Meet 8 Nigerian-Americans Who Made 2020 NBA Draft

Nigerians woke up to a soothing news that 8 basketball players of Nigerian descent made the 2020 draft of American men’s professional basketball league, National Basketball Association (NBA).

The Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) in tweet on Thursday acknowledged the feat and congratulated the players.

“While Nigerians slept, 8 Nigerians got drafted by @NBA. Highest ever for players with at least one of their parents from Nigeria 6 got drafted as first round picks,” said the NBBF.

Below are the 8 Nigerians and their profiles:

1. Akinfayoshe Daniel Oturu

Daniel was born September 20, 1999 in Brooklyn, New York and plays for Los Angeles Clippers. His parents are Nigerians. His father (Francis) is from Fadeyi, a suburb of Lagos State, while his mother (Deborah) is from Ife, Osun State.

Oturu was selected in round 2 with 3rd pick and with the 33rd pick overall in the 2020 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

2. Jordan Nwora

Jordan Nwora was born on September 9, 1998 in Buffalo, New York, and plays for Milwaukee Bucks. His father is Nigerian, a former D-Tiger coach, while his mother is an American. He was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with 45th overall in NBA draft.

3. Desmond Michael Bane

Bane was born June 25, 1998 in America and plays for Memphis Grizzlies. At age 13, Bane discovered that his father, Etieno Ekiko, lived in Nigeria. He was picked as overall 30 by Boston Celtics but was traded with Memphis Grizzlies. Bane is now an American basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

4. Precious Achiuwa

Achiuwa, born September 19, 1999 in Port Harcourt, is a Nigerian professional basketball player that plays for the Miami Heat.

He grew up in Port Harcourt, Rivers state where he started his sporting career, playing football at first.

He then moved to the United States and in eighth grade dumped football and focused on playing basketball.

On May 17, 2019, Achiuwa dedicated himself to playing college basketball for Memphis Tigers under head coach Penny Hardaway. Achiuwa was chosen with the 20th pick in the 2020 NBA draft by the Miami Heat.

5. Udoka Timothy Azubuike

Udoka, the youngest amongst five siblings, was born 17 September 1999 in Lagos, Nigeria and plays for the Utah Jazz in the NBA.

 His father, Fabian, was a police officer, and his mother, Florence, was a middle school teacher.

Azubuike was selected with the 27th pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz. He is an elite shot blocker, defender and finisher with immense size and athletic ability.

6. Isaac Okoro

Okoro was born January 26, 2001 in Atlanta, Georgia to migrant Nigerian parents (Godwin and Gloria) and plays for Cleveland Cavaliers

He played for the United States at the 2018 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup in Argentina. He was selected with the fifth pick by former Lebron James club, the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2020 NBA draft. Defensive toughness and versatility are Isaac Okoro’s NBA calling cards

7. Onyeka Okongwu

Onyeka Okongwu was born December 11, 2000 in Los Angeles, California and plays for Atlanta Hawks.  Okongwu was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks.

8. Ezekiel Tobechukwu “Zeke” Nnaji

Zeke was born January 9, 2001 in the United States of America and plays for Denver Nuggets. His father is Nigerian while his mother is from Minnesota. He also tried playing baseball and soccer but due to his height, he switched to basketball.

Nnaji was selected with the 22nd pick in the 2020 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets. Nnaji is a wiry strong, mobile big man, who is skilled enough to stretch the floor and threaten with perimeter shooting with a little development.