Eastern Michigan Athletics
Abi Olajuwon Adds Recruiting Coordinator Responsibilities
5/16/2017 4:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Second-year assistant takes on additional responsibilities for EMU women's basketball
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University women's basketball assistant coach Abi Olajuwon has been granted the title of recruiting coordinator along with her assistant coach duties, Head Coach Fred Castro announced today, May 16.
"I am happy to promote Abi to recruiting coordinator after watching her work this past year," Castro said. "Abi has been a critical part of our recruiting success since we arrived in Ypsilanti. Her ability to organize and execute our recruiting game plans has allowed us to add elite student athletes to our program. Abi's work ethic and attention to detail has earned her the title of recruiting coordinator."
Since arriving in Ypsilanti in May 2016, Castro and his staff have hit the recruiting trail hard, securing the top-ranked recruiting class in the Mid-American Conference and 51st overall according to prospectnation.com. EMU's 2017-18 group features four nationally ranked recruits, including one four-star and three three-star according to prospectnation.com. In addition, EMU has been able to sign four transfers, Lorraine Enabulele, Emoni Jackson, Danielle Minott, and Tiffany Suarez.
"I'm both excited and thankful for this opportunity," added Olajuwon. "I look forward to continuing to serve this program in my expanded role and helping facilitate the collective effort of recruiting great kids into Coach Castro's program."
Prior to coming to Eastern Michigan, Olajuwon was the recruiting coordinator for a rebuilding California State University-Fullerton program from 2014-16.
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, 20005).
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 am happy to promote Abi to recruiting coordinator after watching her work this past year," Castro said. "Abi has been a critical part of our recruiting success since we arrived in Ypsilanti. Her ability to organize and execute our recruiting game plans has allowed us to add elite student athletes to our program. Abi's work ethic and attention to detail has earned her the title of recruiting coordinator."
Since arriving in Ypsilanti in May 2016, Castro and his staff have hit the recruiting trail hard, securing the top-ranked recruiting class in the Mid-American Conference and 51st overall according to prospectnation.com. EMU's 2017-18 group features four nationally ranked recruits, including one four-star and three three-star according to prospectnation.com. In addition, EMU has been able to sign four transfers, Lorraine Enabulele, Emoni Jackson, Danielle Minott, and Tiffany Suarez.
"I'm both excited and thankful for this opportunity," added Olajuwon. "I look forward to continuing to serve this program in my expanded role and helping facilitate the collective effort of recruiting great kids into Coach Castro's program."
Prior to coming to Eastern Michigan, Olajuwon was the recruiting coordinator for a rebuilding California State University-Fullerton program from 2014-16.
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, 20005).
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.
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