Former Hound Emili signs pro deal

PORTALES — A former Greyhound is getting set to begin his professional basketball career, as Chukuka Emili has inked a deal with RSV Eintracht Stahnsdorf in Germany.

Emilii, a native of New City, New York, spent just one season with the Greyhounds after transferring from Division I Houston Baptist. But the 6-foot-8, 220-pound Emili reached third on the school’s career list of blocked shots after posting a single-season record with 60.

Emili made the Lone Star Conference’s all-defensive team and was a third-team all-conference selection after averaging 11.3 points and 7.9 rebounds.

“This really is just a dream come true,” Emili said in a school release. “I started playing basketball really late so I always felt like I was really behind everybody else and to be able to sign a professional contract now is just such a great feeling. I think I might be the only person from my hometown to ever sign a professional contract and for me that just shows that I have come such a long way.”

Segler, who had initially tried to recruit Emili out of New Mexico Military Institute before getting a second chance the following season, said Emili was a solid contributor in his short time in Portales.

“Chu trusted coach (Andre) Shaw and I from the beginning of our recruitment process and I think he could hear the sincerity in how much we believed in him,” Segler said. "He was unselfish during his time here at Eastern and sacrificed some of his personal glory for the good of our program and his teammates. This contract is the perfect celebration of Chu's huge heart and huge work ethic.”