Chima Moneke 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.

Chima Moneke

   #1. This week's number one is an international forward Chima Moneke (198-95, college: UC Davis, currently plays in France). He could not help one of league's weakest teams Entente Orleans 45 (6-4) in their last game on Friday. Despite Moneke's good performance Entente Orleans 45 was edged 86-85 on the road by the higher-ranked Monaco (#3). He was the second best scorer with 14 points. Moneke also added 4 rebounds and 5 assists. Moneke has relatively good stats this season: 12.8ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.5apg, 2FGP: 64.3%(36-56) and FT: 77.8%. He is currently a member of the Nigerian senior national team.

Tonye Jekiri

   #2. Second place goes to an international center Tonye Jekiri (212-94, agency: Network Sports International, college: Miami, FL, currently plays in Euroleague). He managed to help TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in a victory against the league outsider Khimki (2-22) crushing them 89-67 in the Euroleague last Thursday. Jekiri recorded only 2 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 18 minutes. TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (12-13) is placed 11th in the Euroleague. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. This year Jekiri averages: 5.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 48.7% and FT: 62.5% in 25 games he played so far. He is in the roster of the Nigerian senior national team.

Josh Okogie

   #3. The Nigerian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international guard Josh Okogie (193-98, college: Georgia Tech, currently plays in NBA). Okogie was not able to help the Minnesota Timberwolves in their game against the Los Angeles Lakers (22-8) in the NBA. He scored 8 points. The Minnesota Timberwolves (7-22) were defeated 112-104 in Los Angeles by the Lakers. Okogie's overall stats this season are: 5.0ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.2apg, 2FGP: 43.8%, 3FGP: 21.7% and FT: 76.3%. He has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American. Despite Okogie played previously for the USA U19 national team, he played also for the Nigerian national team in 2019.

Keith Omoerah

   #4. Guard Keith Omoerah (194-92, agency: BIG, college: Manitoba, currently plays in Ukraine) was not able to secure a victory for Mykolaiv (6-6) in their last game on Sunday. Despite his very good performance Mykolaiv was defeated 93-84 at home by the lower-ranked Zaporizhye (#4). Omoerah was the second best scorer with 16 points. He also added 4 assists. The Regular Season already ended. This season Omoerah has relatively solid stats: 13.0ppg, 4.7rpg and 4.2apg. He is another player who holds two passports: Canadian and Nigerian. Omoerah is also Nigerian national team player.

Josh Ajayi

   #5. International forward Josh Ajayi (201-96, college: USA, currently plays in France) couldn't help one of league's weakest teams Nantes (3-9) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Nantes lost 58-71 on the opponent's court to the higher-ranked (#8) Paris. Ajayi was the top scorer with 19 points. He also added 8 rebounds in 25 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Ajayi's third season in pro basketball. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. It's Ajayi's first year with the team. This season his overall stats are: 8.6ppg and 4.4rpg in nine games. Ajayi has both American and Nigerian nationalities. He plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo

   #6. Small forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (199-92, currently plays in NBA) couldn't help the Milwaukee Bucks (16-13) in their game against the Toronto Raptors (14-15) in the NBA. Antetokounmpo recorded 5 points in 8 minutes. The Milwaukee Bucks (16-13) lost 96-110 in Toronto to the Raptors. It was Bucks' fifth consecutive loss in a row. This year Antetokounmpo's total stats are: 2.5ppg and 1.9rpg in 18 games. He is a former international player as he played for the Nigerian senior team five years ago.

John Egbunu

   #7. International center John Egbunu (211-94, college: Florida, currently plays in Italy) couldn't help Openjobmetis VA (2-1) in their game against Fortitudo BO in the Italian Serie A. Egbunu scored only 4 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and made 3 blocks in 18 minutes. Openjobmetis VA lost 67-79 in Bologna to the lower-ranked (#3) Fortitudo BO. Egbunu has averaged so far 4.5ppg, 6.0rpg and 1.5bpg in two games. He is also Nigerian national team player.

