___ Okafor, 6’10” Charlotte player who was the N.B.A.’s 2005 Rookie of the Year

EMEKA

This Nigerian-born center played college basketball at UConn and was the second overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft before joining the Bobcats.

This clue is asking for the first name of Emeka Okafor, a 6’10” center who played for the Charlotte Bobcats and won the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award in 2005. The blank signals you’re looking for a short name that fits the space, and "Okafor" is the last name hinted at in the clue. Since the answer is just four letters, "Emeka" is the obvious fit.