Former Knights Standout Showing Flashes of Potential Despite Limited Minutes
EAST STROUDSBURG, PA–Former Old Bridge Knights standout, Sultan Aminu completed his second year of college hoops at Division II East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania with some positives toward next season. The first 1,000 point scorer at OBHS, and 2nd all time leading scorer at the school, contributed on a Warriors team that finished 19-10 overall including a 16-6 mark in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference this past season. ESU also reached the semifinals of the PSAC tournament before losing to Indiana University of Pennsylvania (76-60).
During his sophomore campaign, Aminu played in 21 of ESU’s 29 games and averaged 4.8 minutes, 2.1 points, and 1.7 rebounds per game. The 6’6″ foward also tallied 15 total blocks during the season, which tied him for second on the team. He connected on 19 of 41 shots, or 46 percent, and also netted 6 of 10 from the foul line. In spite of playing limited minutes off the bench, Aminu (had a season high of 11 minutes against Pitt-Johnstown on December 20th) had several games this season, where he was fairly productive. For example, in the season opener against Lincoln, he only played 7 minutes, but connected on 2 of 4 field goals and 3 of 4 from the line for 7 points while also collecting 3 rebounds and a steal in a 92-72 win.
In an 85-56 victory at Clairon on December 17, 2014, Aminu only played 9 minutes, but was again very efficient by making 4 of 6 shots, and one of two from the line for 9 points while also picking up 6 rebounds and 4 blocked shots. All of those were season highs for him. Almost a month later, Aminu tallied 6 points on 3 of 4 shooting while collecting 3 more blocks and 2 rebounds in a 107-46 rout of PSU-Lehigh Valley on January 10, 2015. The Old Bridge standout turned in one more efficient effort in a 91-73 win over Cheyney on Valentine’s Day. In that contest, Aminu played only 8 minutes, but made 2 of 3 shots and one of two from the charity stripe for 5 points while also grabbing 4 rebounds. Aminu saw an increase in games played and minutes from his freshman campaign at ESU.
During his freshman year at ESU, the Warriors had a record breaking season. In the 2013-14 season, East Stroudsburg set a school record for wins with a 30-2 record. The Warriors won the PSAC East Division regular season title, and then won the PSAC post-season tournament. East Stroudsburg didn’t finish there either. After having home court advantage throughout the entire PSAC tourney, the Warriors enjoyed the friendly confines of Koehler Gymnasium again for the first three rounds of the NCAA Division II tourney, where they reached the Atlantic Regional Final before losing to West Liberty University, which is located outside of Wheeler, West Virginia. West Liberty made its fourth straight NCAA DII Elite Eight appearance. Aminu was a minor contributor with 17 games played, and averaged 3.5 minutes, 3.2 points, and 1.5 rebounds per game. The Old Bridge native made 24 of 43 shots, or just under 56 percent while netting 7 of 15 from the line. Once again, he was very efficient in the limited time he played.
For instance, his career best game was in a contest against Mansfield on January 29, 2014 when he connected on 8 of 11 shots from the field and 2 of 5 from the line for 18 points while also pulling down 5 rebounds and blocking a shot in a 112-79 victory. He also collected 6 points and 3 rebounds in only 6 minutes playing time in a 102-69 win at Edinboro.