Reds Add Point Guard To 2020 Recruiting Class

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds men’s basketball team is adding point guard James Owolabi to their recruiting class of 2020.

The 18-year-old, from Calgary, Alberta, will join the Reds ahead of the 2020-21 Atlantic University Sport season.

Owolabi comes to UNB with an impressive resume which includes a Calgary high school league championship and a provincial high school title.

“I’m excited to be a part of this incredible program and can’t wait to see what we can accomplish,” said Owolabi. “I think I’m able to motivate my teammates. I’ll push myself to my limit every time I hit the floor, and I’ll push my teammates to do the same.”

In his Grade 10 year, Owolabi averaged 20 points per game as part of the Bishop O’Byrne High School team that went 25-0 to win the Calgary city league’s junior boys championship.

He played his Grade 11 and 12 seasons at Calgary’s All Saints High School, averaging 22 points per game and helping the Legends to the 2019 Alberta 3A championship.

“James will bolster our backcourt,” said Reds head coach Brent Baker. “We really like that he’s a high energy, high compete-level guy. He’s a multi-dimensional player that can play and defend a number of positions.”

Owolabi has also been a member of Calgary’s heralded W.I.N. Basketball Club.

In 2018, he was a member of the W.I.N. team that won the U17 boys division at Calgary’s Genesis Classic Tournament, which hosts many of the top Alberta club teams annually.

“I’m a good floor general,” said Owolabi. “I love to distribute the ball and see my teammates finish the job. I’ll encourage my teammates. I’ll always have their backs. We’ll push through adversity together.”

“James is a very good open court player with great vision and an ability to find the open teammate,” said Coach Baker.

Owolabi says he began playing as a 12-year-old and that he was cut from his Grade 7 school team.

“That fuelled my drive and determination for the game from an early age,” he said.

Owolabi will study Recreation and Sport will attending UNB.

PHOTOS: GreyStoke Photography