Micheal Eric selected the top Nigerian playing abroad in last week's games

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 Euroleague). He was the major contributor in CSKA's victory against the 14th-ranked ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (13-21) 88-70 in the Euroleague in Thursday night's game. Eric recorded 21 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 30 minutes on the court. CSKA Moscow (23-10) is placed second in the Euroleague. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. They will play only one more game in the Euroleague Regular Season. And that game will be critical. This year Eric averages: 7.5ppg, 5.4rpg, 2FGP: 72.5%(29-40) in eight games he played so far. He 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 Israel). Braimoh led Hapoel Jerusalem to a victory over the ninth-ranked Ironi Nes-Ziona (8-12) 84-78 in the Israeli Winner League last Monday. He was MVP of the game. Braimoh recorded 25 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Hapoel Jerusalem (13-8) is placed third in the Winner League. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. Braimoh has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 16.4ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 61.4%(108-176), 3FGP: 33.9% and FT: 71.4%. Braimoh is in the roster of the Nigerian senior national team.

Ikechukwu Diogu

   #3. The Nigerian player who performed third best last week abroad was an international power forward Ikechukwu Diogu (204-83, agency: BMS Sport Agency, college: Arizona St., currently plays in Iran). He could not help Chemidor (13-2) in their last game on Friday. Despite Diogu's very good performance the second-placed Chemidor (13-2) was defeated 83-76 on the road by the leading Gorgan in the Group B. He recorded a double-double by scoring 25 points and getting 14 rebounds. Diogu also added 2 blocks. This season Diogu has very high stats. He averages: 17.4ppg, 9.8rpg, 2.3apg, 2FGP: 49.0%, 3FGP: 42.6% and FT: 85.3%. Diogu has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American. He is also a member of the Nigerian senior national team.

Alade Aminu

   #4. Power forward Alade Aminu (207-87, college: Georgia Tech, currently plays in Iran) was the main contributor in Gorgan's victory against the second-ranked Chemidor (13-2) crushing them 91-65 in the Iranian Superleague last Monday. Aminu was the best player in that game. He had a double-double by scoring 24 points and getting 20 rebounds in 32 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in Group A. Shahrdari Gorgan (16-0) is placed first. So far his team won all sixteen games in the Semi-Finals. Aminu has relatively good stats this year: 13.0ppg, 10.9rpg, 2.1apg and 2.1spg in seven games. He is also Nigerian national team player.

Caleb Agada

   #5. International guard Caleb Agada (196-94, agency: Blacktop Management, college: Ottawa, currently plays in Israel) contributed to a 2-point H.Beer Sheva's victory against the closely-ranked Bnei Hasharon (7-14) 77-75 in the Israeli Winner League on Monday night. Agada was the top player that evening. He recorded 21 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Hapoel Altshuler Shaham Beer Sheva (11-10) is placed seventh in the Winner League. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be important. It's Agada's first season with the team. This year Agada has very high stats. He averages: 21.7ppg, 5.9rpg, 4.1apg and 2.2spg. Agada is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and Canadian. Despite he played previously for the Canadian university national team, Agada is currently in the Nigerian national team roster.

Melvin Ejim

   #6. Forward Melvin Ejim (201-91, agency: BeoBasket, college: Iowa St., currently plays in ABA League) contributed to Buducnost's victory against the fifth-ranked KK Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (15-5) 89-75 in the ABA League in Thursday night's game. He recorded 17 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 24 minutes. KK Buducnost Voli Podgorica (18-3) is placed first in the ABA League. It was his team's tenth consecutive victory in a row. There are only two games left until the end of the ABA League Regular Season. So now every game will be extremely important. This year Ejim has relatively solid stats: 11.8ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.3apg and 1.1spg in 21 games. He is a former international player as he played for the Nigerian senior team nine years ago.

Stan Okoye

   #7. International small forward Stan Okoye (198-91, college: VMI, currently plays in EuroCup) was not able to help Gran Canaria (3-3) in their last game on Friday. Despite Okoye's very good performance Gran Canaria (#2) was edged 76-74 at home by the leading Monaco in the group H of Eurocup. He was the top scorer with 15 points. Okoye also added 5 rebounds. Okoye has reliable stats this season: 10.5ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.2apg and 1.2spg. He has both American and Nigerian nationalities. Okoye is also Nigerian national team player.

