Tonye Jekiri 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.

Tonye Jekiri

   #1. This week's number one is an international center Tonye Jekiri (212-94, agency: Network Sports International, college: Miami, FL, currently plays in Euroleague). He contributed to an easy victory against one of league's weakest teams Crvena Zvezda (7-19) crushing them 87-67 in the Euroleague last Friday. Jekiri scored 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (13-13) is placed 11th in the Euroleague. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. It's Jekiri's first season with the team. This year he averages: 5.4ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 49.2% and FT: 64.7%. Jekiri 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). He led Miami Heat to a victory against the Toronto Raptors (16-17) 116-108 in the NBA on Wednesday night. Vincent recorded 11 points. The Miami Heat has 15-17 record this season. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. Vincent's overall stats this season are: 5.8ppg, 1.1rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 52.1%, 3FGP: 25.6% and FT: 89.5%. He played for the Nigerian national team in 2019.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo

   #3. The Nigerian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international small forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (199-92, currently plays in NBA). Antetokounmpo contributed to an easy victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves (7-26) crushing them 139-112 in the NBA in Tuesday night's game. He scored 6 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 19 minutes. The Milwaukee Bucks have a solid 20-13 record this season. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. This year Antetokounmpo's overall stats are: 2.5ppg, 2.4rpg, 2FGP: 68.8%(22-32), 3FGP: 25.0% and FT: 46.2% in 22 games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and Greek. Antetokounmpo played for the Nigerian national team five years ago.

Al-Farouq Aminu

   #4. Forward Al-Farouq Aminu (206-90, college: Wake Forest, currently plays in NBA) contributed to an Orlando Magic's victory against the Golden State Warriors (18-15) 124-120 in the NBA last Friday. He scored 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. The Orlando Magic has 13-20 record this season. Aminu's total stats this year are: 3.2ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.8apg and 1.2spg. He is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Despite Aminu played previously for the USA U19 national team, he is currently in the Nigerian national team roster.

Micheal Eric

   #5. An experienced international center Micheal Eric (210-88, college: Temple, currently plays in Euroleague) managed to help CSKA Moscow in a 1-point victory against the 13th-ranked Olympiacos (11-15) 75-74 in the Euroleague on Thursday night. Eric scored only 2 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 12 minutes. It was his first game for CSKA this season. His team is placed second in the Euroleague. Eric plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

Emmanuel Omogbo

   #6. Forward Emmanuel Omogbo (203-95, college: Colorado St., currently plays in Kosovo) led Vellaznimi to a victory over one of league's weakest teams Prishtina (6-14) 86-74 in the Kosovan Superliga last Wednesday. Omogbo was MVP of the game. He recorded a double-double by scoring 36 points and getting 15 rebounds. Omogbo also added and 3 steals. Vellaznimi Gjakove (10-4) is placed second in the Superliga. Omogbo has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 24.0ppg, 13.8rpg, 3.8apg and 1.8spg. Omogbo has both American and Nigerian nationalities. 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). Okogie could not help the Minnesota Timberwolves (7-26) to beat the Chicago Bulls (15-16). He recorded only 4 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. The Minnesota Timberwolves (7-26) were defeated 133-126 on the road by the Bulls. It was Timberwolves' sixth consecutive loss in a row. Okogie's total stats this season are: 4.6ppg and 2.5rpg. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Okogie used to play for the Nigerian national team two years ago.

Abdullahi Kuso

   #8. Forward Abdullahi Kuso (206-84, college: Tallahassee, currently plays in Japan) contributed to an easy victory against the eighth-ranked Aomori Watts (4-35) 86-68 in the Japanese B2 League last Sunday. He scored 12 points in a mere 15 minutes. Cyberdyne Ibaraki Robots (27-12) are placed second in East group. This year Kuso's total stats are: 5.6ppg and 4.5rpg in 39 games. He used to play for the Nigerian national team back in 2007.

Jamal Olasewere

   #9. Former international small forward Jamal Olasewere (201-91, college: LIU Brooklyn, currently plays in Italy) was the main contributor in an Eurobasket RO's victory against the tenth-ranked Ravenna (5-11) 71-61 in the Italian Serie A2 (second division) in Sunday night's game. He was the best player in that game. Olasewere had a double-double by scoring 19 points and getting 10 rebounds. He also added 3 assists and 3 steals in 35 minutes. Atlante Eurobasket Roma (11-6) is placed fourth in Group B. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. Olasewere has very impressive stats this year: 15.8ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.4apg and 1.8spg in 16 games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. Olasewere used to play for the Nigerian national team five years ago.

