Josh Akognon
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Joshua Emmanuel Akognon (born 10 February 1986) is a college basketball player of American and African heritage with the Cal State Fullerton Titans. He is 5'10 and 186 lbs.
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[edit] High School
Akognon was a McDonald's All-American Team nominee at Casa Grande High School in Petaluma, California. He eventually signed up with the Washington State Cougars, who were then coached by Dick Bennett, father of current coach Tony Bennett.
[edit] College
[edit] Sophomore Season
Akognon began the season as a starter but soon went back to his role off the bench.
An ankle injury to starter Derrick Low forced Akognon to play more, and he responded by exploding for 27 points, incluiding the game-winning three pointer and clinching free throws in a 78-71 upset of top-10 ranked Washington, led by 2007 NBA Rookie Of The Year Brandon Roy. Akognon earned Pac-10 player of the week honors and followed that game with a 25 points against the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavillion; most of the points came against Arron Afflalo.
He earned Pontiac Pac-10 Player Honors for his winning second half performance against the USC Trojans. Josh was also voted the Pac-10's "Most Underrated Player" in an article that ran in Sports Illustrated.[citation needed] Akognon led the team in scoring despite coming off the bench most of the year. Akognon transferred to Cal State Fullerton where he was eligible to play for two years at the beginning of the 2007-08 season.
[edit] FIBA 2006
Akognon was part of the Nigeria national basketball team at FIBA 2006 in Japan. His three pointer with time running down on the shot clock was instrumental in Nigeria upsetting defending world champion Serbia-Montenegro.
[edit] Junior Season
Akognon averaged 20.2 points a game and scored in double figures 28 of 31 games, making at least one three-pointer in all but two games, at least four three-pointers in 18 of 31 games and reaching 20 points in 17 of 31 games. Josh also reached the 30 point mark 5 times, including a 31 point effort in the NCAA Tournament against Wisconsin.
Despite an injury to his shooting hand suffered against UC-Davis, Akognon shot just under 40% from three point range and 90% from the free throw line. Josh made 116 three pointers and 107 free throws, a 100-100 combination matched by only seven players. Akognon also doubled his career-high in steals and reached 1,000 points for his college career.
Akognon's junior season also saw him achieve team and individual honors, with Cal-State Fullerton tying for the regular season title, winning the Big West Tournament and reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 30 years with a 24-9 record. Akognon was a first team selection at the Shamrock Holiday Classic at St. Mary's, named Mid Majority Baller of the Week, named to the All-District 15 Second Team by the NABC with such players as O.J. Mayo and Kevin Love, a second team Big West selection and named MVP of the Big West Tournament where he averaged 20 points per game and hit 12 three pointers in 3 games. Akognon was also named the 2007/2008 Africa Basket Player of the Year. Akognon announced on April 18 he is making himself eligible for the NBA Draft but has not signed with an agent, reserving his right to return for a senior season campaign with the Titans.
