Men's Basketball | 12/19/2020 1:24:00 PM
Itta Bena, Miss.- Former Delta Devil Emmanuel Ejeh embarks on his first season as a graduate assistant on Ben Howland's staff at Mississippi State in 2020-21. His role has him involved in all facets of the program highlighted by assisting with player development and opponent scouting.
The road to Mississippi State….
MVSU SID: What made you apply to Mississippi State?
EJ: I chose Mississippi State because they chose me. I'm grateful to be here and understand how lucky I am to be in this situation.
MVSU SID: What are some of your duties?
EJ: No job is too big or too small in my role. Anything from video breakdown to helping the managers. My goal is just to help the program move forward. I'm always ready to help.
MVSU SID: This has been an unprecedented year in the world of collegiate athletics, how has prepping for the 2020-21 basketball season as the GA?
EJ: It is been amazing especially having the opportunity to do the things I love which is basketball. There have been many precautions that we take daily to help our players, managers, and coaches to help prevent the possibility of contracting and spreading COVID-19. We stay positive and test negative.
MVSU SID: Are you looking to pursue a career in coaching? If so how, will this experience prepare you or what are you looking to gain from this experience?
EJ: I can't say if I am looking to pursue a career in coaching, but I am truly grateful for the experience and knowledge I am gaining right now. This is a one in a lifetime opportunity to be surrounded by great coaches. I am blessed to be a part of an amazing program that is coached by one of the elite's, Coach Ben Howland. I hope when I am done from here, I will be equipped with a lot of experience for my next mission.
MVSU SID: In your role as the GA, how do you relate to the players?
EJ: Being a former student athlete at Mississippi Valley State University has helped me in my role as a graduate assistant here at Mississippi State. Understanding the demands our players have in terms of academics and athletics, I can relate too. These are very talented and smart individuals who are extremely driven and it's my job to help them build daily habits that will help them achieve those goals.
"I am so proud of EJ said Dianthia Ford-Kee, Director of Athletics. He shared his future goals with me prior to his graduation from The Valley. EJ continued to stay in communication with me about graduate school and basketball graduate assistant opportunities. He never gave up and he's now the benefactor of learning from another IHL institution. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for EJ."
Ejeh, a native of Abuja, Nigeria, notched All-SWAC Second-Team honors in 2018-19 as a team captain during his senior season under Andre Payne at Mississippi Valley State. He garnered 6.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game. Ejeh compiled five career double-doubles over his 64 appearances for the Delta Devils.
Before Mississippi Valley State, Ejeh played two seasons at Bossier Parish Community College in Bossier City, Louisiana. He prepped at Southwest Christian Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas where he was a NACA All-America pick under Chris Hughes. His team won the NACA National Championship as a senior during the 2014-15 season. Ejeh also was the 2013 NBA Africa Basketball Without Borders three-point contest winner.
Ejeh was born on October 23 and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Morris Ejeh. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in engineering technology from Mississippi Valley State in 2019 and is pursuing his Master of Science degree in sport administration from Mississippi State.
The Delta Devils closeout non-conference play with a match-up against the Bulldogs of Mississippi State on Monday, December 21st where Mississippi Valley State will be represented on both sidelines.
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