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Two years after lighting up the California JC courts, one former College of the Redwoods star is going pro.

Last week, Jon Nchekwube was taken No. 3 overall in the annual draft of the P-League, the professional basketball league in Taiwan.

Nchekwube was drafted by the Taipei Fubon Braves.

And that will come as no surprise to former CR coaches or local fans who saw Nchekwube in action during his time here on the North Coast.

“We’re celebrating this historic achievement with Jon and his family and feel so lucky to have seen first-hand what a transformation he made as a student-athlete and young man during his time at College of the Redwoods,” said Ryan Bisio, the former CR men’s basketball head coach and current CR interim Athletic Director.

Nchekwube played a key role in the program’s recent success, helping to lead Redwoods to back-to-back Golden Valley Conference championships in 2022 and 2023.

But Nchekwube was more than just one of the best players to ever play for the local community college.

During his two years at CR, Nchekwube not only set the school record for most career rebounds, but he also became the all-time leading rebounder in the history of California community college men’s basketball.

He was also a two-time All-American and a two-time All-State first-team player, as well as earning conference player of the year honors in 2022.

“I know his coaches, former teammates, and our community is aware of how remarkable of a contribution he made to CR men’s basketball,” Bisio added. “We’ll continue to stay connected to him and cheer him on as he catapults into his professional basketball career. Jon will always be an important part of our CR family.”

Nchekwube, a Eugene, Ore., native, was also a captain on the 2022/23 CR team that posted the best record in school history.

He led that team to a state Sweet 16 appearance in his final game for the local college.

After his time at CR, Nchekwube played at the National Formosa University in Taiwan.