Nigerian-born small forward and power offensive player for London Lions in the British Basketball League (BBL), Ovie Soko has finally called it quit with the game of giants at the age of 35, Sports247 reports.

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The British national basketball team star’s final game as a professional player came this past Saturday, as he led London Lions in their BBL Super League play-off final against Cheshire Phoenix at O2 Arena.

Soko, who has also previously played for clubs in France, Italy, Spain and Japan, could now be heading in a new direction, as he previously announced on August 26th, 2019 that he was partnering with his father, Raymond Soko, in a modelling deal.

With 1.4 million Instagram followers in his status and several brand deals to his name, Soko now appears readily poised for a post-retirement career in media, fashion, show presentation or punditry, all of which he was engaged in while playing actively.

It’s a new chapter for Soko, who attended Bethel High School in Hampton, Virginia, USA, where he averaged 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.0 blocks per game during his lone season, as he led the team’s field goal percentage (60%).

The power forward helped Bruins to a 23-4 overall mark and district championship (16-2) as a wit and, as a junior, Soko played at Hampton Roads Academy where he averaged 17.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game.

He later played college basketball for University of Alabama and Duquesne University, then entered the 2014 NBA draft but was not selected, after which he returned to England and later joined the fifth series of British reality show, Love Island in 2019, but placed third.

Soko made his basketball debut for Great Britain in a closed international match against New Zealand on July 24th, 2015 and later led them to an 81-73 victory over Germany in FIBA EuroBasket 2021 qualifying, during which he got 18 points and 10 rebounds.

The post Nigerian-born British Sensation Ovie Soko Calls It Quit With Basketball At Age Of 35 first appeared on Sports247 Nigeria.

The post Nigerian-born British Sensation Ovie Soko Calls It Quit With Basketball At Age Of 35 appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Far Eastern University–Diliman and the University of Santo Tomas will represent the Philippines in the 2026 NBA Rising Stars Invitational.

The Baby Tamaraws and the Junior Growling Tigresses earned their berths after ruling the UAAP Season 88 High School Basketball tournaments, which served as qualifiers for the annual event.

This year’s tournament will be held at the OCBC Arena in Singapore from June 23 to 28.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

Prince Cariño and JB Cagurungan will lead the Baby Tamaraws, who will also be joined by Mark Dulin, Dwyne Enriquez, JA Lopez, Duke Santos, Patrick Sohm, Shaun Barlan, and Kierdy Victoria.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

Meanwhile, Rhiane Perez and Lea Pinuela will spearhead the Junior Tigresses, alongside Noelle Arciaga, Lhian Arabi, Arianne Hew, Sofia Petalcorin, Nadine Labay, Laela Mateo, Angela Capinpin, and Jesabel Anacan.

Allan Albano will serve as head coach of FEU–Diliman, while Sen Dysangco will call the shots for UST.

In the boys’ division, Thailand will be represented by Assumption College Thonburi, Australia by Berwick College, Taiwan by Tongtex, and Japan by Phoenix Tottori Johoku.

In the girls’ division, Thailand will be represented by Wainonoppakhun School, Australia by Rowville Secondary College, Taiwan by Yang Ming High School, and Japan by Seika.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura and former NBA player Mitch Richmond will also take part in the event.

The post UAAP champs FEU-Diliman, UST head to Singapore for NBA Rising Stars Invitational appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

The ongoing Jordan Nwora Basketball Camp in Ilupeju area of Lagos has been described as a vibrant platform that will create opportunities for young talents to expose themselves and connect with standard coaching techniques in the game.

Sports247 reports that this assertion was provided by renowned basketball administrator and promoter, Colonel Sam Ahmedu (retired), who also expressed optimism that kids that will bring future glory to Nigeria will be discovered at the camp.

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Ahmedu described the camp as another significant step to strengthen grassroots basketball in Nigeria and noted further that, beyond teaching fundamentals of the game, it will also inspire young athletes to pursue excellence on and off the court.

“This camp is ready to add value to the game. It is about creating opportunities, exposing young talents to quality coaching and helping them understand what it takes to succeed in basketball at higher levels,” Ahmedu stated.

Sports247 gathered that the camp, which will run from this Friday to Sunday, will attract 120 young players – 60 boys and 60 girls – from across Nigeria, to sharpen their skills under the guidance of experienced coaches and basketball stakeholders.

Organisers added that the annual Jordan Nwora Basketball Camp has grown into a regional development project since its inception in Liberia, then expanded to Ghana before making its way to Nigeria, while nurturing young talents across West Africa.

The post Jordan Nwora Basketball Camp Is Always Creating Fresh Opportunities For Young Talents – Sam Ahmedu first appeared on Sports247 Nigeria.

The post Jordan Nwora Basketball Camp Is Always Creating Fresh Opportunities For Young Talents – Sam Ahmedu appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.