A Fresh Face in the Saints' Lineup
Siena's men's basketball program announced that head coach Nevada Smith has officially signed Australian prospect Tim Ibukunoluwa for the 2026‑27 roster. The move comes as the Saints look to bolster their wing depth ahead of the new season.
Ibukunoluwa, listed at 6‑8 and 215 pounds, honed his game in Australia's NBL1 league where he earned the 2025 Western Australian Basketball League Finals MVP award. His standout performance in the championship game featured 30 points, 17 rebounds, six blocks and four assists, helping Willeton Tigers capture the title.
The wing's statistical profile shows a steady rise: this season he averages 12.7 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting efficiently from beyond the arc. Prior to his Australian stint, Ibukunoluwa spent a year with Orangeville Prep in Ontario, Canada, where he was named to the Top‑75 Senior Boys Watch List and earned a spot on the All Canadian Games roster.
His development was further highlighted at the 2024 Australia Footlocker U18 National Championships HoopFest, where he posted averages of 18.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and a 41% three‑point shooting clip. Those performances placed him among the most watched prospects heading into the next recruitment cycle.
Ibukunoluwa will join a group of newcomers that includes Trent Egbiremolen and Pace Prosser, as well as returning veterans Brendan Coyle, Reid Ducharme, Isaiah Henderson and Owen Schlager. The influx of talent reflects the program's strategy to blend fresh energy with experienced leadership.
Coach Smith emphasized that the signing aligns with the team's vision of competitive depth and cultural diversity. "Tim brings a rare combination of size, skill and international experience," Smith said. "We’re excited to see how he integrates with our existing core and contributes to the next chapter of Siena basketball."