Josh Oduro Bio
Joshua Kwame Awuah Oduro, known professionally as Josh Oduro, is an American professional basketball player who competes at the power forward and center positions. After completing his college career with the George Mason Patriots and the Providence Friars, he entered the 2024 NBA draft and went undrafted. He currently plays for the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G League, while holding a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). His professional journey reflects years of steady development in scoring, rebounding, and interior play.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Kwame Awuah Oduro was born on October 14, 2000, in Gainesville, Virginia, United States. He grew up in a supportive family headed by his parents, Paul Oduro and Kris Oduro, and he has one brother. Oduro later obtained a certificate in Leadership & Development, reflecting an early interest in personal growth alongside his athletic pursuits.
Standing at 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) and listed at 240 lb (109 kg), Oduro developed the physical profile of a modern frontcourt player during his formative years. His size and mobility allowed him to compete in the post and on the boards from a young age, traits that would later define his style at the collegiate and professional levels.
Path to Basketball
Oduro began his high school career at Battlefield High School in Haymarket, Virginia, where he played two seasons before transferring to Paul VI in Chantilly, Virginia. At Paul VI, he led the Panthers to a 33–4 record, a VISAA Division I state title, and a No. 14 national ranking in the USA Today Top-25 poll, earning Second Team All-Conference honors in the process.
His high school success drew the attention of college programs, and Oduro committed to George Mason, where he spent the majority of his collegiate career. After four seasons with the George Mason Patriots, he transferred to Providence for his final year of eligibility, joining the Providence Friars in the Big East Conference. The move allowed him to compete at a higher level of competition and showcase his skills against top-tier opponents.
Josh Oduro Career
Early Career (2019–2023)
During his four years at George Mason, Oduro established himself as a consistent contributor in the Atlantic 10 Conference. He earned First-team All-Atlantic 10 honors in both 2022 and 2023, cementing his reputation as one of the conference’s most reliable frontcourt players. His ability to score in the paint, rebound on both ends, and protect the rim made him a focal point of the Patriots’ rotation.
Oduro’s development at George Mason prepared him for a stronger conference, and following the 2022–23 season, he entered the transfer portal. His decision to move to Providence was aimed at testing himself in the Big East, widely regarded as one of the toughest leagues in college basketball.
Providence Breakthrough (2023–2024)
In his lone season with the Providence Friars, Oduro quickly became a central figure. He ranked tenth in the Big East in scoring at 15.9 points per game, seventh in blocks with 1.3 per game, fifth in field goal percentage at .527, seventh in free-throw percentage at .819, fifth in defensive rebounds at 5.2 per game, sixth in overall rebounding at 7.5 per game, and ninth in offensive rebounds at 2.3 per game. He also recorded five double-doubles and scored 20 or more points in nine contests, including a season-high 32-point performance against Creighton.
Across five collegiate seasons split between George Mason and Providence, Oduro totaled 1,913 points, averaging 12.9 points per game, while grabbing 976 rebounds at a 6.6 average. He also shot 52.7 percent from the field, an efficient mark that reflected his finishing ability around the basket. His two First-team All-Atlantic 10 selections highlighted his consistency as a high-level college performer.
Birmingham Squadron and New Orleans Pelicans Era (2024–Present)
After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA draft, Oduro joined the New Orleans Pelicans for the 2024 NBA Summer League. On October 11, 2024, he signed with the Pelicans, but he was waived five days later. Shortly afterward, on October 28, 2024, he joined the Birmingham Squadron, the Pelicans’ NBA G League affiliate, where he continued to develop his game.
On March 4, 2026, Oduro signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, linking his NBA and G League duties. He wears jersey No. 13 for New Orleans and has been listed at the power forward and center positions. His progress with the Squadron positioned him as a prospect worthy of an NBA contract pathway.
Driving Style and Strengths
Oduro’s game is built around interior scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking. He is a high-percentage finisher around the rim and a reliable presence on the defensive glass, as evidenced by his 52.7 percent career field goal shooting and strong rebounding averages. His free-throw shooting of .819 in his final college season adds an uncommon level of dependability at the line for a big man.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Oduro’s defining moments is his 32-point game against Creighton during his Providence season, along with his two First-team All-Atlantic 10 selections in 2022 and 2023. He also helped lead Paul VI to a VISAA Division I state title and a national top-15 ranking during his senior year of high school, foreshadowing his collegiate success.
Josh Oduro Career Wins
Josh Oduro’s career is defined more by individual statistical milestones and team achievements than by championship trophies at the professional level. His two First-team All-Atlantic 10 honors, a VISAA Division I state title at Paul VI, and his progression from undrafted free agent to two-way NBA contract reflect a steady climb through the ranks of competitive basketball.
College and Pre-Professional Highlights
At George Mason, Oduro earned First-team All-Atlantic 10 recognition in both 2022 and 2023, while at Paul VI he captured a VISAA Division I state championship. His Providence season featured a Big East ranking inside the top ten in scoring and a 32-point career high against Creighton, underscoring his impact as a transfer performer.
Other Wins and Performances
Oduro’s professional resume includes a Summer League stint with the New Orleans Pelicans, a Birmingham Squadron assignment, and ultimately a two-way contract with the Pelicans signed in March 2026. Each step represents a measurable progression in his professional development since going undrafted in 2024.
Josh Oduro Family
Family Background and Support System
Joshua Kwame Awuah Oduro is the son of Paul Oduro and Kris Oduro. He has one brother, and the family roots trace back to Gainesville, Virginia, where he was born and raised. His parents supported his athletic path from high school through college and into professional basketball.
Personal Life
Beyond basketball, Oduro is a father and has pursued education off the court, earning a certificate in Leadership & Development. His personal life remains closely tied to family, and his journey from Virginia high school basketball to a two-way NBA contract reflects the steady influence of that background.
2025 Season Performance
Throughout 2025, Josh Oduro continued his development with the Birmingham Squadron, working to refine his interior game and adjust to the physical demands of professional play. His role within the Squadron’s rotation allowed him to log meaningful minutes while contributing as a scorer and rebounder in the NBA G League.
His performance during the 2025 calendar year helped pave the way for his two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, signed on March 4, 2026. The contract validated his work in the G League and offered him a direct pathway to NBA opportunities while maintaining his development with Birmingham.
Looking ahead, Oduro’s outlook rests on translating his G League production into consistent NBA minutes with the New Orleans Pelicans. His combination of scoring efficiency, rebounding, and shot-blocking gives him a clear role to grow into as he continues to adjust to the pace and physicality of the professional game.
