Wake Forest Athletics
Photo by: Peter Fortunato
Deacon Sprots Xtra: Ituka Committed to Demon Deacon Success
12/26/2022 10:40:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Wake Forest stood apart for Jao Ituka as he looked to transfer from an outstanding freshman campaign at Marist. He'd built a strong relationship with the Demon Deacon coaching staff, was impressed with the rigorous Wake Forest academics and small class sizes and was blown away with the world-class facilities such as the Shah Basketball Complex.
But what really caught his eye were a couple photos shared with him by Wake Forest Director of Player Performance Mike Starke, featuring before and after pictures of Alondes Williams and Jake LaRavia — a pair of stars from last year's team who have now earned NBA contracts, with LaRavia having been selected in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft.
"When I came to visit, I'll never forget, and this was probably one of the top reasons I committed," Ituka explained. "Starke had pictures of Jake and Alondes and their transformations from the summer to later that year. It was awesome. Those guys lost weight and put on muscle. Once Starke walked me through everything he could help me with, that was one of the biggest reasons to come here.
"Transforming my body and making sure I'm in the best shape to compete is just so vitally important. I understand what Wake Forest had to offer, but had no idea just how amazing it would be."
Ituka committed to transfer to Wake Forest and was one of the first guys on campus to begin work this spring.
"I arrived a couple weeks before everyone else," he said. "As soon as I could get here, I did. Understanding the importance of my education and basketball, those things come first for me. It's important to take care of everything both on and off the court. The adjustment here at Wake Forest was pretty easy for me.
"When it comes to handling business, setting priorities and taking care of things — I'm pretty big on that. I want basketball to be my ultimate focus, and I don't want any problems in school to be in the way of that. So I'm trying to be a role model for the other guys in terms of taking care of their business."
He wasted little time in getting with Starke right away, and is amazed with the impact they've already made together on his fitness and physique.
"The intensity of practice and lift, and the importance of conditioning and taking care of our bodies — we didn't really focus on a lot of that where I was before," Ituka said. "But with it being such a top priority with an amazing strength coach like Mike Starke and so many others who are put in place to help us succeed — it's awesome to have. They've helped me transform my body."
After finishing the season third in the conference in scoring and eighth in field goal percentage, Ituka earned the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year Award. He shot 41 percent behind the arc and 77 percent from the charity stripe.
"Since day one in the summer when I arrived, it was real," Ituka said about his approach. "I don't take any day for granted. It's all about progressing and improving. As a team, we're coming in and getting to work. I'm playing my part in working to help us become a better team.
"I understand how fortunate I am to have these opportunities and how blessed I am to be in this position. I come from a big family and my parents did everything they could to bring as much life into me as they could. It's important for me to give back. Each day is a blessing from God. I just want to make sure each day I'm progressing and improving. I'm just fortunate to have this opportunity and I'm never taking a day for granted."
Along with Daivien Williamson, Tyree Appleby and Andrew Carr, Ituka was entrusted with a captain's role by Wake Forest coach Steve Forbes.
"I think I'm doing a good job as a leader and a captain of being more vocal, being positive for the guys," Ituka said. "Coach Forbes always asks us who we're encouraging and who we're helping. I take that seriously and do my best to uplift the guys and encourage them. I want them to have a next-play mindset.
"I bring a lot of energy, positivity and togetherness. You need somebody positive on the team. I'm trying to be the best teammate I can be and help this team win. It's all about our togetherness. It's about every one of us playing hard. It's all about doing it together, gritty, grimey and tough. It has to be all of us collectively as a group doing whatever it takes to win."
After missing the first five games of the season with a lingering knee injury, Ituka returned with a 10-point, three assist effort against South Carolina State. Despite the early-season struggles, Ituka is thankful for the opportunities at Wake Forest and can't wait to make a bigger impact as the season unfolds.
"When I put my name in the portal, I was unsure which route I wanted to go," he said. "Once Wake Forest came and there was that opportunity, I couldn't deny it. To be able to play in the ACC and represent a program like Wake Forest — it's an absolute blessing. I'm super appreciative to have this opportunity.
"Every day I treat it as an opportunity millions of other kids wish they could have. I'm just so blessed to be in this position. I'll always be grateful to this staff and this program, and I'm ready to give it my all. I'm ready to put it all on the line for this team, this program, my family and this school."
