Thursday, September 26, 2013

TORONTO – Former Simon Fraser standout Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe has signed a one-year contract with Esperance Sportive Pully of Switzerland’s Ligue Nationale de Basketball A (LNA).

Raincock-Ekunwe, a 6-2 forward, was named to the NCAA II All-American Team by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association after her senior year at Simon Fraser.

She finished the season first in Division II basketball in field goal percentage at 65.3, fourth in rebounding with 12.4 per game, and third in double-doubles with 22. She also averaged 16.8 points, 2.4 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game.

Raincock-Ekunwe led Simon Fraser to the second best record in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) and the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship tournament.

In May, Raincock-Ekunwe had her jersey hung in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame’s Ring of Honor which consists of the jerseys of the top collegiate and high school players from the 2012-2013 season.

After three seasons in the GNAC, she holds the conference record of 63 career double-doubles as well as the single game record of 24 rebounds. She also has the highest career rebounding average in conference history with a three-season mark of 12.52 per game.

Raincock-Ekunwe was also a member of the 2013 Canadian Senior Women’s National Team that competed in the Four Nations Women’s Basketball Tournament, the Super Four International Tournament, and a European Exhibition Tour this past summer. She gained valuable international experience and feels poised to begin a successful professional career in Europe.

“I learned a tremendous amount during my four years at SFU as well as playing for the Canadian National Team this summer,” said Raincock-Ekunwe. “I am confident that my hard work in the past will translate to a successful pro career. I am ready to help lead my new team to a successful season in the LNA.”

In 2012-2013, Esperance Sportive Pully lost in the quarter finals of both the LNA Playoffs and the Swiss Cup.

For more information and individual box scores for Nayo throughout the season, visit http://slansportsmanagement.com/nayo-raincock-ekunwe.