Rasheed Sulaimon

   #8. Guard Rasheed Sulaimon (193-94, college: Maryland, currently plays in Basketball Champions League) contributed to an easy victory against the leader Nymburk (5-1) 90-71 in the Basketball Champions League last Thursday. He scored 15 points in 27 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 2 ranked teams in group L. Casademont Zaragoza (4-2) is placed second. The Top 16 already ended in the Basketball Champions League. Sulaimon's stats this year are: 10.7ppg, 2.0rpg and 3.4apg in 10 games. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Despite Sulaimon played previously for the USA U19 national team, he is currently in the Nigerian national team roster.

Chima Moneke

   #9. International forward Chima Moneke (198-95, college: UC Davis, currently plays in France) was not able to secure a victory for Entente Orleans 45 (10-6) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Moneke's very good performance Entente Orleans 45 was defeated 92-80 on the opponent's court by the second-ranked Monaco. He scored 22 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Moneke's stats this season are: 12.6ppg, 5.9rpg and 1.6apg. He is also in the roster of the Nigerian national team.

Gani Lawal

   #10. Power forward Gani Lawal (206-88, college: Georgia Tech, currently plays in France) contributed to an easy victory against one of league's weakest teams Pau-Lacq-Orthez (4-13) 102-86 in the French Jeep ELITE ProA last Friday. Lawal scored 16 points, had 6 rebounds and made 3 blocks (went 6 for 6 at the free throw line). Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket (6-10) is placed 14th in the Jeep ELITE ProA. Lawal's overall stats this season are: 6.8ppg, 5.0rpg and 1.2bpg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. Lawal is a former international player as eight years ago he still played for the Nigerian senior national team.

   #11. International guard Ike Iroegbu (188-95, college: WSU, currently plays in France) contributed to a SPO Rouen's surprising victory against the fourth-ranked Quimper UJAP 79-74 in the French ProB (second division) on Friday night. He was the top player that evening. Iroegbu recorded 19 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists in 27 minutes. Iroegbu has very impressive stats this year: 19.3ppg, 2.7rpg, 7.3apg and 1.3spg in three games. He plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

   #12. Former international small forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (199-92, currently plays in NBA) couldn't help the Milwaukee Bucks (32-19) in their last game. Despite Antetokounmpo's good performance the Milwaukee Bucks were edged 122-121 in Oakland by the Golden State Warriors. He scored 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 20 minutes. This year Antetokounmpo's overall stats are: 3.5ppg and 2.4rpg in 38 games. He used to play for the Nigerian national team back in 2016.

   #13. Former international forward Chimezie Metu (211-97, agency: Wasserman, college: USC, currently plays in NBA) couldn't help the Sacramento Kings in their game against the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA. Metu scored 8 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in only 14 minutes. His team were edged 129-128 in the NBA. This year Metu's total stats are: 4.7ppg and 2.7rpg in 18 games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. Metu used to play for the Nigerian national team two years ago.

   #14. International center John Egbunu (211-94, college: Florida, currently plays in Italy) helped Varese edge the league leader Milano 83-81 in the Italian Serie A in Monday night's game. He recorded 9 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. Egbunu has averaged so far 8.7ppg, 8.1rpg and 1.7bpg. He plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

   #15. International center Abdul-Malik Abu (203-95, college: NC State, currently plays in Turkey) helped Fethiye edge the closely-ranked Turk Telekom 82-81 in the Turkish BSL last Saturday. Abu recorded 9 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Abu averaged so far 11.9ppg, 5.6rpg and 1.9apg. He is also in the roster of the Nigerian national team.


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

   #1. Moses Kingsley (208-F-94, agency: Network Sports International, college: Arkansas, currently plays in Basketball Champions League) led his Greek team AEK to a 1-point victory over the leader N.Novgorod (4-2) 79-78 in the Basketball Champions League on Wednesday night. He was the best player in that game. Kingsley scored 19 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 29 minutes. AEK Athens (3-3) is placed third in group K. It was his team's first victory after three consecutive loses. The Top 16 already ended in the Basketball Champions League. It's Kingsley's first season with the team. This year his overall stats are: 9.2ppg and 4.8rpg in nine games he played so far. Kingsley has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American.

