DePaul University Athletics
Men's Basketball Adds American Conference Leading Three-Point Shooter, Ade Popoola
4/18/2026 7:08:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Popoola shot 40.9 percent from three-point range in 2025-26
CHICAGO – DePaul men's basketball has signed one of the nation's top perimeter shooters for the 2026-27 season with the addition of Ade Popoola. Popoola was rated as a four-star transfer by 247Sports, after leading the American Conference with a 40.9 three-point percentage out of Tulsa.
"We are excited to welcome Ade to Chicago and the DePaul Basketball family," said head coach Chris Holtmann. "He was one of the premier shooters in the portal and helped his team have an excellent season. He has proven his ability to score the ball throughout his career. We believe his defensive ability combined with his ability to stretch the floor gives us a two-way wing/guard that we were looking for and one we believe will make an immediate impact in our program."
Popoola started all 38 games for the Hurricanes, averaging 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. The 6-foot-5 guard tallied 99 made three-pointers, ranking second-most in single-season program history at Tulsa. He helped lead the Hurricanes to a 30-8 record and a trip to the NIT finals, where Tulsa fell in overtime to Auburn. Popoola scored in double figures 19 times and hit multiple three-pointers in 27 contests. He connected on eight three-pointers against South Florida, the second-most in Tulsa history.
Prior to the 2025-26 season, Popoola played two years at Moberly Area Community College. In 2024-25, he led his team to a 26-6 record and the NJCAA Region 16 championship game. Popoola shot 46.5% from three-point range while averaging 18.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Coming out of Moberly Area CC, Popoola ranked as the No. 7 JUCO transfer according to Rivals.
A St. Louis, Missouri, native, Popoola played at Parkway North High School, where he averaged 22.4 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists as a senior.
"We are excited to welcome Ade to Chicago and the DePaul Basketball family," said head coach Chris Holtmann. "He was one of the premier shooters in the portal and helped his team have an excellent season. He has proven his ability to score the ball throughout his career. We believe his defensive ability combined with his ability to stretch the floor gives us a two-way wing/guard that we were looking for and one we believe will make an immediate impact in our program."
Popoola started all 38 games for the Hurricanes, averaging 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. The 6-foot-5 guard tallied 99 made three-pointers, ranking second-most in single-season program history at Tulsa. He helped lead the Hurricanes to a 30-8 record and a trip to the NIT finals, where Tulsa fell in overtime to Auburn. Popoola scored in double figures 19 times and hit multiple three-pointers in 27 contests. He connected on eight three-pointers against South Florida, the second-most in Tulsa history.
Prior to the 2025-26 season, Popoola played two years at Moberly Area Community College. In 2024-25, he led his team to a 26-6 record and the NJCAA Region 16 championship game. Popoola shot 46.5% from three-point range while averaging 18.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Coming out of Moberly Area CC, Popoola ranked as the No. 7 JUCO transfer according to Rivals.
A St. Louis, Missouri, native, Popoola played at Parkway North High School, where he averaged 22.4 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists as a senior.
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