During his time at The College of New Jersey, Matthew Okorie has taken on all challenges. Whether in the classroom, on the court with the basketball team or in life, just like the drive to win another conference championships, he welcomes the opportunity to succeed. “It is a challenge studying mechanical engineering and playing basketball, but so are most things worth doing,’’ stated Okorie. “I have accumulated so many great skills which I am eager to apply to whatever career path I take. It was not an easy journey, but I have learned a lot about what it takes to be successful in life. Striving to be high achieving has made me a better player on the court, and working hard in the classroom has made me the person that I am today.’’ The TCNJ senior is an extremely talented 6-foot-7 forward who is averaging 13.4 points and grabbing 6.3 rebounds. Okorie will be in the lineup when the Lions (11-4, 4-4 NJAC) head to New Jersey City (11-4,6-2 NJAC) for a 3 p.m. Saturday tipoff. TCNJ is looking to bounce back from a tough home loss to Montclair State on Wednesday night. The Lions gutted things out last season en route to the New Jersey Athletic Conference championship and Okorie is looking forward to another exciting run. “I am very excited and grateful to be able to play in the NJAC as a senior,’’ said Okorie. “Not everyone gets the opportunity to play collegiate basketball, especially in a conference as competitive and prestigious as the NJAC, so I am blessed to have already experienced four years of it.’’ One of Okorie’s greatest attributes has been the steady hand he brings to the court. “I am even more blessed that I still have plenty more games to play with my team as I experience this final stretch,’’ added Okorie. “In my opinion, who wouldn’t be excited to have a chance to excel in their last season of playing a sport they are passionate about with a team that has become their second family? That feeling is where the excitement comes from really.’’ The Lions know if they want to continue to experience excitement they are going to have to finish the season strong as they are a game out of the sixth and final playoff spot with 10 games to play. “The key down the stretch all sums up to consistency, which has been our biggest challenge up to this point,’’ stated Okorie. “We have many attributes that make a successful team like being focused, humble, confident, and hungry to win, but we sometimes fall short when we lack consistency. For the rest of the season, that is the key component to how we will uphold the reputation that we have made for ourselves. A consistent team is scary, but a consistent TCNJ Men’s Basketball team is unstoppable.’’ One of the things that has made Okorie unstoppable has been his growth in strength and confidence since his freshman season. “My growth as a player since freshman year has been exponential,’’ Okorie said.  “The first noticeable way that I improved was my strength, our strength helped me learn how to use my physical strength and translate it into basketball. Secondly, in the basketball games themselves, I’ve played with so many talented players in different situations and environments, like practices or games. More than anything else, those experiences have helped me mature as a basketball player because I have learned how to play the game at a collegiate level.’’ Strength was a big part of the growth, but it really came from believing in himself. “However, the most drastic growth I’ve experienced as a player, in my personal opinion, would be my mindset,’’ Okorie stated. “I have always had the skill in me but my growth as a player wasn’t sparked until I truly believed in myself. Now, I am confident in myself more than I have ever been, and, truthfully, that started last year.’ Through it all, Okorie has also grown into quite a leader for the Lions. “I like the leadership role I am in, and I am grateful that my teammates entrusted me to be a captain,’’ said Okorie. “These past four years in college have sharpened my leadership skills quite well because I have experienced many different obstacles. Leadership to me is about more than trying to get my team to win a game, even though I am on the basketball team. “Of course, I will try to lead my team to victory in our games, but another important factor is remembering that at some point for all of us, the basketball will stop bouncing and we will have to transition out of the sport. That is why in my role I prioritize helping my team and me to grow into better men and better people every single day.’’