   #2. Ike Joseph Udanoh (202-PF-89, college: WSU, currently plays in Basketball Champions League) contributed to a SIG Strasbourg's victory against the fourth-ranked Turk Telekom (2-4) 91-81 in the Basketball Champions League on Wednesday night. He scored 7 points, had 11 rebounds and dished 4 assists in 23 minutes. SIG Strasbourg (3-3) is placed second in group K. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. The Top 16 already ended in the Basketball Champions League. This year Udanoh's overall stats are: 5.4ppg, 6.0rpg and 1.8apg in eight games. He is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #3. Victor Oladipo (193-G-92, college: Indiana, currently plays in NBA) was the major contributor in a Miami Heat's victory against the Los Angeles Lakers (32-20) 110-104 in the NBA in Thursday night's game. Oladipo recorded 18 points and grabbed 4 rebounds (made all of his six free throws). The Miami Heat has 27-25 record this season. Oladipo has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 12.0ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.5apg and 1.8spg. Oladipo has both American and Nigerian nationalities.

   #4. Michael Oguine (188-G-96, agency: Inception Sports, college: Montana, currently plays in France) led Souffelweyersheim to a surprising victory over the third-ranked Saint-Quentin (11-4) crushing them 100-79 in the French ProB (second division) in Tuesday night's game. Oguine was the top player that evening. He scored 22 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and dished 9 assists in 28 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Oguine's second season in pro basketball. BC Souffelweyersheim (6-10) is placed 13th in the ProB. Oguine averaged so far 14.4ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.9apg and 1.3spg in 11 games. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #5. Experienced Onyeka Okongwu (206-PF-0, college: USC, currently plays in NBA) could not help the Atlanta Hawks (27-25) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite Okongwu's good performance the Atlanta Hawks (27-25) were badly defeated 131-113 on the road by the Memphis Grizzlies. He recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and getting 11 rebounds. Okongwu also added 2 blocks. Okongwu's overall stats this season are: 3.8ppg and 3.0rpg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #6. Danny Agbelese (205-C-90, agency: Octagon Europe, college: Hampton, currently plays in Greece) led Promitheas to a victory against the eighth-ranked Kolossos HH 84-79 in the Greek A1 on Wednesday night. Agbelese scored 14 points in a mere 15 minutes. This year Agbelese's overall stats are: 8.6ppg, 4.8rpg and 1.7bpg in 18 games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #7. Al-Wajid Aminu (201-PF-98, college: N.Florida, currently plays in Estonia) led Rapla to a victory over the seventh-ranked Kalev/TLU 87-72 in the Estonian EstLatBL in Thursday night's game. Aminu was the top player that evening. He recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points and getting 11 rebounds. Aminu also added 4 assists. Aminu averaged so far 12.7ppg, 7.0rpg, 2.0apg and 1.3bpg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #8. Christian Mekowulu (205-F-95, college: Texas A&M, currently plays in Italy) helped Treviso win their game against the closely-ranked Pesaro 97-89 in the Italian Serie A last Saturday. He recorded 12 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks in 28 minutes. Mekowulu averaged so far 12.2ppg, 6.1rpg and 1.2bpg in 24 games. Worth to mention Mekowulu played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.

   #9. Josh Nzeakor (203-F/C-97, college: Lamar, currently plays in Argentina) was the main contributor in Atenas' victory against the league outsider Bahia 84-68 in the Argentinian La Liga on Tuesday night. He was the top player that evening. Nzeakor recorded 25 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Nzeakor averaged so far 14.5ppg and 6.1rpg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #10. Michael Fakuade (201-F-89, agency: Slash Sports, college: UIS, currently plays in Poland) was not able to help Wilki Morskie (17-13) in their last game. Despite Fakuade's good performance Wilki Morskie lost 72-79 in Warszawa to the second-ranked Legia. He recorded 13 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 27 minutes. Fakuade averaged so far 11.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.7apg and 1.3bpg in 27 games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.