Siena Freshman Ibukunoluwa Draws High Praise Early in Practice
The short version
- Tim Ibukunoluwa is a 6-foot-8 Australian freshman forward at Siena
- Coach Nevada Smith said he could be the Metro Conference's best rebounder
- Ibukunoluwa played two seasons in Australia's NBL1 before Orangeville Prep in Ontario
- He chose Siena over Radford and Bowling Green
Australian forward Tim Ibukunoluwa has impressed Siena coaches and teammates, with coach Nevada Smith calling him possibly the Metro Conference's top rebounder.
Siena men's basketball freshman Tim Ibukunoluwa turned heads on the opening day of practice in Loudonville, finishing a scrimmage with an assist to Reid Ducharme for a reverse layup on the final play. The 6-foot-8, 215-pound Australian also grabbed several offensive rebounds, including a putback dunk, during the portion of the workout open to reporters.
Head coach Nevada Smith said Ibukunoluwa, who has a 6-foot-11 wingspan, could be the best rebounder in the Metro Conference this season. Smith also noted the freshman's versatility, saying he will at times be the tallest player on the floor for the Saints while still being able to handle the ball and make plays.
Graduate guard Brendan Coyle praised Ibukunoluwa's all-around game, saying he can step out to shoot from three-point range and rebound with high energy. Ibukunoluwa said he developed guard skills before a growth spurt and received guidance from his two older brothers, both former college players.
Ibukunoluwa spent the past two seasons with the Willeton Tigers in NBL1, Australia's top semiprofessional league, before moving to Canada to play for Orangeville Prep in Ontario. He connected with Siena through a former Australian teammate and chose the Saints over interest from Radford and Bowling Green, citing playing time and the program's culture.
