Micheal Eric 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.

Micheal Eric

   #1. This week's number one is an international center Micheal Eric (210-88, college: Temple, currently plays in Basketball Champions League). He led his Turkish team Turk Telekom to a victory against the closely-ranked Hapoel Jerusalem (0-1) 98-94 in the Basketball Champions League in Tuesday night's game. Eric scored 14 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 22 minutes on the court. It was his first game for Turk Telekom this season. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. His team is placed second in the Basketball Champions League. It's Eric's first year with the team. 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 EuroCup). Ejim could not help Buducnost (3-2) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the third-placed Buducnost (3-2) was edged 85-82 on the road by the lower-ranked (#4) Mornar Bar in the group B of Eurocup. Ejim was the top scorer with 15 points. He also added 7 rebounds in 31 minutes. Ejim has relatively good stats this year: 12.4ppg, 6.0rpg, 3FGP: 54.5% and FT: 87.5% in five games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Canadian and Nigerian. Ejim played for the Nigerian national team in 2012.

Tonye Jekiri

   #3. The Nigerian player who performed third best last week abroad was an international center Tonye Jekiri (212-94, agency: Network Sports International, college: Miami, FL, currently plays in Spain). He contributed to an easy victory against the tenth-ranked La ICL Manresa (4-4) 87-68 in the Spanish Liga Endesa in Wednesday night's game. Jekiri scored 12 points, grabbed 6 boards, dished 3 assists and stole 3 balls. TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (5-3) is placed fifth in the Liga Endesa. It's Jekiri's first season with the team. This year he averages: 9.6ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.5apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 56.3%(27-48) and FT: 74.2%. Jekiri played for the Nigerian national team one years ago.

Stan Okoye

   #4. Small forward Stan Okoye (198-91, college: VMI, currently plays in Spain) was not able to help Gran Canaria in their last game. Despite Okoye's good performance his team lost 75-85 at home to the lower-ranked (#6) Blusens Monbus. He was the top scorer with 14 points. Okoye also added 7 rebounds in 25 minutes. This year Okoye's overall stats are: 9.6ppg and 3.4rpg in seven games. He is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Okoye 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 Basketball Champions League) faced previously mentioned Micheal Eric in the Basketball Champions League last game. Braimoh was not able to secure a victory for one of league's weakest teams Hapoel Jerusalem (0-1) in their last game on Tuesday. Despite his very good performance Hapoel Jerusalem was defeated 98-94 in Ankara by the second-ranked Turk Telekom. Braimoh was the second best scorer with 18 points. He also added 5 boards, handed out 3 passes and blocked 2 shots. It was his first game for Hapoel Jerusalem this season. Braimoh used to play for the Nigerian national team four years ago.

Talib Zanna

   #6. Power forward Talib Zanna (206-90, college: Pittsburgh, currently plays in Balkan League) couldn't help Hapoel Tel-Aviv (2-1) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the league leader Hapoel Tel-Aviv lost 90-94 on the opponent's court to the second-ranked H.Haifa. Zanna was the second best scorer with 17 points. He also added 6 rebounds in 22 minutes. Zanna's team will play only one more game in the Balkan League First Round. And that game will be critical. This year Zanna has relatively solid stats: 10.3ppg and 7.0rpg in three games. He is international player as he played for the Nigerian senior team one years ago.

Obi Emegano

   #7. International guard Obi Emegano (189-93, college: ORU, currently plays in Spain) contributed to an easy victory against the 17th-ranked Gipuzkoa (1-6) crushing them 100-72 in the Spanish Liga Endesa in Saturday night's game. He recorded 15 points. Montakit Fuenlabradais placed in the Liga Endesa. Emegano has reliable stats this season: 12.3ppg, 2.7rpg and 1.5spg. He used to play for the Nigerian national team last year.

Caleb Agada

   #8. Guard Caleb Agada (196-94, agency: Blacktop Management, college: Ottawa, currently plays in Balkan League) couldn't help Beer Sheva (0-3) in their last game on Thursday. Despite Agada's good performance Beer Sheva was defeated 90-77 in Jerusalem by the leading Hapoel. He was the second best scorer with 13 points. Agada also added 4 rebounds and dished 5 assists. There are only two games left until the end of the Balkan League First Round. So now every game is very crucial. Agada has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 17.3ppg, 4.3rpg and 3.3apg. Despite Agada played previously for the Canadian university national team, he is currently in the Nigerian national team roster.

Keith Omoerah

   #9. International guard Keith Omoerah (194-92, college: Manitoba, currently plays in Ukraine) couldn't help Mykolaiv in their last game on Sunday. Despite Omoerah's very good performance his team was crushed 90-66 on their home court in Mykolaiv by the second-ranked Zaporizhye. He was the top scorer with 20 points. Omoerah also added 4 rebounds. This season Omoerah has very high stats. He averages: 19.0ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.7apg and 1.7spg. Omoerah used to play for the Nigerian national team last year.

Ekenechukwu Ibekwe

   #10. An experienced center Ekenechukwu Ibekwe (206-85, college: Maryland, currently plays in France) contributed to Chalons-Reims' surprising victory against the 11th-ranked Le Mans (2-2) 87-84 in the French Jeep ELITE ProA on Saturday night. He scored 7 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in only 14 minutes. Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket (1-5) is placed second from the bottom (#17) in the Jeep ELITE ProA. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. This year Ibekwe's total stats are: 6.8ppg and 4.2rpg in five games. He has both American and Nigerian nationalities. Ibekwe is international player as one years ago he still played for the Nigerian senior national team.

