Micheal Eric's double-double lands him Player of the Week award among Nigerians playing currently abroad:

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 experienced international center Micheal Eric (210-88, college: Temple, currently plays in Basketball Champions League). He led his Turkish team Turk Telekom to a victory over the closely-ranked Igokea (3-3) 94-86 in the Basketball Champions League in Tuesday night's game. Eric was MVP of the game. He had a double-double by scoring 21 points and getting 12 rebounds. Eric also added 2 blocks in 34 minutes on the court. It was the game of the round between two top 2 ranked teams in group G. Turk Telekom Ankara (5-1) is placed first. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. The Regular Season already ended in the Basketball Champions League. It's Eric's first season with the team. He has relatively good stats this year: 12.2ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.3bpg, 2FGP: 60.4%(29-48) and FT: 57.7% in six games he played so far. Eric is currently a member of the Nigerian senior national team.

Suleiman Braimoh

   #2. Second place goes to an international power forward Suleiman Braimoh (203-89, college: Rice, currently plays in Basketball Champions League). He could not help Hapoel Jerusalem (2-4) in their last game on Tuesday. Despite Braimoh's very good performance the third-placed Hapoel Jerusalem (2-4) was defeated 88-83 on the road by the lower-ranked Limoges CSP Elite (#4) in the group G of Basketball Champions League. He recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points and getting 11 rebounds. Braimoh also added 5 assists. The Regular Season already ended in the Basketball Champions League. This season Braimoh has relatively solid stats: 14.7ppg, 6.7rpg, 3.0apg, 2FGP: 65.9%(29-44). He is in the roster of the Nigerian senior national team.

Gabe Vincent

   #3. The Nigerian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international guard Gabe Vincent (190-96, college: UCSB, currently plays in NBA). Vincent was not able to help the Miami Heat (6-12) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the Miami Heat (6-12) lost 105-109 at home to the Los Angeles Clippers. Vincent was the second best scorer with 18 points. He also added 4 rebounds and 4 assists in 26 minutes; not bad, considering it's only Vincent's third season in pro basketball. It was Heat's fifth consecutive loss in a row. Vincent has reliable stats this year: 9.0ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.3apg, 2FGP: 52.5%, 3FGP: 23.0% and FT: 88.2% in 11 games. He played for the Nigerian national team two years ago.

Melvin Ejim

   #4. Forward Melvin Ejim (201-91, agency: BeoBasket, college: Iowa St., currently plays in ABA League) contributed to Buducnost's victory against the 11th-ranked Borac (4-9) 76-72 in the ABA League on Saturday night. Ejim recorded 13 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. KK Buducnost Voli Podgorica (11-3) is placed fifth in the ABA League. Ejim's stats this season are: 10.9ppg, 5.2rpg and 1.1spg. He has a dual citizenship: Canadian and Nigerian. Ejim used to play for the Nigerian national team back in 2012.

Obi Enechionyia

   #5. International power forward Obi Enechionyia (208-95, college: Temple, currently plays in FIBA Europe Cup) contributed to Iraklis' victory against the third-ranked Belfius Mons-Hainaut (1-2) 79-75 in the FIBA Europe Cup on Friday night. He recorded 8 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 39 minutes. GS Iraklis Thessaloniki (3-0) is placed first in group A. So far his team won all three games in the Regular Season. The Regular Season already ended in the FIBA Europe Cup. This year Enechionyia averages: 7.7ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.7apg and 1.3spg in three games. He is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Enechionyia plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

Tonye Jekiri

   #6. Center Tonye Jekiri (212-94, agency: Network Sports International, college: Miami, FL, currently plays in Euroleague) was not able to secure a victory for Baskonia (9-13) in their game against ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (9-14) in the Euroleague. He recorded 5 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Baskonia was defeated 83-77 in Villeurbanne by the lower-ranked ASVEL Lyon- Basket (#14). It was Baskonia's fourth consecutive loss in a row. Jekiri's overall stats this season are: 5.0ppg, 4.9rpg and 1.9apg. He is an international player who is currently on the senior Nigerian National Team roster.

Josh Okogie

   #7. Former international guard Josh Okogie (193-98, college: Georgia Tech, currently plays in NBA) contributed to a Minnesota Timberwolves' victory against the New Orleans Pelicans (6-10) 120-110 in the NBA in Saturday night's game. Okogie scored 9 points and had 5 steals in 27 minutes. The Minnesota Timberwolves have rather weak 4-13 record this season. This year Okogie's overall stats are: 5.7ppg, 2.7rpg and 1.4apg in 11 games. 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.

