Papa Oppong
Scarborough, Ontario ) | |
College |
|
---|---|
undrafted | |
Playing career | 2010–2015 |
Position | Shooting guard |
Number | 2 |
Career history | |
2011 | Halifax Rainmen |
2012–2013 | Oshawa Power |
2013–2015 | Windsor Express |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Papa Kwaku Oppong
At Panola, Oppong earned all-conference honors and led them to a fairly successful season in the NJCAA Region XIV. Entering the next season, he became a high-end Canadian recruit for programs in the NCAA. Oppong ultimately chose to play for Eastern Kentucky under head coach Jeff Neubauer. He was a starter from time to time as his junior season progressed. However, he suffered a shoulder injury in the middle of the season that sidelined him for several of his games. He returned to the starting lineup by the postseason. Oppong did not earn any major awards at the Division I level, but was considerably more effective as a senior, as he developed into a bigger scorer for Eastern Kentucky.
Oppong has spent his entire professional career in the NBL Canada. He was drafted into the league by the Halifax Rainmen at the 2011 draft as the 13th overall pick in the second round. Following a brief stint with the team, he was traded mid-season to the Oshawa Power and starred for them for the next two years. In his second season with the Power, Oppong was named to the NBL Canada All-Star reserve team and the league's All-Canada second team. After the season, he signed with the Windsor Express due to his academic obligations at the University of Windsor. In the playoffs, he played a key role by substituting for Stefan Bonneau in multiple contests, helping his team win the league title.
Early life and high school
Papa was born on March 10, 1987, to Kwaku and Gertrude Oppong in
Collegiate career
Junior college
Oppong began playing college basketball at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, where he averaged 5.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in his freshman season.[6] For his next year, he transferred to Panola Junior College in Carthage, Texas. As a sophomore with his new team, he averaged 15.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists,[7] shooting .488 from the field and .405 on three-pointers. In 2008, while helping the Ponies reach the semifinals of the Region XIV tournament, he earned all-conference honors [5]
Eastern Kentucky
Oppong's performances helped him get an
Oppong debuted and made his first start for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in their season opener on November 14, 2008, against Florida International. He led his team in both rebounds and blocks.[9] In the following week, he was named Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Newcomer of the Week. In a win over Ball State on December 13, he recorded 11 points and a season-high 9 rebounds.[10] However, on December 20, he separated his left shoulder after grabbing a team-high 8 rebounds vs Cincinnati.[11] It was estimated by head coach Jeff Neubauer that he would miss a few weeks due to a torn labrum.[12] Oppong was absent for the Colonels' five next games.[5] He recalled the moment saying, "Cincinnati was one of our best games, but for me, I really don't like that game. It was when I actually dislocated my shoulder. And it hurt—it really hurt. The process of coming back was so hard because it took so long. When I got back, it took me a minute to get back into the flow and get adjusted."[2] Oppong return on January 15, 2009, against Eastern Illinois, and did not make another start that season until a loss to Morehead State at the 2009 Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball tournament.[5][13] Through the whole season, Oppong averaged 9.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.[14] He was one of Eastern Kentucky's rebounding leaders.[5]
Heading into the
Professional career
2011–12 season
After leaving college, Oppong took part in the draft combine for the newly formed National Basketball League of Canada (NBL) in August 2011. He was later selected by the Halifax Rainmen as the 13th overall pick in the second round of the 2011 NBL Canada draft.[21] He made his professional debut with the Rainmen on November 3, 2011, scoring 6 points and recording 4 rebounds in a loss to the London Lightning. Through the next seven games, he saw very limited playing time, spending over 10 minutes on the court in just three contests.[22] After averaging three points per game, Oppong was released by Halifax in early December 2011.[23] Nevertheless, he still drew the attention of Gary Durrant, the director of basketball operations for the Oshawa Power, who pursued Oppong in the draft combine itself.[24] Oppong said, "Gary actually called my agent and said they wanted me to come back to take another look at me. They liked me and it worked out."[24] He was pleased at the idea of joining the Power because of it was located very close to his hometown as well.[24] Oppong made his first appearance for Oshawa on January 12, 2012, but was scoreless with 3 personal fouls vs the Summerside Storm. He scored a season-best 10 points on January 29, lifting his team to a victory over the Moncton Miracles.[22]
"This league is like the greatest thing that's happened for me personally. To be able to stay in my home country and earn a living playing professional basketball is a blessing."
