Eastern Michigan Athletics
Abi Olajuwon Named EMU Women's Basketball Assistant Coach
5/20/2016 3:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Former University of Oklahoma forward joins Head Coach Fred Castro's staff
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Abi Olajuwon (pronounced Ab-EE uh-LAH-juh-wawn), an assistant coach for California State University-Fullerton's women's basketball team for the past two seasons, has been named an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan University, Head Coach Fred Castro announced today, May 20.
"I have known Abi for over 10 years and have been fortunate to see her development," Castro said. "Her basketball career is a remarkable one having competed in two Final Fours and playing in the WNBA. While at Cal State Fullerton, she proved to be a dynamic recruiter. I am thrilled Abi has joined our staff and she will make an immediate impact."
At Fullerton, Olajuwon was the recruiting coordinator for the rebuilding Titans' program.
The 2015-16 season was a huge learning year for the Titans as five freshmen saw a combined 3,374 minutes on the floor, with four of them playing over 500 minutes each. Freshman Michelle Berry was one of five freshman named to the All-Freshmen team while also earning a All-Big West Honorable Mention after being one of the conference's top threats in both scoring and rebounding. She ended the season averaging 14.5 points per game, just shy of the freshman school record and averaged 9.1 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-2 freshman also caught the conference's attention by finishing out the regular season in the top 10 out of all Big West players in multiple categories, including: double-doubles (1st, 12), scoring (3rd- 14.5 ppg), rebounding (2nd – 9.1 rpg), offensive rebounds (8th – 2.0 rpg), defensive rebounds (1st – 7.1 rpg) and minutes played (2nd – 35.5 avg/g).
During the 2014-15 season, Fullerton recorded its ninth double-digit win season in the past 10 years and made a run into the Big West Conference Tournament semifinals for the first time since the 2013 season. The Titans worked their way into the school record book on multiple occasions, setting school records in fewest points allowed in a half, most three-point field goals made in a game, most three-point field goals made in a season, and most three-point field goals attempted in a season. Fullerton's defense was historically stingy against UC Irvine on Jan. 15, allowing only 12 points to the Anteaters in the first half en route to a 62-51 victory at Bren Events Center.
Olajuwon, the daughter of NBA Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon, spent three years playing professionally in the WNBA and overseas. In 2010, she was the fourth pick in the draft by the Chicago Sky and appeared in six games. The following season, Olajuwon was signed by the Tulsa Shock and played 16 games.
Before playing professionally, Olajuwon attended the University of Oklahoma for four seasons helping the Sooners reach the NCAA Final Four in both 2009 and 2010. She also helped guide the Sooners to Big 12 Championships in 2007 and 2009.
During her senior season, she started all 38 games at center, averaging 10.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, while also shooting 50.6 percent from the floor. During her final year as a Sooner, she averaged 13.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game during the team's Final Four run.
Olajuwon played high school basketball at The Marlborough School in Los Angeles and earned four varsity letters under Head Coach Trenton Jackson. As a senior, she averaged 15.9 points and 15.4 rebounds per game as she was named a 2006 McDonald's All-American, while leading Marlborough to three state championships (2003, 2004, 2005).
During her senior year, Olajuwon was named a Women's Basketball Coaches Association All-American, CIF-SS Division IV AA Player of the Year, and Marlborough High School's Athlete of the Year. Her high school accolades continued as she was named to the All-State First Team and All CIF-SS First Team four times, and was named to the USA Today All-American Team her final three seasons.
The California native earned her undergraduate degree in broadcast journalism and electronic media from Oklahoma in 2010.
"I have known Abi for over 10 years and have been fortunate to see her development," Castro said. "Her basketball career is a remarkable one having competed in two Final Fours and playing in the WNBA. While at Cal State Fullerton, she proved to be a dynamic recruiter. I am thrilled Abi has joined our staff and she will make an immediate impact."
At Fullerton, Olajuwon was the recruiting coordinator for the rebuilding Titans' program.
The 2015-16 season was a huge learning year for the Titans as five freshmen saw a combined 3,374 minutes on the floor, with four of them playing over 500 minutes each. Freshman Michelle Berry was one of five freshman named to the All-Freshmen team while also earning a All-Big West Honorable Mention after being one of the conference's top threats in both scoring and rebounding. She ended the season averaging 14.5 points per game, just shy of the freshman school record and averaged 9.1 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-2 freshman also caught the conference's attention by finishing out the regular season in the top 10 out of all Big West players in multiple categories, including: double-doubles (1st, 12), scoring (3rd- 14.5 ppg), rebounding (2nd – 9.1 rpg), offensive rebounds (8th – 2.0 rpg), defensive rebounds (1st – 7.1 rpg) and minutes played (2nd – 35.5 avg/g).
During the 2014-15 season, Fullerton recorded its ninth double-digit win season in the past 10 years and made a run into the Big West Conference Tournament semifinals for the first time since the 2013 season. The Titans worked their way into the school record book on multiple occasions, setting school records in fewest points allowed in a half, most three-point field goals made in a game, most three-point field goals made in a season, and most three-point field goals attempted in a season. Fullerton's defense was historically stingy against UC Irvine on Jan. 15, allowing only 12 points to the Anteaters in the first half en route to a 62-51 victory at Bren Events Center.
Olajuwon, the daughter of NBA Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon, spent three years playing professionally in the WNBA and overseas. In 2010, she was the fourth pick in the draft by the Chicago Sky and appeared in six games. The following season, Olajuwon was signed by the Tulsa Shock and played 16 games.
Before playing professionally, Olajuwon attended the University of Oklahoma for four seasons helping the Sooners reach the NCAA Final Four in both 2009 and 2010. She also helped guide the Sooners to Big 12 Championships in 2007 and 2009.
During her senior season, she started all 38 games at center, averaging 10.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, while also shooting 50.6 percent from the floor. During her final year as a Sooner, she averaged 13.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game during the team's Final Four run.
Olajuwon played high school basketball at The Marlborough School in Los Angeles and earned four varsity letters under Head Coach Trenton Jackson. As a senior, she averaged 15.9 points and 15.4 rebounds per game as she was named a 2006 McDonald's All-American, while leading Marlborough to three state championships (2003, 2004, 2005).
During her senior year, Olajuwon was named a Women's Basketball Coaches Association All-American, CIF-SS Division IV AA Player of the Year, and Marlborough High School's Athlete of the Year. Her high school accolades continued as she was named to the All-State First Team and All CIF-SS First Team four times, and was named to the USA Today All-American Team her final three seasons.
The California native earned her undergraduate degree in broadcast journalism and electronic media from Oklahoma in 2010.
| The Abi Olajuwon File | ||
| Name: | Alon Abisola Arisicate Ajoke Olajuwon | |
| High School: | Marlborough School - Los Angeles, Calif. | |
| College: | University of Oklahoma - Bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism and electronic media - 2012 | |
| Professional Experience | ||
| Year | School/Team | Position |
| 2014-16 | California State University, Fullerton | Assistant Women's Basketball Coach |
| 2012 | Ourinhos Basquete (Brazil) | Professional Basketball Player |
| 2011 | Tulsa Shock | Professional Basketball Player |
| 2010 | Chicago Sky | Professional Basketball Player |
| 2006-10 | University of Oklahoma | Student-Athlete |
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