A Special Moment: Ravens Collide at the Top

My journey as a professional athlete has taken me to many new places, introduced me to incredible people and provided me with a wealth of unique experiences. I’ve had the pleasure of playing in Germany, the Czech Republic, Denmark and, this season, the United Kingdom. Though I’m still early in my professional career, these experiences have taught me valuable lessons. I’ve learned the importance of resilience, determination and positivity. Most importantly, I’ve come to understand how essential it is to remain optimistic about the future while maintaining a constructive mindset. Without these qualities, competing at a high level would be nearly impossible.

The funny thing is, many of these traits weren’t developed during my professional career — they were instilled in me long before, during my time as a Raven.

It’s rare to face a familiar opponent as you move up the ranks of basketball. The basketball community is vast yet deeply personal. As I’ve progressed to higher levels, I’ve only occasionally encountered former college opponents. But running into a former middle school teammate on the professional stage? That’s almost unheard of.

This season, while playing for a club in Manchester, England, I had the incredible opportunity to compete against a former teammate, friend and fellow Raven, Mike Okauru ’17.

Playing against Mike in a professional game was an unforgettable experience. It’s rare enough to reach this level, but sharing the court with someone who was once a teammate, both of us chasing the same dream, made the moment even more special. This game was more than just competition — it was a reflection of our journeys, the growth we’ve experienced as men and how basketball has a unique way of bringing people back together.

Clockwise from top left: Ian DuBose ’17 and Mike Okauru ’17 enjoying a moment as classmates and friends, as teammates for Ravenscroft basketball and as the winners of the HighSchool OT Christmas Tournament during their sophomore season.

At top: Okauru, playing for the Newcastle Eagles, and DuBose, playing for the Manchester Giants, hold up one another’s jerseys after a game brought the former Ravens back together on the court. 

During our high school years at Ravenscroft, Mike and I spent countless hours training, competing and pushing each other to be better. Our goal was always the same: to help the team succeed while improving individually. But those years were about more than just wins and losses — they were about discipline, sacrifice and developing the mindset necessary to excel in basketball and in life. Many of those lessons were reinforced by the Lead From Here principles that were instilled in us as Ravens. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the impact of those teachings, but looking back now, I see how they shaped my mindset and approach to achieving my goals. As teammates, we celebrated victories together — like winning the HighSchool OT Christmas Tournament as sophomores — and we learned from our setbacks, using those losses to grow. Every experience helped mold us into the players and people we are today.

After high school, life took us in different directions. We attended different universities, played at different levels and faced our own unique challenges as we worked to establish ourselves in the game. Yet, despite our separate paths, basketball brought us back together in a way neither of us could have predicted. 

Competing against Mike at the professional level was surreal — a full-circle moment that highlighted how far we’ve come while reminding me of the hard work and dedication it took to reach this stage.

My time as part of the varsity basketball team at Ravenscroft played a huge role in shaping who I am today. Coach Kevin Billerman held us to the highest standard, pushing us to be accountable both as players and as men. My teammates constantly challenged me to be the best version of myself, not just for my own success but for the success of the team. The discipline I developed during those years has stayed with me, guiding me through the challenges of playing at the highest level. Early-morning workouts, extra hours in the gym, handling pressure in big games — those experiences laid the foundation for my success. The obstacles I faced back then — whether it was battling for playing time, dealing with tough losses or pushing through injuries — taught me resilience, a quality that has been essential throughout my journey.

Of course, the challenges didn’t start or stop in high school. Middle school was about development, learning fundamentals and gaining confidence. High school introduced me to a higher level of competition and the necessity of relentless work ethic. College took things even further, testing my mental and physical toughness against some of the best players in the country in the ACC. Now, as a professional, the challenges are even greater — but each step of my journey has prepared me for this moment.

Playing against Mike wasn’t just another game: it was a testament to the hard work, sacrifices and growth we’ve both experienced. It reminded me why I love this sport, how much I’ve overcome, and how basketball has a way of bringing people back together. No matter where our careers take us next, this moment will always be special.