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DAVIS, Calif. – Known throughout the United Kingdom as one of its top talents, Ade Adebayo is the latest addition to UC Davis basketball's spring signing class after he submitted a National Letter of Intent, as announced by head coach Jim Les on Thursday.
 
The 6-foot-3 guard will join the Aggies after earning a top-five ranking at the prestigious Deng Camp — a group of U19 talents, hand-selected by coaches and basketball affiliates, that represent the top 50 players in the United Kingdom.
 
While at Barking Abbey School (London, England), it was Adebayo who played a key role in the team's success throughout the last few years. Competing alongside current Aggie Caleb Fuller, the duo led BA to consecutive Elite Academy Basketball League championships during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.  
 
By averaging 13.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game this past year, the Lagos, Nigeria native earned all-league first team honors and spearheaded Barking Abbey's third-straight appearance in the EABL's championship game.
 
Throughout his final two years at Barking Abbey, his teams won 40 of 43 games combined (.930 overall win percentage) and posted matching 17-1 league records (.944 league win pct.).
 
Adebayo finished his senior year as one of the EABL's top players, thanks to his assists per game average, field goal percentage (.482), three-point shooting percentage (.383) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.0).
 
He also earned Most Valuable Player accolades at the Hoopsfix All-Star Classic after finishing with 18 points, six assists and five steals.
 
"It was a really fun atmosphere and great to be part of," said Adebayo, regarding his all-star appearance. "It means a lot to be highlighted as one of the top performers in the country in my age group."

Adebayo's defensive mindset is a perfect fit for a UC Davis program known across America for its effort and execution on that half of the court.

"I am someone who becomes energized by shutting down others on defense, which leads to opportunities on offense. I play better in the open court, pushing the ball and using my speed and length to my advantage," Adebayo added.
 
Adebayo is the latest addition to the program 2019 incoming class, which includes fall signees Aaron Murphy, Ezra Manjon, Elijah Pepper, and a trio of players that submitted respective NLIs throughout the spring window: Oliver Gehrke, Wesley Harris and Kennedy Koehler.
 
 
 
AGGIE EVO
Established during the 2017-18 academic year, the Aggie EVO System is UC Davis Athletics' investment in the primary mission of preparing student-athletes for a successful "launch" after graduation.
 
Thanks to a collaboration of alumni, university resources, corporate partners, coaches and Student-Athlete Outcomes staff, all Aggies are guided over four years to acquire the skills, knowledge, opportunities and tools to better know and navigate the "World of Work" after graduating from UC Davis.
 
Follow the Aggie EVO system on Twitter and Instagram at @AggieEVO.
 
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TOGETHER, WE CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING
Directly impact the lives of potential, and current UC Davis basketball student-athletes, by joining the Aggie Round Table.
 
With support from this select group of insiders, the men's basketball program can expand its recruiting efforts to find prospects who will thrive at the fifth-ranked public school in the nation, compete at a championship level and represent the University in a first-class manner as one of its ambassadors. 
 
Contact Liz Martin (Assistant Athletics Director, Leadership Giving & Alumni Engagement) at (530) 574-8623 or emartin@ucdavis.edu to find out how you can join this exclusive club!
 
ABOUT UC DAVIS
Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley.
 
The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation, according to the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education, offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.