In a surprising move that has fans buzzing, the Los Angeles Lakers have officially signed former Vanderbilt forward AK Okereke to a two-way contract, as confirmed by sources late Wednesday night. This decision marks a new chapter for Okereke, who went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft but has shown undeniable potential on the court.
During his single season with the Commodores, Okereke made a notable impact, averaging 9.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2 assists. His journey to this point has been anything but conventional. He began his collegiate career as a walk-on at Cornell in 2022, where he played just four games in his freshman year. However, he quickly found his rhythm and became a key player during his sophomore season.
By his junior year in 2024-25, Okereke had fully established himself as a starter at Cornell, boasting impressive stats of 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, along with 1.1 blocks and steals per game. His shooting prowess was particularly striking; he led the Ivy League and ranked 18th nationally with a remarkable 59.5% field goal percentage, including an impressive 67% on two-point attempts.
At Vanderbilt, Okereke continued to shine, hitting 40% of his three-point shots and starting in 35 of the 36 games he participated in. His consistent performance has undoubtedly caught the attention of the Lakers’ management.
Interestingly, Okereke’s path mirrors that of Chris Manon, who also played at Cornell before transferring to Vanderbilt and signing a two-way deal with the Lakers after going undrafted. This connection adds an intriguing layer to Okereke’s story as he steps into the spotlight in Los Angeles.
As the Lakers prepare for the upcoming season, fans are left wondering: what impact will Okereke have on the team’s dynamics?
