Endeavour Ipswich Basketball Club and Ipswich Basketball Academy are delighted to announce that Olufemi Edu has committed to join Ateneo de Manila University in his native Philippines from autumn 2024. Femi departs after a hugely successful two years at Ipswich Basketball Academy, based at Copleston Sixth Form. The 6ft5 Filipino Guard has accepted a full scholarship to play back home in the Philippines for the 2024/25 season.
After moving to Copleston from local team Essex Rebels in 2022, Femi would miss much of his initial season with Copleston due to injury. Upon returning to full fitness for the beginning of the 2023-24 season, Edu made an immediate impact, averaging 17.3 points and 9 rebounds across all competitions. With exceptional speed in transition, Femi established himself as one of the most exciting guards in the EABL. However, Edu brings much more than scoring to the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles. Averaging over 1.5 blocks per game, the Blue Eagles are welcoming a player who can get it done on both sides of the basketball.
Coach Danny Manning said “Femi is a supreme talent with a fantastic work ethic, making the most of every opportunity. He is an outstanding ambassador for our programme and a great example of what can be achieved. Femi has been a leading player for us all year and sad as we are to see him leave, we are incredibly excited to see him pursue his career at the next level.”
Femi added: "Firstly, I want to give all glory to god, it wouldn't have been possible without him. Secondly, I'm really thankful to my family for supporting me throughout my basketball career and sacrificing so much to get me to a position where I could play Basketball without a worry. They've been supporting and encouraging me throughout and I will never take that for granted. Receiving a scholarship for basketball is something I've always dreamed of, and I am really excited and grateful to have the opportunity to further my education and basketball career in the Philippines.
In the 2 years that I've spent in the academy, despite missing a large portion of my first year, both Coach Manning and Coach Drane along with the rest of the staff have massively supported and pushed me through all the highs and lows, helping me improve considerably during my time here. This academy has been a catalyst to my development as both a Basketball player and as a person and has brought me experiences that I won't forget for the rest of my life. Moreover, I'm really thankful to every single one of the coaches, staff, volunteers and supporters who continue to make this whole programme possible.
Lastly, I want to thank all my teammates who have been there with me throughout my time at this academy. They've pushed and challenged me In training but have also always been extremely supportive and reliable and I couldn't ask for better teammates to have spent my last 2 years with. Looking forward, I'm excited for my next step at Ateneo de Manila University and feel ready for whatever challenges may come my way."
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