Sam Ashaolu
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 25, 1982 |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Coastal Christian School (Virginia Beach, Virginia) |
| College |
|
| Position | Forward |
Sam Ashaolu (born December 25, 1982) is a Canadian former basketball player. He was a member of the basketball teams of Trinity Valley Community College, Lake Region State College and Duquesne University before injuries sustained in a campus shooting in 2006 cut his career short.[1][2][3]
Biography
[edit]Ashaolu played for Trinity Valley Community College during the 2004–2005 season where he averaged 6.9 points and 3.7 rebounds as a freshman. The following season he transferred to Lake Region State College where he started 23 of 27 games, averaging 15.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game,[4] and helping the Royals to a 21–9 record.[5]
In 2006 he transferred to Duquesne University in the NCAA Division I and was expected to have an immediate impact for Ron Everhart's team.[2] On September 17, 2006, Ashaolu along with his Duquesne teammates Aaron Jackson, Stuart Baldonado, Shawn James and Kojo Mensah were shot when they were returning from a party on the college campus,[6] with Ashaolu being shot twice in the head.[7][8][9] While initially planning on returning to the court,[10] due to the severity of the injuries he sustained in the shooting, Ashaolu never played again. In 2009, he earned his college diploma from Duquesne.[11]
Personal life
[edit]Ashaolu is the brother of basketball player Olu Ashaolu and cousin of former NBA player Hakeem Olajuwon.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ Phil Axelrod; Colin Dunlap (19 September 2006). "Ashaolu took circuitous route to Pittsburgh". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. pp. C1, C8. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ a b Andy Katz (17 December 2009). "One dream denied, one fulfilled". ESPN. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ Eli Saslow (21 September 2006). "Long Journey Is Stopped Short by Shooting 'He Felt Like He Had Finally Made It,' Brother Says of Wounded Duquesne Basketball Player". The Washington Post. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ Denny Conroy (10 September 2010). "Sam Ashaolu Sues Duquesne re: '06 Shooting". 247sports.com. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ "Sam Ashaolu - Men's Basketball - Duquesne University Athletics". goduquesne.com. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ "Five Duquesne basketball players shot; one critical". ESPN. 17 September 2006. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ Phil Axelrod (25 December 2006). "Ashaolu stays in the spotlight". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. C4. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ Mary Wiens (16 February 2016). "A decade after shooting, Sam Ashaolu still loves the game". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ Michael Grange (4 October 2006). "Sam Ashaolu begins long road back". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ Dave Mackall (8 November 2006). "Ashaolu plans return to Dukes next season". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ Alan Robinson (16 December 2009). "Duquesne player who nearly died earns degree". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ Alan Robinson (19 September 2006). "Duquesne players recount shooting; Olajuwon's cousin in critical condition". Great Falls Tribune. p. 4S. Retrieved 24 March 2022.