Micheal Eric 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.

Micheal Eric

   #1. This week's number one is an experienced international center Micheal Eric (210-88, college: Temple, currently plays in Turkey). He could not help Turk Telekom (9-7) in their last game. Despite Eric's good performance Turk Telekom lost 72-84 on the road to the lower-ranked (#7) Dacka. He was the top scorer with 14 points in 26 minutes on the court. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Eric has relatively good stats this year: 11.3ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.1bpg, 2FGP: 58.7%(74-126) and FT: 60.4% in 16 games he played so far. He is currently a member of the Nigerian senior national team.

Gabe Vincent

   #2. Second place goes to former international guard Gabe Vincent (190-96, college: UCSB, currently plays in NBA). Vincent was not able to help the Miami Heat (4-6) in their last game on Tuesday. Despite his very good performance the Miami Heat (4-6) was edged 137-134 in Philadelphia by the 76ers. Vincent scored 24 points and added 3 assists. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Vincent has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 17.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 4.3apg, 2FGP: 46.7%, 3FGP: 35.7%. Vincent played for the Nigerian national team in 2019.

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 led Baskonia to a victory against the eighth-ranked Unicaja Malaga (9-9) 91-79 in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Sunday. Jekiri recorded 11 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in a mere 19 minutes. TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (14-4) is placed third in the Liga Endesa. It was his team's sixth consecutive victory in a row. They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial. This year Jekiri's overall stats are: 7.2ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.5apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 54.5% and FT: 79.1% in 18 games. He is also a member of the Nigerian senior national team.

Melvin Ejim

   #4. Forward Melvin Ejim (201-91, agency: BeoBasket, college: Iowa St., currently plays in EuroCup) contributed to an easy victory against the third-ranked JL Bourg (0-1) crushing them 108-80 in the Eurocup in Tuesday night's game. He recorded 14 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. KK Buducnost Voli Podgorica (1-0) is placed first in group G. This season Ejim has relatively solid stats: 13.4ppg, 6.5rpg and 1.2apg. He has a dual citizenship: Canadian and Nigerian. Ejim used to play for the Nigerian national team back in 2012.

Suleiman Braimoh

   #5. International power forward Suleiman Braimoh (203-89, college: Rice, currently plays in Basketball Champions League) was not able to secure a victory for Hapoel Jerusalem (2-3) in their game against Turk Telekom (4-1) in the Basketball Champions League. He recorded 7 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in 35 minutes. The third-placed Hapoel Jerusalem (2-3) was edged 78-77 in Ankara by the leading Turk Telekom in the group G of Basketball Champions League. Braimoh's team will play only one more game in the Basketball Champions League Regular Season. And now that game is quite important. Braimoh has reliable stats this year: 14.4ppg, 5.8rpg and 2.6apg in five games. He plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

Alade Aminu

   #6. Power forward Alade Aminu (207-87, college: Georgia Tech, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Bilbao (4-14) in their last game. Despite Aminu's very good performance Bilbao was crushed 106-73 at home by the second-ranked Valencia Basket. He was the top scorer with 17 points in a mere 18 minutes. Aminu's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. This year Aminu's total stats are: 7.8ppg and 2.3rpg in four 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) contributed to a Gran Canaria's victory against the closely-ranked Joventut (10-8) 96-85 in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Sunday. Okoye recorded 12 points. Herbalife Gran Canariais placed eighth in the Liga Endesa. Okoye has averaged so far 9.8ppg and 3.1rpg. He is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Okoye 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 (5-7) in their game against the Portland Trail Blazers (7-5) in the NBA. Metu scored 6 points and blocked 2 shots in only 7 minutes. The Sacramento Kings (5-7) were crushed 125-99 in Portland by the Trail Blazers. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. It's Metu's first year with the team. This season he averages only 5.0ppg in three games. Metu has both American and Nigerian nationalities. He used to play for the Nigerian national team back in 2019.

Josh Okogie

   #9. Former international guard Josh Okogie (193-98, college: Georgia Tech, currently plays in NBA) helped Minnesota Timberwolves win their game against the San Antonio Spurs (6-6) 96-88 in the NBA on Sunday night. Okogie recorded 6 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. The Minnesota Timberwolves have not so impressive 3-8 record this season. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Okogie has averaged so far 6.6ppg, 3.4rpg and 1.8apg. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Despite Okogie played previously for the USA U19 national team, he is currently in the Nigerian national team roster.

Keith Omoerah

   #10. Guard Keith Omoerah (194-92, college: Manitoba, currently plays in Ukraine) couldn't help Mykolaiv (6-6) in their last game. Despite Omoerah's very good performance Mykolaiv lost 80-92 on their home court in Mykolaiv to the lower-ranked (#7) Budivelnyk. He was the second best scorer with 16 points. Omoerah also added 4 passes in 26 minutes. His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. It's Omoerah's first season with the team. Omoerah's stats this year are: 14.4ppg, 5.0rpg and 4.6apg in nine games. 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) helped Cyberdyne Ibaraki Robots win their game against the seventh-ranked Orange Vikings crushing them 113-86 in the Japanese B2 League on Saturday night. Kuso scored 11 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and dished 3 assists in a mere 17 minutes. He has averaged so far 5.9ppg and 5.0rpg in 30 games. Kuso used to play for the Nigerian national team fourteen years ago.

   #12. International guard Michael Efevberha (195-84, college: CSUN, currently plays in Qatar) couldn't help the league outsider Al Rayyan (0-11) in their last game on Tuesday. Despite his very good performance the bottom-ranked Al Rayyan was edged 75-74 in a derby game by the higher-ranked Al Shamal (#4). Efevberha was the second best scorer with 20 points. He also added 7 rebounds and dished 3 assists. It was his first game for Al Rayyan this season. Efevberha holds both American and Nigerian passports. He is also in the roster of the Nigerian national team.

