Gilas pool member Edu commits to NCAA D1 school University of Toledo

AJ Edu. Photo by Randolph B. Leongson

Fil-Nigerian Gilas prospect AJ Edu announced that he is set to join NCAA Division-1 School University of Toledo after his stellar high school career with South Gloucestershire & Stroud College in Bristol in the United Kingdom.

The school’s athletics website posted news of Edu’s commitment to the Rockets with head coach Tod Kowalczyk announcing that the 6’10” forward has signed his National Letter of Intent on Friday.

“We’re thrilled to have AJ become a member of our program,” said Kowalczyk as per UTRockets.com. “He’s a very long, athletic, skilled individual who has an unbelievable upside to his game.”

“AJ wants to learn and be in a position that he gets better every year. I told him that this is the place for him to do that. I think he has a chance to be a really special player,” added Kowalczyk who will coach the Rockets until the 2022-2023 season.

Edu also announced on his Twitter account of the news that he would be suiting up for the Rockets for the 2018-2019 Mid-American Conference season.

I am Blessed, honoured and excited to commit to the University of Toledo 🙏🚀🚀 #gorockets pic.twitter.com/mCHyP0aUYS

— AJ Edu (@ArielJohnEdu) April 12, 2018

“I am very honored and blessed to announce that I am achieving my dream of playing Division 1 Basketball and committing to the University of Toledo,” said Edu on his post. “This is a decision that my family and I took our time and prayed over and believe is the perfect place for me to further both my basketball career and my academics.”

Edu is part of the Gilas Pilipinas 23 for 2023 pool, the group of players the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas are training in preparation for the 2023 Fiba World Cup, and donned the tricolor in the 2017 Fiba Under 18 3×3 World Cup.

“I want to thank the SBP for giving me the opportunity to represent and play for my country at the 3×3 U18 World Cup,” said Edu. “It definitely won’t be the last time I put on the Filipino jersey.”

Edu averaged 18.6 points, 14.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.7 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game for South Gloucestershire & Stroud College where he earned first team All-Elite Academy Basketball League West Conference honors and was named the West Conference Defensive Player of the Year.