North Carolina's J.P. Tokoto (13) shoots past Notre Dame's Steve Vasturia (32) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament Saturday, March 14, 2015, in Greensboro, N.C.
North Carolina's J.P. Tokoto (13) shoots past Notre Dame's Steve Vasturia (32) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament Saturday, March 14, 2015, in Greensboro, N.C.
Tokoto returned to the Marshall-based alumni team in 2024 and credits last yearÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s relationships as a reason why he came back.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIt wasnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t just playing in the TBT, but it was the people that are involved and connected to this group,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Tokoto said at a practice at West Virginia State. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThe treatment that I got last year, being a new guy and having to assimilate myself, was probably one of the best places IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve been.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI spent three weeks with these guys and, in a short amount of time, built friendships and relationships that are going to carry the rest of my life.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Herd That guard Jon Elmore was happy to share the floor with Tokoto again.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThat was one of our [top] priorities this year, which was bringing him back,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Elmore said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHe had a great time last year and played super well for us. When it ended, with everyone down, he was ready to do it again this year. ... HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a guy that helps you win a lot of games.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Herd That fell to Heartfire last year in the TBT semifinals in Philadelphia, 73-68.
Tokoto led all scorers with 27 points in the defeat.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe were able to win games by sticking together and knowing we got each otherÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s backs,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ he said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe have guys that will get after it. We have guys that can defend at each position, which is going to go a long way.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Tokoto spent the 2023-24 season playing professionally in Israel for Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan.
He averaged 11.3 points, nearly a four-point increase per game from the year before. He shot 48% from the floor, including 29% from long distance.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve been shooting a lot better and more,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Tokoto said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œSince I came home from the season, IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve been focusing on my jump shot and extending my range. IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve always had the mid-range. ThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s always been a part of my game, but I really want to add the 3-point shot. ThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s going to open my game up and open up shots for others.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
While Tokoto was playing, Hamas, a Palestinian terror group, attacked more than 20 Israeli communities.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIt was a building process through the whole season, even with the adversity of not knowing whatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s going on with the war and whatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s going to happen the next game,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Tokoto said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI was playing the 5 position for half the season, and we were winning games.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Tokoto finished his career as a Tar Heel with 722 points, 469 rebounds, 292 assists and 128 steals in 107 games, with 67 of them being starts.
The Illinois native left Chapel Hill, North Carolina, following the 2014-15 season and was drafted in the second round with the 58th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Tokoto is appreciative of the influence then-Heels coach Roy Williams had on his life.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s been an intricate part of my development, not just as a player but as a person first,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Tokoto said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWhen I say heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s one of the best coaches IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve ever had, I truly stand by it. He treated me as a grandson, as he did his other players as well. Coach Williams taught me a lot of different things that IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve taken with me out of school and into my life.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Taylor Kennedy covers sports. He can be reached at 304-348-7935 or tkennedy@hdmediallc.com. Follow on Twitter.
