???Chima Moneke is the Canberra kid turning heads in the United States and using college basketball's biggest stage as a launching pad to chase his NBA dreams.
But the 198 centimetre, 101 kilogram forward's journey to "March Madness" action on Thursday has been anything but orthodox.
Former Farrer Primary and Lake Ginninderra College student Moneke is set to follow Canberra junior Patrick Mills into the world's best basketball competition if he continues his stellar college form.
The goggle-wearing University of California Davis cult hero was named the Big West's most valuable player earlier this week and led his team to its March Madness debut.
March Madness is the NCAA Division I basketball championship that brings together the top 68 teams in the US in a single elimination tournament watched by millions of fans across the country.
It's the perfect stage for the Nigerian-born son of two diplomats to announce his arrival and take the next step in his journey to the NBA.
The 21-year-old's full name is Nwachukwu Ikeukwumere Chima Moneke, but he goes by 'Chima' because it's easier to pronounce.
The youngest of six boys has lived on five continents moving between Nigeria, Turkey, Switzerland, Australia and America.
He's also spent time in France and England, but Moneke says Canberra will always be home.
Moneke moved to Australia when he was two and grew up kicking soccer balls until he was encouraged by friends to try basketball at 13.
He was skinny, small and raw, but would eventually star for Lake Ginninderra College alongside Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum.
???But Exum scored an NBA contract as the fifth pick in the 2014 draft, signing a deal with the Jazz to kickstart his career.
In contrast, Moneke emailed "at least 300" US schools and almost gave up hope before a recruiter from Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, came knocking with a scholarship opportunity.
After two seasons he moved to UC Davis, where in the last week he has hit an overtime game-winner against CSU Fullerton and stunned UC Irvine in the conference final.
If UC Davis can beat North Carolina Central on Thursday morning [AEDT], the Aggies will face the top seeded Kansas Jayhawks.
The whole experience has been "crazy", and there's no doubt Moneke has the ability, the confidence, and the look to reach the top.
"[Playing in the NBA] has been a dream of mine ever since I started taking basketball seriously," Moneke said.
"It's something I want to do. There's a few things I want to get better at, to correct, to give myself a chance to play in the NBA, so I'll definitely do that coming back here next year."
It's easy to spot Moneke on the court. He wears glasses that evoke memories of NBA legend and six-time championship winner Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
His prescription eye wear resembles swimming goggles more than regular glasses and make Moneke the butt of a few jokes, but his reason for wearing them is simple.
"I'm not a contacts person," Moneke said.
"When I came to Nebraska I got my eyes checked and I found out I needed glasses. I tried to put contacts on, it took like 45 minutes and I was just like 'Nah, I'm not doing this.'"
In Moneke's first game for UC Davis against Tennessee State, an opposition player looked at him and just started laughing.
Moneke smiled and shrugged it off - standing almost two metres tall and weighing over 100 kilograms, he routinely dominates his opposition.
"People tend to do that, they underestimate you, they judge a book by its cover - that's good because they don't expect me to do what I'm doing now," Moneke said.
NCAA DIVISION I MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Thursday: First Four - UC Davis v North Carolina Central at University of Dayton Arena. Tipoff at 9:40am AEDT. A viewing party for the game will be held at JB The Gentleman's Barber in Belconnen.
