Suleiman Braimoh 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.

Suleiman Braimoh

   #1. This week's number one is an international power forward Suleiman Braimoh (203-89, college: Rice, currently plays in Israel). He could not help Hapoel Jerusalem (7-2) in their last game. Despite Braimoh's very good performance Hapoel Jerusalem was crushed 101-80 on the road by the lower-ranked (#4) Maccabi T-A. He was the second best scorer with 15 points. Braimoh also added 4 rebounds and made 2 blocks in 29 minutes on the court. Braimoh has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 15.9ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 59.0%(46-78), 3FGP: 31.0% and FT: 70.6% in nine games he played so far. Braimoh is currently a member of the Nigerian senior national team.

Rasheed Sulaimon

   #2. Second place goes to an international guard Rasheed Sulaimon (193-94, college: Maryland, currently plays in Spain). He was not able to help Zaragoza (0-2) in their last game. Despite Sulaimon's good performance Zaragoza was edged 92-89 at home by the higher-ranked (#4) Baskonia. He recorded 14 points and added 4 passes in 24 minutes. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. It's Sulaimon's first season with the team. This year Sulaimon's overall stats are: 7.9ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 48.0%, 3FGP: 36.4% and FT: 83.3% in eight games. He has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American. Despite Sulaimon played previously for the USA U19 national team, he is currently a member of the Nigerian senior national team.

Melvin Ejim

   #3. The Nigerian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international forward Melvin Ejim (201-91, agency: BeoBasket, college: Iowa St., currently plays in ABA League). Ejim contributed to Buducnost's victory against the closely-ranked Krka (5-7) 70-62 in the ABA League in Friday night's game. He scored 10 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. KK Buducnost Voli Podgorica (8-1) is placed fifth in the ABA League. Ejim has relatively good stats this season: 10.9ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 48.9%, 3FGP: 47.8%(11-23) and FT: 91.3%(21-23). He is another player who holds two passports: Canadian and Nigerian. Ejim played for the Nigerian national team nine years ago.

Micheal Eric

   #4. An experienced center Micheal Eric (210-88, college: Temple, currently plays in Turkey) managed to help Turk Telekom Ankara in a victory against the 11th-ranked Socar Petkim (5-7) 89-71 in the Turkish BSL last Sunday. He scored only 4 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 19 minutes. Turk Telekom Ankara (9-5) is placed fourth in the BSL. This year Eric has relatively solid stats: 11.6ppg, 6.8rpg and 1.3bpg in 14 games. He is also Nigerian national team player.

Josh Okogie

   #5. Former international guard Josh Okogie (193-98, college: Georgia Tech, currently plays in NBA) contributed to a Minnesota Timberwolves' victory against the Utah Jazz (2-2) 116-111 in the NBA in Saturday night's game. He recorded 8 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. The Minnesota Timberwolves have 2-2 record this season. But the season just started, so everything may happen. Okogie has reliable stats this year: 8.0ppg, 3.3rpg and 1.7apg. He has both American and Nigerian nationalities. Despite Okogie played previously for the USA U19 national team, he is currently in the Nigerian national team roster.

Tonye Jekiri

   #6. Center Tonye Jekiri (212-94, agency: Network Sports International, college: Miami, FL, currently plays in Spain) faced previously mentioned Rasheed Sulaimon in the Spanish Liga Endesa last game. Jekiri helped Baskonia win their game against the 11th-ranked Zaragoza (6-10) 92-89. He recorded only 4 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 19 minutes. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. This year Jekiri's total stats are: 7.4ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.5apg and 1.1spg in 16 games. He is an international player who is currently on the senior Nigerian National Team roster.

Stan Okoye

   #7. International small forward Stan Okoye (198-91, college: VMI, currently plays in Spain) helped Gran Canaria win their game against the closely-ranked La ICL Manresa (8-8) 71-64 in the Spanish Liga Endesa in Sunday night's game. Okoye recorded 5 points and blocked 2 shots in 14 minutes. Herbalife Gran Canariais placed eighth in the Liga Endesa. Okoye has averaged so far 9.5ppg and 3.3rpg in 16 games. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Okoye is also Nigerian national team player.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo

   #8. Small forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (199-92, currently plays in NBA) helped Milwaukee Bucks win their game against the Miami Heat (2-2) crushing them 144-97 in the NBA last Tuesday. He recorded 5 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. The Milwaukee Bucks have 2-3 record this season. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Antetokounmpo has averaged so far 3.3ppg, 2.3rpg and 1.3apg. He used to play for the Nigerian national team back in 2016.

