Tonye Jekiri selected the top Nigerian playing abroad in last week's games

Here is the weekly review of the top performing Nigerian players, who play currently abroad.

Tonye Jekiri

   #1. This week's number one is an international center Tonye Jekiri (212-94, agency: Network Sports International, college: Miami, FL, currently plays in Euroleague). He led his French team ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket to a victory against one of league's weakest teams Bayern Muenchen (7-17) 75-65 in the Euroleague on Tuesday night. Jekiri scored 12 points, made 4 passes and 4 steals. ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (9-15) is placed 15th in the Euroleague. This season Jekiri averages: 8.7ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 52.3% and FT: 66.2%. He is currently a member of the Nigerian senior national team.

Suleiman Braimoh

   #2. Second place goes to former international power forward Suleiman Braimoh (203-89, agency: 3Eye, college: Rice, currently plays in Basketball Champions League). Braimoh contributed to an easy victory against the eighth-ranked Antwerp Giants (4-10) 88-73 in the Basketball Champions League in Wednesday night's game. He scored 10 points, grabbed 5 boards, dished 3 assists and stole 3 balls in 21 minutes. Hapoel Jerusalem (11-3) is placed first in group B. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. The Regular Season already ended in the Basketball Champions League. It's Braimoh's first season with the team. Braimoh has relatively good stats this year: 12.1ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1bpg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 70.6%(48-68), 3FGP: 35.0% and FT: 82.1% in 14 games he played so far. He played for the Nigerian national team in 2016.

Josh Okogie

   #3. The Nigerian player who performed third best last week abroad was an international guard Josh Okogie (193-98, college: Georgia Tech, currently plays in NBA). Okogie could not help the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-35) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite his very good performance the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-35) were defeated 127-120 on the road by the Atlanta Hawks. Okogie was the second best scorer with 23 points. He also added 3 steals. This season Okogie has relatively solid stats: 8.5ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.6apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 51.3%, 3FGP: 24.4% and FT: 78.3%. He has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American. Despite Okogie played previously for the USA U19 national team, he is currently a member of the Nigerian senior national team.

Emmanuel Omogbo

   #4. Forward Emmanuel Omogbo (203-95, college: Colorado St., currently plays in Italy) was the major contributor in a Edilnol Bl's victory against the eighth-ranked Zeus NPC Rieti (12-10) crushing them 93-64 in the Italian Serie A2 (second division) in Sunday night's game. He scored 16 points, had 5 rebounds and made 2 blocks; not bad, considering it's only Omogbo's third season in pro basketball. Edilnol Pallacanestro Biella (13-9) is placed fourth in West group. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Omogbo has reliable stats this season: 11.5ppg, 7.1rpg and 1.2apg. He is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Omogbo used to play for the Nigerian national team back in 2018.

Daniel Ochefu

   #5. Former international forward Daniel Ochefu (211-93, college: Villanova, currently plays in Japan) led Cyberdyne Ibaraki Robots to a victory over the fifth-ranked Fukushima (10-27) 78-74 in the Japanese B2 League on Saturday night. Ochefu was MVP of the game. He recorded a double-double by scoring 23 points and getting 15 rebounds. Ochefu also added 6 assists and 4 blocks. Cyberdyne Ibaraki Robots (23-16) are placed third in East group. Ochefu's stats this season are: 14.1ppg, 11.7rpg, 3.6apg, 1.4bpg and 1.5spg. He used to play for the Nigerian national team three years ago.

Talib Zanna

   #6. Power forward Talib Zanna (206-90, college: Pittsburgh, currently plays in Turkey) contributed to an Afyon Bld's victory against the 14th-ranked Acibadem (6-12) 95-91 in the Turkish BSL in Sunday night's game. Zanna had a double-double by scoring 16 points and getting 12 rebounds in 29 minutes. Afyon Belediyespor (0-18) is placed eighth in the BSL. Zanna's stats this year are: 14.1ppg, 9.4rpg, 1.6apg and 1.2spg in 18 games. He is an international player who is currently on the senior Nigerian National Team roster.

Alade Aminu

   #7. An experienced international power forward Alade Aminu (207-87, also represented by 3Eye, college: Georgia Tech, currently plays in Poland) contributed to a 1-point Twarde Pierniki's victory against the 11th-ranked HydroTruck Radom (8-11) 72-71 in the Polish EBL on Sunday night. Aminu recorded 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in a mere 18 minutes. Polski Cukier Torun (13-4) is placed fourth in the EBL. They ended the series of three consecutive loses. Aminu averaged so far 14.9ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.5apg and 1.6spg in 16 games. He is also Nigerian national team player.

