University of Houston lands 6-11 center

The University of Houston's men's basketball team lands a big in 6-11, 250-pound center Valentine Sangoyomi from Northern Oklahoma.

Sangoyomi, who has verbally committed to the the Cougars, told FOX 26 Sports he chose UH over Kansas State, Mississippi State, Rhode Island and Middle Tennessee State, while Temple made a late push.

Sangoyomi is part of UH's 2016 class of verbal commitments.

"I had a lot of options," Sangoyomi said. "When I came to Houston last weekend.

"I saw everything for myself. I was like 'there's not better place for me to be.'"

Sangoyomi said playing for UH coach Kelvin Sampson is a big reason why he chose the Cougars.

"He's been calling me on the phone, staying in touch," Sangoyomi said.

"He's different, like a brother. He cares."

Sangoyomi averaged  5.8 points, seven rebounds and 1.5 blocks last season while splitting time at center.

"I think this year he could be a 15 and 11 guy, because we're going to give him the basketball and he's going to command a double team," said Donnie Jackson, Northern Oklahoma's coach.

"He's a really good offensive rebounder."

And a very determined athlete.

"When he came to the states several years ago he was like 330 pounds," Jackson said.

"He's at 250 now, if that tells you what kind of person he is."

Sangoyomi wants to be the best player he can possibly be, but he has other goals beyond that.

"My goal in life is to play basketball, become famous and a the same time gradudate with a degree in computer science so I can help my family back home.

"It's hard back home in Nigeria."

Sangoyomi is from Lagos, Nigeria just like Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon.

"He's a person I look up to," Sangoyomi. "I try to use some of his moves."

There is nothing like learning from the best.