League NBA Listed height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) Height 1.96 m Siblings Parker U'u, Greer U'u | Nationality American / Australian Listed weight 215 lb (98 kg) Weight 98 kg Parents Caroline U’u, Al U’u | |
 | ||
Position Manager of Player Development Profiles | ||
Drake Ellison U'u (born January 18, 1990) is an American-Australian former professional basketball player who played two seasons for the Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He also played college basketball for the University of Hartford and California Polytechnic State University, and currently serves as the Sacramento Kings' Manager of Player Development.
Contents
High school career
U'u attended Rio Americano High School in Sacramento, California where he was a three-time first-team All-Capital League honoree. As a senior in 2007–08, he averaged 17.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game as he earned Sacramento Bee third-team All-Metro honors after helping the Raiders finish with a 22-6 record. U'u also earned two letters in swimming where he garnered All-America honors in both the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events.
College career
As a freshman for Hartford in 2008–09, U'u appeared in 18 games with five starting assignments, as he averaged 2.9 points and 1.7 rebounds per game.
In 2009, U'u transferred to California Polytechnic State University and subsequently redshirted the 2009–10 due to NCAA transfer regulations.
As a redshirted sophomore for Cal Poly in 2010–11, U'u appeared in 18 games and averaged 14.0 minutes per game. He scored a season-high 10 points during the 55-48 victory over Loyola Marymount on November 24, 2010. He finished the season averaging 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.
As a junior in 2011–12, U'u started during 18 of 26 appearances, averaged 21.2 minutes played and finished sixth among Mustangs with 6.1 points per game; also averaged 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game. He hit three three-pointers to finish with a season-high 13 points against Mississippi Valley State on November 26, 2011. He later missed Cal Poly’s final seven games of the season after injuring his left hand.
As a senior in 2012–13, U'u averaged 5.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 32 games (20 starts). He recorded career-highs of 14 points and 8 assists against Hawaii on January 24, 2013.
Perth Wildcats (2013–2015)
On September 16, 2013, U'u signed with the Perth Wildcats as an injury replacement for Mathiang Muo, who was ruled out of the 2013–14 season with an Achilles injury. On January 10, 2014, U'u recorded a season-high 13 points in a 102–87 win over the Townsville Crocodiles. Ten of his 13 points came in the second quarter where he shot 4-of-4 from the field. He went on to help the Wildcats win their sixth NBL title with a 2–1 Grand Final series win over the Adelaide 36ers.
On September 17, 2014, U'u re-signed with the Wildcats on a three-year deal. On December 14, 2014, he scored a career-high 20 points on 7-of-7 shooting as he led the Wildcats to a 97–76 win over the Adelaide 36ers.
On May 15, 2015, U'u parted ways with the Wildcats after deciding not to take the option on his contract. In 61 games for the Wildcats over two seasons, he averaged 2.8 points and 1.2 rebounds per game.
Personal
Despite having a Samoan father, Al, and an Australian mother, Caroline, U'u was born in the United States and has dual American and Australian citizenship. He also has two younger siblings, a sister named Greer and a brother named Parker.
In August 2015, U'u joined the Sacramento Kings' front office as Manager of Player Development.