Nashua's Ebuka Okorie, after an incredible freshman year at Stanford, has declared himself eligible for this June's NBA Draft. (File photo)

NASHUA – For the first time anyone can remember, the city of Nashua will have a reason to be fully invested in the NBA Draft.

That’s because Nashua’s Ebuka Okorie, who led the ACC in scoring this year as a freshman at Stanford University, has declared himself eligible for the NBA Draft that takes place late this June, sometime during the week of June 22. An exact date has yet to be set.

Okorie posted on social media his intentions while thanking Stanford and the coaching staff for his opportunity this season.

“With the conclusion of the season, I talked with my coaches, family and representation about my future,” he said. “I have decided to declare for the 2025 NBA draft.”

Okorie, who arrived at Stanford out of Brewster Academy – he did not play high school varsity basketball in Nashua – averaged 23.2 points a game in 31 games – all starts – to lead the Cardinal, as well as the ACC and be eighth in the country. He also had 3.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals a game, and showed an incredibly quick burst to the hoop. He averaged 35 minutes a game, shot 46 percent from the floor (35 percent from 3-point range). He scored 34 points in his final game at Stanford, a loss to West Virginia in the quarterfinals of the eight-team Crown Tournament last week in Las Vegas.

It was a record setting year. Okorie set a Stanford record with 36 points in an upset over North Carolina, and he broke a record for ACC freshmen with eight games of 30 points or more.

Where would he go in the draft? The thinking a couple of months ago was second round, but the way he played the last two months of the season likely brings him into the late first round. If that’s the case, he’ll wind up on a talented NBA roster.

None of this was expected, not even when Okorie arrived at Stanford from Brewster Academy, a prep school in Wolfeboro. He transferred there a couple of years ago after starting his prep career at Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, Mass. Originally in his senior season he had planned on going to Harvard, but he was named the New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year last year and that helped open a door to Stanford.

“Thank you Coach (Kyle) Smith, Coach Hunter, and the entire Stanford coaching staff,” he said in his post. “A year ago you guys took a chance on a kid from New Hampshire with zero high major offers, welcoming me with open arms and allowing me to be the best version of myself on and off the court.”

Okorie continued his gratitude toward the Cardinal in his post.

“Thank you to my teammates and especially the seniors for taking me under their wing and making my transition to college as seamless as possible,” he added. “I’m truly blessed and humbled with this opportunity, and I’m thankful to Stanford for helping me chase my dreams.”

In just over a couple of months from now, those dreams will likely begin to become a reality.