In a season where his younger brother Baraka Okojie has emerged as one of Canada’s top collegiate performers, it was Ose Okojie who seized his own shining moment—leading Howard to its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory.
The six-foot-five guard from Brampton, Ontario—a 2025–26 MEAC All-Defensive First Team selection who is known for his impact on the defensive end—rose to the occasion offensively on the national stage, scoring a career-high 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc.
Making his third NCAA Tournament appearance, Okojie added five rebounds and went 2-of-5 from the free-throw line to lift the Bison to an 86–83 win over UMBC in the NCAA First Four at the University of Dayton Arena.
In a composed and balanced effort, four Howard players finished in double figures, but it was his efficiency and poise that anchored the program’s long-awaited breakthrough.
With the victory, Howard advances to face No. 1 seed Michigan, extending a run that has already etched this group into program history. As the magnitude of the win set in, the moment carried a deeper meaning for Okojie, who reflected on the responsibility that comes with leadership and legacy.
“They inspire me to be a better man and better basketball player every single day,” Okojie said postgame. “That’s what I try to bring into games and practices—for the younger guys, to be an inspiration. At the end of the day, the ball is going to stop bouncing one day, but how you make people feel and the impact you have on them—that’s what lasts.”
His words underscored a performance rooted not only in execution, but in leadership. Okojie credited the foundation built by former Howard players, emphasizing his desire to carry that forward while setting a standard for those who follow.
That perspective was shared by head coach Kenneth Blakeney, who secured his first NCAA Tournament victory at Howard decades after winning a national championship as a player at Duke in 1992. Rather than centering the milestone on himself, Blakeney focused on what the moment represents for his players and the university.
“I’m so proud of these guys because it’s not about me—it’s about Howard and their student experience,” Blakeney said. “These are moments they’ll remember for the rest of their lives, and so will the Howard community.”
“It’s part of what makes this group so special—that they understand this moment and they really embraced it.”
The significance of the win extended well beyond the court. As one of the most prominent historically Black universities in the United States, Howard has long been associated with trailblazing achievements across multiple fields. Now, its men’s basketball program has added a long-awaited milestone on the national stage.
The moment resonated nationally, drawing congratulations from figures including Magic Johnson and Vice President Kamala Harris, reflecting the broader cultural weight of the achievement.
For Okojie, the performance adds another layer to a season already tied to Canadian excellence through his family name. This time, however, the spotlight belonged firmly to the older brother, who delivered when it mattered most and helped elevate his program to new heights.
As Howard prepares for its matchup against Michigan, the significance of this breakthrough remains clear. Behind a Canadian guard who combined production with purpose, the Bison have taken a historic step forward—one that will resonate far beyond a single night in March.
