Aher Uguak Explained

Aher Uguak
Position:Small forward
Height Ft:6
Height In:7
Weight Lb:225
League:Basketball Bundesliga
Team:Niners Chemnitz
Number:1
Birth Date:24 May 1998
Birth Place:Ismailia, Egypt
Nationality:Canadian
High School:Harry Ainlay
(Edmonton, Alberta)
College:
Draft Year:2022
Career Start:2022
Years1:2022–2023
Team1:Chemnitz 99
Years2:2023
Team2:Edmonton Stingers
Years3:2023–present
Team3:Chemnitz 99
Highlights:

Aher Simon Uguak (born May 24, 1998) is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Chemnitz 99 of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL). He played college basketball for New Mexico and Loyola Chicago.

Early life and high school career

Uguak was born in Egypt after his family had fled their native Sudan to escape civil war. When he was eight months old, his family settled in Canada. Uguak started out playing Gridiron football but switched to basketball at age 7, inspired by the achievements of his cousin Luol Deng.[1] 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] He was named to the MVC All-Defensive Team.[12]

Professional career

On July 25, 2022, Uguak signed with Chemnitz 99 of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL).[13]

On March 2, 2023, Uguak signed with Edmonton Stingers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL).[14]

Career statistics

College

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17| style="text-align:left;"| New Mexico| 19 || 2 || 7.4 || .350 || .125 || .533 || .7 || .4 || .3 || .1 || 1.2|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18| style="text-align:left;"| Loyola| style="text-align:center;" colspan="11"| Redshirt|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19| style="text-align:left;"| Loyola| 34 || 28 || 25.1 || .504 || .200 || .687 || 3.5 || 1.0 || .9 || .2 || 5.8|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20| style="text-align:left;"| Loyola| 32 || 31 || 24.0 || .517 || .158 || .628 || 3.9 || 1.9 || .5 || .1 || 5.7|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21| style="text-align:left;"| Loyola| 31 || 31 || 24.5 || .619 || .333 || .764 || 3.9 || 1.2 || .9 || .0 || 7.3|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 116 || 92 || 21.7 || .539 || .238 || .674 || 3.3 || 1.2 || .7 || .1 || 5.4

Personal life

Uguak's younger brother, Lwal, plays in the CFL as a defensive lineman for the Montreal Alouettes.[15] His cousin, Luol Deng, played in the National Basketball Association.[1]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ryan . Shannon . Aher Uguak, a cousin of Luol Deng, is an athletic newcomer to Loyola’s rotation . . March 24, 2021 . November 5, 2018.
  2. Web site: O'Leary . Chris . Good reason for Harry Ainlay hoops pair to aim high . . March 24, 2021 . March 20, 2015.
  3. Web site: Moddejonge . Gerry . Edmonton basketball product on his way to NCAA March Madness . . March 24, 2021 . March 10, 2021.
  4. Web site: Grammer . Geoff . Lobos get commitment from athletic 2016 small forward . . March 24, 2021 . October 21, 2015.
  5. Web site: Fuller . Jim . Canadian pipeline helps UConn land defensive lineman Lwal Uguak . . March 24, 2021 . September 28, 2018.
  6. Web site: Nostvick . Andrew . New Mexico Basketball: Uguak likely transferring from program . Busting Brackets . March 24, 2021 . June 1, 2017.
  7. Web site: Schultz . Nick . Loyola’s ‘Best Athlete’ Uguak Ready for First Season After Transfer . . March 24, 2021 . September 19, 2018.
  8. Web site: Aher Uguak – Men's Basketball . Loyola University Chicago Athletics . March 24, 2021.
  9. Web site: Calzada . Lu . The Year of Aher: Uguak’s Standout Season . . March 24, 2021 . March 7, 2021.
  10. Web site: Uguak leads Loyola of Chicago over North Texas 57-49 . . . March 24, 2021 . January 2, 2021.
  11. News: Ryan . Shannon . 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 . October 12, 2021 . . April 23, 2021.
  12. AJ Green of UNI Headlines 2022 MVC MBB All-Conference Teams. . March 1, 2022 . March 1, 2022.
  13. Web site: Neuer Mann Aus Kanada. July 25, 2022. chemnitz99.de. de. August 15, 2022.
  14. Web site: Aher Uguak Rejoins Stingers for Second Season. CEBL.ca. March 2, 2023. March 2, 2023.
  15. Web site: Dubois . Stephanie . Edmonton family of NCAA player Aher Uguak 'so proud' of his success . . March 24, 2021 . March 31, 2018.