Josh Okogie’s brother explains how draft decision will be made

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 06: Josh Okogie #5 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets works against Jerome Robinson #1 of the Boston College Eagles in the first half during the first round of the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament at Barclays Center on March 6, 2018 in New York City.  (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 06: Josh Okogie #5 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets works against Jerome Robinson #1 of the Boston College Eagles in the first half during the first round of the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament at Barclays Center on March 6, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

To gain some insight into how Georgia Tech guard Josh Okogie’s decision about whether to stay in the NBA draft will be made, it might be worthwhile to consider his three older siblings.

His eldest brother, Evaristus, is a dentist who for a time in college held three jobs. The second and third eldest, Nathaniel and Rachael, both earned degrees in computer science and made dean’s list, Nathaniel at Georgia Southern and Rachael at Kennesaw State. Nathaniel, 28, has a job in IT. Rachael, 25, wants to be a teacher.

The point being, Pius and Anthonia Okogie didn’t raise their five children (the youngest, Emmanuel, is in seventh grade) to go blithely chasing after rainbows. Evaristus told the AJC that the decision will be based largely on the feedback that the family receives on Josh’s draft stock from NBA scouts, not on caprice.

“If we’re able to get something substantial that’s going to be able to sway us to that direction, definitely,” Evaristus Okogie, 32, said. “Because, in all, that’s what the goal is. If that’s going to be more beneficial for him, great. If it’s going to be more beneficial to go back to school, then great.”

Evaristus is guiding the family through the process, which has included Josh hiring a personal trainer (at the family’s expense) to prep him for private workouts and, should it come, an invitation to the NBA draft combine May 16-20 in Chicago. The invitations are expected to be sent out Friday. In March, two NBA scouts told the AJC that they expected Okogie to be invited. Evaristus was of like mind. If he doesn’t get an invite, he said the family will determine the best option at that time.

Okogie has been training three to four times weekly with the trainer, whom Evaristus declined to identify. Evaristus said that Okogie has toned his body to a “solid 215” and is ­trying to improve at every aspect of his game.

“He knows there’s different areas of his game he needs to polish up,” he said. “Those are different areas he’s putting more emphasis on, but overall, he’s really trying to be the best basketball payer that he can possibly be. I know they do a little bit of everything.”

Okogie is free to start going to private workouts for NBA teams as long as they don’t conflict with class. Tech’s spring semester will end May 3. Evaristus said that the family has been in touch with “a good number of NBA teams” and are working on scheduling workouts.

Evaristus said he couldn’t say if there is particular feedback that the family will need to hear for his brother to stay in the draft and leave Tech after two seasons. Coach Josh Pastner has told the family that, if it receives assurance that he’ll be a first-round pick, then Okogie should go. Otherwise, return. Collegians who declare for the draft without hiring an agent, as is the case with Okogie, can receive feedback from an NBA advisory committee, as well as more informally from scouts.

Evaristus said it will be a “game-time decision” based on feedback.

“Based on that, we’ll be able to better make a more definitive decision on what to do next,” he said. “Because, ultimately, whatever decision that’s going to end up being, it’s going to be a decision that’s going to benefit Josh and that Josh is going to feel comfortable with.”

Evaristus also said that the risk of injury he would incur if he were to return for his junior season will not be a factor. He also said that his brother is happy at Tech and isn’t concerned about him being tempted to leave Tech during this process regardless of the feedback. While this is his first time with such a process, Evaristus did not give the impression of someone overwhelmed by it.

“It’s not rocket science,” he said. “It’s pretty straightforward.”

Okogie is one of 181 college players who have filed as early-entry candidates for the draft, along with college seniors (including former Yellow Jackets Ben Lammers and Tadric Jackson) and 55 international players. There are 60 spots in the two-round draft. Sports Illustrated ranked Okogie the No. 52 prospect earlier this week, falling back from 48 as more early-entry candidates entered the pool. ESPN rated him No. 50 as of Thursday. The Sports Illustrated ranking observed that Okogie has the potential to make a charge up draft boards in workouts and the combine.

Only players selected in the first round are assured of receiving guaranteed contracts. Guaranteed money for second-round players can be negotiated.

The deadline to return to college is May 30, 10 days after the end of the combine. The draft is June 21.

The decision will be made as a family, with prayer. For now, Evaristus is telling his brother just to focus on his workouts.

“If you do what you need to do, for the most part, things are always going to work out your way,” he said. “When you try to rush things, that’s when you make mistakes.”