Caleb Agada

   #8. Guard Caleb Agada (196-94, agency: Blacktop Management, college: Ottawa, currently plays in Israel) was the main contributor in a H.Beer Sheva's victory against the closely-ranked M.Rishon (4-5) 70-62 in the Israeli Winner League on Sunday night. Agada was the best player in that game. He scored 18 points, grabbed 4 boards, dished 3 assists and stole 6 balls in 24 minutes. Hapoel Altshuler Shaham Beer Sheva (6-5) is placed seventh in the Winner League. Agada has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 25.0ppg, 6.0rpg, 5.0apg and 3.0spg in six games. Despite Agada played previously for the Canadian university national team, he is currently in the Nigerian national team roster.

Stan Okoye

   #9. International small forward Stan Okoye (198-91, college: VMI, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Gran Canaria in their game against Baloncesto Fuenlabrada (6-13) in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Okoye scored 6 points in 17 minutes. Gran Canaria was crushed 102-81 in Madrid by the much lower-ranked (#15) Baloncesto Fuenlabrada. This year Okoye's total stats are: 9.7ppg and 3.1rpg in 20 games. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Okoye is also in the roster of the Nigerian national team.

Rasheed Sulaimon

   #10. Guard Rasheed Sulaimon (193-94, college: Maryland, currently plays in Spain) managed to help Casademont Zaragoza to win against one of league's weakest teams Bilbao (4-16) crushing them 96-73 in the Spanish Liga Endesa in Saturday night's game. He scored only 3 points. Casademont Zaragoza (0-3) is placed seventh in the Liga Endesa. Sulaimon has averaged so far 7.1ppg, 1.9rpg and 1.3apg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. Sulaimon is an international player who is currently on the senior Nigerian National Team roster.

   #11. Former international forward Chimezie Metu (211-97, agency: Wasserman, college: USC, currently plays in NBA) helped Sacramento Kings win their game against the New York Knicks 103-94 in the NBA in Friday night's game. He recorded only 2 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks. Metu has averaged so far 4.1ppg and 2.9rpg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. Metu used to play for the Nigerian national team two years ago.

   #12. International forward Emmanuel Omogbo (203-95, college: Colorado St., currently plays in Kosovo) couldn't help Vellaznimi (9-2) in their last game on Sunday. Despite his very good performance Vellaznimi was defeated 79-67 in Prizren by the lower-ranked Bashkimi (#5). Omogbo recorded a double-double by scoring 24 points and getting 12 rebounds. He also added 4 assists and 2 blocks. This season Omogbo has very high stats. He averages: 19.0ppg, 13.0rpg, 5.0apg, 1.5bpg and 1.5spg. Omogbo 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) couldn't help the Milwaukee Bucks in their game against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. Antetokounmpo cannot count Thursday's game as one of the best ones. He scored only 2 points. His team were defeated 113-106 in the NBA. Antetokounmpo has averaged so far 2.6ppg and 1.9rpg. He used to play for the Nigerian national team five years ago.

   #14. International guard Keith Omoerah (194-92, agency: BIG, college: Manitoba, currently plays in Ukraine) couldn't help one of league's weakest teams Mykolaiv in their game against Cherkasy in the Ukrainian Superleague. Omoerah recorded 6 points in 26 minutes. His team lost 76-83. Omoerah's stats this year are: 13.6ppg, 5.4rpg and 4.5apg in 11 games. He plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

   #15. Former international forward Abdullahi Kuso (206-84, college: Tallahassee, currently plays in Japan) couldn't help Cyberdyne Ibaraki Robots in their game against Bambitious Nara in the Japanese B2 League. Kuso recorded 6 points. His team were defeated 90-85. Kuso has averaged so far 5.6ppg and 4.7rpg. He used to play for the Nigerian national team fourteen years ago.


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

   #1. Victor Oladipo (193-G-92, college: Indiana, currently plays in NBA) led Houston Rockets to a 3-point victory over the Portland Trail Blazers (9-8) 104-101 in the NBA on Thursday night. Oladipo was the best player in that game. He recorded 25 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in 37 minutes. The Houston Rockets have 8-9 record this season. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. Oladipo has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 22.4ppg, 4.8rpg, 4.8apg and 1.4spg in five games he played so far. Oladipo has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American.

