Tai Odiase

Odiase played high school basketball at Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor, Illinois. He was ranked as a top-25 senior in the state of Illinois and the fifth-best center. Odiaase helped the Vikings claim a conference title during his junior season and was named All-Conference. During his senior year, he averaged 17.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game.[1]

Odiase, a three-year captain, played 130 games at UIC from 2014 to 2018. He started 117 times, including all 102 under Steve McClain leadership. The Glenwood, Ill., native was named the Horizon League Defensive Player as both a junior and senior and he is one of only three players in Horizon League history to be named to the conference's All-Defensive Team three times. Odiase is the all-time leader for both UIC and the Horizon League with 361 career blocks. That number places him tied for 37th on the NCAA's all-time list with Harvey, Ill., native Melvin Ely.[1] As a senior, he averaged 9.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game.[2]

After finishing his college career at UIC, Odiase joined Iberostar Tenerife of the Liga ACB until the end of the season.[3] After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, Odiase joined the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Summer League. Odiase joined Lavrio of the Greek Basket League thereafter.[4] In December 2019, Odiase was acquired by the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League.[2] On February 24, 2020, he finished with 14 points, six rebounds and a block against the Long Island Nets.[5]