St. LOUIS REGION

MILWAUKEE – His coach calls him the epitome of “what you want from a student-athlete.” The opposing coach today says he’s a program-changer that he’d recruited harder than any player in his career. He’s cleared hurdles on the court, hardwood and even in the hospital.

Queens Village product Uka Agbai is the biggest reason Boston College (24-9) will face Georgia Tech (24-9) for a berth in the Sweet 16 in St. Louis. He’s the Eagles’ center, captain and emotional rock.

He suffered pedicle fractures in a Dec. 1, 2002 loss at Holy Cross. Laying in a hospital bed with a broken neck but an unbreakable spirit, he knew he’d play again, and do it with zest, zeal and a love for the game. Since his return, the rest of the Eagles have fed off that.

“I was uncertain when I was in the hospital, the scariest moments for me, the worst in my life, not knowing what’s going on,” said the 6-8, 262-pound Agbai, who faced paralysis and wore a neck collar for three months. He still keeps the collar in his locker.

“I’ve been through a lot. It’s a great feeling [to be here]. I didn’t play last year, and we didn’t make it. I did play this year and we did,” he said. “I like to believe I’m a big part of this team making it.”

The Archbishop Molloy grad savors every second on the court, something he told the team in his speech at their banquet.

“I told everyone – not just playing basketball like it’s your last game, but in life – do things as if you’d never be able to do it again. Do it the best you can every single day.”

Agbai has followed his own advice. He’s on pace to finish his master’s degree in administrative studies in May, a year early, and his injury hasn’t stopped him from playing BC ball.

As star forward Craig Smith said, “We wear and tear opponents down. That’s our strategy, to beat people down.”

That’s a tall order against a run-and-gun Tech team, led by guard B.J. Elder (16.2 ppg) and Jarrett Jack, Smith’s former Worcester H.S. teammate. But coach Al Skinner wouldn’t bet against Agbai.

“It’s his work ethic and attitude that’s allowed him to get this far,” Skinner said. “He’s done extremely well in the classroom, and he’s going to be close to his graduate degree.”