Micheal Eric 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.

Micheal Eric

   #1. This week's number one is an international center Micheal Eric (210-88, college: Temple, currently plays in Turkey). He led Turk Telekom to a victory against the closely-ranked Acibadem (2-1) 97-88 in the Turkish BSL on Sunday night. Eric scored 15 points, had 5 rebounds and made 3 blocks in 28 minutes on the court. Turk Telekom Ankara (2-1) is placed fourth in the BSL. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Eric has relatively good stats this year: 13.3ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.7bpg, 2FGP: 68.0%(17-25) in three games he played so far. He played for the Nigerian senior national team one years ago.

Melvin Ejim

   #2. Second place goes to former international forward Melvin Ejim (201-91, agency: BeoBasket, college: Iowa St., currently plays in ABA League). Ejim contributed to a 2-point Buducnost's victory against one of league's weakest teams Partizan NiS (0-2) 101-99 in the ABA League last Saturday. He scored 10 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. KK Buducnost Voli Podgorica (2-0) is placed first in the ABA League. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. It's Ejim's first year with the team. This season Ejim has relatively solid stats: 11.0ppg, 7.0rpg, 2FGP: 55.6%, 3FGP: 75.0%. He has a dual citizenship: Canadian and Nigerian. Ejim played for the Nigerian national team in 2012.

Stan Okoye

   #3. The Nigerian player who performed third best last week abroad was an international small forward Stan Okoye (198-91, college: VMI, currently plays in Spain). He could not help Gran Canaria in their last game. Despite Okoye's good performance his team was crushed 90-65 at home by the leading Real Madrid. He was the top scorer with 12 points in 24 minutes. This year Okoye averages: 8.6ppg, 2.6rpg, 2FGP: 44.4%, 3FGP: 36.8% and FT: 85.7% in five games. He is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Okoye played for the Nigerian national team one years ago.

Tonye Jekiri

   #4. Center Tonye Jekiri (212-94, agency: Network Sports International, college: Miami, FL, currently plays in Spain) was not able to help Baskonia (0-0) in their game against Burgos (4-1) in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Jekiri scored 5 points. His team was edged 91-89 on the road by the lower-ranked Burgos (#3). Jekiri has reliable stats this season: 11.2ppg, 5.4rpg and 1.2apg. He used to play for the Nigerian national team last year.

Suleiman Braimoh

   #5. Former international power forward Suleiman Braimoh (203-89, college: Rice, currently plays in Balkan League) contributed to a Hapoel Jerusalem's victory against the closely-ranked Rishon (0-1) 103-96 in the Balkan League on Tuesday night. He recorded 11 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in a mere 15 minutes. It was his first game for Hapoel Jerusalem this season. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. His team is placed first in the Balkan League. Braimoh's team will play only one more game in the Balkan League First Round. And that game will be critical. Braimoh used to play for the Nigerian national team four years ago.

Obi Emegano

   #6. Guard Obi Emegano (189-93, college: ORU, currently plays in Spain) was not able to secure a victory for Baloncesto Fuenlabrada in their last game on Saturday. Despite his good performance his team was defeated 91-87 in Tenerife by the second-ranked CB Canarias. Emegano scored 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Emegano's stats this season are: 13.0ppg, 3.0rpg and 2.0spg. He is international player as he played for the Nigerian senior team one years ago.

Ekenechukwu Ibekwe

   #7. An experienced international center Ekenechukwu Ibekwe (206-85, college: Maryland, currently plays in France) couldn't help Chalons-Reims (0-1) in their game against JSF Nanterre (2-1) in the French Jeep ELITE ProA. Ibekwe recorded 7 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. It was his first game for Chalons-Reims this season. Chalons-Reims was defeated 83-74 on their home court in Reims by the much higher-ranked JSF Nanterre (#6). But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. It's Ibekwe's first year with the team. He has both American and Nigerian nationalities. Ibekwe used to play for the Nigerian national team last year.

Abdullahi Kuso

   #8. Forward Abdullahi Kuso (206-84, college: Tallahassee, currently plays in Japan) helped Cyberdyne Ibaraki Robots win their game against the seventh-ranked Earthfriends Tokyo Z (1-3) 78-67 in the Japanese B2 League in Saturday night's game. He scored 7 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Cyberdyne Ibaraki Robots (2-2) are placed fifth in East group. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Kuso's overall stats this season are: 3.0ppg, 4.0rpg and 1.5apg. He used to play for the Nigerian national team back in 2007.

