Courtesy: UNBC Athletics

By Ethan Ready

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Mar 22, 2021 | 11:32 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – “You’re kind of afraid because you’re thinking to yourself where am I going to get the support whenever I need it or whenever I feel lonely,” explained Franco Kouagnia.

Born in Yaounde, Cameroon, the big man transferred to UNBC in 2013 from Coventry University in the United Kingdom, where he played three seasons.

When he arrived in the summer of 2013, he brought a tantalizing package of athleticism and power in a 6’7 frame but was an unfinished project with raw potential that would eventually develop to the point of being named to the Timberwolves’ Wall of Honour on Monday (Mar. 22)

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Throughout his first season at UNBC, where he averaged 13 points per game to go along with 6.2 rebounds per game and 2.0 blocks. In year two, those numbers improved after staying in Prince George over the summer to improve his potential.

That 2014-2015 campaign would end up historic for both Kouagnia and the Timberwolves. Playing in the newly formed Pioneer Division in Canada West, the TWolves would set a program record with a 12-8 record, qualifying for the conference playoffs for the first time since making the step up to U SPORTS.

The Cameroonian averaged 16.4 points per game, to go along with 7.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks; all marks that were good for top ten in the conference. Those stats, along with his game-changing impact, earned him a Canada West All-Star nod, making him the first Timberwolf to ever earn the honour at the university level.

Despite playing just two seasons in TWolf colours, the dominant big man concluded his UNBC career with his name all over the program’s record book. He sat top spot all-time in the Timberwolves’ Canada West years in points, free throws, and blocks, and top five in rebounds and assists.

After his incredible UNBC career concluded, Kouagnia played professionally in Europe, with stops in Sweden, France, and Spain.