UConn's Sanogo follows in Okafor's footsteps, named Most Outstanding Player

Apr. 4—HOUSTON — A common theme for Adama Sanogo during the UConn men's basketball team's season has been wanting to follow in the footsteps of another UConn great: Emeka Okafor.

The junior from Bamako, Mali achieved two things in common with Okafor on Monday night.

The first was becoming a national champion, which he did when the Huskies topped San Diego State 76-59 at NRG Stadium. The second was when he was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player.

"I feel great," Sanogo said. "He came in the summer. I talked to him for an hour, got some thoughts from him. And to be able to talk to a champion like him, definitely something that everybody needed."

Sanogo's meeting with Okafor, who was the Most Outstanding Player on UConn's national championship team in 2004, was when his goals were first formulated.

"He told us after he watched our practice, he was like, 'I see that I can count on you guys. You guys are a special team,' " Sanogo said. "And he said like we just got to stay strong, stay connected as a family. Because he said that was one thing we need to do is stay connected as a family. I think we did that this year, and here we are."

Sanogo, one of the Huskies' co-captains, averaged 19.7 points and 9.8 rebounds in six NCAA Tournament games. In Monday's win over the Aztecs, he recorded his fourth double-double of the tournament, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

"He's obviously cemented himself into the pantheon of the greatest big guys with all the production and back-to-back first team all-league, and now this, to have the national championship, just puts him in a position in one of the most storied programs in college basketball," UConn coach Dan Hurley said. "He's an all-time great."

For the season, Sanogo led the team with 17.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while also shooting 60.6 percent from the floor.

"Everything he's gotten has been so well deserved," Okafor, who grew up in Houston, said Monday. "He's been solid as a rock this entire year. He's been super consistent. Every championship team needs a solid big. He was that and more."

Following the game, Sanogo was asked about the support he has received throughout his career from his family, which couldn't make the trip to Houston.

"I think my family is a major part of my success right now," he said. "Every time I do something, I think about them. They're the reason I go hard for this. I know for sure they're watching this game. I know for sure they're proud of me."

Joining Sanogo on the All-Tournament team were teammates Jordan Hawkins and Tristen Newton, as well as San Diego State's Lamont Butler and Alijah Martin of Florida Atlantic.

For coverage of UConn football and men's basketball as well as area high school and local youth sports, follow Adam Betz on Twitter: @AdBetz1, Facebook: Adam Betz — Sports Writer, and Instagram: @AdBetzJI.