Jamal Olasewere (born September 16, 1991) is a Nigerian American professional basketball player for Pistoia Basket 2000 of the Italian Serie A2. He completed his college career at Long Island University, where he was an All-American and Conference Player of the Year.

Jamal Olasewere
Pistoia Basket 2000
PositionSmall forward / power forward
LeagueSerie A2
Personal information
Born (1991-09-16) September 16, 1991 (age 33)
Silver Spring, Maryland
NationalityAmerican / Nigerian
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High schoolSpringbrook (Silver Spring, Maryland)
CollegeLIU Brooklyn (2009–2013)
NBA draft2013: undrafted
Playing career2014–present
Career history
2014–2015Wolves Verviers-Pepinster
2015–2016Virtus Roma
2016–2017Hapoel Ramat Gan
2017Orzi Basket
2017–2018NPC Rieti
2017–2018Blu Basket
2019–2020Grindavík
2020–2021Eurobasket Roma
2021–presentPistoia Basket 2000
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's Basketball
Representing  Nigeria
FIBA Africa Championship
Gold medal – first place 2015 Tunisia National Team

College career

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Olasewere, a 6'7" forward from Silver Spring, Maryland attended Springbrook High School and chose Long Island for college. There, he was a four-year starter and led the Blackbirds to three consecutive NCAA tournament bids from 2011 to 2013. As a senior, Olasewere averaged 18.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game and was named Northeast Conference player of the year[1] and an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press. For his career, Olasewere scored a school-record 1,871 points and collected 964 rebounds.[2]

Professional career

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In August 2013, Olasewere signed a one-year deal with the Italian League club Vanoli Cremona.[3]

In August 2019, he signed with Úrvalsdeild karla club Grindavík.[4] On January 9, 2020, the team released him from his contract due to injuries. In 10 games, he averaged 18 points and 7 rebounds per game.[5]

On July 5, 2020, he has signed with Eurobasket Roma of the Italian Serie A2.[6] Olasewere averaged 15.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. On August 17, 2021, he signed with Pistoia Basket 2000.[7]

Nigerian national team

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Olasewere has also been a member of the senior men's Nigerian national basketball team. He played at the 2015 FIBA Africa Championship where they won the championship.

References

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  1. ^ Kussoy, Howie (March 6, 2013). "LIU's Olasewere is NEC Player of Year". New York Post. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  2. ^ "Olasewere Chosen for Prestigious Portsmouth Invitational Tournament". LIU Athletics. April 8, 2013. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  3. ^ "Vanoli Cremona officially signs rookie Jamal Olasewere". Sportando.net. August 20, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Davíð Eldur (25 August 2019). "Jamal Olasewere til Grindavíkur". Karfan.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  5. ^ Bjarni Þórarinn Hallfreðsson (9 January 2020). "Grindvíkingar að senda Jamal Olasewere heim". Vísir.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  6. ^ Skerletic, Dario (July 5, 2020). "Jamal Olasewere joins Eurobasket Roma". Sportando. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  7. ^ Centenari, Andrea (August 17, 2021). "Jamal Olasewere joins Pistoia". Eurobasket. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
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