Semi Ojeleye, the American Dream, is Duke-bound

By Gabriel Baumgaertner

Ottawa, Kansas is a small town of just over 12,000 on the outskirts of Kansas City and best known for a flood that almost swallowed the town over 60 years ago. Overflow from the Marais Des Cygnes River sunk over one-third of Ottawa until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were eventually dispatched to build levees that would not be penetrated in the future.

The historic flood is probably the moment best associated with Ottawa, Kansas. Now, one of its own -- not a historical moment -- will put the town on the national radar.

Semi Ojeleye is one of the nation's top basketball recruits, and those don't come around often in this part of the basketball-crazed state. Ojeleye is the type of versatile player that can change a program and give it consistency. A 6-foot-6 small forward, Ojeleye has dominated the local ranks and the national AAU circuit. While Kansas likes to keep its local stars in-state, Ojeleye will not suit up for the Jayhawls, but will instead join coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke.

Ojeleye is a clear-cut swingman, a player that can handle the ball, shoot from the outside, and rise up for a dunk if his defender tries to face-guard him on the perimeter. If the big men are in foul trouble, he can post up and rebound the ball too. While Ojeleye has been a top target for a while, he assembled an incredible performance in last year's Kansas state semifinal, where he not only scored 32 points, but grabbed 14 rebounds as well.

A devout Christian and a 4.0 student, Ojeleye will fit the Duke profile and contribute to the Blue Devils' spectacular depth.

Ottawa may be a town known for a flood, but now it will be famous for a player that can pour in points.