WASHINGTON (May 2, 2025) — Howard University graduate forward Cameron Shockley-Okeke (Norwalk, Conn.) stood at the intersection of two extraordinary journeys shaped by discipline, intellect and a relentless ambition to succeed.
Recently, he competed in his first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament in Norfolk, Virginia. A relentless competitor, Shockley-Okeke anchored the Bison with his defensive intensity and passion, helping them secure a fourth-place finish in the regular season.
With the stakes at their highest, fourth-seeded Howard clashed with fifth-seeded Morgan State Thursday (March 13) night at the Scope Arena and Shockley-Okeke left his mark.
"What I loved about being here is that so many people care about our program," Shockley-Okeke said. "We always had a fan presence during games, even on road trips. You always see Howard fans, no matter if we are in The Burr or South Carolina. Seeing how many people cared about this program and wish for our success was amazing."
Yet, beyond the hardwood, an even greater aspiration fuels him. With a vision as sharp as his court awareness, Shockley-Okeke is preparing to take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) and eager to embark on a journey through medical school. His dedication to excellence will soon shift from orchestrating plays to making his dreams of becoming an orthopedic surgeon a reality.
As a child, he dreamed of becoming a doctor—not out of an initial fascination with medicine but as a strategic way to secure coveted Spike Lee-courtside seats at New York Knicks games where he could trip a referee like Jay-Z. A devoted Knicks fan, he saw the team physician role as a golden ticket to be close to the action where he could witness every play unfold just feet away from his favorite athletes.
However, as he grew older, that childhood ambition became more meaningful.
"It was not until I got hurt my senior year and had to get surgery that I saw first-hand how influential being a physician can be as the medical team helped me get back to playing the sport, I thought I might not be able to play again," Shockley-Okeke said. "My motivation is to be able to give that same opportunity for people to continue doing what they love, whether it is a sport they love or just having the ability to be active."
His academic path has been as distinguished as his athletic one—earning a degree from Columbia, refining his skills at the nationally renowned Embry-Riddle and now thrived at Howard where he embraces the weight of legacy and the power of purpose. Whether dissecting defenses or diagnosing patients, his impact is undeniable and his future is bright.
"When I was at Columbia, I majored in biology and did all the pre-med requirements," Shockley-Okeke said. "I want to work in sports medicine and stay close to basketball or sports in general once I'm done playing. So, once all this is finished, I will take the MCAT and eventually go to medical school. I am planning to take it in the following summer."
Balancing academics and athletics have defined Shockley-Okeke's life, but he is built for it. His high school days were a constant cycle of school, AAU practices, late-night homework sessions and games—each demanding excellence, none allowing compromise. This intensity intensified at the collegiate level where rigorous practices, extensive travel and high-stakes competition had to coexist with coursework deadlines and classroom commitments.
Yet, for Shockley-Okeke, the challenge has never been an obstacle. He has viewed the demanding schedule as an opportunity to continue impacting. Playing basketball at Columbia, Embry-Riddle and Howard has allowed Shockley-Okeke to adapt to different cultures and basketball styles.
"The Ivy League tends to play much slower than any of the other two conferences," Shockley- Okeke said. "They are very meticulous about running sets and getting the perfect shot. At Riddle and the Sunshine State Conference, it is very fast paced. We averaged nearly 80 points a game last year, if not more. In this conference, the physicality sets the MEAC apart from any other conferences I played in. You cannot be soft with anything you do."
Being at Howard is a full circle moment for Shockley-Okeke because he was recruited to Columbia by current Bison head coach Kenneth Blakeney out of high school. 
He enjoyed a strong career at Columbia where he graduated with a degree in biological science after appearing in 43 games. This continued a family tradition for Shockley-Okeke, in which his uncle, William Shockley, graduated from Columbia Business School in 1976, and his grandmother, Kate Obukwelu, graduated from Columbia Teachers College in 1987.
"It meant a lot," said Shockley-Okeke when asked about continuing the family legacy. "My family has always put education first for me because it was put first for them. Having the opportunity to go to a school that my family members had gone to in a city where I went to grade school almost felt too right. I am glad I could continue that legacy and become a Columbia graduate myself."
He suffered a season-ending injury that terminated his 2022-23 campaign, which is why he still had two years of eligibility remaining. The injury happened after he enjoyed a tremendous sophomore season as an Academic All-Ivy selection. Shockley-Okeke appeared in 25 games (11 starts), scoring a career-high 20 points against Penn (Feb. 4, 2022). He collected his first double-double (19 points & 11 rebounds) against Harvard (Jan. 15, 2022).
"I played a bunch of sports growing up," Shockley-Okeke said. "My main sports were basketball, soccer and baseball. As I grew taller, I maintained my passion for basketball. That is just something that I just gravitated towards now. I eventually got recruited for it. I was able to play at Columbia and graduated. … I had to find a school to continue my college career and I found one in Daytona Beach, Florida called Embry Riddle. Had a great year there. Last year, I enjoyed the program, enjoyed everything there and then after that, had the opportunity to come here."
At Embry Riddle, Shockley-Okeke started 31 games and averaged 11.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game in 24.4 minutes. He scored a season-high 22 points twice in games against Shaw and Alabama Huntsville in the NCAA II National Tournament.
The Norwalk, Connecticut native said he chose Howard for its outstanding athletic and academic opportunities. He grew up rooting for the Knicks and studying three-time NBA Champion and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, his favorite player. Majoring in health sciences, Shockley-Okeke does resemble Wade in his tall, slight build.
His hobbies include playing jazz piano. He also wasted little time becoming active on Howard's campus as he is an Engaged Athlete Fellow.
He has also made himself at home on the basketball court for the Bison. His 11.7 points per game average was third on the team. He has had six games this past season where he has scored at least 20 points, including a season-high 26 points against Bowie State (Jan. 15). He scored 24 points against Delaware State (Jan. 4) and Morgan State (Feb. 22). Shockley-Okeke closed the regular season by scoring double figures in four of his last five games.
Shockley-Okeke has the rare privilege of attending three distinguished institutions of higher education, from the hallowed halls of an Ivy League university, where tradition and excellence set an uncompromising standard, to one of the most revered Historically Black Colleges and Universities, where culture, resilience and community shape future leaders. Shockley-Okeke's experience is special. Enriched by diverse academic influences, he moves through life with a depth of wisdom and insight that few possess.
"It means the world to be a part of the Howard family and represent its storied history," Shockley-Okeke said. "The culture at Howard is incredibly welcoming and supportive and although I have only been here for almost a year, I have felt the love from alumni, students and faculty. It becomes my obligation to continue to excel in everything I do. Still, rather than that pressure, it comes from wanting to continue the history of excellence of this institution. It truly is a blessing to say that I am a Howard student."
Rob Knox is an award-winning professional and a member of the Lincoln (Pa.) Athletics Hall of Fame. In addition to having work published in SLAM magazine, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Washington Post, and Diverse Issues In Higher Education, Knox enjoyed a distinguished career as an athletics communicator for Lincoln, Kutztown, Coppin State, Towson, and UNC Greensboro. He also worked at ESPN and for the Delaware County Daily Times. Recently, Knox was honored by CSC with the Mary Jo Haverbeck Trailblazer Award and the NCAA with its Champion of Diversity award. Named a HBCU Legend by SI.com, Knox is a graduate of Lincoln University and a past president of the College Sports Communicators, formerly CoSIDA.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.
