Mike Okauru landed on Tyneside as an unknown entity to most fans – however he was already firmly cemented himself as a fan favourite.

Anyone with limited knowledge of the newly formed Super League Basketball, would watch the Newcastle Eagles on the court and think Mike Okauru had played in this team for his whole career. It has seemed like a match made in heaven since he landed on English soil.

Okauru has an energetic and dynamic style to his play. In transition, there are not many as deadly and direct in the league. He can get downhill in a flash with devastating effect – which Marc Steutel requires in his roster.

Where did the Eagles manage to find such a talent? How has destiny fated him to land in the North-East on England?

Born in North Carolina, Okauru began his college basketball career playing for the Florida Gators where he struggled to find his feet. In his Sophomore year, he barely saw any action on the court as he averaged 6.1 minutes per game and 1.4 point per game – not starting any matches for the Gators.

Life comes at you fast. In 2019, the shooting guard changed allegiances to UNC Wilmington – by the time his final senior year came around he was starting every game for the outfit and averaging 13.2 ppg.

However, it was not enough to help him achieve his lifelong goal of becoming an NBA superstar as in 2022, Mike Okauru went undrafted – as the likes of Chet Holmgren and Paulo Banchero have went on to thrive for their franchises.

It would have been easy for a young athlete to feel sorry for themselves and sulk in their own self pity. The former Gator refused to do this. He took the highly unusual route of plying his trade in the Czech Republic as he signed with USK Praha.

Okauru established himself as one of the most exciting talents in the league – sinking 17.4 ppg and displaying an obvious ability to takeover games with his rock and roll style of play.

The next season, a window of opportunity arose in Nantes, France, to take the next step of his basketball journey as he strived to make it back to the promised land of the NBA.

Things were not as fruitful for the young American this time around, with his playing time becoming limited and his chances to make an impact on the court were hugely depleted.

Again, for a third time in three years, Mike Okauru was on the move; seeming like last chance saloon for the 25 year old shooting guard. It is a momentous roll of the dice to make a move to the most successful team in English basketball history.

It has appeared to be a seamless transition into English culture for the man from the USA. He has already showcased his outstanding abilities with some electrifying performances – averaging 18.4 ppg and scoring a season-high 35 points against the London Lions in November.

You can ask any Newcastle Eagles fan, what is the single most important attribute they require from a player? I guarantee that 90 percent of them will reply with ‘hard-work’. It is just an added bonus that Mike Okauru is not just a work horse.

It is still early days in the season for Okauru but he has already found a way into the hearts of Newcastle Eagles fans as the team chase down their first piece of silverware since 2021. If he continues his rich vein of form for the rest of the year, maybe the NBA dream will become a reality.