IOWA CITY | Senior center Gabriel Olaseni could possibly miss Iowa’s basketball game with Longwood University on Saturday following the death of his father.
Olaseni learned that Benson Olaseni had passed away in London, England, on Wednesday morning but he still played in the Hawkeyes’ game with Northern Illinois that night.
However, Iowa coach Fran McCaffery said after the game that it was hoped arrangements could be made to get the 6-foot-10 senior home for funeral services.
“He’s working that out with his family right now,’’ McCaffery said. “We can get him home. We can get him back.’’
After Longwood, the Hawkeyes’ next game is Wednesday night at No. 6-ranked North Carolina in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.
Olaseni’s teammates were amazed he was able to set aside his personal situation and play against NIU. They were further amazed at how well he played. He finished with 10 points, five rebounds and four blocked shots.
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“I think it shows just how strong he is,’’ said Adam Woodbury, Iowa’s other center. “If I was in his position, I really don’t know if I could have done what he just did. He puts the team ahead of himself. He just kind of showed the will he has.’’
As the starters were being introduced before the game, Woodbury paused, grabbed Olaseni in a playful headlock and whispered to him.
“I just told him I loved him and that we were going to get the win for him,’’ Woodbury said. “For him just to put just put on the jersey and be with us tonight took a lot of courage and strength. If it had happened to me, I know where my mind would have been. It would have been back home, and he’s across the world. I can’t imagine what he must have been going through. It shows a lot of toughness.’’
Senior Aaron White, who arrived at Iowa at the same time as Olaseni and is his roommate, said Olaseni is like a “brother’’ to the other players.
“Especially to me,’’ White said. “It hit me hard. The best thing I can do now is be there for him.’’
The Hawkeyes didn’t exactly solve their recent offensive problems in the game Wednesday, but they managed to find someone whose marksmanship was even more erratic than their own.
They held Northern Illinois to just 28 percent shooting from the field in extending their home non-conference winning streak to 28 games.
Iowa (4-2) used a 16-0 scoring run in the first half to take control of the game and was never really threatened after that.
Anthony Clemmons equaled his career high with 14 points. White also scored 14 with Woodbury adding 12.