Butler Basketball Freshman Stuns ESPN Analyst with Unbelievable Skills at FIBA U19 World Cup—Could He Be the Next Big Star?

It can sometimes be hard to gauge what an international recruit brings when enrolling in university for the first time. But Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor showcased his athleticism and scoring ability that Butler basketball hopes he brings.

• Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor has not yet played for Butler, but Bulldogs fans were able to catch a glimpse of the future during the FIBA U19 World Cup.

He averaged a Canadian-best 14.6 points across five games in the event. He paired it with 3.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. The 6-foot-6 wing showcased his athleticism with several highlight-reel dunks. He was 23 for 50 (46%) for the tournament but needs to develop a perimeter shot as he was 2 for 13 (15.4%) on 3-pointers.When you hear the name Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor, you might not yet picture him striding onto Butler’s home court. But trust me, the glimpse we caught of this Toronto-born sharpshooter at the recent FIBA Under-19 World Cup was nothing short of electrifying. This kid didn’t just play—he commanded the game with a mix of raw athleticism and savvy scoring that’s got Bulldog fans buzzing with anticipation. At 6-foot-6, Oliogu-Elabor’s highlight-reel dunks and all-around skill set—highlighted by top tournament marks in rebounds and assists—paint the portrait of a future cornerstone for Butler basketball. Now, while his perimeter shot still needs some polish, there’s no doubt he’s a recruit worth watching as he gears up to write the next chapter of his college career. Ready to dive into the numbers and the hype? LEARN MOREBut it did draw perhaps the best reaction from social media over the weekend:

Oliogu-Elabor was part of a recruiting class that ranked 20th by 247Sports and On3. He was a three-star recruit per 247Sports and four stars by On3 out of William Academy in Toronto, Ontario. And known ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla, who specializes on international scouting and frequently calls Big 12 games, was impressed: “@ButlerMBB got a very good one in 6-6 Efeosa Oliogu. Has taken it to USA in the paint. Impressive freshman.

Oliogu impressed in his final group stage game against Germany. He scored his high for the tournament, 21 points, on 8-of-10 shooting and was 4 for 4 at the free-throw line. Though, unfortunately for him, it didn’t translate as Canada lost 104-88.A freshman who will soon arrive to Butler competed in the FIBA Under-19 World Cup with his native Canada. He perhaps had his most complete game in the quarterfinals, a 108-102 loss to USA Basketball, because it wasn’t just his scoring that impacted the game, but he had tournament-highs of five rebounds and five assists to go with 13 points.

Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor’s explosive dunks during FIBA U19 World Cup