Philly.com: NOT TOO LONG ago, Jamal Nwaniemeka figured he'd be playing his college basketball at the Division II level.

He would not have gone there kicking and screaming. Would have even been fine with that. But the identity of his ultimate destination brings more of a smile to his face.

It's Rider, and that school can be found in D-I.

"It was looking like I was going to go to East Stroudsburg," said Nwaniemeka, a 6-2, 180-pound wing guard at Conwell-Egan. "I was shocked when things changed up and D-I attention started coming my way. I didn't think I was capable of being a D-I player, but people kept telling me I was."

Although Nwaniemeka also received an offer from Robert Morris, Rider was the first D-I school to express an interest. Assistant Kevin Baggett contacted coach Rick Sabol in mid-February and watched C-E vs. Cardinal O'Hara in a first-round Catholic League playoff.

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