Omaha Biliew

Omaha Biliew
No. 0 – Wake Forest Demon Deacons
PositionPower forward
LeagueAtlantic Coast Conference
Personal information
Born (2004-09-01) September 1, 2004 (age 20)
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school
College
Career highlights and awards

Omaha Koke Biliew (born September 1, 2004) is an American college basketball player for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons of the Atlantic Coast Conference. He formerly played for the Iowa State Cyclones. He was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2023 class.

Early life and high school career

Biliew grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa and initially attended Dowling Catholic High School.[1] He averaged 6.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game as a freshman at Dowling Catholic before transferring to Waukee High School in Waukee, Iowa before the start of his sophomore year after initially stating his intention to transfer to Hillcrest Prep Academy in Phoenix, Arizona.[2] Biliew averaged 10.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game as a sophomore.[3] He transferred to Link Year Prep in Branson, Missouri after his first year at Waukee.[4] Biliew spent his junior year at Link Year, but transferred back to Waukee after the end of the school year.[5] Biliew was selected to play in the 2023 McDonald's All-American Boys Game during his senior year.[6]

Recruiting

Biliew was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2023 class, according to major recruiting services.[7][8] On July 26, 2022, he committed to playing college basketball for Iowa State over offers from Kansas and Oregon.[9] Biliew also considered playing professionally in the NBA G League.[10] He is the highest-rated recruit to commit to Iowa State in the program's history.[3]

College recruiting information
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Omaha Biliew
PF 		Denison, IA Link Year Prep (MO) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Jul 26, 2022 
Star ratings: Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:5/5 stars   ESPN grade: 92
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 11  247Sports: 13  ESPN: 11
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Iowa State 2023 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  • "2023 Iowa State Cyclones Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  • "2023 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.

College career

After his freshman season at Iowa State, Biliew transferred to Wake Forest.[11]

National team career

Biliew was named to the United States under-19 basketball team to play in the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup.[12]

References

  1. ^ Obert, Richard (May 2, 2020). "Top freshman hoops prospect Omaha Biliew transfer to Hillcrest Prep". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  2. ^ Bain, Matthew (November 20, 2020). "Why 5-star phenom Omaha Biliew transferred to Waukee". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Hertel, Alyssa (July 26, 2022). "Omaha Biliew commits to Iowa State basketball, becomes program's highest-rated recruit ever". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  4. ^ Southard, Dargan (August 2, 2021). "Five-star Iowa basketball prospect Omaha Biliew now staying in Midwest". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  5. ^ Divens, Jordan (Jun 27, 2022). "High school basketball: Five-star prospect Omaha Biliew transfers back to Waukee for senior season". CBS Sports. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  6. ^ Hertel, Alyssa (January 24, 2023). "Waukee basketball's Omaha Biliew, an Iowa State signee, named McDonald's All-American". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  7. ^ Dawson, Dudley E. (March 31, 2022). "UA hopes Biliew becomes an Omahawg". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  8. ^ Bain, Matthew (May 19, 2022). "Iowa State basketball makes top 4 for 5-star recruit Omaha Biliew". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  9. ^ Borzello, Jeff; Biancardi, Paul (July 26, 2022). "Top-10 recruit Omaha Biliew commits to Iowa State men's basketball program, plans to 'cement my legacy' with Cyclones". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  10. ^ Jenkins, Brandon (May 23, 2022). "Top ten prospect Omaha Biliew breaks down his final four". 247Sports. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  11. ^ "Deacs Add Two-Way Versatility with Signing of Biliew". Wake Forest Athletics. June 7, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  12. ^ "Iowa State basketball signee, Waukee's Omaha Biliew makes elite Team USA squad for FIBA World Cup". The Des Moines Register. June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.