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Chi-Town Made: Danny Ogele Looks Back on Basketball Journey To Date; Forecasts Future in Pro Ranks and Cyber Security World
Kids growing up in the 2000s and early 2010s in Chicago, Illinois likely list the likes of Sammy Sosa, Brian Urlacher, Paul Konerko, Duncan Keith, and Derrick Rose as their sports heroes. Danny Ogele is no different as a lifelong Bulls fan and Rose being an idol to him for much of his life and even to this day.
Basketball reigns supreme as the most popular sport in the city. Many young kids dream of making it out of the Windy City as a professional basketball player. Danny Ogele is no different, and his pro dreams will soon come true.
A 2016 graduate of Saint Ignatius College Prep, Ogele was a three-time letter winner for the Wolfpack. He would also add a Team MVP Award, a 4A Regional Champion, a Chicago Catholic League North Champion, a two-time Chicago Catholic All-League selection, an all-state selection as a senior, and averaged 17 points and seven rebounds as a high school senior.
Out of high school, Ogele committed to the Naval Academy and spent two seasons there between Navy Prep and the varsity roster for the Midshipmen. It was a great fit for much of his college basketball journey as he studied Cyber Security, learned many lessons of self-discipline, and got to play Division I basketball. However, Ogele decided that a military lifestyle was not for him and elected to go all out to achieve his professional basketball dream.
Still wanting to study cyber security and play for an elite program, he chose to become a Mercyhurst University Laker, Ogele’s connection to western Pennsylvania. His two years as a Laker were interesting to say the least as his first season ended prematurely because of a knee injury. This was followed by the 2020-21 season, a season in which the Lakers played just 13 games. However, Ogele did have the chance to experience March Madness basketball in this season as the Lakers finished the regular season 12-0, helping them to get a bid for the postseason.
Unfortunately, the Lakers were upset in the first round, ending what was expected to be a deep run through the NCAA Men’s Basketball Division II Championships. On paper, this is one of the most talented teams the Lakers have ever assembled, with several players playing professional basketball already and more in the near future.His time in Erie was formative as he finished his first bachelor’s degree and learned how to navigate in territory that was previously incredibly unfamiliar to him.
Amazingly, it took Ogele just 14 games in the PSAC to get back to the Division I level. This time, it was in a conference much more familiar and even closer to home in the Big Ten. The Golden Gophers of the University of Minnesota offered him a chance to earn a masters degree in security technology while also pursuing basketball in what was the top conference in college basketball last season.
The knowledge in both basketball and the classroom paired with the connections he’s made over the last year will set him up for a great career both on and off the court. Despite playing as a reserve in only 13 games, the decision is one Ogele is incredibly satisfied with. Competing in a room filled with future professional players and earning playing time out of that group has helped give him the most confidence he’s perhaps ever had in his basketball career.
Pairing this confidence with his strong faith, and something special is still on the horizon for Danny Ogele. There’s been adversity over the last few years, but through his faith and seeing his parents (Hardy and Oge’s) success as first generation Nigerian-Americans, he knows he is blessed to be where he is today.
With one more semester of grad school left and continued training leading up to his pro career, Danny Ogele is set up well for a fine career in a growing field one day. But, let’s not make him wish away his biggest dream of finally being able to cross off pro hooper from his goal sheet.
Best of luck as you wrap up 2022, Danny! Thank you for the chance to highlight your path through college basketball and forecast what’s ahead for you 💻 🏀 🇳🇬
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