WSU inks Navy man

Darkwa, 26, hails from Ghana; Brownell thinks he should be eligible for four years.

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By Marc Katz, Staff Writer Updated 6:56 AM Tuesday, April 21, 2009

FAIRBORN — Wright State has signed exotic basketball players before, maybe none quite as exotic as Paul Darkwa, a 6-foot-7, 26-year-old Navy veteran from Ghana who has lived in the United States since he was 9, first in New Jersey, then Southern California, where he went to Ramona High School in Riverside, suburban Los  Angeles.

On Monday, April 20, WSU coach Brad Brownell said he received Darkwa’s letter of intent and was happy to do so even though he has never seen Darkwa play  and isn’t quite certain of the 230-pounder’s eligibility.

“Our people tell us he should be eligible for four years,” Brownell said, “although he was not a qualifier out of high school. We’re not anticipating any problems, but we’ll have to figure it out with the NCAA.”

Brownell did have a report from Francis Ebong, WSU assistant coach Victor Ebong’s brother, who played with Darkwa in the Navy. When Darkwa visited campus last winter, Brownell liked what he saw.

“He’s a big, strong dude,” Brownell said. “It’s hard to get guys that big.”

Darkwa was thinking of college when Francis Ebong encouraged him. “I’ve been in the Navy almost eight years. I found out you need to be educated, no matter what you’re doing.”

He said he moved with his family to the U.S. for opportunities in education, lifestyle and business, and after two years in New Jersey, the family moved to Southern California.

After high school, Darkwa enlisted in the Navy.

“I was young back then,” said Darkwa, who took the ACT test for the first time only recently. “I had no sense of direction.”

He also grew from 6-foot-1 to 6-7.

“I’m beyond excited, I’m just thrilled,” said Darkwa. “They’re a winning program. Hopefully I can come in there and we can all win some more.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2157 or mkatz@DaytonDailyNews.com.

»Get Wright State news from Marc Katz’s blog online at DaytonDaily News.com/ go/katz

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