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 on Thursday. Despite Braimoh's very good performance Hapoel Jerusalem was crushed 101-80 on the road by the lower-ranked Maccabi T-A (#4). He was the second best scorer with 15 points. Braimoh also added 4 rebounds and made 2 blocks. Braimoh has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 15.9ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 59.0%(46-78), 3FGP: 31.0% and FT: 70.6%. Braimoh is currently a member of the Nigerian senior national team.

Stan Okoye

   #2. Second place goes to an international small forward Stan Okoye (198-91, college: VMI, currently plays in Spain). He was not able to help Gran Canaria in their last game on Sunday. Despite Okoye's good performance Gran Canaria was badly defeated 101-85 in Valencia by the second-ranked Basket. He scored 12 points. Okoye's overall stats this season are: 9.6ppg, 3.2rpg, 3FGP: 39.2% and FT: 75.8%. He has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American. Okoye is in the roster of the Nigerian senior national team.

Jordan Nwora

   #3. The Nigerian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international forward Jordan Nwora (203-98, college: Louisville, currently plays in NBA). He led Milwaukee Bucks to an easy victory against the Detroit Pistons (1-7) 130-115 in the NBA in Wednesday night's game. Nwora scored 11 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. The Milwaukee Bucks have a solid 5-3 record this season. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. But the season just started, so everything may happen. Nwora has relatively good stats this year: 7.3ppg, 2.3rpg, 2FGP: 47.1%, 3FGP: 53.8%(7-13) and FT: 87.5%. He is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Nwora played for the Nigerian national team two years ago.

Micheal Eric

   #4. An experienced center Micheal Eric (210-88, college: Temple, currently plays in Turkey) was not able to secure a victory for Turk Telekom (9-6) in their game against Tofas (7-7) in the Turkish BSL. He cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones. Eric scored only 3 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Turk Telekom was defeated 78-64 in Bursa by the lower-ranked Tofas (#5). There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. This season Eric has relatively solid stats: 11.1ppg, 6.6rpg and 1.2bpg. He is also Nigerian national team player.

Tonye Jekiri

   #5. International center Tonye Jekiri (212-94, agency: Network Sports International, college: Miami, FL, currently plays in Euroleague) couldn't help Baskonia (9-9) in their game against ALBA Berlin (7-11) in the Euroleague. Jekiri scored only 4 points in 15 minutes. Baskonia lost 91-95 in Berlin to the lower-ranked (#14) ALBA. It's Jekiri's first season with the team. This year his overall stats are: 5.5ppg, 5.2rpg and 2.1apg in 18 games he played so far. Jekiri plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo

   #6. Small forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (199-92, currently plays in NBA) is a teammate of previously mentioned Jordan Nwora and both played together in the last NBA game. Antetokounmpo contributed to an easy victory against the Detroit Pistons (1-7) 130-115. He scored 8 points. Antetokounmpo's total stats this season are: 3.3ppg, 1.7rpg and 1.1apg. He is a former international player as he played for the Nigerian senior team five years ago.

Obi Emegano

   #7. International guard Obi Emegano (189-93, college: ORU, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Baloncesto Fuenlabrada in their game against FC Barcelona (14-3) in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Emegano scored 8 points. Baloncesto Fuenlabrada was badly defeated 83-67 in Barcelona by the second-ranked FC Barcelona. Emegano has reliable stats this season: 10.7ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.4apg and 1.2spg. He is also Nigerian national team player.

Chimezie Metu

   #8. Forward Chimezie Metu (211-97, agency: Wasserman, college: USC, currently plays in NBA) couldn't help the Sacramento Kings (4-4) in their game against the Golden State Warriors (4-4) in the NBA. Metu recorded 7 points. It was his first game for Sacramento Kings this season. The Sacramento Kings (4-4) were crushed 137-106 in Oakland by the Golden State Warriors. It was Kings' third consecutive loss in a row. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Metu has both American and Nigerian nationalities. He used to play for the Nigerian national team back in 2019.

Alade Aminu

   #9. International power forward Alade Aminu (207-87, college: Georgia Tech, currently plays in Spain) managed to help RETAbet Bilbao Basket in a 1-point victory against the league outsider Gipuzkoa (2-15) 81-80 in the Spanish Liga Endesa on Saturday night. Aminu scored only 4 points in 10 minutes. RETAbet Bilbao Basket (4-13) is placed 17th in the Liga Endesa. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. This year Aminu's total stats are: 4.7ppg and 2.3rpg in three games. He is also in the roster of the Nigerian national team.

Ike Iroegbu

   #10. Guard Ike Iroegbu (188-95, college: WSU, currently plays in Germany) couldn't help Rasta Vechta (1-2) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Iroegbu's good performance Rasta Vechta was badly defeated 92-74 in Hamburg by the lower-ranked Towers (#6). He scored 10 points and added 3 assists. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Iroegbu averaged so far 11.0ppg, 2.3rpg and 3.0apg. He is an international player who is currently on the senior Nigerian National Team roster.

   #11. Former international forward Abdullahi Kuso (206-84, college: Tallahassee, currently plays in Japan) contributed to a 2-point Cyberdyne Ibaraki Robots' victory against the sixth-ranked Kagawa FA 95-93 in the Japanese B2 League in Saturday night's game. Kuso scored only 4 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 11 minutes. Kuso has averaged so far 5.9ppg and 5.1rpg in 28 games. He used to play for the Nigerian national team fourteen years ago.

