FRASER VALLEY BANDITS SIGN OLU ASHAOLU
Fraser Valley Bandits • June 30, 2020
Prominent Canadian power forward and former Oregon Duck and Louisiana Tech Bulldog inks deal with British Columbia’s professional basketball team prior to the start of the CEBL Summer Series.
ABBOTSFORD, B.C., June 30, 2020 –
The Fraser Valley Bandits announced Tuesday that the club has signed former University of Oregon and Louisiana Tech University power forward Olu Ashaolu.
Ashaolu is coming off a strong 2019-20 campaign that saw him play in Korea with the Goyang Orions and the St. John’s Edge in Canada. Ashaolu averaged 10.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game on 56.2 per cent from field goal range, while also connecting on 79.3 per cent of his free throw attempts while with the Edge. Ashaolu has played across the globe, particularly in Asia, and has enjoyed immense success with the NLEX Road Warriors, a club that competes in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). In 2017-18, Ashaolu averaged 28 points, 14.3 rebounds and 37 minutes per game while playing for the Road Warriors. The following year with the Road Warriors, he averaged 23.4 points and 13.3 rebounds over the course of eight total games between the Commissioner’s Cup (three games) and Governors’ Cup (five games).
“I have wanted to play for coach (Kyle Julius) for quite some time because we’ve been in the same basketball circles for years and we’ve grown familiar with one another’s work ethic. This summer presented a great chance to join the Bandits and reunite with my high school peers like Junior Cadougan, Kyle Johnson and Jabs Newby,” Ashaolu said. “This team has a roster that already feels like a family and I’m excited to be part of a special group of individuals who will leave everything they have out on the floor.”
A native of Lagos, Nigeria, Ashaolu’s professional career has seen the talented high-flyer soar in some of the top professional leagues across Spain, France, Japan, Korea, the Philippines and now Canada. Prior to kickstarting his decorated pro career, Ashaolu grew up in Toronto and played for Canada’s Junior National Team at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Under-18 Americas Championships in 2006. Ashaolu averaged 13.2 points per game at the tournament and helped lead Canada to a fourth place finish.
Ashaolu then accepted an offer to Louisiana Tech University. After redshirting the 2007-08 campaign, Ashaolu emerged as a key cog for Louisiana Tech. Over three seasons, Ashaolu averaged 10.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists on 52.2 per cent from field goal range. In his third and final season, Ashaolu posted 16 double-doubles, good for 19th most in the entire NCAA in 2010-11. He was also named all-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Honorable Mention and was awarded a place on the all-WAC Defensive Team. Following three seasons with the Bulldogs, Ashaolu transferred to the University of Oregon for his senior season where he shone for the Ducks.
Over the course of 34 games with Oregon in 2011-12, Ashaolu ranked fourth in the Pacific-12 Conference in field goal percentage, shooting 56.5 per cent. He led the Ducks in field goal percentage and offensive rebounds (71) on the year and averaged 9.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game throughout the campaign.
“Olu is a very accomplished pro. He has proven himself to be a reliable scorer and a great teammate in some of the best leagues in the world. I think he has been an underrated Canadian power forward for a long-time. Olu is another player who brings tremendous value to our grit and grind culture,” Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Andrew Savory, Director of Operations, (604) 217-6213, asavory@thebandits.ca
About the Fraser Valley Bandits
The Fraser Valley Bandits are British Columbia’s professional basketball team. As the westernmost club in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the club is proud to call Abbotsford Centre home. The Bandits offer a riveting entertainment experience that combines a fast-paced game day atmosphere with a presentation of some of Canada’s top professional athletes within a world-class venue. Head to thebandits.ca for more information.
About the Canadian Elite Basketball League
Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is a new basketball experience that features world-class professional basketball in a fan-friendly entertainment environment across seven cities in Canada. The 2019 inaugural season saw more than 100 Canadian and international players take to the court, culminating with the Saskatchewan Rattlers earning the first CEBL championship trophy. CEBL players come from NBA G League clubs, top NCAA programs, the Canadian national program, U SPORTS and other Division 1 FIBA leagues. As the First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, all games are live-streamed by CBC Sports. This season, the CEBL’s seven teams will convene at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines, Ont., starting July 15 to play the CEBL Summer Series, a round robin competition that will culminate in crowning the second-year league’s 2020 champion. The timing of the Summer Series, subject to the status of the province of Ontario’s phased in reopening, will make the CEBL the first professional league in Canada to return to play following the COVID-19 outbreak in March. Head to cebl.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to learn more.
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