Jordan Nwora

   #9. Former international forward Jordan Nwora (203-98, college: Louisville, currently plays in NBA) is a teammate of previously mentioned Thanasis Antetokounmpo. But that was another game of his team in NBA which we would like to mention. Nwora was not able to secure a victory for the Milwaukee Bucks (2-3) in their game against the New York Knicks (2-3). He scored 9 points in only 7 minutes. But the Milwaukee Bucks (2-3) were badly defeated 130-110 in New York City by the New York Knicks. Nwora's stats this year are: 8.0ppg and 1.7rpg in three games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. Nwora used to play for the Nigerian national team two years ago.

Gabe Vincent

   #10. Guard Gabe Vincent (190-96, college: UCSB, currently plays in NBA) helped Miami Heat win their game against the Milwaukee Bucks (2-3) 119-108 in the NBA in Wednesday night's game. He scored 7 points. It was his first game for Miami Heat this season. His team has 2-2 record this season. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Vincent is a former international player as two years ago he still played for the Nigerian senior national team.

   #11. International guard Obi Emegano (189-93, college: ORU, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Baloncesto Fuenlabrada in their game against Real Betis in the Spanish Liga Endesa. He recorded 8 points in 24 minutes. His team lost 79-86. Emegano averaged so far 10.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.4apg and 1.3spg in 16 games. He plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

   #12. International power forward Alade Aminu (207-87, college: Georgia Tech, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Bilbao in their game against Burgos in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Aminu scored 6 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. His team was defeated 96-86. Aminu has averaged so far 5.0ppg and 2.5rpg. He is also in the roster of the Nigerian national team.

   #13. International guard Ike Iroegbu (188-95, college: WSU, currently plays in Germany) couldn't help Rasta Vechta (1-2) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Iroegbu's good performance Rasta Vechta was badly defeated 98-81 in Crailsheim by the lower-ranked Merlins (#4). He scored 13 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Iroegbu's stats this season are: 11.5ppg, 3.0rpg and 3.0apg. He is also Nigerian national team player.

   #14. Former international forward Abdullahi Kuso (206-84, college: Tallahassee, currently plays in Japan) helped Cyberdyne Ibaraki Robots win their game against the fifth-ranked Fukushima 90-72 in the Japanese B2 League in Saturday night's game. Kuso recorded 6 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 15 minutes. Kuso has averaged so far 6.1ppg and 5.1rpg in 26 games. He used to play for the Nigerian national team back in 2007.

   #15. Former international forward Andy Ogide (206-87, college: Colorado St., currently plays in Italy) couldn't help San Severo (2-5) in their last game. Despite Ogide's very good performance the 11th-placed San Severo was crushed 76-55 on the opponent's court by the second-ranked Napoli in the Group B. He was the top scorer with 18 points. Ogide also added 8 rebounds in 32 minutes. Ogide averaged so far 14.7ppg and 6.6rpg in seven games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. Ogide used to play for the Nigerian national team five years ago.


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

   #1. Retin Obasohan (191-G-93, college: Alabama, currently plays in Czech Republic) led Nymburk to a victory over the fifth-ranked Brno (8-6) 101-92 in the Czech Republic NBL in Tuesday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Obasohan recorded 26 points (!!!), 6 assists and 5 steals in 28 minutes. ERA Basketball Nymburk (15-1) is placed first in the NBL. It was his team's eighth consecutive victory in a row. It's Obasohan's first season with the team. He has relatively good stats this year: 13.4ppg, 3.8rpg, 4.0apg and 2.6spg in eight games he played so far. Obasohan has a dual citizenship: Belgian and Nigerian.

