George Buaku begins his first season as an assistant coach and director of analytics with the Northwestern University women's basketball program in 2026-27. Prior to joining the 'Cats, Buaku spent two seasons at Loyola University Chicago.
“We are getting an exceptional addition in George,” Berube commented. “He brings a unique combination of analytical expertise and on-court coaching ability that will make an immediate contribution to the program. What sets him apart is his ability to translate analytics into meaningful teaching, and he’s a terrific coach who connects with players and develops them at a high level.”
“I’m incredibly grateful to join the program and work alongside Coach Berube and the staff,” Buaku said. “Coach Berube has built a reputation as a high-level leader who establishes clear standards, empowers the people around her, and consistently builds environments where winning habits are developed every day. More than anything, I look forward to investing in our student-athletes, building meaningful relationships, and contributing to a culture that always competes at the highest level. I can’t wait to get started at Northwestern!”
Buaku makes his way to Evanston after helping guide the Ramblers to 29 victories across two seasons in Rogers Park. This past season, Buaku, who served as the program’s director of basketball operations, was part of a staff that led Loyola Chicago to a berth in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). Making only their second postseason appearance in program history, the Ramblers picked up road wins over Norfolk State and Florida Gulf Coast en route to securing a spot in the Super 16.
This past year, Buaku completed the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Future Basketball Operations Stars program. During the five-month program, he completed advanced training in scouting, roster construction, on- and off-court player development, basketball analytics, and NBA salary cap management.
Prior to joining the collegiate coaching ranks, Buaku, a native of Lake Forest, Calif., worked as an associate analyst with HD Intelligence, where he provided strategic insights through opponent scouting reports and postgame analytics. His work identified areas for improvement using data-driven decisions to enhance team performance. Buaku also managed transfer portal analytics to assess recruits and support team recruiting strategies, working with programs including Michigan, Oregon, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma State.
Buaku also served as the Director of Player Development and Basketball Analytics with Sixth Man San Diego. He managed all aspects of off-site basketball programming with the nonprofit organization, including scheduling, staffing, budgeting, and materials distribution. In addition to his administrative duties, Buaku developed individual growth plans for student-athletes, focusing on their needs and individual brand goals, while collaborating with sports performance and medical staffs to enhance conditioning programs.
“George is driven, detail-oriented, and deeply committed to student-athlete success,” Berube added. “He approaches every day with great energy, professionalism, and a constant desire to improve. His passion for the game and innovative mindset will be tremendous assets, and I’m excited to see the impact he has in this next chapter. I have no doubt he will add tremendous value to Northwestern Women’s Basketball both on and off the court.”
A four-year letterwinner at the University of California San Diego, Buaku appeared in 116 games during his playing career with the Tritons. As a junior, he scored a career-high 17 points and came away with four steals in an 84-80 win over No. 13 Cal Baptist in the semifinals of the NCAA West Regional. In addition to his work on the hardwood, Buaku was a member of the Division I Student Leadership Group.
Buaku earned his bachelor’s degree in Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience from UC San Diego in 2018.
“We are getting an exceptional addition in George,” Berube commented. “He brings a unique combination of analytical expertise and on-court coaching ability that will make an immediate contribution to the program. What sets him apart is his ability to translate analytics into meaningful teaching, and he’s a terrific coach who connects with players and develops them at a high level.”
“I’m incredibly grateful to join the program and work alongside Coach Berube and the staff,” Buaku said. “Coach Berube has built a reputation as a high-level leader who establishes clear standards, empowers the people around her, and consistently builds environments where winning habits are developed every day. More than anything, I look forward to investing in our student-athletes, building meaningful relationships, and contributing to a culture that always competes at the highest level. I can’t wait to get started at Northwestern!”
Buaku makes his way to Evanston after helping guide the Ramblers to 29 victories across two seasons in Rogers Park. This past season, Buaku, who served as the program’s director of basketball operations, was part of a staff that led Loyola Chicago to a berth in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). Making only their second postseason appearance in program history, the Ramblers picked up road wins over Norfolk State and Florida Gulf Coast en route to securing a spot in the Super 16.
This past year, Buaku completed the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Future Basketball Operations Stars program. During the five-month program, he completed advanced training in scouting, roster construction, on- and off-court player development, basketball analytics, and NBA salary cap management.
Prior to joining the collegiate coaching ranks, Buaku, a native of Lake Forest, Calif., worked as an associate analyst with HD Intelligence, where he provided strategic insights through opponent scouting reports and postgame analytics. His work identified areas for improvement using data-driven decisions to enhance team performance. Buaku also managed transfer portal analytics to assess recruits and support team recruiting strategies, working with programs including Michigan, Oregon, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma State.
Buaku also served as the Director of Player Development and Basketball Analytics with Sixth Man San Diego. He managed all aspects of off-site basketball programming with the nonprofit organization, including scheduling, staffing, budgeting, and materials distribution. In addition to his administrative duties, Buaku developed individual growth plans for student-athletes, focusing on their needs and individual brand goals, while collaborating with sports performance and medical staffs to enhance conditioning programs.
“George is driven, detail-oriented, and deeply committed to student-athlete success,” Berube added. “He approaches every day with great energy, professionalism, and a constant desire to improve. His passion for the game and innovative mindset will be tremendous assets, and I’m excited to see the impact he has in this next chapter. I have no doubt he will add tremendous value to Northwestern Women’s Basketball both on and off the court.”
A four-year letterwinner at the University of California San Diego, Buaku appeared in 116 games during his playing career with the Tritons. As a junior, he scored a career-high 17 points and came away with four steals in an 84-80 win over No. 13 Cal Baptist in the semifinals of the NCAA West Regional. In addition to his work on the hardwood, Buaku was a member of the Division I Student Leadership Group.
Buaku earned his bachelor’s degree in Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience from UC San Diego in 2018.