Do you need the list of Nigerian basketball players in NBA and their complete profiles? If yes, then you are at the right place.
Interestingly, quite a handful of Nigerian players are actually plying their trades efficiently in the NBA.
Also, a few of them are already bonafide member of the incredible Nigeria men’s Basketball team, D’Tigers.
So if you care to know the full list of Nigerian basketball players that are making it really in basketball realm, then you are at the right place.
But before then, you might want to know the state of affairs of the Nigeria Basketball National team.
Brief History of the Nigerian Basketball National Team
The historical antecedent of basketball in Nigeria can be traced far back to the 1950s. At the time, the only basketball court in Nigeria was situated in the Syrian Club, Lagos.
The Nigeria basketball national team represents Nigeria in any men’s international basketball competition and the first man to coach the team was Walid Zabadne.
The Nigeria National Basketball Team (D’Tiger) is overseen by the Nigeria Basketball Federation popularly known as the NBBF.
In March 2021, the world basketball governing body known as FIBA ranked Nigeria as the top Africa men’s basketball nation.
During the 2016 Olympic Men’s Basketball Tournament that was played in Rio, Nigeria basketball national team was ranked 16th in the World by FIBA.
What’s more, the only African nation to beat the United States in basketball history is Nigeria. Sounds fascinating, right?
Well, you’ll be thrilled to know that the Nigeria basketball national team have beaten other world elite in the game. The like of Lithuania and Greece.
Not limited to that, in 2015, D’Tiger won its first major crown as the basketball champion of Africa.
Being the Basketball Champion of Africa, Nigeria national basketball team has several award both regional and intercontinental to its name.
The awards are as follows:
- Intercontinental: D’Tiger has three intercontinental basketball medal and awards. They include the FIBA Stanković Continental Champions’ Cup where they scoop Bronze Medals in 2013 and 2016.
There is also a Fourth-place medal for the team in the Commonwealth Games that was played in 2006.
- Continental: Being the Champion of Africa, the D’ Tiger has a Gold medal in the AfroBasket competition played in 2015.
More so, the Nigeria national basketball team also have silver Medal in 1997, silver medal in 2003, and the last was 2017 all in AfroBasket competition.
There are Bronze Medal too. The first was won in 1995, another one in 2005, and the last was in 2011.
- All Africa Games: In all Africa basketball game, D’Tiger has a Gold Medal and it was won in 2011. There are 5 Bronze Medals and they were won in 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2015.
List of Nigerian basketball players in NBA and their profiles
Having introduced you to the history and background of the Nigeria National Basketball Men’s Team, now is the time to unveil the current NBA players.
Below is the full list of the Nigerian basketball players in NBA and their profiles.
1. Precious Achiuwa || Position SF”
Precious Ezinna Achiuwa is a Nigerian professional basketball players in NBA. He was born in September 19, 1999 to the family of five.
He underwent his high school career at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida and was a McDonald’s All-American and consensus five-star recruit.
Precious now plays as “Small Forward” for the Toronto Raptors.
2. Gabe Vincent || Position “G”
Born on the 14th of June, 1996, Gabriel Nnamdi Vincent is a Nigerian professional basketball player and he plays for the Miami Heat in the NBA league.
He is very good and skillful. As a “Point Guard or Shooting Guard”, Vincent baskeball IQ is immense. He is strong in defense, his ball handling is unique, he can shoot, and all.
Vincent height is measured 6^3, WT 195, GP 53, MPG 24.27, PPG 9.36, RPG 2.02, APG 3.36, SPB 0.94, with BPG 0.23.
3. Thanasis Antetokounmpo || Position “SF”
Thanasis was born July 17th, 1992 into the family of four, and he plays for Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo both parents are from Nigeria but findings shows that he plays for the Greece National Team.
He has a very brilliant ball handling, and his scoring ability is incredible. He plays as a “Small Forward” because of his versatility.
4. Chimezie Metu || Position “PF”
Chimezie Metu is another Nigerian basketball player in NBA. He was born in March 22, 1997, in Los Angeles, California, the United States.
As a talented basketballer, Metu plays for Sacramento Kings as a “Power Forward”, a position widely known as the Four.
Metu’s height is 6^10, his GP is 42, MPG is 22.16, PPG is 8.98, RPG is 5.86, APG is 1.12, SPB is 0.83 and BPG is 0.57.
5. Charles Bassey || Position “PF”
Charles was born on the 28th of October, 2000. His height is 6^10, he is tall and has a lot of strength to post up defenders, paint, and box out.
In Philadelphia Sixers that he plays for, Bassey play as the “Power Forward” as he his so good in setting screens to help his teammates get open.
6. Giannis Antetokounmpo || Position “F”
Another Nigerian basketball player in NBA is Giannis Antetokounmpo. He was born on the 6th of December, 1994.
Giannis is Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s brother and also plays for the Greece National Team and people call him “Greek Freak” because of his abilities.
Broadly speaking, Giannis plays for Milwaukee Bucks and whenever he is in play, and he plays as Forward because of his skills, size, shot blocking and scoring ability.
7. Monte Morris || Position “G”
Morris plays for Denver Nuggets and he was born in June 27th, 1995. He is brilliant with an incredible basketball IQ that’s why he plays as either a “Point Guard or Shooting Guard.”
With the ball, Morris is very quick, compose, unselfish, good in defense, and he communicate accurately with his teammates.
As a Nigerian in NBA, Morris height is 6^2, WT is 183, GP55, MPG 29.92, PPG 12.85, RPG 2.91, APG 4.22, SPB 0.67, and BPG 0.16
8. Jordan Nwora || Position “F”
He was born in 1998 and playing for Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA. Strength, quickness, and strength are his asset.
Nwora natural position is Forward but he can play either as a “Small Forward or Power Forward.” He is versatile and can guide many positions, too.
His HT is measured 6^8, WT 226, GP 48, MPG 19.37, PPG 8.00, RPG 3.60, APG 0.98, SPB 0.46, and his BPG is 0.27.
9. Josh Okogie || Position “SG”
Josh Okogie is another wonderful Nigerian basketball player in NBA. He plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves team as their “Shooting Guard.”
He is one of the team’s best outside shooters, his ball handling is magnificent and very good at rebounding too. Okogie’s height is 6^4, GP 34, MPG 12.13, PPG 2.56, RPG 1.82, APG 0.56, SPB 0.50, and BPG 0.29.
10. Azubuike || Position “C”
Udoka Azubuike was born in Lagos, Nigeria on the 17 September, 1999. He is one of the talented Nigerian professional basketball player in NBA and he plays for the Utah Jazz Team.
Because of his stature, Azubuike plays as the “Center” player and he is very good in creating shot in cramped spaces and he enjoys snagging rebounds out of the hands of his opponents.
Bottom line
The above is the full list of Nigerian basketball players in NBA that are making it really in the basketball world.
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