Suleiman Braimoh selected the top Nigerian playing abroad in last week's games

We bring you last week's top performances from Nigerians who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level.

Suleiman Braimoh

   #1. This week's number one is former international power forward Suleiman Braimoh (203-89, agency: 3Eye, college: Rice, currently plays in Israel). He led Hapoel Jerusalem to a victory over the seventh-ranked Ironi Nes-Ziona (8-11) crushing them 102-71 in the Israeli Winner League last Sunday. Braimoh was MVP of the game. He scored 14 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Hapoel Jerusalem (14-4) is placed second in the Winner League. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. It's Braimoh's first season with the team. Braimoh has relatively good stats this year: 12.1ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.1apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 62.9%(61-97), 3FGP: 27.5% and FT: 75.0%. He played for the Nigerian senior national team four years ago.

Tonye Jekiri

   #2. Second place goes to an international center Tonye Jekiri (212-94, agency: Network Sports International, college: Miami, FL, currently plays in Euroleague). Jekiri could not help ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (9-16) to beat Olympiacos (11-14). He recorded 9 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. But ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket was defeated 77-68 on the road by the much higher-ranked Olympiacos (#8). This season Jekiri averages: 8.8ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 52.5% and FT: 65.7%. He is in the roster of the Nigerian senior national team.

Daniel Ochefu

   #3. The Nigerian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international forward Daniel Ochefu (211-93, college: Villanova, currently plays in Japan). He contributed to a 3-point Cyberdyne Ibaraki Robots' victory against the third-ranked FE Nagoya (21-22) 87-84 in the Japanese B2 League last Saturday. Ochefu scored 13 points, had 8 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 33 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in group East. Cyberdyne Ibaraki Robots (25-18) are placed third. This year Ochefu has relatively solid stats: 13.3ppg, 11.3rpg, 3.6apg, 1.3bpg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 55.4%(184-332), 3FGP: 9.5% and FT: 71.7% in 33 games he played so far. He played for the Nigerian national team three years ago.

Gani Lawal

   #4. Power forward Gani Lawal (206-88, agency: PEPI SPORT, college: Georgia Tech, currently plays in Japan) was not able to help Fukuoka Rizing (11-32) in their last game on Friday. Despite his good performance the sixth-placed Fukuoka Rizing (11-32) was edged 80-78 on the opponent's court by the second-ranked Gunma in the West group. Lawal recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and getting 14 rebounds. Lawal has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 18.5ppg and 11.5rpg. Lawal has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American. He used to play for the Nigerian national team back in 2013.

Jordan Nwora

   #5. International forward Jordan Nwora (203-98, currently plays college basketball in the States) contributed to an easy victory against the Syracuse University (5-3) crushing them 90-66 in the NCAA on Wednesday night. Nwora scored 17 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 29 minutes. The University of Louisville has a very good - conference record this season. Nwora has very impressive stats this year: 18.2ppg, 7.3rpg and 1.4apg in 27 games. He is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Nwora plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

Ike Ofoegbu

   #6. An experienced power forward Ike Ofoegbu (205-84, college: SMU, currently plays in Israel) contributed to a 3-point Maccabi Ashdod's victory against the closely-ranked Maccabi Haifa (10-10) 91-88 in the Israeli Winner League in Saturday night's game. He scored 11 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Maccabi Ashdod/Be'er Tuvia (14-6) is placed third in the Winner League. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. Ofoegbu's overall stats this season are: 10.0ppg and 5.9rpg. He has both American and Nigerian nationalities. Ofoegbu is a former international player as he played for the Nigerian senior team four years ago.

Abdullahi Kuso

   #7. Former international forward Abdullahi Kuso (206-84, college: Tallahassee CC, currently plays in Japan) contributed to an easy victory against the sixth-ranked Fukuoka Rizing (11-32) 83-64 in the Japanese B2 League on Saturday night. He scored 10 points. Gunma Crane Thunders (29-13) are placed second in East group. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. Kuso has reliable stats this season: 13.0ppg, 9.5rpg, 2.6apg, 1.2bpg and 1.2spg. He used to play for the Nigerian national team thirteen years ago.

Micheal Eric

   #8. Center Micheal Eric (210-88, college: Temple, currently plays in Euroleague) was not able to secure a victory for Baskonia (9-16) in their game against Zalgiris (10-15) in the Euroleague. Eric recorded only 4 points in 11 minutes. Baskonia lost 60-74 at home to the higher-ranked (#12) Zalgiris. This year Eric's overall stats are: 5.0ppg and 2.6rpg in 25 games. He plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

Emmanuel Omogbo

   #9. Former international forward Emmanuel Omogbo (203-95, college: Colorado St., currently plays in Italy) couldn't help Edilnol Bl (14-10) in their game against SS Napoli (13-11) in the Italian Serie A2 (second division). Omogbo cannot count Sunday's game as one of the best ones. He scored only 2 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Edilnol Bl (#4) was defeated 74-60 in Napoli by the lower-ranked SS Napoli (#8) in the West group. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be important. Omogbo averaged so far 11.4ppg, 7.2rpg and 1.1apg. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Omogbo used to play for the Nigerian national team two years ago.

Andy Ogide

   #10. Forward Andy Ogide (204-87, agency: HMS, college: Colorado St., currently plays in Italy) was the main contributor in an San Severo's victory against the 11th-ranked Poderosa MNT (9-15) 73-67 in the Italian Serie A2 (second division) on Sunday night. He was the best player in that game. Ogide had a double-double by scoring 21 points and getting 10 rebounds in 37 minutes. Allianz Pazienza Cestistica San Severo (10-14) is placed ninth in East group. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be extremely important. Ogide has very impressive stats this year: 19.0ppg, 8.1rpg and 1.1apg in eight games. He is a former international player as four years ago he still played for the Nigerian senior national team.

