really excited about having someone that can take away possessions and save possessions for us there.”
Cameron Shockley-Okeke (Norwalk, Conn. / Milton Academy [N.Y.] / Columbia / Embry-Riddle Aeronautical) 6-foot-6, Wing – Graduate Student
Shockley-Okeke comes to Howard University following a career year at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical where he played 32 contests (31 starts) in 2024. Shockley-Okeke’s arrival signifies a bit of a reunion as Coach Blakeney recruited him to Columbia, prior to joining Howard, in 2018.
“Having the opportunity to reunite with Cam at Howard after the relationship we built during his recruitment to Columbia is going to be a really special experience for us,” Blakeney said. “He’s so highly skilled and, as a result, he will be able to fill whatever role we ask him to play.”
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.
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