YSU’s Akuchie inks pro basketball deal with Etoile Angers Basket in French LNB Pro B
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YOUNGSTOWN -- After the initial sense of relief, Michael Akuchie is now filled with exuberance and optimism.
The recently graduated Youngstown State forward inked his first professional basketball contract, a one-year deal with Etoile Angers Basket, a team in the LNB Pro B League in France. Pro B is the second-tier league behind LNB Pro A. French leagues utilize relegation, and Akuchie's new team recently was promoted to Pro B.
"It feels really, really good," said Akuchie, who averaged 13.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as a senior. "It's something you think about a lot when you're a kid obviously. For myself, I know it was something I figured that I could make happen while I was in college, and then I got to graduate and just figure out the details of it and find some realistic outcomes. Once it all actually happens, it's kind of a relief, a breath of fresh air -- something you thought could happen actually happened. So I'm excited, extremely excited."
The signing capped off what's been a busy summer for Akuchie. After graduation, the Plantation, Florida, native participated in a 3-on-3 tournament in New Orleans and then an HBCU vs. Ohio All-Stars event in Columbus.
Afterward, he took some time to reconnect with family and friends and take a break.
"It was probably the longest time since I've been in college (I could be) around my family and being able to see friends," Akuchie explained. "Then I just kind of got back into working out, spending a lot of time at my high school and talking to my high school coach, working with my little brother who just went to college."
As for his basketball career, Akuchie hired an agent -- Chet Ervin of Inception Sports -- and the two have had "great communication."
"He really helped me out and just kind of explained how things go," Akuchie noted. "And then we just kind of figured out which team and where do we see myself going? Where would I like to go -- different countries, different leagues, things like that. We just went from there, and went through each team that contacted me and figured out where we wanted to go."
When he was talking with his soon-to-be coaching staff, Akuchie said a lot of discussion centered on his versatility as a stretch forward.
As a whole, the process felt a lot like when he was recruited out of high school, Akuchie said.
"What really got me was how much I felt that they wanted me," he added. "I genuinely felt 'We need you on this team. I would really love to have you on this team.' I think that's what really sold it to me and how coach explained capitalizing on my versatility. I'm 6-foot-7, I can play multiple positions, shoot the ball, put it on the ground. So I think just (the coach), their playstyle and all that really just sold me on it, and then just being a pro and being in a good league. I'm going to be in France, and I'm excited for that. It was everything I was really looking forward to, and they checked every single box."
Akuchie will begin working out with his new club in August. The league's regular season runs from October through the end of May, and there also are different competitive events -- Cups -- they participate in, too.
He'll feature primarily as a four, but says the coaching staff told him he could move into the three or even to the five based on mismatches.
To prepare for the long grind of an eight-month season, Akuchie says he's first going to capitalize on the limited time he has left with family and friends before he heads overseas. He also will be working out to make sure he's in "professional shape."
Mentally, he says he knows the league won't be easy.
"It's almost like you start back as a freshman again, except I have a little bit more of a confident mindset," he noted.
Akuchie says he isn't nervous, and really is just excited for the opportunity to be a professional athlete and experience a new country and lifestyle.
"I'm trying to look at everything in a positive way. Everything is a new, beautiful, exciting experience that I get to go through," he said. "I think with that being said, it's going to make everything so much easier, whether I'm trying to figure out directions from someone in France, I'm trying to figure out our offense or anything like that. I think just looking at it in a positive mindset will help me kind of go through anything."
jwhetzel@tribtoday.com