Al-Farouq Aminu

   #8. Forward Al-Farouq Aminu (206-90, college: Wake Forest, currently plays in NBA) contributed to an easy victory against the New York Knicks (14-16) 107-89 in the NBA in Wednesday night's game. Aminu scored only 3 points. The Orlando Magic has 11-18 record this season. Aminu has averaged so far 1.5ppg and 2.0rpg. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Aminu used to play for the Nigerian national team back in 2019.

Chimezie Metu

   #9. Former international forward Chimezie Metu (211-97, agency: Wasserman, college: USC, currently plays in NBA) couldn't help the Sacramento Kings (12-16) in their game against the Memphis Grizzlies (12-12) in the NBA. He scored only 4 points in 8 minutes on the court. The Sacramento Kings (12-16) lost 110-124 in Memphis to the Grizzlies. It was Kings' fifth consecutive loss in a row. It's Metu's first season with the team. Metu has averaged so far 3.7ppg and 2.3rpg in 10 games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. Metu used to play for the Nigerian national team two years ago.

Abdullahi Kuso

   #10. An experienced forward Abdullahi Kuso (206-84, college: Tallahassee, currently plays in Japan) contributed to an easy victory against the fifth-ranked Rizing (18-21) 89-73 in the Japanese B2 League in Saturday night's game. He scored 7 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Cyberdyne Ibaraki Robots (25-12) are placed second in East group. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. Kuso has averaged so far 5.4ppg and 4.5rpg. He is a former international player as fourteen years ago he still played for the Nigerian senior national team.

   #11. Former international forward Andy Ogide (206-87, college: Colorado St., currently plays in Italy) led San Severo to a 3-point victory over the ninth-ranked Rieti 64-61 in the Italian Serie A2 (second division) on Thursday night. Ogide was MVP of the game. He recorded a double-double by scoring 20 points and getting 13 rebounds. Ogide also added 2 blocks (went 6 for 6 at the free throw line). Ogide has reliable stats this season: 13.9ppg and 7.4rpg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. Ogide used to play for the Nigerian national team five years ago.

   #12. Former international guard Gabe Vincent (190-96, college: UCSB, currently plays in NBA) couldn't help the Miami Heat in their game against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA. He cannot count Wednesday's game as one of the best ones. Vincent scored only 2 points in 11 minutes. His team lost 112-120 in the NBA. Vincent has averaged so far 6.0ppg, 1.2rpg and 1.4apg in 19 games. He used to play for the Nigerian national team back in 2019.

   #13. Former international guard Michael Umeh (188-84, college: UNLV, currently plays in France) couldn't help Le Portel in their game against Levallois in the French Jeep ELITE ProA. Umeh cannot count Friday's game as one of the best ones. He recorded only 3 points in 19 minutes. His team lost 73-86. Umeh has averaged so far 5.7ppg and 1.3rpg in three games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. Umeh used to play for the Nigerian national team two years ago.

   #14. Former international small forward Jamal Olasewere (201-91, college: LIU Brooklyn, currently plays in Italy) led Eurobasket RO to a victory against the ninth-ranked Rieti 86-82 in the Italian Serie A2 (second division) on Sunday night. He had a double-double by scoring 14 points and getting 10 rebounds. Olasewere also added 4 assists in 31 minutes. Olasewere has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 15.5ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.3apg and 1.7spg in 15 games. Olasewere holds both American and Nigerian passports. He used to play for the Nigerian national team back in 2016.

   #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 Quimper UJAP in the French ProB (second division). Odiakosa scored 5 points. His team was defeated 63-57. Odiakosa has averaged so far 6.9ppg and 4.3rpg. 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. Semi Ojeleye (201-SF-94, college: SMU, currently plays in NBA) could not help the Boston Celtics (14-14) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the Boston Celtics (14-14) lost 106-120 on the road to the Toronto Raptors. Ojeleye was the top scorer with 24 points. He also added 6 rebounds in 30 minutes. It's Ojeleye's fourth season with the team. This year Ojeleye averages: 5.9ppg and 3.1rpg in 27 games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American.

