Athletic forward transferred to Duquesne from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in May of 2012 ... will have one season of eligibility in 2013-14 ... played in 88 games with 59 starts in three seasons at UAB ... started as a sophomore and junior for the Blazers ... has scored in double digits 28 times, all of which have come in his past 60 games ... has posted double-digit rebounds 14 times ... has 11 career double-doubles including eight as a junior ... London native was named to the Great Britain Futures team in May of 2012.
As a Junior (2011-12 at UAB)
Played in 30 games with 24 starts ... averaged 8.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game ... led the team with 28 steals tied for second with 51 assists ... posted eight double-doubles ... scored in double digits 13 times ... had nine double-digit rebound games ... averaged 19.0 points and 11.5 rebounds in two C-USA tournament games ... scored a career-high 20 points and added 12 boards in a first round win over Tulane and followed that with 18 points and 11 rebounds in a season-ending loss to UCF ... set career highs for free throws made and attempted (8-of-13) vs. Tulane ... had 17 points and a career-high 15 rebounds in 28 minutes against Alabama A&M ... scored 18 points (8-of-11) to go along with 11 rebounds at home vs. Marshall ... posted a 13-12 double-double at Florida ... changed from jersey number 32 to number 0 prior to the season.
As a Sophomore (2010-11 at UAB)
Saw action in 30 games with 29 starts ... was one of UAB's most improved players, averaging 9.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game ... ranked second on the team in rebounding, field goal percentage (.505) and blocked shots (26) ... closed the year by averaging 10.9 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 59.0 percent from the floor (33-of-56) over the Blazers final eight games ... named C-USA Player of the Week for the week of Nov. 29 ... set career-best mark with 19 points to go along with eight rebounds and a career-high five blocked shots in a win over South Alabama on Nov. 23 ... posted his first career double-double with 10 points and a career high 13 rebounds in a win at Troy on Nov. 29 ... added his second double-double with 13 points and 10 boards vs. UCF ... had 18 points at Memphis ... recorded a career-best eight field goals in scoring 18 points at Houston ... scored 17 points and added eight boards in 41 minutes of an overtime win at Arkansas.
As a Freshman (2009-10 at UAB)
Played in 28 games with six starts as a true freshman ... averaged 1.5 points and 1.9 rebounds ... shot .783 (18-of-23) from the foul line ... averaged 6.3 minutes per game in UAB's first 20 contests, averaged 15.3 min./g. and earned four starts over the last 13 games ... had seven points, six rebounds, three blocks and a pair of steals in a win over Tulane ... added six points including his first career 3-pointer in a win over Rice ... made first career start and played a career-best 24 minutes in a win at Southern Miss on Feb. 17 ... also recorded his first career dunk against the Golden Eagles ... collected four points and four rebounds in the loss to UTEP.
High School
Bethel High School in Hampton Roads, Va. (head coach Craig Brehon) ... averaged 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.0 blocks per game during his lone season at Bethel HS ... led the team field goal percentage (60%) ... recorded 15 double-doubles ... helped lead the Bruins to a 23-4 overall mark and district championship (16-2) as a senior ... earned second team All-Peninsula District honors ... named to the all-tournament team at the Ronald Curry Christmas Classic ... played at Hampton Roads Academy as a junior where he averaged 17.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game ... was named honorable mention all-state following his junior season.
Personal
Competed for Great Britain in the summer of 2010 at the FIBA Under 20 European Championships ... started all eight games and led his country with 19.1 points and 2.3 steals per game ... also contributed 6.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists/g. ... led Britain to its best-ever finish (sixth place) ... was a McDonald's All-American nominee out of high school ... was ranked as the No. 33 small forward coming out of high school by ESPN.com ... also ranked as a two-star recruit by Scout.com ... enrolled at UAB after receiving interest from Providence, Old Dominion, Michigan and Missouri ... communication studies major ... full name is Ovie Paul Soko ... date of birth: 2/7/91 in London, England.