Andy Ogide

   #10. Forward Andy Ogide (206-87, college: Colorado St., currently plays in Italy) was not able to help San Severo (4-11) in their last game on Sunday. Despite his good performance the 12th-placed San Severo (4-11) was defeated 78-70 at home by the higher-ranked Cento (#6) in the Group B. Ogide scored 14 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Ogide has relatively good stats this season: 13.9ppg and 7.2rpg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. Ogide is a former international player as five years ago he still played for the Nigerian senior national team.


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) could not help the Houston Rockets (11-19) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the Houston Rockets (11-19) were badly defeated 112-96 on the road by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Oladipo recorded 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in 32 minutes. It was Rockets' ninth consecutive loss in a row. Oladipo has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 18.3ppg, 4.9rpg, 4.9apg and 1.2spg in 12 games he played so far. Oladipo has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American.

   #2. Martins Igbanu (203-F-97, college: Tulsa, currently plays in Serbia) led Mladost ZE to an easy victory against the seventh-ranked Vrsac (11-12) crushing them 116-91 in the Serbian KLS on Thursday night. He recorded 11 points in a mere 18 minutes. KK Mladost Z Admiral Zemun (22-1) is placed first in the KLS. It was his team's 20th consecutive victory in a row. Igbanu has relatively good stats this year: 12.1ppg and 6.2rpg in 23 games.

   #3. Derek Ogbeide (203-F-97, college: Georgia, currently plays in Cyprus) was not able to help AEK Larnaca (13-5) in their last game on Thursday. Despite his good performance the second-placed AEK Larnaca (13-5) was defeated 80-70 in Strovolos by the leading Keravnos in the Places 1-6 group. Ogbeide recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and getting the same number of rebounds. He also added and 3 steals. There are only three games left until the end of the Second Stage. So now every game will be critical. Ogbeide has relatively good stats this season: 13.8ppg, 9.8rpg, 1.1apg and 1.2bpg. He is another player who holds two passports: Canadian and Nigerian.

   #4. Semi Ojeleye (201-SF-94, college: SMU, currently plays in NBA) was not able to secure a victory for the Boston Celtics (15-17) in their game against the Dallas Mavericks (15-16) in the NBA. Ojeleye scored 8 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 24 minutes. The Boston Celtics (15-17) were edged 110-107 in Dallas by the Mavericks. It was Celtics' third consecutive loss in a row. Ojeleye has been at the team for four years. This season his overall stats are: 5.7ppg and 3.0rpg in 31 games. Ojeleye has both American and Nigerian nationalities.

   #5. Experienced Onyeka Okongwu (206-PF-0, college: USC, currently plays in NBA) contributed to an Atlanta Hawks' victory against the Denver Nuggets (17-14) 123-115 in the NBA in Sunday night's game. He recorded 9 points. The Atlanta Hawks have 14-18 record this season. Okongwu's total stats this year are: 3.4ppg and 2.6rpg. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #6. Eugene Omoruyi (198-F, currently plays college basketball in the States) led Oregon to a victory against the Stanford University 71-68 in the NCAA last Thursday. Omoruyi had a double-double by scoring 12 points and getting 10 rebounds. He also added 4 assists and 2 blocks in 35 minutes. Omoruyi has very impressive stats this year: 16.6ppg, 5.4rpg, 2.2apg and 1.3spg in 20 games. He holds both Canadian and Nigerian passports.

   #7. Efemina Abogidi (208-C-1, currently studies in the States) contributed to WSU's victory against the Stanford University 85-76 in the NCAA on Saturday night. Abogidi scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Abogidi's total stats this season are: 9.1ppg, 7.5rpg and 1.4bpg.

   #8. Ami Lakoju (206-F-95, college: UCSB, currently plays in Austria) couldn't help Dukes in their game against Kapfenberg Bulls in the Austrian BSL, despite his very good performance in Tuesday night's game. He was the second best scorer with 18 points. Lakoju also added 8 rebounds in 28 minutes. But his team lost 72-77. This year Lakoju's total stats are: 7.7ppg and 6.5rpg in 21 games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #9. Nnanna Egwu (211-C-92, college: Illinois, currently plays in Japan) couldn't help Tokyo Z in their game against Sendai 89ers in the Japanese B2 League, despite his very good performance on Saturday night. Egwu was the second best scorer with 16 points. He also added 6 rebounds in 32 minutes. But his team lost 77-86. This year Egwu's total stats are: 8.9ppg, 7.9rpg, 2.0apg, 1.2bpg and 1.2spg in 39 games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #10. Precious Achiuwa (206-SF-99, college: Memphis, currently plays in NBA) managed to help Miami Heat to win against the Los Angeles Lakers 96-94 in the NBA on Saturday night. Achiuwa scored only 4 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Achiuwa has averaged so far 5.9ppg and 3.9rpg.