Oppong began playing college basketball at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas , where he averaged 5.7 points , 2.2 rebounds , and 1.2 assists in his freshman season . For his next year , he transferred to Panola Junior College in Carthage , Texas . As a sophomore with his new team , he averaged 15.9 points , 5.4 rebounds , and 2.1 assists , shooting .488 from the field and .405 on three-pointers . In 2008 , while helping the Ponies reach the semifinals of the Region XIV tournament , he earned all-conference honors Oppong 's performances helped him get an NCAA scholarship into Eastern Kentucky . Idaho , Utah State , Colorado State , and Murray State were some of his other potential Division I destinations . He was considered one of the top Canadians committing to an NCAA program that year , in a list headlined by Andrew Nicholson and Kris Joseph . As soon as he arrived at EKU , he became close with the school . Oppong said , " From the first day , I was accepted , as soon as I stepped on campus . I was here in the summertime and there were a few guys here who I knew and as soon as we came in August , I felt like I was part of the family . " Head coach Jeff Neubauer commented on him , " We think Papa Oppong will be a tough match-up for our opponents because he is a shooter , rebounder and slasher . " Oppong debuted and made his first start for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in their season opener on November 14 , 2008 , against Florida International . He led his team in both rebounds and blocks . In the following week , he was named Ohio Valley Conference ( OVC ) Newcomer of the Week . In a win over Ball State on December 13 , he recorded 11 points and a season-high 9 rebounds . However , on December 20 , he separated his left shoulder after grabbing a team-high 8 rebounds vs Cincinnati . It was estimated by head coach Jeff Neubauer that he would miss a few weeks due to a torn labrum . Oppong was absent for the Colonels ' five next games . He recalled the moment saying , " Cincinnati was one of our best games , but for me , I really do n't like that game . It was when I actually dislocated my shoulder . And it hurt — it really hurt . The process of coming back was so hard because it took so long . When I got back , it took me a minute to get back into the flow and get adjusted . " Oppong return on January 15 , 2009 , against Eastern Illinois , and did not make another start that season until a loss to Morehead State at the 2009 Ohio Valley Conference Men 's Basketball Tournament . Through the whole season , Oppong averaged 9.2 points , 5.4 rebounds , and 1.2 assists . He was one of Eastern Kentucky 's rebounding leaders
2009 Ohio Valley Conference Men 's Basketball Tournament
2009 Ohio Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
Papa Oppong