   #2. Kelvin Amayo (193-G-92, college: LMU, currently plays in Iran) was the main contributor in Chemidor's victory against the second-ranked Kerman (12-2) 88-69 in the Iranian Superleague last Thursday. He was MVP of the game. Amayo recorded 30 points (!!!), 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in Group B. Chemidor Tehran (6-0) is placed first. So far his team won all six games in the Regular Season. The Regular Season already ended. It's Amayo's first season with the team. He has relatively good stats this year: 11.2ppg, 2.2rpg, 3.4apg and 1.6spg. Amayo is another player who holds two passports: Canadian and Nigerian.

   #3. Victor Oladipo (193-G-92, college: Indiana, currently plays in NBA) could not help the Indiana Pacers (4-1) in their last game on Tuesday. Despite his very good performance the Indiana Pacers (4-1) were defeated 116-111 on the road by the Boston Celtics. Oladipo was the top scorer with 24 points. He also added 6 rebounds and 6 assists. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. It's Oladipo's fourth year with the team. Oladipo has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 21.0ppg, 5.3rpg, 4.8apg and 1.3spg. Oladipo has both American and Nigerian nationalities.

   #4. Martins Igbanu (203-F-97, college: Tulsa, currently plays in Serbia) contributed to a 1-point Mladost ZE's victory against the sixth-ranked KK Sloboda Uzice (8-6) 87-86 in the Serbian KLS last Wednesday. He recorded 12 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in 30 minutes. KK Mladost Z Admiral Zemun (12-1) is placed first in the KLS. It was his team's tenth consecutive victory in a row. It's Igbanu's first season with the team. Igbanu has relatively good stats this year: 14.6ppg and 6.0rpg in 13 games.

   #5. Experienced James Nnaji (209-C-4, currently plays in Adidas Next Generation Tournament) contributed to a FC Barcelona's victory against the closely-ranked ratiopharm U18 (3-1) 59-50 in the ANGT on Sunday night. He recorded 8 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. FC Barcelona U18 team (4-0) is placed first in the ANGT. So far his team won all four games in the Regular Season. The Regular Season already ended in the ANGT. Nnaji has relatively good stats this season: 14.6ppg and 6.0rpg.

   #6. Christian Mekowulu (205-F-95, college: Texas A&M, currently plays in Italy) helped Treviso edge the closely-ranked Openjobmetis VA 80-79 in the Italian Serie A last Sunday. He recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points and getting 13 rebounds. Mekowulu also added 2 blocks. He has relatively good stats this season: 11.9ppg, 6.2rpg and 1.1bpg. Worth to mention Mekowulu played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.

   #7. Danny Agbelese (205-C-90, agency: Octagon Europe, college: Hampton, currently plays in EuroCup) was not able to help Promitheas (2-8) in their last game. Despite Agbelese's good performance the sixth-placed Promitheas was crushed 100-75 at home by the higher-ranked (#5) Bursaspor in the group D of Eurocup. He scored 10 points in only 14 minutes. This year Agbelese's total stats are: 9.2ppg, 4.8rpg and 1.7bpg in 10 games. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #8. Michael Fakuade (201-F-89, agency: Slash Sports, college: UIS, currently plays in Poland) was not able to secure a victory for Wilki Morskie (10-10) in their last game on Tuesday. Despite Fakuade's very good performance Wilki Morskie was badly defeated 99-80 in Zielona Gora by the leading Zastal Enea BC. He was the top scorer with 16 points. Fakuade also added 4 rebounds, 3 assists and made 2 blocks. Fakuade has reliable stats this season: 12.2ppg, 6.9rpg, 2.1apg and 1.5bpg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #9. Eugene Omoruyi (198-F, currently plays college basketball in the States) helped Oregon win their game against the University of California 82-69 in the NCAA in Thursday night's game. Omoruyi scored 26 points (!!!) and grabbed 6 rebounds in 36 minutes. Omoruyi has very impressive stats this year: 19.1ppg, 4.8rpg and 1.9apg in eight games. He has dual citizenship: Canadian and Nigerian.

   #10. Precious Achiuwa (206-SF-99, college: Memphis, currently plays in NBA) helped Miami Heat win their game against the New Orleans Pelicans 111-98 in the NBA last Friday. Achiuwa scored 11 points. Achiuwa has reliable stats this season: 7.3ppg and 3.8rpg.