Oaklands add Fab 5 to NBL roster!

Oaklands Wolves have added five experienced senior players to help boost the academy programme in the remaining fixtures in the D2 NBL season. The academy program has seen development in their U19 players this season and have narrowly missed out on a number of wins, however Head Coach Lee Ryan felt now was the right time to add some senior presence to the program, he said this: “The academy team have been close in many games but we felt we needed something extra to help them get over the winning line in D2. We have worked carefully to find the right characters to add, the role of senior players at Oaklands is bigger than game day, the impact they have on the academy players development is very important to us. This group have totally embraced what we are about at Oaklands and have already started to have a positive impact in practice. We are delighted to have them with us for the rest of the season."

The five players are: Malik Griffith-Johnson, a 6’1 point guard who joins from high flying Milton Keynes. A product of Barking Academy, the Luton based player spent time in the US at Imperial Valley College before returning to play with Northampton Titans last season.

Zaine Shah, a 6’3 guard who moves to Oaklands as a product of the Manchester basketball scene having been part of both Manchester Magic and Giants programs either side of time in the US at Itasca Community College.

Dominic Prospere, a 6’3 wing who comes back to Oaklands after spending a year in the academy before moving to Derby, where he became a key member of their academy program before moving into their D1 Trailblazers program over the past two seasons.

Kyle Dennis-Nelson, the 6’5 forward is a product of the Oaklands Basketball Academy pathway, leaving Oaklands in 2017 he went onto Action Sports Academy in the US which in turn saw him gain scholarships at Des Moines and De Anza colleges.

Ibrahim Gariba, the legendary 6’9 Ghanian born forward is coming out of retirement to support the academy program, having been coaching at all levels at Oaklands since ending his playing career in 2013 with London Capital. Nicknamed ‘Air Ghana’ during his playing time he lit up the BBL and EBL leagues respectively and adds incredible experience to the Oaklands program.

Come see the new signings at Oaklands home games for the rest of the season. First up is this Saturday 14th v London Elite 7pm tip at Oaklands College