By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Some may debate the value of the performance index rating stat (PIR) and whether the numbers add up to something truly meaningful. However, on some occasions, the numbers just confirm what you see on the court and, in Gabe Olaseni’s case, this has a very special meaning.
Yes, the London Lions are establishing themselves on the European stage with former NBA player Sam Dekker providing not only star-power but also quality and familiar names like Jordan Taylor bringing experience and know-how on this level.
However, especially this year, the Lions have decided that they needed a strong local core of British players to build consistency at every level, even in their connection with their fan base, and nobody embodies this better than Olaseni.
The local lion
Abodunrin Gabriel Olaseni was born in 1991 in Walthamstow, a suburban district in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. His talent drove him away from the country; he finished high school in Kanas and played college basketball for Iowa.
After his graduation, Olaseni played all over Europe: Germany, Italy, France, Spain, and Turkey. In that last stop, he finally emerged as a top big man.
It all came full circle on June 28, 2023. London finally had a team in which he could fit and compete at the continental level and for the first time in his life, he was able to play professionally on his home soil.
“I’m very grateful to be back home and helping towards a successful season”, Olaseni said to Eurohoops. “It’s a blessing to be able to play in front of friends and family. Looking into the stands and seeing people that I truly care about inspires me to play with even more focus than before”.
A season to remember
On paper this was a great fit, however, sometimes plans simply don’t pan out. This is not such a case. Olaseni is taking the EuroCup by storm, averaging 18 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, good enough for an impressive 22.9 PIR average, which is currently the best in the competition.
“The success I’ve had is only the product of the way we play unselfish basketball”, the player adds. “My teammates put me in positions to contribute to winning so I’m thankful for them all and hopefully we can continue in the same direction”.
It’s one of the best numbers registered in the last decade of the EuroCup, leaving behind names like Scottie Wilbekin and Alexey Shved while trailing only the seasons of Vladimir Golubovic (26.6) and Esteban Batista (23) in 2013-14 and Errick McCollum (24.2) in 2021-22.
And this is great news for London, considering that the Lions are aiming for the crown and a ticket to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, where Olaseni registered just five career games when he was a rookie in Europe, playing for Brose Baskets.
All the pieces of the puzzle have finally come together and with the Lions projecting EuroLeague dreams, Olaseni is one of the most important pillars of the project.