Abdullahi Kuso selected the top Nigerian playing abroad in last week's games

Traditionally, every week we bring you a list of the top performances of Nigerians who are currently playing abroad.

Abdullahi Kuso

   #1. This week's number one is an experienced former international forward Abdullahi Kuso (206-84, college: Tallahassee CC, currently plays in Japan). Kuso was the major contributor in Gunma's victory against the fourth-ranked Aomori Watts (21-25) 104-85 in the Japanese B2 League in Sunday night's game. He scored 22 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Gunma Crane Thunders (33-13) are placed second in East group. It was his team's ninth consecutive victory in a row. Kuso has relatively good stats this season: 13.0ppg, 9.4rpg, 2.5apg, 1.1bpg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 51.0% and FT: 64.8%. He played for the Nigerian senior national team thirteen years ago.

Talib Zanna

   #2. Second place goes to an international power forward Talib Zanna (206-90, college: Pittsburgh, currently plays in Turkey). Zanna could not help the league outsider Afyon Bld (0-18) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Afyon Bld was edged 83-81 on the road by the higher-ranked (#6) Darussafaka. Zanna was the second best scorer with 15 points. He also added 9 rebounds and dished 4 assists in 33 minutes. So far Afyon Bld lost all eighteen games in the Regular Season. This year Zanna has relatively solid stats: 13.6ppg, 9.1rpg, 1.7apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 53.2% and FT: 56.4% in 23 games he played so far. He is in the roster of the Nigerian senior national team.

Gani Lawal

   #3. The Nigerian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international power forward Gani Lawal (206-88, agency: PEPI SPORT, college: Georgia Tech, currently plays in Japan). Lawal led Fukuoka Rizing to a victory against the fifth-ranked Bambitious Nara (18-29) 89-82 in the Japanese B2 League on Saturday night. He recorded 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Fukuoka Rizing (12-35) is placed sixth in West group. Lawal has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 18.7ppg, 9.7rpg, 2.3apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 47.6%, 3FGP: 25.0% and FT: 58.3%. Lawal has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American. He played for the Nigerian national team seven years ago.

Lotanna Nwogbo

   #4. Power forward Lotanna Nwogbo (203-93, college: Longwood, currently plays in Turkey) was not able to help Mamak (12-12) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Mamak lost 76-88 in Bursa to the lower-ranked (#13) Gemlik. Nwogbo scored 15 points, had 6 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 25 minutes. It's Nwogbo's first season with the team. He has very impressive stats this year: 16.9ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.9apg and 1.2spg in 17 games. Nwogbo is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American. He used to play for the Nigerian national team back in 2018.


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

   #1. Chris Otule (211-C-90, agency: Octagon Europe, college: Marquette, currently plays in Japan) led FE Nagoya to a victory over the fourth-ranked Tokyo EX (19-26) crushing them 112-78 in the Japanese B2 League in Sunday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Otule had a double-double by scoring 26 points and getting 17 rebounds in 23 minutes. Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya (25-22) is placed third in Central group. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. Otule has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 17.6ppg, 7.9rpg and 2.2apg in 15 games he played so far. Otule has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American.

   #2. Josh Nzeakor (203-F/C-97, college: Lamar, currently plays in Argentina) could not help Estudiantes Concordia (7-20) in their last game on Friday. Despite his very good performance Estudiantes Concordia was defeated 64-55 on the road by the league outsider Libertad Sunchales (#20). Nzeakor was the top scorer with 22 points. He also added 8 rebounds. Nzeakor has relatively good stats this season: 12.2ppg and 4.8rpg. He is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #3. Derek Ogbeide (203-F-97, college: Georgia, currently plays in Cyprus) was not able to help AEK Larnaca (18-3) in their last game. Despite Ogbeide's very good performance AEK Larnaca lost 72-82 at home to the lower-ranked (#4) Apoel. He had a double-double by scoring 18 points and getting 10 rebounds. Ogbeide also added 3 assists in 33 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his third season in pro basketball. It was AEK Larnaca's first loss after ten consecutive victories. The Regular Season already ended. It's Ogbeide's first year with the team. This season Ogbeide averages: 8.7ppg and 6.5rpg in 21 games. He has both Canadian and Nigerian nationalities.

   #4. P.J. Alawoya (203-F-88, agency: Inception Sports, college: McNeese St., currently plays in Iceland) was not able to secure a victory for Valur (22-3) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the league leader Valur lost 81-90 in a derby game to the lower-ranked (#4) KR. Alawoya had a double-double by scoring 31 points and getting 12 rebounds in 34 minutes. It was Valur's first loss after eleven consecutive victories. The Regular Season already ended. Alawoya has very impressive stats this year: 17.6ppg, 9.4rpg, 1.6apg, 1.1bpg and 2.0spg in 14 games. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Worth to mention Alawoya played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.

   #5. Nnanna Egwu (211-C-92, college: Illinois, currently plays in Japan) couldn't help Tokyo Z (12-35) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Egwu's good performance the sixth-placed Tokyo Z (12-35) was defeated 84-80 in a derby game by the higher-ranked Koshigaya Alphas (#5) in the Central group. He recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and getting 11 rebounds. Egwu also added 3 assists. It's Egwu's first season with the team. He has reliable stats this year: 10.5ppg, 9.8rpg, 1.7apg, 1.9bpg and 1.3spg. Egwu holds both American and Nigerian passports.