   #2. Temidayo Yussuf (201-C, college: LBSU, currently plays in Portugal) was not able to help Lusitania (11-6) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Yussuf's very good performance Lusitania was defeated 86-82 at home by the second-ranked FC Porto. He recorded a double-double by scoring 31 points and getting 10 rebounds. Yussuf also added 5 assists. It's Yussuf's first season with the team. He has individually a very good year with high stats. Yussuf averages: 18.6ppg, 9.9rpg, 3.6apg and 1.2spg. He is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #3. Martins Igbanu (203-F-97, college: Tulsa, currently plays in Serbia) led Mladost ZE to a victory against the 15th-ranked Sloga (7-14) 97-87 in the Serbian KLS on Monday night. Igbanu scored 12 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 23 minutes. KK Mladost Z Admiral Zemun (20-1) is placed first in the KLS. It was his team's 18th consecutive victory in a row. Igbanu has relatively good stats this year: 13.2ppg and 6.2rpg in 20 games.

   #4. Precious Achiuwa (206-SF-99, college: Memphis, currently plays in NBA) was not able to secure a victory for the Miami Heat (12-17) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite his good performance the Miami Heat (12-17) was defeated 120-112 in Oakland by the Golden State Warriors. Achiuwa scored 13 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. This season Achiuwa averages: 6.2ppg and 4.0rpg.

   #5. Avery Ugba (203-F-94, agency: BIG, college: Austin Peay, currently plays in Ukraine) couldn't help Ternopil-TNEU (14-9) in their game against Dnipro (15-6) in the Ukrainian Superleague. He recorded 6 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in 34 minutes. Ternopil-TNEU was edged 82-81 on their home court in Ternopil by the second-ranked Dnipro. The Regular Season already ended. It's Ugba's first season with the team. Ugba has relatively good stats this year: 13.8ppg, 8.3rpg, 2.4apg and 1.6spg in 23 games.

   #6. Eugene Omoruyi (198-F, currently plays college basketball in the States) contributed to Oregon's victory against the Arizona State University 75-64 in the NCAA in Thursday night's game. Omoruyi had a double-double by scoring 18 points and getting 10 rebounds. He also added 3 assists and 3 steals in 27 minutes. Omoruyi has very impressive stats this year: 17.5ppg, 5.2rpg, 2.1apg and 1.4spg in 17 games. He has both Canadian and Nigerian nationalities.

   #7. Al-Wajid Aminu (201-PF-98, college: N.Florida, currently plays in Estonia) contributed to Rapla's victory against one of league's weakest teams Kalev/TLU 81-71 in the Estonian EstLatBL last Saturday. Aminu scored 9 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. This season Aminu has relatively solid stats: 13.6ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.6bpg and 1.1spg. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #8. Experienced Onyeka Okongwu (206-PF-0, college: USC, currently plays in NBA) couldn't help the Atlanta Hawks in their game against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA. Okongwu recorded 6 points in 16 minutes. His team lost 114-125 in the NBA. This year Okongwu averages: 3.0ppg and 2.8rpg in nine games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #9. Victor Oladipo (193-G-92, college: Indiana, currently plays in NBA) couldn't help the Houston Rockets in their game against the Miami Heat in the NBA. Oladipo scored 6 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. His team were defeated 101-94 in the NBA. This season Oladipo has very high stats. He averages: 18.4ppg, 4.8rpg, 4.9apg and 1.1spg. Oladipo holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #10. Charles Bassey (211-C-0, currently studies in the States) contributed to WKU's victory against the Rice University 77-71 in the NCAA in Friday night's game. Bassey had a double-double by scoring 18 points and getting 12 rebounds. He also added 2 blocks in 34 minutes. Bassey has very impressive stats this year: 18.0ppg, 11.7rpg and 3.2bpg in 18 games.