GB’s Ovie Soko signs for London Lions

Great Britain forward Ovie Soko has signed for BBL club London Lions.

Soko, also known for his stint on Love Island, has more recently seen on TV screens as a Sky Sports basketball presenter.

Soko said: “I’m excited to be back home, and help contribute to basketball back home where my love for the sport started.

“To be able to play in front of friends and family and supporters in my hometown is huge for me and look forward to pushing the basketball culture in the right direction.”

Lions head coach Vince Macaulay said: “Soko is a highly experienced and talented player who is in demand across Europe.  We are thrilled that he has chosen to play for the London Lions, UK’s current Premier League Champions, and inject increased passion into British basketball. He will add power and creativity to the team – everyone is buzzing!”

Soko originally played for the Barnet Bulldogs but moved to the US in his teens to play basketball for Bethel High School in Hampton, Virginia where he led the team to a district championship win. He enjoyed a five-year stint of college basketball – three years at the University of Alabama before being  transferred up to Duquesne in Pittsburgh. 

Opportunities in Europe soon followed in France, Greece and Italy. More recently he has played in the ACB in Spain playing the very best in European basketball.  

The GB Men’s team play EuroBasket 2021 qualifiers against Montenegro (a) and Germany (h) on February 21 and 24 respectively.