TORONTO - The Ryerson Rams are proud to announce that men's basketball guard Diar Alkaldy (Hamilton, Ont.) has signed a two-year contract with the South Oil Club of the Iraqi Super League. This move comes after Alkaldy's stint with the Iraqi National Team at the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers. 

A graduate of St. Thomas More C.S.S., Alkaldy appeared in four games with the Rams last season, totaling 10 points and adding two assists in 18 minutes. Upon his recruitment, he was listed at 6-5, having spent the season before his recruitment at Oakville Prep.  

"I'm [excited] to compete for the championship this year," Alkady said of his recent move to Iraq. "The club I play for has never won the league championship before and this season I think we have...the team built for it.

"I had no idea I would be playing professional basketball this early and never thought it would be in Iraq but it was a good opportunity presented in front of me and I took it."

His new team, South Oil Club (or Nift Al-Basra), plays in Basra, Iraq. Alkaldy agreed to the contract on Dec. 13, 2020 and will be wearing #33. Through four games he has averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 assists in 22.0 minutes per game, according to the league's official stats page. 

"[Everyone] helped me so much and anything I needed they assisted me with," Alkaldy said of his tenure with the Rams. "The relationships I built there will last a lifetime."  

Alkaldy is the second Ram to sign professionally this season, following in the footsteps of his teammate Jayden Frederick, who is now playing in Georgia.

The Rams wish Diar the best of luck in his future endeavours.