But what really caught his eye were a couple photos shared with him by Wake Forest Director of Player Performance Mike Starke, featuring before and after pictures of Alondes Williams and Jake LaRavia — a pair of stars from last year's team who have now earned NBA contracts, with LaRavia having been selected in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft.
"When I came to visit, I'll never forget, and this was probably one of the top reasons I committed," Ituka explained. "Starke had pictures of Jake and Alondes and their transformations from the summer to later that year. It was awesome. Those guys lost weight and put on muscle. Once Starke walked me through everything he could help me with, that was one of the biggest reasons to come here.
"Transforming my body and making sure I'm in the best shape to compete is just so vitally important. I understand what Wake Forest had to offer, but had no idea just how amazing it would be."
Ituka committed to transfer to Wake Forest and was one of the first guys on campus to begin work this spring.
"I arrived a couple weeks before everyone else," he said. "As soon as I could get here, I did. Understanding the importance of my education and basketball, those things come first for me. It's important to take care of everything both on and off the court. The adjustment here at Wake Forest was pretty easy for me.
"When it comes to handling business, setting priorities and taking care of things — I'm pretty big on that. I want basketball to be my ultimate focus, and I don't want any problems in school to be in the way of that. So I'm trying to be a role model for the other guys in terms of taking care of their business."
He wasted little time in getting with Starke right away, and is amazed with the impact they've already made together on his fitness and physique.
"The intensity of practice and lift, and the importance of conditioning and taking care of our bodies — we didn't really focus on a lot of that where I was before," Ituka said. "But with it being such a top priority with an amazing strength coach like Mike Starke and so many others who are put in place to help us succeed — it's awesome to have. They've helped me transform my body."
After finishing the season third in the conference in scoring and eighth in field goal percentage, Ituka earned the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year Award. He shot 41 percent behind the arc and 77 percent from the charity stripe.
"Since day one in the summer when I arrived, it was real," Ituka said about his approach. "I don't take any day for granted. It's all about progressing and improving. As a team, we're coming in and getting to work. I'm playing my part in working to help us become a better team.
"I understand how fortunate I am to have these opportunities and how blessed I am to be in this position. I come from a big family and my parents did everything they could to bring as much life into me as they could. It's important for me to give back. Each day is a blessing from God. I just want to make sure each day I'm progressing and improving. I'm just fortunate to have this opportunity and I'm never taking a day for granted."
Along with Daivien Williamson, Tyree Appleby and Andrew Carr, Ituka was entrusted with a captain's role by Wake Forest coach Steve Forbes.
"I think I'm doing a good job as a leader and a captain of being more vocal, being positive for the guys," Ituka said. "Coach Forbes always asks us who we're encouraging and who we're helping. I take that seriously and do my best to uplift the guys and encourage them. I want them to have a next-play mindset.
"I bring a lot of energy, positivity and togetherness. You need somebody positive on the team. I'm trying to be the best teammate I can be and help this team win. It's all about our togetherness. It's about every one of us playing hard. It's all about doing it together, gritty, grimey and tough. It has to be all of us collectively as a group doing whatever it takes to win."
After missing the first five games of the season with a lingering knee injury, Ituka returned with a 10-point, three assist effort against South Carolina State. Despite the early-season struggles, Ituka is thankful for the opportunities at Wake Forest and can't wait to make a bigger impact as the season unfolds.
"When I put my name in the portal, I was unsure which route I wanted to go," he said. "Once Wake Forest came and there was that opportunity, I couldn't deny it. To be able to play in the ACC and represent a program like Wake Forest — it's an absolute blessing. I'm super appreciative to have this opportunity.
"Every day I treat it as an opportunity millions of other kids wish they could have. I'm just so blessed to be in this position. I'll always be grateful to this staff and this program, and I'm ready to give it my all. I'm ready to put it all on the line for this team, this program, my family and this school."
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballWake Forest Men's Basketball Highlights vs Cal (March 7, 2026)
Monday, March 09
Wake Forest Track: ACC Indoor Track Cinematic Recap
Friday, March 06
Wake Forest Athletics: Women's History Month Trailer
Friday, March 06
Wake Forest Baseball: Stanford Trailer
Friday, March 06