Ovie Soko Transfers to Duquesne

By Sam Neter on May 17, 2012

University of Alabama Birmingham’s Ovie Soko (1991 born) has transferred to Duquesne.

The former GB U20, recently named to the GB senior men’s preliminary squad, has spent the first three years of his collegiate career with the Blazers, but said “I just felt like it was the best decision for me to have the most success I can.”

The 6’8″ small forward will be forced to sit one year, meaning he will not be on court competing for the Dukes until the 2013/14 season but refuses to let that phase him:

“I feel like it can always hurt a player as much as it can help, but I’m confident that I will be able to use it to my advantage.”

He will be playing under the recently appointed Jim Ferry, who was known for his up-tempo style of play with LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds, a style that suits Ovie’s athletic game.

Soko averaged 8.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in 28 minutes a game this season, whilst shooting 46.8% from the field. He finished the season strong with consecutive double doubles – a 20 point, 12 rebound outing on 6/8 shooting against Tulane, before an 18 point, 11 rebound game against UCF. The Blazers finished the season 15-16 (9-7 in C-USA).

The Londoner added he is “blessed and honoured” to have been named to GB’s preliminary squad of 21 but is aware he has a “long way to go” with three players expected to be cut before training camp even opens.

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