   #11. Former international guard Caleb Agada (196-94, agency: Blacktop Management, college: Ottawa, currently plays in Spain) was the major contributor in a 3-point Melilla Baloncesto's victory against the 13th-ranked CB Granada 71-68 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) last Friday. Agada recorded 9 points and added 3 passes. This season Agada has very high stats. He averages: 15.1ppg, 5.3rpg, 3.7apg and 2.0spg. Despite Agada played previously for the Canadian university national team, he is currently in the Nigerian national team roster.

   #12. Former U16 international forward Yilret Yiljep (201, currently studies in the States) couldn't help the American in their game against the Bucknell University in the NCAA. Yiljep recorded 6 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 15 minutes. His team lost 68-72. This year Yiljep's total stats are: 3.9ppg and 3.1rpg in 21 games. He used to play for the Nigerian U16 national team back in 2010.


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 Detroit Pistons (19-38) crushing them 126-106 in the NBA in Thursday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Antetokounmpo had a double-double by scoring 33 points and getting 16 rebounds. He also added 4 assists and 3 steals in 32 minutes. The Milwaukee Bucks have quite an impressive 47-8 record this season. It's Antetokounmpo's seventh year with the team. Antetokounmpo has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 30.0ppg, 13.5rpg, 5.8apg, 1.1bpg and 1.1spg in 49 games he played so far. Antetokounmpo has a dual citizenship: Greek and Nigerian.

   #2. Zaid Hearst (194-G-92, college: Quinnipiac, currently plays in France) was the main contributor in a Olympique Antibes' victory against the 15th-ranked Paris (7-11) 79-71 in the French ProB (second division) on Thursday night. Hearst was the best player in that game. He scored 34 points (!!!) and grabbed 4 rebounds in 28 minutes. Sharks Antibes (12-7) is placed fourth in the ProB. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. Hearst has very impressive stats this year: 16.3ppg, 3.7rpg and 1.5apg in 19 games. He is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #3. Michael Ojo (216-C-93, college: FSU, currently plays in Euroleague). He could not help Crvena Zvezda (10-15) to beat CSKA (17-8). Ojo recorded 6 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 17 minutes. Crvena Zvezda lost 81-86 at home to the much higher-ranked (#5) CSKA. This year Ojo's overall stats are: 4.5ppg and 3.1rpg in 19 games. Worth to mention Ojo played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.

   #4. Chris Otule (211-C-90, also represented by Octagon Europe, college: Marquette, currently plays in Japan) was not able to help FE Nagoya (21-22) in their last game on Sunday. Despite his very good performance the third-placed FE Nagoya (21-22) was defeated 81-74 on the road by the lower-ranked Cyberdyne Ibaraki Robots (#3) in the Central group. Otule was the second best scorer with 18 points. He also added 7 rebounds. This season Otule has very high stats. He averages: 17.9ppg, 7.4rpg and 1.7apg. Otule has both American and Nigerian nationalities.

   #5. Precious Achiuwa (206-F-99, currently plays college basketball in the States) contributed to Memphis' surprising victory against the East Carolina University (2-4) 77-73 in the NCAA in Wednesday night's game. He had a double-double by scoring 24 points and getting 12 rebounds. Achiuwa also added 2 blocks in 34 minutes. The University of Memphis have 1-4 conference record this season. Achiuwa has very impressive stats this year: 15.4ppg, 10.3rpg, 1.8bpg and 1.2spg in 26 games.

   #6. Avery Ugba (204-C/F-94, college: Austin Peay, currently plays in Ukraine) contributed to a 3-point Khimik's victory against one of league's weakest teams Mykolaiv 73-70 in the Ukrainian Superleague last Thursday. He scored 8 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Ugba's overall stats this season are: 9.6ppg, 6.2rpg and 1.1apg.

   #7. Experienced Onyeka Okongwu (206-F-0, currently studies in the States), who plays in the NCAA was not able to secure a victory for the USC (4-2) in their last game. Despite his very good performance his team lost 66-70 on their home court in Los Angeles to the University of Colorado. Okongwu scored 21 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 32 minutes. Okongwu has very impressive stats this year: 16.6ppg, 8.8rpg, 1.1apg, 2.9bpg and 1.2spg in 24 games. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #8. Udoka Azubuike (213-C-99, is currently at the American university) contributed to an easy victory against the The University of Oklahoma 87-70 in the NCAA in Saturday night's game. Azubuike recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points and getting 17 rebounds. He also added 4 blocks. This season Azubuike has relatively solid stats: 12.8ppg, 9.8rpg and 2.6bpg.

   #9. Aleksey Adediran (201-C-82, college: Binghamton, currently plays in Ukraine) couldn't help Mykolaiv (6-6) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Adediran's good performance Mykolaiv was edged 77-74 on the opponent's court by the lower-ranked Odessa (#5). He scored 14 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Adediran's overall stats this season are: 8.2ppg and 4.1rpg. He has Nigerian and Russian nationalities.

   #10. Abdul-Malik Abu (203-F-95, college: NC State, currently plays in Portugal) contributed to an easy victory against the tenth-ranked Esgueira / Oli 86-68 in the Portuguese LPB in Sunday night's game. Abu scored 8 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 22 minutes. Abu has reliable stats this year: 13.8ppg, 7.5rpg and 1.1apg in 20 games.