Ovie Soko is a former British professional basketball player from Worcester Park, England. Born on 7 February 1991, he played college basketball at UAB and Duquesne, then spent a decade as a professional in France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Japan and Britain, most recently with the London Lions. In 2019, he joined Love Island Series 5 and finished in third place with India Reynolds.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Ovie Soko |
| Age | 35 years old (born 7 February 1991) |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Birthplace | Worcester Park, England |
| Education | UAB (2009–2012); Duquesne University (2013–2014) |
| Occupation | Former Professional Basketball Player, Television Personality |
| Known For | Love Island Series 5; London Lions |
| Years Active | 2014–2026 |
| Nationality | British |
Who Is Ovie Soko?
Ovie Soko is a former British professional basketball player and television personality who became a household name on the fifth series of ITV2’s Love Island in 2019. Born in Worcester Park, England, on 7 February 1991, the 6 ft 7 in forward had already enjoyed a five-year professional basketball career across Europe before he entered the villa, and he went on to finish in third place with India Reynolds.
After Love Island, Soko returned to basketball, signing for the London Lions and later playing in France, Japan and Britain again, while also modelling in partnership with ASOS alongside his father, Raymond Soko. He also represented Great Britain at international level, making his debut for the national team in 2015.
Early Life & Background
Soko was born in England to Nigerian parents. He attended Bethel High School in Hampton, Virginia, where he averaged 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.0 blocks per game during his lone season, leading the team in field goal percentage and guiding the Bruins to a 23-4 overall record and a district championship. As a junior, he played at Hampton Roads Academy, where he averaged 17.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game.
He played college basketball for the University of Alabama at Birmingham from 2009 to 2012, then transferred to Duquesne University for his senior season, where he started all 30 games, averaging a team-high 18.4 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, and became the first Duquesne player to lead the Atlantic 10 in scoring. He entered the 2014 NBA draft but was not selected in either round.
Career
Soko went undrafted in the 2014 NBA draft, and on 2 August 2014 he signed a one-year deal with Boulazac Dordogne of the French second division. A year later, on 24 August 2015, he signed with Aries Trikala of Greece for the 2015-16 season, where he appeared in 19 games, averaging 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.9 steals, before joining Enel Brindisi of the Italian Serie A. On 5 August 2016, he joined UCAM Murcia of the Spanish Liga ACB, where he averaged 6.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in his first season and re-signed in July 2017 and again in July 2018.
With Murcia, Soko played in the Basketball Champions League, where he averaged 13 points and 7.4 rebounds per game and was named to the competition’s First Team in 2018 and its Second Team in 2019. His performances in Spain made him one of the most recognisable British basketball players in Europe, and he also made his debut for the Great Britain national team in a closed international test match against New Zealand on 24 July 2015. In February 2020, he led Great Britain to a win over Germany in FIBA EuroBasket 2021 qualifying, scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds.
In 2019, Soko joined the fifth series of British reality show Love Island, entering the villa during Casa Amor and finishing in third place with India Reynolds. The appearance turned him into one of the series’ most popular contestants, and in August 2019 he announced a partnership with ASOS alongside his father, Raymond Soko, for an upcoming collection. After the show, he signed with the London Lions on 20 November 2019, averaging 20.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. He then joined Le Mans Sarthe in France in July 2020, where he was named to the French Basketball League Best Five in 2021, played for the Shiga Lakestars in Japan in 2021-22, and returned to the London Lions in July 2022, re-signing with the club on 18 July 2025.
Facts About Ovie Soko
- He stands 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) tall.
- In his senior year at Duquesne, he led the Atlantic 10 in scoring with 18.4 points per game.
- He was named to the Basketball Champions League First Team in 2018.
- He finished third on Love Island Series 5 with India Reynolds.
- He partnered with ASOS alongside his father Raymond for a collection in 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Ovie Soko?
Ovie Soko was born on 7 February 1991, which makes him 35 years old.
How tall is Ovie Soko?
He is 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) tall.
What teams did Ovie Soko play for?
He played for Boulazac, Trikala, Brindisi, Murcia, Le Mans Sarthe, the Shiga Lakestars and the London Lions.
Who did Ovie Soko finish third with on Love Island?
He finished in third place on Love Island Series 5 with India Reynolds.
Did Ovie Soko play in the NBA?
No, he entered the 2014 NBA draft but was not selected in either round.
How old is Ovie Soko?
Ovie Soko was born on 7 February 1991, which makes him 35 years old.
How tall is Ovie Soko?
He is 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) tall.
What teams did Ovie Soko play for?
He played for Boulazac, Trikala, Brindisi, Murcia, Le Mans Sarthe, the Shiga Lakestars and the London Lions.
Who did Ovie Soko finish third with on Love Island?
He finished in third place on Love Island Series 5 with India Reynolds.
Did Ovie Soko play in the NBA?
No, he entered the 2014 NBA draft but was not selected in either round.