Do It for Chuma: The New Auburn Basketball Mission Statement

When you advance to the Elite 8 after defeating a number one seed there should be loads of celebration, but that happiness was subdued Friday night for Auburn. With just 8:08 left to play in the second half, star forward Chuma Okeke’s season ended when he tore his ACL while attempting to drive to the basket. 

Timid, humble, and talented are usually the first three words to come to mind when talking about Chuma Okeke. With a smile that could light up a room, the lovable Auburn forward stands at 6-foot-8 and has a presence that is undeniable on the floor. Okeke leads the Tigers in rebounding and steals and he comes in at third in points contributed while shooting nearly 50%

Playing for a team that gives all the glory to God, Okeke’s talent and humility has helped lead the Tigers to their first Elite 8 in 33 years. This team plays unselfishly and they are all for each other. After Okeke fell to the floor his teammates immediately tried to rally around him, but Bruce Pearl instead gathered them on the sideline to pray as medical trainers tended to him.

The Tigers finished the game strong and returned to the locker room where their focus immediately shifted to their injured teammate. Auburn senior Horace Spencer referred to Okeke as his “little brother” citing the bond they have with Spencer being a senior and Okeke being a sophomore.

When addressing the media, fellow Auburn senior Bryce Brown said “that’s what it’s all about going to war for Chuma.” “We’re gonna all pitch in. We’re gonna do it for Chuma.” The team immediately bought in and so did Auburn and college basketball fans everywhere. As of this afternoon the hashtag “DoItForChuma” is trending nationally.

Up until this point Auburn’s mission statement for this season has been “Unfinished Business.” The Tigers still have unfinished business to take care of as they advance to the Elite 8 to face off against a typical “Calipari in March” Kentucky Wildcat team that’s already bested them twice this season. This matchup will be different; however, these guys are now playing for their brother.

So what’s next? How will Auburn do it for Chuma?

Look no further than Danjel Purifoy. In just 1:11 of play last night, Purifoy scored three 3s. In his 12 minutes of play last night he had 12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 steal, and 0 turnovers. After sitting out the entire 2017-2018 season as well as the first nine games of this season, Purifoy has been extremely vocal in his desires to contribute to this team. Like any comeback, he experienced ups and downs in the regular season, but the SEC Tournament Championship game was truly his coming-out party.

In just 10 minutes against Tennessee Purifoy scored 10 points, had 2 rebounds, 1 assists, and 2 steals. In his last few games Purifoy has proven that he is ready for any task at hand, and when his teammates are hot he plays hot.

As Chuma Okeke said after his injury, “we do not drop off when we go to our bench and we’ll be ready for whoever we play on Sunday.” Truer words have never been spoken. If you don’t believe it look at how Auburn closed the last eight minutes against North Carolina without Okeke. This is a team playing for more than just themselves. They’re playing for the logo on their jerseys, for the man upstairs, for each other, and for their brother Chuma.

With what this team is playing for, anything is possible.

https://twitter.com/DanjelKevon3/status/1091910162581995520

For more information on Chuma Okeke’s injury: https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2019/03/30/chume-okeke-injury-tore-acl-auburn-north-carolina

Bruce Pearl’s emotional reaction to Chuma Okeke exiting the game: https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/watch-auburn-coach-bruce-pearl-emotional-after-losing-chuma-okeke-to-injury-in-sweet-16-win-over-unc/