Aher Uguak

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Aher Uguak
No. 30 – Loyola Ramblers
PositionSmall forward
LeagueMissouri Valley Conference
Personal information
Born (1998-05-24) May 24, 1998 (age 23)
Egypt
NationalityCanadian
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High schoolHarry Ainlay
(Edmonton, Alberta)
College
Career highlights and awards
  • Third-team All-MVC (2021)
  • MVC All-Defensive Team (2021)

Aher Simon Uguak (born May 24, 1998) is a Canadian college basketball player for the Loyola Ramblers of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). He previously played for the New Mexico Lobos.

Early life and high school career[]

Uguak was born in Egypt after his family had fled their native South Sudan to escape civil war. When he was eight months old, his family settled in Canada.[1] Uguak grew up playing football but switched to basketball due to his height and slender frame. He attended Harry Ainlay High School in Edmonton, Alberta.[2] Uguak led his team to back-to-back provincial titles.[3] He committed to playing college basketball for New Mexico.[4] He was the highest rated prospect in his class from Alberta.[5]

College career[]

As a freshman at New Mexico, Uguak averaged 1.2 points per game before leaving the program.[6] For his sophomore season, he transferred to Loyola (Illinois) and sat out for one year due to transfer rules.[7] As a sophomore, Uguak was a regular starter, averaging 5.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He averaged 5.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game as a junior.[8] Uguak improved offensively during his senior season.[9] On January 2, 2021, he recorded a career-high 26 points and seven rebounds in a 57–49 win over North Texas.[10] Uguak was named to the Third Team All-Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) and the MVC All-Defensive Team.[9] As a senior, he averaged 7.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, shooting 61.9 percent from the field. Following the season, Uguak took advantage of the extra season of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]

Career statistics[]

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College[]

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016–17 New Mexico 19 2 7.4 .350 .125 .533 .7 .4 .3 .1 1.2
2017–18 Loyola
Redshirt Redshirt
2018–19 Loyola 34 28 25.1 .504 .200 .687 3.5 1.0 .9 .2 5.8
2019–20 Loyola 32 31 24.0 .517 .158 .628 3.9 1.9 .5 .1 5.7
2020–21 Loyola 31 31 24.5 .619 .333 .764 3.9 1.2 .9 .0 7.3
Career 116 92 21.7 .539 .238 .674 3.3 1.2 .7 .1 5.4

Personal life[]

Uguak's younger brother, Lwal, plays college football as a defensive lineman at UConn.[12] His cousin, Luol Deng, played in the National Basketball Association.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Ryan, Shannon (November 5, 2018). "Aher Uguak, a cousin of Luol Deng, is an athletic newcomer to Loyola's rotation". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  2. ^ O'Leary, Chris (March 20, 2015). "Good reason for Harry Ainlay hoops pair to aim high". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  3. ^ Moddejonge, Gerry (March 10, 2021). "Edmonton basketball product on his way to NCAA March Madness". Journal Pioneer. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  4. ^ Grammer, Geoff (October 21, 2015). "Lobos get commitment from athletic 2016 small forward". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  5. ^ Fuller, Jim (September 28, 2018). "Canadian pipeline helps UConn land defensive lineman Lwal Uguak". New Haven Register. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  6. ^ Nostvick, Andrew (June 1, 2017). "New Mexico Basketball: Uguak likely transferring from program". Busting Brackets. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  7. ^ Schultz, Nick (September 19, 2018). "Loyola's 'Best Athlete' Uguak Ready for First Season After Transfer". Loyola Phoenix. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  8. ^ "Aher Uguak – Men's Basketball". Loyola University Chicago Athletics. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Calzada, Lu (March 7, 2021). "The Year of Aher: Uguak's Standout Season". Loyola Phoenix. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  10. ^ "Uguak leads Loyola of Chicago over North Texas 57-49". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. January 2, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  11. ^ Ryan, Shannon (April 23, 2021). "Lucas Williamson is 1 of 4 Loyola seniors to announce his return for an extra season of eligibility — a boost for new coach Drew Valentine". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  12. ^ Dubois, Stephanie (March 31, 2018). "Edmonton family of NCAA player Aher Uguak 'so proud' of his success". CBC News. Retrieved March 24, 2021.

External links[]

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