OLU
ASHAOLU

Height: 6’7
Position: Power Forward
Birthday: April 18, 1988
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
School: Louisiana Tech University / University of Oregon
Current Team: N/A

BIO

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. 

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. 

"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.”

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." 

Notable

  • Ranked fourth in the Pac-12 in field goal percentage (2012)
  • Only player to start all 32 games for Louisiana Tech (2011)
  • Named all-WAC Honorable Mention (2011)
  • Earned NABC District 6 Second Team honors (2011)
  • Named to the all-LSWA First Team (2011)
  • NetScouts Basketball All-International Honorable Mention (2011)
  • NetScouts Basketball International WAC Player of the Year (2011)
  • Named NetScouts Basketball International Player of the Week five times (2011)
  • Named LSWA Player of the Week (2011)
  • Named WAC Player of the Week (2011)
  • Played on 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer Irvine Subregional All-Tournament Team (2011)

Pro Stats

Year Team GP FG% 3P% FT RPG APG TO ST BLK PPG
2021-22 Alaska Aces (PBA) 11 62.8% 24.0% 59.7% 12.7 3.1 3.3 0.8 0.3 18.7
2021 Niagara River Lions 12 58.0% 37.5% 57.1% 4.0 1.2 1.8 0.4 0.2 7.9
2020 Fraser Valley Bandits 8 44.4% 0.0% 85.3% 3.3 0.5 0.9 0.5 0.4 8.6
2019-20 St. Johns Edge 10 56.2% 22.2% 79.3% 4.7 0.9 2.2 0.4 0.3 10.7
2019-20 Goyang Orions 6 50.0% 25.0% 55.6% 5.5 1.3 1.8 0.3 0.2 10.2
2018-19 NLEX RW (GC) 5 51.8% 22.2% 75.8% 12.2 3 3.4 0.8 0.4 22.6
2018-19 NLEX RW (CC) 3 51.9% 11.1% 55.9% 15 4.7 4.3 1.3 0.3 24.7
2018-19 St. Johns Edge 28 56.9% 19.0% 66.3% 5.8 1.2 1.2 0.2 0.2 10.6
2017-18 NLEX RW 4 53.8% 50.0% 60.5% 14.3 2.5 5.3 0.5 0.3 28.0
2017-18 Sendai 89ers 16 62.6% 35.3% 63.9% 7.6 2.2 3.4 0.9 0.2 18.5
2016-17 Sanen 61 54.0% 32.4% 61.5% 5.2 1.1 1.4 0.4 0.2 9.7
2015-16 Osaka Evessa 47 59.3% 20.5% 67.3% 5.7 2.2 2.2 0.9 0.3 24.7
2014-15 Hamamatsu P 58 59.2% 30.3% 67.2% 4.8 2.0 1.8 1.1 0.2 24.4
2013-14 Evreux 50 56.8% 25.0% 68.1% 6.4 0.4 2.4 0.9 0.4 11.3
2012-13 Caceres 35 58.9% 0.0% 55.8% 5.3 0.7 2.7 0.9 0.5 10.2