IOWA CITY, Iowa – – University of Iowa Head Men’s Basketball Coach Fran McCaffery announced Tuesday that Gabe Olaseni (pronounced Oh-lah-SEHN-ee) has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Iowa.|IOWA CITY, Iowa – – University of Iowa Head Men’s Basketball Coach Fran McCaffery announced Tuesday that Gabe Olaseni (pronounced Oh-lah-SEHN-ee) has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Iowa.
Olaseni, a native of London, England who played at Sunrise Christian Academy (Wichita, Kan.) last season, is a 6-10, 225-pound center. Olaseni averaged 10.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.2 blocks and 1.2 assists in 28 games his senior year. He shot at a 72% clip from the field.
“We’re really excited to have Gabe become part of our program,” said McCaffery. “He is a talented athlete, who’s 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-2 wing span. He has great length, is able to run the floor and can block shots. Gabe’s someone who will really impact our style of play. As good as he is, he has tremendous upside. Gabe’s a young man with great character and we’re looking forward to having him in a Hawkeye uniform.”
He helped lead his team to the National Association of Christian Athletes (NACA) Division I national title. A NACA All-American, Olaseni was tabbed the Defensive MVP of the national tournament. He was also recognized on the Colby Orange and Black All-Tournament team.
“I think it was important to make sure we got another big man in this class,” added McCaffery. “We feel very good about the other three players we signed. To get a legitimate 6-foot-10 player that has his skill set is very important. He complements the class very well.”
Olesani will join already signed Hawkeye recruits Josh Oglesby of Cedar Rapids Washington High School, Aaron White of Strongsville (Ohio) High School and junior college transfer Anthony Hubbard of Frederick Community College (Maryland) on the 2011-12 Iowa roster.
2011 Recruiting Class
Anthony Hubbard Jr. G 6-5/220 Woodbridge, Va. (Frederick C.C., Md.)
Josh Oglesby Fr. G 6-5/190 Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Washington HS)
Gabe Olaseni Fr. C 6-10/225 Bel Aire, Kan. (Sunrise Christian Academy)
Aaron White Fr. F 6-8/215 Strongsville, Ohio (Strongsville HS)
