Darian DeVries’ quest to build out the 2025-26 roster now includes the junior college ranks.
On Sunday evening, Indiana offered a scholarship to Butler Community College big man Emeka Opurum. New IU staff member Mike Bargen coached for a long time at the Kansas-based school.
A product of Lagos, Nigeria, Opurum has only been in the U.S. since August. As a freshman in 2024-25, Opurum played in 33 games with 25 starts for Butler.
In just 22 minutes per contest, he averaged 9.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks while shooting 67.2 percent from the field. He was 0-of-4 from three and shot 52.4 percent at the free throw line.
The 7-foot center has received a number of Division I offers recently including Auburn, North Texas, Florida International, Ohio, Illinois-Chicago, Northern Illinois, Fresno State, Western Michigan, and Bowling Green. According to reports he is visiting Auburn this week.
Opurum was named the conference (KJCCC) Defensive Player of the Year.
He led the KJCCC in blocks (87) while ranking fourth in rebounds per game (8.1). With Opurum in the lineup, opponents shot only 39.7 and turned the ball over 14.4 times per contest as Butler finished fifth in the KJCCC regular season and advanced to the NJCAA Region 6 Tournament semifinals.
Nationally, Opurum ranked 14th in the NJCAA with 2.6 blocks per game and sixth in total blocks. Opurum was also named a First Team All-KJCCC selection.
For complete coverage of IU basketball recruiting, GO HERE.
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