Obi Emegano

   #8. Guard Obi Emegano (189-93, college: ORU, currently plays in France) was not able to help Le Mans (10-11) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Emegano's very good performance Le Mans was edged 84-83 on the opponent's court by the much lower-ranked Chalon/Saor (#15). He was the second best scorer with 18 points. Emegano also added 5 rebounds. Emegano averaged so far 13.4ppg, 3.1rpg and 2.0apg. He plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

Abdullahi Kuso

   #9. Former international forward Abdullahi Kuso (206-84, college: Tallahassee CC, currently plays in Japan) was not able to secure a victory for Gunma (25-13) in their last game. Despite Kuso's very good performance the second-placed Gunma (25-13) lost 80-90 in Nagoya to the lower-ranked (#3) FE Nagoya in the East group. He had a double-double by scoring 16 points and getting 12 rebounds in 25 minutes. Kuso averaged so far 13.1ppg, 9.9rpg, 2.7apg, 1.3bpg and 1.3spg in 31 games. He used to play for the Nigerian national team thirteen years ago.

Micheal Eric

   #10. Center Micheal Eric (210-88, college: Temple, currently plays in Euroleague) contributed to Baskonia's victory against the closely-ranked ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (9-15) 79-65 in the Euroleague in Thursday night's game. Eric scored 8 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Kirolbet Baskonia Vitoria (9-15) is placed 13th in the Euroleague. Eric's overall stats this season are: 5.1ppg and 2.8rpg. He is an international player who is currently on the senior Nigerian National Team roster.

   #11. International center Ekenechukwu Ibekwe (207-85, college: Maryland, currently plays in France) contributed to a 1-point Pau-Lacq-Orthez's victory against the 13th-ranked SIG Strasbourg 74-73 in the French Jeep ELITE ProA last Saturday. Ibekwe recorded 8 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 33 minutes. This year Ibekwe's overall stats are: 8.4ppg, 6.1rpg and 1.1bpg in 10 games. He has both American and Nigerian nationalities. Ibekwe plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

   #12. International center Jeleel Akindele (216-83, agency: BeoBasket, college: Chicago St., currently plays in Mexico) contributed to an easy victory against the leader Mineros 83-66 in the Mexican LNBP (second division) on Monday night. He recorded 7 points. Akindele's total stats this season are: 6.6ppg, 4.2rpg and 1.8apg. He is also in the roster of the Nigerian national team.

   #13. International forward Jordan Nwora (203-98, currently plays college basketball in the States) contributed to Louisville's surprising victory against the Wake Forest University 86-76 in the NCAA in Wednesday night's game. Nwora scored 21 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 36 minutes. Nwora has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 19.3ppg, 7.4rpg and 1.3apg in 23 games. Nwora also holds two passports: Nigerian and American. He is also Nigerian national team player.

   #14. Former international guard Caleb Agada (196-94, agency: Blacktop Management, college: Ottawa, currently plays in Spain) contributed to a 3-point Melilla Baloncesto's victory against the league leader Carramimbre 88-85 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) in Friday night's game. Agada scored 15 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and dished 4 assists. This season Agada has very high stats. He averages: 15.3ppg, 5.4rpg, 3.9apg and 2.1spg. Despite Agada played previously for the Canadian university national team, he is currently in the Nigerian national team roster.

   #15. Former international power forward Ike Ofoegbu (205-84, college: SMU, currently plays in Israel) contributed to a Maccabi Ashdod's victory against the closely-ranked Hapoel Holon 82-69 in the Israeli Winner League on Saturday night. Ofoegbu scored 10 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Ofoegbu's total stats this season are: 9.9ppg and 5.7rpg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. Ofoegbu used to play for the Nigerian national team four years ago.


The list of other players, who all have Nigerian passport but never been selected to any of Nigerian national teams:

   #1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (211-G/F-94, agency: Octagon Europe, currently plays in NBA) led Milwaukee Bucks to a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers (31-21) 112-101 in the NBA in Thursday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Antetokounmpo had a double-double by scoring 36 points and getting 20 rebounds. He also added 6 assists in 35 minutes. The Milwaukee Bucks have a very solid 44-7 record this season. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. It's Antetokounmpo's seventh year with the team. Antetokounmpo has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 30.2ppg, 13.4rpg, 5.8apg and 1.1spg in 47 games he played so far. Antetokounmpo has a dual citizenship: Greek and Nigerian.

