Eliel Nsoseme began his college basketball career in the United States as a true freshman in 2017. He is currently playing a fifth season in Canada as a 27-year-old, eight years later.
The math does not add up upon first glance but the Congolese forward somehow made it work for him!
Nsoseme was a three-star prospect in the college basketball recruiting Class of 2017 out of RISE Centre Academy and the top-ranked recruit in Canada. Cincinnati ultimately received his commitment.
Listed on the roster at 6-foot-9, 225 pounds, Nsoseme played two seasons for the Bearcats. He only averaged approximately 2.5 rebounds and one point in seven minutes per game. However, the coaching staff found him to be extremely valuable as a leader.
Our Character & Leadership Award goes to Eliel Nsoseme.
— Cincinnati Men’s Hoops (@GoBearcatsMBB) April 15, 2019
Eliel always brought great passion, a strong work ethic and is a total team guy.#Bearcats pic.twitter.com/sGyfM14Q0g
Nsoseme ultimately decided to enter the transfer portal after two years in Ohio and landed at Georgia State. The Panthers made the NCAA Tournament during his two-year tenure with the program. Their star forward averaged 10.3 points, 9.75 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
Since leaving the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eliel @nsoseme has helped @GeorgiaStateMBB secure a @SunBelt Conference title and @NCAA Tournament appearance. Now the 6-foot-8 forward has a mission for success, his family and his home country: https://t.co/pHBCKTsDJn pic.twitter.com/9B5OOXc4iD
— Georgia State University (@GeorgiaStateU) May 31, 2022
Eliel Nsoseme concluded his career at Georgia State in 2022. That was three seasons ago.
The Canada-native later signed a professional contract with the Montréal Alliance but the agreement never came to fruition. He also played in The Basketball Tournament for $1 million. It seemed as though his college days were long behind him but that is not the case!
Nsoseme enrolled at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada as a fifth-year senior. The soon-to-be 28-year-old averages 14.3 points and 10 rebounds per game for the Huskies.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS 🏀
— Saint Mary’s Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 12, 2025
Eliel Nsoseme with back-to-back baskets. Huskies trail the Panthers 19-14 after the first quarter. pic.twitter.com/rfxIlxkfFi
Think about that for a second. Nsoseme is 27. His opponents are no less than five years younger.
Eliel Nsoseme, a Class of 2017 recruit who already played five years of college basketball in the United States and played against Tacko Fall, is currently dominating student-athletes in Canada. We’ve seen a lot of lengthy college careers because of the pandemic but this a new one!