Prince Orizu

   #9. Former international power forward Prince Orizu (208-94, currently plays in Spain) helped Cornella win their game against the 13th-ranked Ilerdauto Nissan Pardinyes Lleida (0-1) 75-69 in the Spanish LEB Silver (third division) on Saturday night. Orizu recorded 9 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. It was his first game for Cornella this season. His team is placed first in East group. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Orizu 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. Michael Fakuade (201-F-89, agency: Slash Sports, college: UIS, currently plays in Poland) led Wilki Morskie to a victory over one of league's weakest teams Polpharma (1-6) 88-80 in the Polish EBL in Friday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Fakuade scored 24 points, grabbed 7 boards, handed out 4 passes and blocked 2 shots in 34 minutes. King Szczecin (6-2) is placed second in the EBL. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. It's Fakuade's first year with the team. He has individually a very good season with high stats. Fakuade averages: 15.3ppg, 6.5rpg, 2.5apg and 1.5bpg in four games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American.

   #2. John Egbunu (211-C-94, college: Florida, currently plays in South Korea) was the major contributor in a 1-point KT Sonicboom's victory against the seventh-ranked Goyang Orions (1-2) 116-115 in the South Korean KBL last Saturday. Egbunu recorded a double-double by scoring 30 points and getting 11 rebounds; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his third season in pro basketball. KT Sonicboom (2-1) is placed third in the KBL. But the season just started, so everything may happen. Egbunu has relatively good stats this year: 13.3ppg and 7.3rpg.

   #3. Avery Ugba (204-C/F-94, college: Austin Peay, currently plays in Ukraine) could not help Ternopil-TNEU (1-1) in their last game on Thursday. Despite Ugba's very good performance Ternopil-TNEU was badly defeated 80-64 on the road by the higher-ranked Khimik (#5). He was the top scorer with 28 points. Ugba also added 9 rebounds. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. This season Ugba has very high stats. He averages: 20.5ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.5apg and 1.5spg.

   #4. Derek Ogbeide (203-F-97, college: Georgia, currently plays in Cyprus) was the main contributor in a AEK Larnaca's victory against the league outsider Apoel (0-2) 76-60 in the Cypriot OPAP Basket League last Saturday. Ogbeide was MVP of the game. He had a double-double by scoring 24 points and getting 11 rebounds in 33 minutes; not bad, considering it's only Ogbeide's second season in pro basketball. Petrolina AEK Larnaca (2-0) is placed first in the OPAP Basket League. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Ogbeide has very impressive stats this year: 20.0ppg and 11.0rpg in two games. He is another player who holds two passports: Canadian and Nigerian.

   #5. Abdul-Malik Abu (203-C-95, college: NC State, currently plays in Turkey) was not able to help Fethiye (0-3) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Abu's very good performance Fethiye was crushed 113-74 in Istanbul by the second-ranked Fenerbahce. He was the top scorer with 30 points. Abu also added 9 rebounds and dished 3 assists. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. This season Abu has very high stats. He averages: 17.0ppg, 7.0rpg and 1.5apg.

   #6. O.D. Anosike (203-F/C-91, college: Siena, currently plays in Mexico) contributed to an easy victory against the sixth-ranked Correcaminos 100-83 in the Mexican LNBP (second division) in Tuesday night's game. Anosike recorded 13 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 28 minutes. This year Anosike has relatively solid stats: 14.1ppg, 9.4rpg, 1.1apg and 1.1spg in 10 games. He has both American and Nigerian nationalities.

   #7. Paschal Chukwu (218-C-95, college: Syracuse, currently plays in Switzerland) contributed to a 2-point Massagno's victory against the league outsider Fribourg 92-90 in the Swiss SBL in Sunday night's game. He recorded 8 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and made 5 blocks. It was his first game for Massagno this season.

   #8. Danny Agbelese (205-C-90, agency: Octagon Europe, college: Hampton, currently plays in EuroCup) contributed to Promitheas' victory against the sixth-ranked Bursaspor 93-84 in the Eurocup last Wednesday. Agbelese scored 9 points, had 5 rebounds and made 3 blocks in 23 minutes. Agbelese has reliable stats this year: 10.3ppg, 7.3rpg and 2.3bpg in three games. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #9. Peter Olisemeka (207-C-91, currently plays in Poland) faced previously mentioned Michael Fakuade in the Polish EBL last game. Olisemeka was not able to secure a victory for Polpharma (1-6) in their last game. Despite his good performance Polpharma lost 80-88 at home to the second-ranked Wilki Morskie. Olisemeka had a double-double by scoring 12 points and getting 13 rebounds. He also added 2 blocks in 36 minutes. This year Olisemeka's overall stats are: 8.7ppg, 7.1rpg, 1.1apg and 1.9spg in seven games. He has dual citizenship: Nigerian and Italian.

   #10. Martins Igbanu (203-F-97, college: Tulsa, currently plays in Serbia) couldn't help Mladost ZE in their game against Zlatibor in the Serbian KLS. Igbanu scored 8 points. His team was defeated 96-92. Igbanu's stats this season are: 13.3ppg and 4.3rpg.