Sept. 22, 2015
THE FLATS – Junior forward Elo Edeferioka of the Georgia Tech women’s basketball team begins competition on Thursday with the senior national team of Nigeria in the Afrobasket in Cameroun, Africa. If the Nigerian national team wins the Afrobasket, they will qualify for the Olympics.
“Playing for Nigeria to qualify for the Olympics means a lot to me” Edeferioka said. “Playing for the name on the front of my jersey, which is Nigeria, and the name on the back, which is my dad’s name Edema, means everything to me. I am so grateful for this opportunity God has given me because there are so many other players out there but I was picked instead. Thanks to Georgia Tech for making it possible for me to come and join the team in Cameroun.”
Edeferioka and the Nigerian senior national team kick off the Afrobasket on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. ET against Guinea in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroun. The team will play five games before the finals beginning on Oct. 1. Schedules, scores and updates will be available here.
“I am so excited for Elo to have the opportunity to compete for her country,” head coach MaChelle Joseph said. “There is nothing greater than the feeling of representing your country in international competition. We are so excited to have Elo with us at Georgia Tech and can’t wait to see how she impacts our program the next three years.”
The Warri, Nigeria, native transferred to Georgia Tech prior to this season from Hofstra and due to NCAA transfer rules, she will have to sit out this season. At Hofstra as a sophomore, Edeferioka started 32 out of 33 games, averaging 9.2 points per game, 8.7 rebounds per game and 25.6 minutes per game. She averaged 1.0 blocks per game and led the Pride with 32 total blocks. As a freshman she averaged 6.3 points and 7.4 rebounds and played in all 29 games, making 22 starts. She was named to the All-Colonial Athletic Association Rookie Team in 2014 and garnered CAA Rookie of the Week honors once during the season. She also played for the Nigerian national team in the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship.
The Georgia Tech women’s basketball team opens up the 13th season under head coach MaChelle Joseph on Monday, Nov. 2with an exhibition contest against West Georgia at 7 p.m. at McCamish Pavilion. Tickets can be purchased online, by calling the 888-TECH-TIX or by visiting the ticket office at 150 Bobby Dodd Way.
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–TogetherWeSwarm–
