NEW YORK – The Ivy League held a virtual Men's Basketball Media Day on Thursday. Representatives from all eight member institutions participated, inluding head coach Jim Engles, junior Josh Odunowo, and senior Cameron Shockley-Okeke.
 
Columbia's full press conference can be accessed here.
 
"We have guys with experience now and that's great, and we can build off that" said Engles on what excites him entering the season. "But we're also trying to implement our four freshmen. The big thing we are talking about in practice is chemistry, both offensively and defensively. The competition has been off the charts, and its been fun to watch. There's going to be a bunch of guys that can contribute for us and I am excited to see who can step up.
 
Engles enters his seventh season at the helm in 2022-23, returning two double-digit scorers in Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa and Liam Murphy. The Lions also bring back a 40 percent three-point shooter in Cameron Shockley-Okeke and Josh Odunowo is set to return after missing the majority of last season due to injury.
 
"We got a lot of hungry guys on this team," said Shockley-Okeke. One of those hungry players eager to return to the court is Odunowo. He stated that his time away from the court last season allowed him to develop his leadership skills. "I learned how to be there for my teammates even when I cannot have an impact on the court."
 
 
Shockley-Okeke, Odunowo, and the rest of the Lions return to action on Monday, November 7 at Rutgers. Columbia's home opener is slated for Thursday, November 10 against UMASS-Lowell at 7:00 p.m.