Osun Osunniyi

Osun Osunniyi
Osunniyi with St. Bonaventure in 2019
No. 12 – MLP Academics Heidelberg
PositionPower forward / center
LeagueBasketball Bundesliga
Personal information
Born (1998-10-21) October 21, 1998 (age 26)
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft2023: undrafted
Playing career2023–present
Career history
2023–2024Hubo Limburg United
2024–presentMLP Academics Heidelberg
Career highlights and awards

Osun Bowale Osunniyi (born October 21, 1998) is an American basketball player for MLP Academics Heidelberg of the Basketball Bundesliga. He played college basketball for the St. Bonaventure Bonnies and Iowa State Cyclones.

High school career

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Osunniyi started playing basketball in eighth grade, after moving from Pleasantville, New Jersey to Somers Point.[1] He attended Mainland Regional High School in Linwood, New Jersey, joining the varsity team as a junior and starting for the first time in his senior year.[1][2][3] His coach, Dan Williams, considered him an NCAA Division III prospect before he grew three inches (7.6 cm) prior to his senior season. Osunniyi played a postgraduate season at Putnam Science Academy in Putnam, Connecticut. He led his team to the National Prep Championship, where he was named MVP of the title game.[4] He initially committed to playing college basketball for La Salle before switching his commitment to St. Bonaventure.[5] He turned down offers from traditional basketball powers, such as Syracuse and Georgetown.

College career

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As a freshman at St. Bonaventure, Osunniyi averaged 7.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. He led all NCAA Division I freshmen and ranked sixth in the nation in blocks. He was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie and All-Defensive teams.[6] As a sophomore, Osunniyi averaged 10.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. He earned Third Team All-Atlantic 10 and All-Defensive Team honors.[7] In his junior season, Osunniyi was a Second Team All-Atlantic 10 selection and Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year.[8] He recorded 14 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in a 74–65 win over VCU at the Atlantic 10 tournament final. He was named tournament most outstanding player.[9] As a junior, Osunniyi averaged 10.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game.[10] He was again named to the Second Team All-Atlantic 10 as a senior as well as Defensive Player of the Year.[11]

On May 5, 2022, Osunniyi announced he was transferring to Iowa State University.[12]

Professional career

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On June 23, 2023, Osunniyi signed to play with the Washington Wizards in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas,[13][14] but did not make the Wizards' roster. On July 21, 2023, Osunniyi signed with Limburg United of the BNXT League.[15]

On June 19, 2024, Osunniyi signed with MLP Academics Heidelberg of the Basketball Bundesliga.[16]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 St. Bonaventure 34 21 27.2 .571 – .667 7.6 .8 .5 2.7 7.5
2019–20 St. Bonaventure 24 19 30.0 .615 – .576 8.4 1.2 .7 2.4 10.8
2020–21 St. Bonaventure 21 21 34.3 .571 .000 .681 9.4 2.4 .8 2.9 10.7
2021–22 St. Bonaventure 32 32 30.6 .613 .500 .641 7.5 1.5 .5 2.9 11.3
2022–23 Iowa State 33 29 18.3 .577 .231 .672 3.9 1.1 .4 1.1 8.2
Career 144 122 27.4 .591 .250 .648 7.1 1.3 .6 2.4 9.5

Personal life

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Osunniyi is of Nigerian descent. His name, Osun Bowale, translates to "angel of love and fertility has returned home."[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c McGarry, Michael (December 27, 2016). "Long and short of it: Osunniyi a stud for 'Stangs". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  2. ^ O'Sullivan, Dave (December 1, 2020). "Mainland Regional's Osunniyi began to tap into his potential during senior season". Glory Days Magazine. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  3. ^ LeConey, Bill. "Osunniyi’s triple-double powers Mainland past Absegami", The Press of Atlantic City, December 21, 2016. Accessed March 17, 2021. "The Absegami High School boys basketball team found out just how tough it is to play against Mainland Regional’s 6-foot-8 center Osun Osunniyi on Wednesday night.... I’m just a rim protector,' said Osunniyi, a 6-foot-8 Somers Point resident."
  4. ^ Lenzi, Rachel (January 10, 2020). "St. Bonaventure's Osun Osunniyi continues to evolve as inside presence". The Buffalo News. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  5. ^ Mulranen, Patrick (January 21, 2021). "Osun Osunniyi all smiles with St. Bonaventure's hot start in basketball". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  6. ^ Mulranen, Patrick (November 6, 2019). "Former Mainland star Osun Osunniyi ready for followup to terrific freshman season at St. Bonaventure". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  7. ^ Maggio, Chuckie (March 10, 2020). "Lofton, Osunniyi and English receive A-10 honors". Pickin' Splinters. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  8. ^ Stockman, Paul (March 10, 2021). "Schmidt, Osunniyi earn top honors in A-10 Awards". WIVB-TV. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  9. ^ Spielman, Matt (March 15, 2021). "Bonnies going dancing". Observer. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  10. ^ Womack, Keenan (September 29, 2021). "College Basketball: Top 25 Rankings (No. 25 through No. 21)". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  11. ^ "Brajkovic Named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, McKillop, Osunniyi Earn Top Honors" (Press release). Atlantic 10 Conference. March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  12. ^ "BREAKING: St. Bonaventure center Osun Osunniyi commits to Iowa State". CycloneAlert. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  13. ^ Modderno, Matt (June 23, 2023). "Iowa State big man Osun Osunniyi will play Summer League with the Wizards". Bullets Forever. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  14. ^ "Osunniyi to Play in NBA Summer League with Wizards". Iowa State Cyclones. July 5, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  15. ^ "Rookie Osun Osunniyi nieuwe center bij United!". Hubo Limburg United. July 21, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  16. ^ "Anker in der Verteidigung: Osun Osunniyi wechselt an den Neckar". MLP Academics Heidelberg. June 19, 2024. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
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