Courtesy: Josh Schaefer. Get My Photo.

By Wray Morrison

Emmanuel Akintunde graduates from Huskies

Emmanuel Akintunde hopes to end Huskies’ career with deep playoff push.

Feb 16, 2022 | 10:30 AM

When asked about a career highlight with the Huskies’ men’s basketball team, fifth year guard Emmanuel Akintunde looks at the big picture. “Coming out of high school, it was, Wow! We are really going to take this next step of basketball. That’s really special for me.” Akintunde, who played with the St. Joseph’s Guardians in Saskatoon, is thrilled to play his university basketball in his hometown. Akintunde describes playing for the university team he grew up watching as “surreal”.

Akintunde would like nothing more than a deep playoff push in his graduating season with the Huskies. Saskatchewan has a 10 and 4 record, good enough for second place in the Canada West east division, going in to the final weekend of the regular season. Akintunde says playing as a team has been critical in the 2021-22 season. “We not really concerned about who is playing what. It’s just more about playing basketball to win. It’s all about unselfishness. We like to play together. We like to share the ball.”

Huskies lead assistant coach Chad Jacobsen confirmed that Akitunde is the ultimate team player. “He’s a junkyard dog. He does everything. He’s so athletic, he’s so fast. He plays so hard every single night. He’s just a great teammate.”

Akintunde has an 8.2 points per game average this season, and logs over 24 minutes a night in court time. His teammates lean on his experience. “Eman, man!” exclaimed Huskies’ leading scorer Marquavian Stephens. “He’s a great leader, a hard worker. Since I got there, he’s made the transition very easy for me, and the other new guys that are here.”

Akintunde will be honoured in his fifth and final season prior to Saturday night’s game against the Winnipeg Wesmen at 7pm at the PAC. Jacobsen said the regular season finale will be special for Akintudne. “We’re happy to honour him, and his family. At the same time it’s bittersweet. He’s leaving us.” The goal will be to extend the final season as long as possible. When asked about a deep playoff push for this Huskies’ team, Akintunde simply responded with “Sounds fantastic.”

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Stephens, who is a third year guard from Flint Michigan, believes the Huskies are capable of a long post-season run. “We have been clicking really well.” said Stephens who leads the team with 19.2 points per game this season. “I think we can compete against any team throughout Canada. As long as we do our part, I think we can make a real big run in the playoffs.”

The Huskies’ men’s team will face the Wesmen on Friday night at 8pm, before Saturday’s 7pm contest at the PAC.