The UPEI men’s basketball team has landed a Kenyan to their frontcourt.
Sammy Opel, a six-foot-six forward, has committed to playing for the Panthers this season.
“I want to bring all of my hard work and talent to UPEI,” he said. “I am thrilled and grateful to the university, and to coach (Tim) Kendrick, for giving me the honour of playing for the Panthers.
“I will give my best to my studies and to my team.”
Opel joins the team from Nairobi, Kenya, where he was captain of his high school basketball team that won both the Kenyan Secondary Schools Championship and the East African Title.
We are thrilled to add a player of Sammy’s potential to our roster - Tim Kendrick, men's basketball coach
“We are thrilled to add a player of Sammy’s potential to our roster,” Kendrick said. “We have been in contact with him for several months, and think that he will be a great fit for our program."
The Panthers begin the exhibition season by hosting the Mickey Place Basketball Tournament, Oct. 12 to 14, with teams from across Canada competing in the event. Season passes, which include admission to the tournament, are now on sale by contacting 566-0432 or pantherpass@upei.ca.
