Talib Zanna 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.

Talib Zanna

   #1. This week's number one is an international power forward Talib Zanna (206-90, college: Pittsburgh, currently plays in Turkey). He could not help the league outsider Afyon Bld (0-18) in their last game on Thursday. Despite Zanna's very good performance Afyon Bld was edged 92-90 on the road by the lower-ranked Besiktas (#8). He was the second best scorer with 21 points. Zanna also added 9 rebounds and dished 3 assists. It's Zanna's first season with the team. He has relatively good stats this year: 14.2ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 54.3% and FT: 55.8%. Zanna is currently a member of the Nigerian senior national team.

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). He was not able to help ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket in their game against Olympiacos (11-15) in the Euroleague. Jekiri recorded 9 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 25 minutes. But ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket lost 68-77 in Pireus to the higher-ranked (#11) Olympiacos. It was ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket's third consecutive loss in a row. This year Jekiri averages: 8.8ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 53.0% and FT: 66.7% in 25 games he played so far. He is in the roster of the Nigerian senior national team.

Micheal Eric

   #3. The Nigerian player who performed third best last week abroad was an international center Micheal Eric (210-88, college: Temple, currently plays in Euroleague). He contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Crvena Zvezda (10-16) 71-56 in the Euroleague on Thursday night. Eric scored 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Kirolbet Baskonia Vitoria (10-16) is placed 13th in the Euroleague. Eric's overall stats this season are: 5.2ppg, 2.7rpg, 2FGP: 53.2% and FT: 43.9%. He is also a member of the Nigerian senior national team.

Josh Okogie

   #4. Guard Josh Okogie (193-98, college: Georgia Tech, currently plays in NBA) was not able to secure a victory for the Minnesota Timberwolves (17-40) in their last game. Despite his good performance the Minnesota Timberwolves (17-40) lost 116-128 in Denver to the Nuggets. Okogie scored 10 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 25 minutes. It was Timberwolves' fifth consecutive loss in a row. This year Okogie has relatively solid stats: 8.6ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.5apg and 1.1spg in 55 games. He has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American. Despite Okogie played previously for the USA U19 national team, he is currently in the Nigerian national team roster.

Abdullahi Kuso

   #5. An experienced former international forward Abdullahi Kuso (206-84, college: Tallahassee CC, currently plays in Japan) was the major contributor in Gunma's victory against the sixth-ranked Yamagata (8-37) 71-67 in the Japanese B2 League in Saturday night's game. Kuso recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points and getting 11 rebounds. Gunma Crane Thunders (31-13) are placed second in East group. It was his team's seventh consecutive victory in a row. Kuso has reliable stats this season: 12.9ppg, 9.4rpg, 2.6apg, 1.2bpg and 1.2spg. He used to play for the Nigerian national team thirteen years ago.

Daniel Ochefu

   #6. Forward Daniel Ochefu (211-93, college: Villanova, currently plays in Japan) couldn't help Cyberdyne Ibaraki Robots (25-20) in their game against Shinshu BW (36-7) in the Japanese B2 League. Despite his very good performance on Sunday night He was the top scorer with 19 points. Ochefu also added 8 rebounds. Ochefu averaged so far 13.5ppg, 11.1rpg, 3.6apg, 1.3bpg and 1.5spg. He is a former international player as he played for the Nigerian senior team three years ago.

Chimezie Metu

   #7. International forward Chimezie Metu (211-97, college: USC, currently plays in NBA) couldn't help the San Antonio Spurs (24-33) in their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder (37-22) in the NBA. He scored 8 points in only 8 minutes. The San Antonio Spurs (24-33) were crushed 131-103 in Oklahoma City by the Thunder. This year Metu's overall stats are: 2.9ppg and 1.6rpg in 16 games. He is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Metu is also Nigerian national team player.

Jordan Nwora

   #8. Forward Jordan Nwora (203-98, currently plays college basketball in the States) led Louisville to an easy victory against the University of North Carolina (1-6) 72-55 in the NCAA in Saturday night's game. He recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points and getting 11 rebounds. The University of Louisville has a very good - conference record this season. Nwora has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 17.9ppg, 7.4rpg and 1.3apg. Nwora has both American and Nigerian nationalities. He plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

Andy Ogide

   #9. Former international forward Andy Ogide (204-87, agency: HMS, college: Colorado St., currently plays in Italy) couldn't help San Severo (10-15) in their game against GSA Udine (15-10) in the Italian Serie A2 (second division). Despite his very good performance in Saturday night's game Ogide recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points and getting 10 rebounds. His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. This season Ogide has very high stats. He averages: 18.7ppg and 8.3rpg. Ogide used to play for the Nigerian national team four years ago.

