Pirates Announce Signing Of Julien Soumaoro
May 30, 2024 | Men's Basketball
GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina Men's Basketball has officially announced the signing of guard Julien Soumaoro on Thursday morning.
The Bronx, N.Y. native joins the Pirates after spending his first three collegiate seasons at Gardner-Webb.
Soumaoro averaged career-highs in points per game (12.7), assists per game (2.6) and field goal percentage (40.3) last season with the Runnin' Bulldogs and started in 29 of his 31 games played. He scored in double figures in 21 games highlighted by a career-high 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting from the floor including 5-of-8 from behind the arc in Gardner-Webb's win over Weber State.
"Julien is a proven competitor with a genuine passion for winning," head coach Michael Schwartz said. "Following three strong seasons at Gardner-Webb, Julien will bring an immediate edge to our program on both ends of the court. His solid foundation can be attributed to his mother Elise Gamamou, along with his prep, AAU and college coaches."
Soumaoro led the team in three-point makes (55) and percentage (37.7) in 2022-23 and was ranked 12th in the Big South in threes made per game at 1.83 and 15th in steals per game at 1.03. During league play, Soumaoro was 15th in the league in assists per game at 2.35 and recorded a team-high free throw percentage (79.2). As a freshman in 2021-22, Soumaoro competed in all 31 games and tallied a season-high 20 points on the road against Arkansas.
"Since the day he joined the program, Julien has consistently made significant contributions with his enthusiasm and commitment to our vision," Schwartz added. "We will need Juice to be a veteran presence while putting pressure on our opponents with his aggressive on ball defense and attack mentality on offense".
Prior to playing at Gardner-Webb, Soumaoro played at Woodstock Academy in Massachusetts and starred at New York City powerhouse Cardinal Hayes High in the Bronx under Joe Lods. He was the second-leading scorer in the famed Catholic High School Athletic Association with an average of 21.3 points per game as a senior, leading to a first-team All-CHSAA All-League selection in 2019-2020. Soumaoro also played for the famed Riverside Hawks AAU program, the same program that has suited up some of the finest point guards in New York City including Kenny Anderson, Mark Jackson, Kenny Smith, Pearl Washington and Rod Strickland.Â
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The Bronx, N.Y. native joins the Pirates after spending his first three collegiate seasons at Gardner-Webb.
Soumaoro averaged career-highs in points per game (12.7), assists per game (2.6) and field goal percentage (40.3) last season with the Runnin' Bulldogs and started in 29 of his 31 games played. He scored in double figures in 21 games highlighted by a career-high 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting from the floor including 5-of-8 from behind the arc in Gardner-Webb's win over Weber State.
"Julien is a proven competitor with a genuine passion for winning," head coach Michael Schwartz said. "Following three strong seasons at Gardner-Webb, Julien will bring an immediate edge to our program on both ends of the court. His solid foundation can be attributed to his mother Elise Gamamou, along with his prep, AAU and college coaches."
Soumaoro led the team in three-point makes (55) and percentage (37.7) in 2022-23 and was ranked 12th in the Big South in threes made per game at 1.83 and 15th in steals per game at 1.03. During league play, Soumaoro was 15th in the league in assists per game at 2.35 and recorded a team-high free throw percentage (79.2). As a freshman in 2021-22, Soumaoro competed in all 31 games and tallied a season-high 20 points on the road against Arkansas.
"Since the day he joined the program, Julien has consistently made significant contributions with his enthusiasm and commitment to our vision," Schwartz added. "We will need Juice to be a veteran presence while putting pressure on our opponents with his aggressive on ball defense and attack mentality on offense".
Prior to playing at Gardner-Webb, Soumaoro played at Woodstock Academy in Massachusetts and starred at New York City powerhouse Cardinal Hayes High in the Bronx under Joe Lods. He was the second-leading scorer in the famed Catholic High School Athletic Association with an average of 21.3 points per game as a senior, leading to a first-team All-CHSAA All-League selection in 2019-2020. Soumaoro also played for the famed Riverside Hawks AAU program, the same program that has suited up some of the finest point guards in New York City including Kenny Anderson, Mark Jackson, Kenny Smith, Pearl Washington and Rod Strickland.Â
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