NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA RIVER LIONS
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The Niagara River Lions announced today the signing of Olu Ashaolu presented by Deep Relief. The 6’7 forward returns to Niagara for the 2022 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) campaign after a successful season playing with the Alaska Aces of the Philippine Basketball Association, averaging 18.7 points, 12.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
In 2021, Ashaolu proved to be a veteran leader on and off the court, while averaging 7.9 points and 4.0 rebounds in 12 games with the River Lions. Ashaolu becomes the fourth returning member of the team, after Daniel Waldin-Mullings, Jake Babic and Jaylen Babb-Harrison.
"Olu is tough, smart, a great leader, and a great teammate,” said Head Coach and Co-General Manager, Victor Raso. “He was incredibly important to the success of our team last summer, and we think he will be even more valuable in 2022.”
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Ashaolu brings an extensive resume of overseas experience having thrived in some of the top professional leagues across Spain, France, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and Canada. Ashaolu had a career best season in 2017-18 with the NLEX Road Warriors of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) where he averaged 28 points and 14.3 rebounds during 37 minutes per game.
Prior to Ashaolu’s professional career, he attended Louisiana Tech University where over three seasons he averaged 10.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists. In his 2010-11 season, prior to transferring to the University of Oregon, he recorded 16 double-doubles which ranked 19th in the entire NCAA, earning him all-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Honourable Mention and a spot on the all-WAC Defensive Team.
During his senior season with the Oregon Ducks, Ashaolu ranked fourth in the Pacific-12 Conference in field goal percentage with 56.5 percent. He led the team in both field goal percentage and offensive rebounds.
"I'm happy to be returning to Niagara this season,” said Ashaolu. “We're bringing back our core and as well as some new pieces, so it is going to be exciting getting everyone together and building. We came up one game short last year and our focus will be to come home with the trophy this time around."
The Niagara River Lions are one of the original six teams of the CEBL. Playing out of Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, the River Lions represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region while living up to the River Lions moniker of pride and strength of community. Season tickets, voucher & marquee match-up packs and group tickets are on sale now. Visit www.riverlions.ca/tickets for more information.
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