Yilret Yiljep

   #10. Forward Yilret Yiljep (201, currently studies in the States) managed to help The American University to win against the Lafayette College (3-4) crushing them 79-59 in the NCAA last Wednesday. He scored only 4 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. The The American University has a solid 5-2 conference record this season. Yiljep's team will play only one more game in the NCAA Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial. Yiljep has been at the team for seven years. His total stats this season are: 4.0ppg and 3.1rpg. Yiljep is a former U16 international player as ten years ago he still played for the Nigerian national team.

   #11. Former international power forward Lotanna Nwogbo (203-93, college: Longwood, currently plays in Turkey) couldn't help Mamak in their game against Merkezefendi in the Turkish TBL (second division). He scored only 4 points in 16 minutes. His team was crushed by 28 points 93-65. Nwogbo has very impressive stats this year: 17.6ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.9apg and 1.2spg in 14 games. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Nwogbo used to play for the Nigerian national team two 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 Detroit Pistons (19-40) 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 50-8 record this season. It was his team's fourth 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: 29.7ppg, 13.7rpg, 5.8apg, 1.1bpg and 1.1spg in 52 games he played so far. Antetokounmpo has a dual citizenship: Greek and Nigerian.

   #2. Victor Oladipo (193-G-92, college: Indiana, currently plays in NBA) contributed to an Indiana Pacers' victory against the Portland Trail Blazers (26-34) 106-100 in the NBA in Thursday night's game. Oladipo recorded 15 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers have 35-24 record this season. This year Oladipo has very high stats. He averages: 11.2ppg, 2.7rpg and 2.6apg. Oladipo is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #3. Michael Ojo (216-C-93, college: FSU, currently plays in Euroleague). Ojo could not help Crvena Zvezda (10-16) to beat CSKA (17-9). He recorded 6 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 17 minutes. Crvena Zvezda lost 81-86 at home to the much higher-ranked (#5) CSKA. It was Crvena Zvezda's third consecutive loss in a row. This year Ojo's overall stats are: 4.4ppg and 3.2rpg in 20 games. Worth to mention he 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 the major contributor in a FE Nagoya's victory against the sixth-ranked Fukuoka Rizing (11-34) 92-77 in the Japanese B2 League in Saturday night's game. Otule scored 15 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and dished 4 assists in 26 minutes. Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya (23-22) is placed third in Central group. Otule has very impressive stats this year: 16.9ppg, 7.2rpg and 2.1apg in 13 games. He has both American and Nigerian nationalities.

   #5. Udoka Azubuike (213-C-99, currently plays college basketball in the States) contributed to a 3-point Kansas' victory against the Baylor University 64-61 in the NCAA last Saturday. Azubuike recorded a double-double by scoring 23 points and getting 19 rebounds. He also added 3 blocks. The University of Kansas have not so impressive 1-5 conference record this season. There are only three games left until the end of the NCAA Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Azubuike is one of the most experienced players in a team as it's his fourth year in Kansas' roster. This season Azubuike has relatively solid stats: 13.4ppg, 10.4rpg and 2.6bpg.

   #6. Martins Igbanu (203-F-97, currently studies in the States) contributed to an easy victory against the Southern Methodist University crushing them 79-57 in the NCAA last Saturday. Igbanu scored 23 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 30 minutes. Igbanu's stats this year are: 13.4ppg and 5.2rpg in 27 games.

   #7. Experienced Onyeka Okongwu (206-F-0, is currently at the American university), who plays in the NCAA was not able to help the USC (4-2) in their last game. Despite Okongwu's very good performance his team lost 66-70 on their home court in Los Angeles to the University of Colorado. He scored 21 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 32 minutes. Okongwu has very impressive stats this year: 16.5ppg, 8.9rpg, 2.8bpg and 1.2spg in 26 games. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #8. Chukwudiebere Maduabum (206-F-91, currently plays in Japan) was not able to secure a victory for Yamagata (8-37) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Maduabum's very good performance the sixth-placed Yamagata were defeated 86-81 on their home court in Yamagata by the second-ranked Gunma in the East group. He was the second best scorer with 16 points. Maduabum also added 8 rebounds. Maduabum averaged so far 12.4ppg, 9.0rpg, 1.5apg and 1.2bpg.

   #9. Precious Achiuwa (206-F-99, currently plays college basketball in the States), who plays in the NCAA couldn't help the Memphis (1-4) in their last game. Despite Achiuwa's very good performance the Memphis lost 53-58 on their home court in Memphis to the Southern Methodist University. He scored 17 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in a mere 19 minutes. Achiuwa has very impressive stats this year: 15.3ppg, 10.0rpg, 1.8bpg and 1.1spg in 28 games.

   #10. Aron Nwankwo (202-F-92, college: Pittsburgh, currently plays in Balkan League) couldn't help one of league's weakest teams Rahoveci (3-6) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite Nwankwo's very good performance Rahoveci was defeated 80-69 on their home court in Rahoveci by the higher-ranked Ibar Rozaje (#3). He recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points and getting 14 rebounds. Nwankwo averaged so far 11.3ppg, 11.0rpg and 1.3apg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. He attended previously one of camps at Eurobasket Summer League on his way to pro basketball.