   #11. Former international forward Abdullahi Kuso (206-84, college: Tallahassee, currently plays in Japan) contributed to a Cyberdyne Ibaraki Robots' victory against the eighth-ranked Kagawa FA 85-76 in the Japanese B2 League in Sunday night's game. He scored 6 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and made 3 blocks. Kuso has averaged so far 5.4ppg, 5.3rpg and 1.2apg. He used to play for the Nigerian national team thirteen years ago.

   #12. Former international forward Emmanuel Omogbo (203-95, college: Colorado St., currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Huesca (0-2) in their last game. Despite Omogbo's good performance Huesca (#16) lost 69-82 on their home court in Huesca to the higher-ranked (#10) Real Murcia in the Group B. He was the top scorer with 12 points in 26 minutes. Omogbo's stats this year are: 13.0ppg and 2.5rpg in two games. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Omogbo 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. Martins Igbanu (203-F-97, college: Tulsa, currently plays in Serbia) was the major contributor in a Mladost ZE's victory against the 11th-ranked Tamis (2-3) 91-85 in the Serbian KLS last Friday. Igbanu scored 19 points and grabbed 6 rebounds; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. KK Mladost Z Admiral Zemun (4-1) is placed third in the KLS. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Igbanu has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 15.6ppg and 4.0rpg.

   #2. Michael Fakuade (201-F-89, agency: Slash Sports, college: UIS, currently plays in Poland) led Wilki Morskie to a victory against the closely-ranked Trefl (7-5) 82-77 in the Polish EBL last Thursday. He scored 15 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and made 3 blocks in 36 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. King Szczecin (7-4) is placed third in the EBL. This year Fakuade has relatively solid stats: 12.6ppg, 6.9rpg, 2.3apg and 1.4bpg in seven games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American.

   #3. Avery Ugba (203-C/F-94, college: Austin Peay, currently plays in Ukraine) contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked K.Sokoly (2-2) crushing them 96-67 in the Ukrainian Superleague on Sunday night. Ugba scored 15 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and dished 4 assists; not bad, considering it's only his third season in pro basketball. Ternopil-TNEU (4-2) is placed fourth in the Superleague. This season Ugba has very high stats. He averages: 16.3ppg, 8.2rpg, 2.2apg and 1.3spg.

   #4. Abdul-Malik Abu (203-C-95, college: NC State, currently plays in Turkey) could not help Fethiye (1-4) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Fethiye lost 66-77 on the road to the higher-ranked (#10) OGM Orman. Abu was the top scorer with 19 points. He also added 9 rebounds in 27 minutes. But the season just started, so everything may happen. Abu has very impressive stats this year: 18.5ppg, 7.8rpg and 1.5apg in four games.

   #5. Temidayo Yussuf (201-C, college: LBSU, currently plays in Portugal) led Lusitania to a victory over the closely-ranked Vitoria SC (1-2) 81-71 in the Portuguese LPB in Saturday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Yussuf recorded a double-double by scoring 21 points and getting 10 rebounds. S.C. Lusitania EXPERT (2-1) is placed seventh in the LPB. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. This season Yussuf has very high stats. He averages: 18.7ppg, 11.3rpg, 2.7apg and 1.3spg. Yussuf is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #6. Derek Ogbeide (203-F-97, college: Georgia, currently plays in Cyprus) was not able to help AEK Larnaca (2-2) in their last game on Friday. Despite Ogbeide's very good performance AEK Larnaca was defeated 82-76 in Nicosia by the higher-ranked Etha (#4). He was the second best scorer with 22 points. Ogbeide also added 9 rebounds and 3 blocks. This season Ogbeide has very high stats. He averages: 19.0ppg, 10.0rpg and 1.3bpg. Ogbeide has both Canadian and Nigerian nationalities.

   #7. Christian Nwogbo (200-F-91, agency: Octagon Europe, college: Cedarville, currently plays in France) contributed to a SPO Rouen's victory against the 11th-ranked Denain Voltaire 94-89 in the French ProB (second division) in Sunday night's game. He scored 16 points, had 6 boards, passed 3 assists and added 3 steals in 39 minutes. Nwogbo has reliable stats this year: 13.7ppg, 8.7rpg, 1.3apg and 1.7spg in three games. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #8. Anthony Elechi (203-F-93, college: Morehead St., currently plays in Norway) was the main contributor in Tromso's victory against the closely-ranked Asker Aliens crushing them 102-61 in the Norwegian BLNO last Sunday. He was MVP of the game. Elechi recorded a double-double by scoring 21 points and getting 22 rebounds. He also added 6 assists. This season Elechi has very high stats. He averages: 20.5ppg, 16.5rpg, 4.0apg and 1.3spg. Elechi holds both American and Nigerian passports. Worth to mention Elechi played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.

   #9. Paschal Chukwu (218-C-95, college: Syracuse, currently plays in Switzerland) helped Massagno win their game against the league outsider Starwings 91-73 in the Swiss SBL on Wednesday night. He had a double-double by scoring 11 points and getting 14 rebounds. Chukwu also added 3 blocks in 28 minutes. This year Chukwu's total stats are: 9.7ppg, 10.7rpg, 1.3apg and 3.7bpg in three games.

   #10. Daniel Utomi (198-G-97, also represented by Slash Sports, college: USC, currently plays in Finland) helped Kauhajoki win their game against the third-ranked KTP Basket crushing them 122-89 in the Finnish Korisliiga last Wednesday. Utomi recorded 19 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 23 minutes. Utomi has very impressive stats this year: 15.3ppg, 5.5rpg and 2.3apg in four games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.