   #13. Former international small forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (199-92, currently plays in NBA) managed to help Milwaukee Bucks to win against the Orlando Magic crushing them 121-99 in the NBA in Monday night's game. Antetokounmpo scored only 2 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. He has averaged so far 2.5ppg, 2.2rpg and 1.1apg. Antetokounmpo used to play for the Nigerian national team five years ago.

   #14. 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 couldn't help the Milwaukee Bucks in their game against the Utah Jazz. He scored only 4 points. His team were defeated 131-118 in the NBA. Nwora has averaged so far 6.0ppg and 1.9rpg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. Nwora used to play for the Nigerian national team back in 2019.

   #15. Former U22 international power forward Dinma Odiakosa (203-85, college: Illinois St., currently plays in France) couldn't help Lille Metropole in their game against JA Vichy in the French ProB (second division). He scored 9 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 22 minutes. His team lost 64-71. Odiakosa has averaged so far 6.0ppg and 5.0rpg in three games. He used to play for the Nigerian U22 national team seventeen years ago.


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

   #1. Precious Achiuwa (206-SF-99, college: Memphis, currently plays in NBA) could not help the Miami Heat (4-6) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the Miami Heat (4-6) was edged 137-134 on the road by the Philadelphia 76ers. Achiuwa had a double-double by scoring 17 points and getting 13 rebounds. He also added 3 assists in 36 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Achiuwa's third season in pro basketball. But the season just started, so everything may happen. This year Achiuwa has relatively solid stats: 8.5ppg, 5.9rpg and 1.1apg in 10 games he played so far.

   #2. Temidayo Yussuf (201-C, college: LBSU, currently plays in Portugal) led Lusitania to a victory over the ninth-ranked CAB Madeira (5-8) 102-97 in the Portuguese LPB in Saturday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Yussuf recorded 32 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 6 assists; not bad, considering it's only his second season in pro basketball. S.C. Lusitania EXPERT (9-4) is placed fifth in the LPB. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. Yussuf has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 17.9ppg, 10.3rpg, 3.3apg and 1.3spg. Yussuf has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American.

   #3. Kelvin Amayo (193-G-92, college: LMU, currently plays in Iran) was not able to help Chemidor (6-1) in their last game on Tuesday. Despite Amayo's very good performance the second-placed Chemidor (6-1) was badly defeated 82-66 in a derby game by the lower-ranked Mahram (#5) in the Group B. He was the top scorer with 19 points. The Regular Season already ended. This season Amayo has relatively solid stats: 12.5ppg, 2.3rpg, 3.0apg and 1.5spg. He is another player who holds two passports: Canadian and Nigerian.

   #4. Martins Igbanu (203-F-97, college: Tulsa, currently plays in Serbia) contributed to a Mladost ZE's victory against the 14th-ranked Dunav SB (5-10) 64-55 in the Serbian KLS in Sunday night's game. Igbanu had a double-double by scoring 10 points and getting 14 rebounds in 28 minutes. KK Mladost Z Admiral Zemun (15-1) is placed first in the KLS. It was his team's 13th consecutive victory in a row. It's Igbanu's first season with the team. This year he has relatively solid stats: 14.1ppg and 6.6rpg in 16 games.

   #5. Abdul-Malik Abu (203-C-95, college: NC State, currently plays in Turkey) was not able to secure a victory for Fethiye (5-13) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Abu's very good performance the bottom-ranked Fethiye was defeated 86-78 at home by the second-ranked Pinar Karsiyaka. He was the top scorer with 25 points. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. This season Abu has relatively solid stats: 14.0ppg, 4.9rpg and 1.9apg.

   #6. Avery Ugba (203-F-94, college: Austin Peay, currently plays in Ukraine) helped Ternopil-TNEU win their game against the closely-ranked Zaporizhye 97-84 in the Ukrainian Superleague on Sunday night. He had a double-double by scoring 17 points and getting 12 rebounds in 31 minutes. This year Ugba has relatively solid stats: 14.8ppg, 8.3rpg, 2.3apg and 1.3spg in 15 games.

   #7. Retin Obasohan (191-G-93, college: Alabama, currently plays in Czech Republic) helped Nymburk win their game against the ninth-ranked Decin crushing them 99-69 in the Czech Republic NBL on Wednesday night. Obasohan recorded 8 points. Obasohan's stats this season are: 12.8ppg, 3.9rpg, 3.9apg and 2.5spg. He has both Belgian and Nigerian nationalities.

   #8. Ike Joseph Udanoh (202-PF-89, college: WSU, currently plays in Basketball Champions League) helped his French team SIG Strasbourg win their game against the closely-ranked VEF Riga 101-94 in the Basketball Champions League on Wednesday night. He recorded 6 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 30 minutes. It was his first game for SIG Strasbourg this season. Udanoh also holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #9. Paschal Chukwu (218-C-95, college: Syracuse, currently plays in Switzerland) couldn't help Massagno (9-2) in their last game on Sunday. Despite his very good performance Massagno was defeated 95-90 on their home court in Massagno by the lower-ranked Monthey (#5). Chukwu recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points and getting the same number of rebounds. Chukwu's stats this season are: 10.3ppg, 11.7rpg and 2.7bpg.

   #10. Moses Kingsley (208-F-94, agency: Network Sports International, college: Arkansas, currently plays in Greece) couldn't help AEK in their game against Panathinaikos in the Greek A1. He scored 5 points in 6 minutes. His team lost 75-80. This year Kingsley averages only 1.4ppg in five games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.