MIKE DANIELIAN | guest writer

NBA camp in the summer of 2005, one of the most electrifying basketball players in the country was on display—a graduate from Azusa Pacifi c University. The Globetrotters signed Kevin Daley in July 2005.Daley was born and raised in Panama City, Panama and played many sports growing up including soccer, baseball, football and even ping-pong, which he still enjoys today.

But at age six, a basketball court was built in the cul-de-sac at the bottom of his street and he was hooked. “Every New Year’s Eve, I would be out on the court waiting for midnight, so I could say I was the fi rst person to make a basket that year” Daley said. Daley idolized his father and names him as a major influence in his life. “My mom passed away when I was about two years old,” Daley said. “My father never remarried, so he did it all on his own.”

His father thought America would provide better opportunities for Daley and his brother so he moved the family to the United States in 1989. Daley starred at Artesia High School inLakewood, Calif., and later came to APU where he became noted as a major player on the court and won many awards.

“I was player of the year, fi rst team all conference and NAIA All-American at APU. I killed it then as I am doing now,” Daley said. He was a two-time All-GSAC honoree who helped lead Azusa Pacifi c to two conference championships, two NAIA Tournament appearances, and an NAIA Final Four in 1999.

He then embarked on a professional career overseas playing in Australia, Costa Rica, Iceland, Sweden, and Taiwan. But during the summer of 2005, he impressed the Globetrotters with his play in NBA summer leagues and earned himself a tryout and later made the team. Daley took another step in his life journey in the summer of 2007, becoming a U.S. citizen.

“I studied specifi c questions about the U.S. and its history and took various tests, which included reading and writing in English. I passed the tests 100 percent,” Daley said. Even though he now has dual citizenship, there will always be a special place in Daley’s heart for his native Panama. He’s played for their national team that participated at the 2006 FIBA World Basketball Championship. “When I’ve played with ‘Panama’ across my chest, there is a great sense of pride,” Daley said.

Justin Leslie, who currently serves as head coach for the APU men’s basketball team, played with Kevin Daley during his college years. Leslie described Daley as a good student who always practiced hard everyday, even on his days off.

“He was a phenomenal player. He always put on a show when he played, even during practice,” Leslie said. Anthony Haggins, who is the assistant coach for the Azusa Pacifi c University men’s basketball team, also had the pleasure of playing with Kevin Daley. “I would describe Kevin in one word, hungry,” Haggins said. According to Haggins, nothing bothered Daley more than losing a game and he did what he could to win every time, even if it meant taking on the opponents all by himself.

Just as Daley did, Christian Emeka Okoye continued to makegreat strides as an athlete after a successful career at APU. Born August 16, 1961 in Nigeria, Okoye is a former football running back for the Kansas City Chiefs (1987-1992). Nicknamed “The Nigerian Nightmare,” Okoye’s six seasons in the NFL saw a league rushing title in 1989, two Pro Bowl appearances (1989, 1991), and three playoff appearances. Many saw Okoye’s career going extremely far, unfortunately it was cut short by a knee injury.

Okoye did not play football competitively until he joined the Cougars in 1984. He excelled in both football and track & fi eld. In his time at APU, Okoye won seven college titles in the shot put, discus, and hammer throw. His track speed was unusual for someone his size; 6’3” and 260 lbs. His rare combination of talents led to his selection in the second round of the 1987 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.

“He has a very unique story,” Associate Athletics Director Gary Pine said. “A guy from Nigeria who played football, came to the UnitesStates, picked it up and three years later he is a multi-millionaire playing pro football.” These two professional athletes have positively added to APU’s reputation and given much credibility to the school’s athletic program. Bill Odell, the university’s athletic director, explained how much of an impact Christian Okoye has had on the school.

“I received an upgrade on a basketballgame ticket in Kansas City because I was from Azusa Pacifi c and Christian Okoye had played here,” Odell said. Because of athletes like these, APU is recognized not just nationally but internationally as well. Along with the many students nationally that apply to the university, APU has almost three hundred international student applications every semester. “Publicity is always good, especially when it’s a positive,” Odell said.