—Oppong on the NBL Canada[25]
2012–13 season
Oppong began his second season at the professional level on November 3, 2012, with the Oshawa Power, when he posted 7 points and 5 rebounds in a one-point win over the
2013–14 season
On May 2, 2013, Oppong was announced as one of five protected players for the Mississauga Power, who had relocated from Oshawa, meaning that the Power had exclusive rights to attempt contract negotiations with him until September 16.[28] However, Oppong informed the Power's management that he wanted to attend the University of Windsor so that he could become a teacher in the future.[29] The Power negotiated a trade with the Windsor Express that saw Oppong join the Express in exchange for a second-round draft pick.[30] He signed with the Express on September 8, the same day as fellow acquisitions Quinnel Brown and DeAndre Thomas.[28] Oppong debuted for his new team on November 1, 2013, with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in a win over the London Lightning. He surpassed the 20-point mark against his former team, the Power, on December 21, as he added a season-best 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals. Early the 2013 playoffs, head coach Bill Jones was forced to use Oppong as a substitute for star guard Stefan Bonneau, who was struggling with a knee injury.[31] The backup most notably notched 16 points in Game 4 of his team's semifinal series vs the Lightning.[32] Oppong said, "I wouldn't say it's a lot of pressure. I was just the next man up and I'm trying to help the team."[31] Windsor eventually defeated London, who were the back-to-back champions in the league's first two seasons, to advance to the Finals series against the Island Storm.[33] In the decisive Game 7 against the Storm, Oppong saw 15 minutes of play, scoring 3 points and committing 4 personal fouls. However, his team won the game to win the league championship.[29]
2015–16 season
On November 3, 2015, Oppong was announced as one of the members of the
Personal life
As of December 2013, Oppong is a full-time student at the University of Windsor teacher's college. Prior to 2013, he notified the Oshawa Power front office about his plans to pursue a career in education, leading to his trade to the Windsor Express. In the case that Windsor had to play out of their division, his basketball career forced him to miss a few days of school. Oppong has experience as a student-teacher at Catholic Central High School in Windsor, Ontario. In late 2013, he said, "It's been challenging. It's a matter of juggling things and time management. I'm really grateful the Windsor Express have worked with me and supported me."[30] Express head coach Bill Jones commented, "I really like Papa and respect what he's doing. I wish we could have the kid with us every day because I'm sure he'd have a bigger role with us but he's doing what he can and playing 22 minutes a game and playing them hard."[30] Oppong became the third member of his family to attend the University of Windsor, following his sister.[30] He plans to become either a physical education or history teacher once he gets his teaching certificate. While at Eastern Kentucky University, he intentionally majored in general studies so that he could attend teacher's college for one year.[2] Oppong now teaches grade 6 and 7 Mathematics at Highland Middle School, located in North York, Ontario[36]
Oppong has seven siblings, three sisters and four brothers, ranging from about eight years older than him to approximately 15 years younger than him. From youngest to oldest, they are Edwin, Edward, Kevin, Kojo, Nanayaa, Nana, and Olivia.[1] Papa said, "I call my house the zoo because we have so many people living there. There's always something to do... somebody's always home. It's not just my immediate family, we always have people coming through our house. My house is very lively, I like it."[2]
Outside of basketball, Oppong is a fan of the
References
- ^ a b c d e "Men's Basketball – 2009–10". EKU.edu. Eastern Kentucky University. p. 15. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g Haun, Wendy. "After a roundabout journey, Oppong finds a home at EKU". RichmondRegister.com. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
- ^ "Papa Oppong" (PDF). Basketball.on.ca. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
- ^ "Congratulations Papa Oppong & Windsor Express". PowerBasketball.ca.
- ^ a b c d e "Papa Oppong bio". EKUSports.com. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
- ^ "Papa Oppong". NJCAA. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
- ^ a b Hayes, Barry. "HoopStars Canada Recruiting Report (April 22/08)". HoopStarsCanada.com. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
- ^ "Papa Oppong 2008–09 bio". EKUSports.com. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
- ^ "Colonels Fall to FIU in Season Opener, 57–54". EKUSports.com. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ "Colonels Hold Off Ball State for 71–58 Win". EKUSports.com. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ "Colonels Nearly Upset Cincinnati, Fall In Overtime". EKUSports.com. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ "EKU set to return to conference play without Oppong". RichmondRegister.com. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
- ^ "2008–2009 NCAA Games". RealGM. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
- ^ a b "Papa Oppong Player Profile". RealGM. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ a b Maloney, Mark. "EKU looking to rebound to top of OVC". Lexington Herald-Leader.
- ^ "Men's Basketball Opens Season With 102–71 Win". EKUSports.com. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ Haun, Wendy. "Big second half carries EKU to 81–67 win over FIU". Richmond Register. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ "Oppong's 21 Points Carries EKU to 81–67 Victory". EKUSports.com. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ "Late Layup Gives Colonels 66–65 Win Over". EKUSports.com. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ "College of Charleston Wins Offensive Shoot-Out Over EKU, 82–79". EKUSports.com. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ "OSHAWA POWER ADD CANADIANS PAPA OPPONG AND KEVIN SHAND". Basketball.ca. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ a b "Papa OPPONG Season 2011/2012". FIBA. Retrieved 2 November 2015.[dead link]
- ^ "Rainmen release Oppong, going with Haywood, Upshaw". The Chronicle Herald. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ a b c Cayley, Shawn. "Papa Oppong happy to hook up with Power". Durham Region. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ "NBL Canada – A Truly Canadian League". OurSportsCentral.com. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ "Papa OPPONG Season 2012/2013". FIBA. Retrieved 2 November 2015.[dead link]
- ^ NBL Canada. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ NBL Canada. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ a b "Congratulations Papa Oppong & Windsor Express". PowerBasketball.ca. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ The Windsor Star. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ^ a b Parker, Jeff. "Oppong sparks Express against Lightning". Windsor Star. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ "Papa OPPONG Season 2013/2014". FIBA. Archived from the original on June 29, 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ Duff, Bob. "Duff: Express off to impressive start". Windsor Star. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ "Local sports roundup: CIS champion Lancers open with win over Laurier". Windsor Star. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
- ^ "Rosters Announced for Windsor Express vs. Raptors 905". WindsorExpress.ca. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
- ^ "Highland Junior High School > Staff List". schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ "Papa Oppong" (PDF). Basketball.on.ca. Retrieved 2 November 2015.