   #2. Avery Ugba (203-F-94, agency: BIG, college: Austin Peay, currently plays in Ukraine) was the major contributor in Ternopil-TNEU's victory against the closely-ranked Khimik (11-7) 95-88 in the Ukrainian Superleague in Thursday night's game. He recorded a double-double by scoring 26 points and getting 13 rebounds; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Ugba's third season in pro basketball. Ternopil-TNEU (11-6) is placed fourth in the Superleague. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. There are only three 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: 15.4ppg, 8.5rpg, 2.3apg and 1.4spg.

   #3. Retin Obasohan (191-G-93, college: Alabama, currently plays in Czech Republic) led Nymburk to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Opava (15-4) crushing them 101-67 in the Czech Republic NBL last Wednesday. Obasohan scored 15 points, made 6 passes and 6 steals in 23 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. ERA Basketball Nymburk (19-1) is placed first in the NBL. It was his team's 12th consecutive victory in a row. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. Obasohan has reliable stats this year: 12.5ppg, 3.8rpg, 4.3apg and 2.8spg in 12 games. He is another player who holds two passports: Belgian and Nigerian.

   #4. Michael Fakuade (201-F-89, agency: Slash Sports, college: UIS, currently plays in Poland) led Wilki Morskie to a victory over the league outsider Polpharma (5-18) crushing them 101-74 in the Polish EBL on Sunday night. Fakuade was the best player in that game. He scored 19 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and made 2 blocks. King Szczecin (13-10) is placed seventh in the EBL. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. Fakuade has reliable stats this season: 12.8ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.0apg and 1.6bpg. He has both American and Nigerian nationalities.

   #5. Ike Joseph Udanoh (202-PF-89, college: WSU, currently plays in Basketball Champions League). Udanoh could not help SIG Strasbourg (4-2) to beat Rytas (2-4). He scored 9 points, had 8 boards, dished 3 assists and stole 3 balls in 31 minutes. But SIG Strasbourg lost 77-81 on the road to the lower-ranked (#4) Rytas in the group E of Basketball Champions League. It was SIG Strasbourg's first loss after three consecutive victories. The Regular Season already ended in the Basketball Champions League. This year Udanoh averages: 7.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.5apg and 2.5spg in two games. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #6. Christian Nwogbo (200-F-91, college: Cedarville, currently plays in France) was not able to help SPO Rouen (3-5) in their last game on Tuesday. Despite Nwogbo's very good performance SPO Rouen was edged 113-112 in Evreux by the higher-ranked ALM Evreux (#7). He was the second best scorer with 30 points. Nwogbo also added 6 boards, dished 5 assists and stole 3 balls. Nwogbo has reliable stats this season: 13.6ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.5apg and 1.1spg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #7. Moses Kingsley (208-F-94, agency: Network Sports International, college: Arkansas, currently plays in Greece) contributed to an easy victory against the seventh-ranked PAOK crushing them 76-56 in the Greek A1 in Wednesday night's game. Kingsley recorded 6 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Kingsley's overall stats this season are: 3.6ppg and 2.6rpg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #8. Al-Wajid Aminu (201-PF-98, college: N.Florida, currently plays in Estonia) contributed to Rapla's victory against the closely-ranked Tarvas 65-58 in the Estonian EstLatBL last Friday. Aminu had a double-double by scoring 15 points and getting 12 rebounds. He also added 3 blocks and 4 steals in 35 minutes. Aminu's stats this year are: 13.8ppg, 7.7rpg and 1.7bpg in 18 games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #9. Christian Mekowulu (205-F-95, college: Texas A&M, currently plays in Italy) was not able to secure a victory for one of league's weakest teams Treviso (3-3) in their last game. Despite Mekowulu's very good performance Treviso lost 77-82 at home to the leading Armani Milano. He was the second best scorer with 17 points. Mekowulu also added 6 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) in 27 minutes. Mekowulu's stats this year are: 12.4ppg, 6.2rpg and 1.1bpg in 16 games. Worth to mention he played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.

   #10. Precious Achiuwa (206-SF-99, college: Memphis, currently plays in NBA) couldn't help the Miami Heat (6-12) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite his good performance the Miami Heat was crushed 109-82 on their home court in Miami by the Denver Nuggets. Achiuwa scored 10 points, had 6 boards, handed out 3 passes and blocked 3 shots. Achiuwa averaged so far 7.6ppg and 5.0rpg.