Obinna “Obi” Enechionyia, KLN ‘18, has been named the 2017-18 American Athletic Conference (AAC) Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

The award is given to a student from one of the 12 universities in the AAC based on athletic performance and academic credentials.

“Education and school have always been important to my family—that’s just how I was raised,” Enechionyia said. “So to get an award like this, I know it made them proud and it made me proud as well.”

Enechionyia is the basketball team’s third leading scorer and leads the team in rebounds and blocked shots. He also became the 52nd Temple basketball player to score 1,000 points. Enechionyia, a communication studies major, has been a member of Temple’s Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and Dean’s List.

“I am thrilled for him,” said Scott Gratson, the director of the communication studies program and the director of undergraduate studies at Klein College.. “I’ve seen him grow up since he’s been here and I could not be more proud of him.”

Enechionyia has been playing basketball since he was in eighth grade, which initially attracted him to Temple.

“I was recruited for basketball and I liked the school, I liked the basketball program as well so it just felt like the perfect fit,” Enechionyia said.

Gratson had Enechionyia as a student throughout his time at Temple and was awed and amazed by Enechionyia’s energy on the court and his dedication in the classroom.

“[Being a student athlete] is difficult at times,” Enechionyia said. Everyone has heard about how heavy our schedule is, but at the same time it’s really rewarding. I wouldn’t want to have it any other way.”

Enechionyia is the second Temple men’s basketball player with this distinction.

The AAC distinction grants Enechionyia $2,000 to use to further his graduate studies or professional degrees.

Enechionyia isn’t sure what his plans are to use the scholarship, but he said he wants to continue his basketball career.

“I’ll definitely try to get to the NBA,”  Enechionyia said. “I’ll do everything to try and get there but, if not, playing somewhere for the next few years.”