Members of any championship team will tell you they have a bond for life with that particular group.
That's certainly the case for former Villanova champs Daniel Ochefu and Kris Jenkins, who are both playing with the Washington Wizards this summer.
"It would be real big for us," Ochefu said to CSNPhilly.com in Las Vegas of possibly making the Wizards' final roster with Jenkins. "We've both got to work to get to that point, but that would be real cool. It would be a real good story to tell."
The story for Ochefu right now is simply hard work. He's back in summer league action after spending the 2016-17 season with the Wizards. The big man played in 19 regular-season games and averaged 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds in 3.9 minutes a night. Ochefu also made four appearances during the postseason.
Despite limited playing time throughout the season, the 6-11 center has shown growth in Vegas. Ochefu posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in the Wizards' 91-88 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in Sin City last Saturday. He also added five blocks and three assists in 30 minutes.
Ochefu followed that performance up with six points on 3-for-3 shooting and two boards in 20 minutes during a 91-87 loss to the Miami Heat on Monday.
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"I'm a guy that deserves to be on the roster for the rest of the year next year and got better over the summer," Ochefu said of what he hopes to show the Wizards. "I'm just gonna continue working."
That work ethic - and Villanova pride - are things Ochefu plans to carry on his entire career.
"Being able to go out with a national championship, I've got love for that place forever," he said.