   #12. Former international small forward Jamal Olasewere (201-91, college: LIU Brooklyn, currently plays in Italy) couldn't help Eurobasket RO (3-4) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite Olasewere's very good performance the sixth-placed Eurobasket RO was defeated 70-66 on the opponent's court by the lower-ranked Pistoia (#6) in the Group B. He was the top scorer with 17 points. Olasewere also added 5 rebounds. This season Olasewere has very high stats. He averages: 16.4ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.3apg and 2.3spg. Olasewere also holds two passports: Nigerian and American. He used to play for the Nigerian national team back in 2016.

   #13. Former international forward Andy Ogide (206-87, college: Colorado St., currently plays in Italy) couldn't help San Severo in their game against Forli in the Italian Serie A2 (second division). Ogide recorded 7 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. His team was defeated 83-72. Ogide averaged so far 13.8ppg and 6.6rpg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. Ogide used to play for the Nigerian national team five years ago.

   #14. Former international power forward Prince Orizu (208-94, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Cornella in their game against Prat in the Spanish LEB Silver (third division). He cannot count Sunday's game as one of the best ones. Orizu scored only 2 points. His team was crushed by 34 points 108-74. Orizu has averaged so far 6.9ppg and 4.4rpg. 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. Kelvin Amayo (193-G-92, college: LMU, currently plays in Iran) led Chemidor to a victory over the second-ranked Kerman (12-2) 88-69 in the Iranian Superleague in Thursday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Amayo recorded 30 points (!!!), 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in 28 minutes. 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 in five games he played so far. Amayo has a dual citizenship: Canadian and Nigerian.

   #2. Retin Obasohan (191-G-93, college: Alabama, currently plays in Basketball Champions League) was the main contributor in Nymburk's victory against the closely-ranked JDA Dijon (3-1) crushing them 94-54 in the Basketball Champions League last Wednesday. He was MVP of the game. Obasohan scored 20 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 6 assists. It was the game of the round between two top 2 ranked teams in group B. ERA Basketball Nymburk (4-1) is placed first. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. They will play only one more game in the Basketball Champions League Regular Season. And that game will be critical. Obasohan has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 15.4ppg, 4.6rpg, 5.8apg and 1.8spg. Obasohan is another player who holds two passports: Belgian and Nigerian.

   #3. Victor Oladipo (193-G-92, college: Indiana, currently plays in NBA) contributed to a 2-point Indiana Pacers' victory against the New Orleans Pelicans (4-4) 118-116 in the NBA on Monday night. He was MVP of the game. Oladipo recorded 25 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists in 36 minutes. The Indiana Pacers have a solid 6-2 record this season. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. It's Oladipo's fourth year with the team. He has very impressive stats this season: 20.4ppg, 6.0rpg, 4.3apg and 1.3spg in seven games. Oladipo has both American and Nigerian nationalities.

   #4. Danny Agbelese (205-C-90, agency: Octagon Europe, college: Hampton, currently plays in Greece) contributed to Promitheas' victory against one of league's weakest teams Charilaos (3-7) 88-82 in the Greek A1 last Sunday. He was MVP of the game. Agbelese recorded 16 points and blocked 3 shots in a mere 19 minutes. ASP Promitheas Patras (4-1) is placed second in the A1. It's Agbelese's first season with the team. He has relatively good stats this year: 11.4ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.1apg and 2.6bpg in seven games. Agbelese also holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #5. Martins Igbanu (203-F-97, college: Tulsa, currently plays in Serbia) contributed to a 3-point Mladost ZE's victory against the eighth-ranked Dynamic VP (7-8) 90-87 in the Serbian KLS on Sunday night. He recorded 14 points and grabbed 6 rebounds; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Igbanu's third season in pro basketball. KK Mladost Z Admiral Zemun (14-1) is placed first in the KLS. It was his team's 12th consecutive victory in a row. It's Igbanu's first year with the team. He has relatively good stats this season: 14.4ppg and 6.1rpg.

   #6. Moses Kingsley (208-F-94, agency: Network Sports International, college: Arkansas, currently plays in Basketball Champions League). Kingsley could not help AEK to beat Hapoel Holon. He scored 6 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 16 minutes. His team lost 71-77. This year Kingsley's overall stats are: 3.0ppg and 3.5rpg in two games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #7. Abdul-Malik Abu (203-C-95, college: NC State, currently plays in Turkey) contributed to Fethiye's surprising victory against the ninth-ranked Afyon Bld 100-89 in the Turkish BSL last Sunday. Abu recorded 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. He has relatively good stats this season: 13.3ppg, 5.1rpg and 1.9apg.

   #8. Christian Mekowulu (205-F-95, college: Texas A&M, currently plays in Italy) was not able to help one of league's weakest teams Treviso (3-3) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Treviso was edged 88-86 at home by the leading Umana Venezia. Mekowulu was the top scorer with 18 points. He also added 5 rebounds in 28 minutes. Mekowulu has relatively good stats this year: 12.4ppg, 6.1rpg and 1.1bpg in 14 games. Worth to mention Mekowulu played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.

   #9. Semi Ojeleye (201-SF-94, college: SMU, currently plays in NBA) contributed to a Boston Celtics' victory against the Toronto Raptors 126-114 in the NBA last Monday. He recorded 12 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 30 minutes. This year Ojeleye's overall stats are: 5.8ppg and 3.0rpg in eight games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #10. Avery Ugba (203-F-94, college: Austin Peay, currently plays in Ukraine) helped Ternopil-TNEU win their game against the closely-ranked Prometey 98-91 in the Ukrainian Superleague on Friday night. Ugba scored 14 points, had 6 rebounds and dished 3 assists. Ugba has relatively good stats this season: 14.6ppg, 8.1rpg, 2.3apg and 1.4spg.