   #2. Rasheed Sulaimon (193-G-94, college: Maryland, currently plays in France) was the main contributor in a JDA Dijon's victory against the closely-ranked JL Bourg (13-8) 84-70 in the French Jeep ELITE ProA last Sunday. He was MVP of the game. Sulaimon recorded 23 points and added 4 passes. JDA Dijon Bourgogne (18-3) is placed third in the Jeep ELITE ProA. It was his team's 11th consecutive victory in a row. It's Sulaimon's first season with the team. He has relatively good stats this year: 12.7ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.7apg and 1.4spg. Sulaimon is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Despite his Nigerian nationality, Sulaimon previously played for the USA U19 national team and is probably not eligible to play for the Nigerian team.

   #3. Retin Obasohan (191-G-93, college: Alabama, currently plays in Basketball Champions League) contributed to a 2-point Brose Baskets' victory against the second-ranked CB Canarias (11-3) 98-96 in the Basketball Champions League on Tuesday night. He was MVP of the game. Obasohan scored 22 points and added 7 passes in 31 minutes. Brose Baskets Bamberg (7-7) is placed fifth in group C. The Regular Season already ended in the Basketball Champions League. It's Obasohan's first season with the team. This year he averages: 9.5ppg, 1.8rpg and 3.0apg in 13 games. Obasohan has both Belgian and Nigerian nationalities.

   #4. Chris Otule (211-C-90, also represented by Octagon Europe, college: Marquette, currently plays in Japan) contributed to a FE Nagoya's victory against the second-ranked Gunma (25-13) 90-80 in the Japanese B2 League in Saturday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Otule recorded a double-double by scoring 36 points and getting 13 rebounds. It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in group Central. Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya (20-19) is placed third. This season Otule has very high stats. He averages: 16.4ppg, 6.4rpg and 1.9apg. Otule also holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #5. Moses Kingsley (208-F-94, college: Arkansas, currently plays in Greece) could not help Peristeri GS (11-7) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Peristeri GS lost 61-75 on the road to the lower-ranked (#6) Lavrio. Kingsley was the top scorer with 16 points. He also added 6 rebounds in 29 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Kingsley's third season in pro basketball. It's Kingsley's first year with the team. This season he averages: 9.1ppg, 5.9rpg and 1.1bpg in 16 games. Kingsley holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #6. Michael Ojo (216-C-93, college: FSU, currently plays in Euroleague) helped his Serbian team Crvena Zvezda win their game against the sixth-ranked Panathinaikos 78-73 in the Euroleague on Wednesday night. He scored 8 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 15 minutes. This year Ojo's overall stats are: 4.4ppg and 3.0rpg in 18 games. Worth to mention Ojo played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.

   #7. Experienced Emeka Okafor (208-F/C-82, college: UConn, currently plays in South Korea) was not able to help Mobis Phoebus (16-22) in their last game. Despite his good performance Mobis Phoebus lost 77-81 in Wonju to the leading DB Promy. Okafor had a double-double by scoring 13 points and getting 11 rebounds. He also added 4 blocks in 25 minutes. Okafor's stats this year are: 12.3ppg, 8.4rpg, 1.3apg, 1.6bpg and 1.4spg in 18 games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #8. O.D. Anosike (203-F/C-91, college: Siena, currently plays in Mexico) helped Fuerza Regia win their game against the leader Mineros 83-66 in the Mexican LNBP (second division) last Monday. Anosike was the best player in that game. He recorded 14 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Anosike averaged so far 13.0ppg, 8.2rpg and 1.9apg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #9. Victor Oladipo (193-G-92, college: Indiana, currently plays in NBA) was not able to secure a victory for the Indiana Pacers in their game against the Toronto Raptors in the NBA. Despite his very good performance on Wednesday night Oladipo scored 13 points. Oladipo averaged so far 9.5ppg, 1.5rpg and 2.3apg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #10. Christian Nwogbo (202-F-91, another player represented by Octagon Europe, college: Cedarville, currently plays in France) couldn't help SPO Rouen in their game against Sluc Nancy in the French ProB (second division), despite his very good performance in Friday night's game. Nwogbo was the top scorer with 22 points. He also added 4 rebounds in 33 minutes. But his team lost 75-88. Nwogbo averaged so far 12.1ppg, 4.5rpg and 2.0apg in 19 games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.