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Writer's pictureOaklands Wolves

Academy Players Step Up to D1

Oaklands Wolves add six academy players to first Division 1 Men’s roster for the 2020-21 season.


Oaklands College are renowned for being one of the best player development centres in the nation. With the addition of Division 1 Men to the programmes pathway, it now provides a platform for boys from U12, right through to the top level of men’s basketball.


The EABL Academy has seen its first cohort of players graduating from Oaklands Wolves junior club this season. Therefore, the transition to Division 1 comes at the perfect time for these young Wolves. However it’s not only the incoming players that will benefit from the take-over of Essex Leopards, Coach Baker has recognised the work of three returning academy players and promoted them to the Division 1 Men’s squad. He has added Veiz Cani, a 6’1” Italian guard, Oliver Wright, a 6’1” Welsh International Guard, and local player Nick Powdrell, a 6’4” wing who joined the Wolves from Herts Warriors junior programme.


Coach Baker had this to say about the three additions, “Adding the college players to the team this year is a major statement on how we will operate here at Oaklands. Already they have gelled well with the senior players and are getting better everyday. Nick, Oliver and Veiz are second year academy players and they have impressed me in our pre-season preparation and I am excited to see them grow this season.”


Coach Baker is also adding 6’2” Welsh International guard Tom Hughes, 6’3” Brazillian born wing Talles Zacharias and 6’3” explosive guard Kane Daley. All three players were part of the Oaklands Wolves junior club. Kane Daley returns to Oaklands Wolves after spending the first part of last season in China as part of the Jr. NBA initiative with Shanghai with SHSID. Coach baker is excited about the addition of these three players.



“These players will represent our commitment to establishing a player pathway within our club and our intentions of developing them throughout the season. It will be a big step up for Tom, Talles and Kane, but I am confident they will thrive in this environment. It is great to have them in the team this year, and I look forward to supporting them and their development throughout their time with us.”

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