Emeka on the Streets of NYC

[Eric K]

Not more than 15 minutes ago, I was walking from lunch by Grand Central, and see Okafor with a backpack casually walking down Park Avenue towards the subway entrance. This is the third time in the last 4-5 years I've seen him out and about on the streets in NYC. I did a double-take, as hard to miss a 6'-11" guy walking past. Anyone else have similar run ins with him?

 

[AntG168]

Not more than 15 minutes ago, I was walking from lunch by Grand Central, and see Okafor with a backpack casually walking down Park Avenue towards the subway entrance. This is the third time in the last 4-5 years I've seen him out and about on the streets in NYC. I did a double-take, as hard to miss a 6'-11" guy walking past. Anyone else have similar run ins with him?

He’s in the perfect position. He’s made enough money to forever be comfortable but he’s not so famous as to where he can’t go grocery shopping for himself. The Goldy Locks zone

 

[Supes]

I ran into him in Houston at the 2023 Final Four. Chatted with him for maybe 20-30 seconds (basically just talking about UConn and thanking him). Great player and great person.

 

[Kembacity]

I think people must eye him like he’s a celebrity but they just can’t come up with who he is. He must be so used to people staring at him with a “?” Face wondering who is this very tall handsome kind looking man?

 

[Marat]

Not with him, but last month my daughter walked past Breanna Stewart in Lower Manhattan during the day.

Personally I walked passed Alex Rodriguez in midtown some years ago...

 

[Mike Honcho]

He’s in the perfect position. He’s made enough money to forever be comfortable but he’s not so famous as to where he can’t go grocery shopping for himself. The Goldy Locks zone

Yes and no. He's still 0.99 Hilton Units so he's going to attract attention.

On that note, I ran into Hilton Armstrong with his two girls while biking by the Chase Center in SF a few months back. I must be the first person to recognize him in years because he immediately went into protective dad mode. Needless to say, he wasn't as enthusiastic about meeting me as I him.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

My old roommate played in high end pickup runs with him for almost a year in Greenpoint BK. Was really jealous.

 

[UC0NN]

Seen him in walking in midtown several times, yup that's him. Always say hello. Great guy too, btw.

 

[gsmooth]

Yes and no. He's still 0.99 Hilton Units so he's going to attract attention.

On that note, I ran into Hilton Armstrong with his two girls while biking by the Chase Center in SF a few months back. I must be the first person to recognize him in years because he immediately went into protective dad mode. Needless to say, he wasn't as enthusiastic about meeting me as I him.

That's interesting, because my wife is from Santa Cruz, California and I go there about once a year to visit her parents-it's a beautiful beach town. I was wearing my UConn Huskies shirt when I was walking with her to the wharf, I saw a tall black guy and he was wearing a UConn shirt. My wife said, "oh look another UConn fan like you." I said "UConn is big brand". It was about 10 seconds later I realized it was Hilton Armstrong walking with his girlfriend.

Remember, Santa Cruz has the G League team for the Warriors and I remember he was doing work for them.

Oddly enough, last year we went to a Santa Cruz game and I heard the name Pat Spencer during the introductions. About 10 minutes into the game I realized it was Cam Spencer's older brother. They look alike genetically, duh of course they are brothers, but they look alike in the way they play on the court as far as mannerisms and posture and even how they do the underhand flip pass when doing a dribble hand off to form and posture they shoot the ball-it was like they are twins on the basketball court.

 

[CL82]

Does the title of this thread sound like a mid-80s police show to anyone else?

 

[GoConn]

He was on my flight to Phoenix last year to see #6. Pretty cool dude

 

[Dove]

Does the title of this thread sound like a mid-80s police show to anyone else?

I really don't see it. No.

 

[bendm]

i was roommates with one of his cousins for a year while in grad school. he was a giant bleep literally and figuratively.

 

[imno1]

Not more than 15 minutes ago, I was walking from lunch by Grand Central, and see Okafor with a backpack casually walking down Park Avenue towards the subway entrance. This is the third time in the last 4-5 years I've seen him out and about on the streets in NYC. I did a double-take, as hard to miss a 6'-11" guy walking past. Anyone else have similar run ins with him?

He’s no longer playing We do have to exaggerate his height

 

[ctchamps]

Does the title of this thread sound like a mid-80s police show to anyone else?

No. But my thought is someone is going to read it and think he’s homeless.

 

[BuffaloHusky]

Emeka lives on the UWS and at least last year I would see him walking his kids to school. He's definitely a part of the neighborhood albeit maybe the tallest member of it.

 

[superjohn]

Does the title of this thread sound like a mid-80s police show to anyone else?

A Nigerian on Elm Street

 

[Boost'ED]

I commute through midtown everyday, and it would be epic to randomly encounter him!

I'm so jealous.