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

Here is the weekly review of the top performing Nigerian players, who play currently abroad.

John Egbunu

   #1. This week's number one is an international center John Egbunu (211-94, college: Florida, currently plays in Italy). Egbunu led Varese to a 3-point victory against the ninth-ranked Brescia (0-1) 75-72 in the Italian Serie A last Sunday. He recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points and getting 13 rebounds. Egbunu also added 2 blocks. It was his first game for Varese this season. His team is placed in the Serie A. Egbunu played for the Nigerian senior national team one years ago.

Lotanna Nwogbo

   #2. Second place goes to former international power forward Lotanna Nwogbo (203-93, college: Longwood, currently plays in FIBA Europe Cup). He led his Dutch team Groningen to a victory over the 11th-ranked Gmunden Swans (1-1) crushing them 80-53 in the FIBA Europe Cup on Wednesday night. Nwogbo was MVP of the game. He scored 22 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and made 3 blocks in 25 minutes. . Donar Groningen (1-1) is placed fifth in group Q. The Qualifying Round already ended in the FIBA Europe Cup. It's Nwogbo's first season with the team. Nwogbo has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 19.5ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.5bpg, 1.5spg, 2FGP: 65.0%(13-20) and FT: 86.7% in two games he played so far. Nwogbo has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American. He played for the Nigerian national team in 2018.

Amaze Egekeze

   #3. The Nigerian player who performed third best last week abroad was an international forward Amaze Egekeze (203-95, college: Belmont, currently plays in BNXT-League) is a teammate of previously mentioned Lotanna Nwogbo. But that was another game of his team in BNXT League which we would like to mention. Egekeze was the major contributor in Groningen's victory against the ninth-ranked Amsterdam (0-2) crushing them 96-60. He scored 22 points. Donar Groningen (1-1) is placed fifth in the BNXT League. This season Egekeze has very high stats. He averages: 17.5ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.5apg and FT: 90.9%. Egekeze is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American. He is also a member of the Nigerian senior national team.

Chima Moneke

   #4. Forward Chima Moneke (198-95, college: UC Davis, currently plays in Spain) was the main contributor in Manresa's victory against the 16th-ranked Real Betis (1-2) crushing them 106-64 in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Sunday. Moneke was the best player in that game. He scored 18 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 26 minutes. BAXI Manresa (2-1) is placed second in the Liga Endesa. But the season just started, so everything may happen. Moneke has relatively good stats this year: 12.3ppg, 6.7rpg and 1.3spg in three games. He is also Nigerian national team player.

Ike Nwamu

   #5. International guard Ike Nwamu (196-93, college: UNLV, currently plays in FIBA Europe Cup) could not help Ironi Nes-Ziona (1-1) in their last game on Friday. Despite Nwamu's very good performance the sixth-placed Ironi Nes-Ziona (1-1) was defeated 79-70 on the road by the higher-ranked FC Porto (#4) in the group Q of FIBA Europe Cup. He was the second best scorer with 19 points. The Qualifying Round already ended in the FIBA Europe Cup. This season Nwamu has relatively solid stats: 13.5ppg. He has both American and Nigerian nationalities. Nwamu plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

Stan Okoye

   #6. Small forward Stan Okoye (198-91, college: VMI, currently plays in Spain) was not able to help Zaragoza in their game against Burgos (1-2) in the Spanish Liga Endesa. He was the second best scorer with 9 points. Okoye also added 5 rebounds in 28 minutes. But Zaragoza was crushed 75-54 at home by the much lower-ranked (#13) Burgos. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. This year Okoye's overall stats are: 10.0ppg, 3.3rpg and 2.0spg in three games. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Okoye is international player as he played for the Nigerian senior team one years ago.

Tonye Jekiri

   #7. International center Tonye Jekiri (212-94, agency: Network Sports International, college: Miami, FL, currently plays in VTB United League) contributed to an easy victory against the bottom-ranked Enea Zastal (0-2) crushing them 92-63 in the VTB United League on Tuesday night. Jekiri recorded 11 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in a mere 17 minutes. in group A. Unics Kazan (2-0) is placed second. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. This year Jekiri's total stats are: 8.5ppg and 4.5rpg in two games. He used to play for the Nigerian national team last year.

Micheal Eric

   #8. An experienced center Micheal Eric (210-88, college: Temple, currently plays in Spain) was not able to secure a victory for Unicaja in their last game on Saturday. Despite Eric's good performance his team was edged 80-79 on their home court in Malaga by the lower-ranked Gran Canaria (#5). He scored 10 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Eric has averaged so far 9.0ppg, 4.0rpg and 1.3bpg. He used to play for the Nigerian national team last year.

Suleiman Braimoh

   #9. International power forward Suleiman Braimoh (203-89, college: Rice, currently plays in Spain) faced previously mentioned Stan Okoye in the Spanish Liga Endesa last game. Braimoh contributed to an easy victory against the seventh-ranked Zaragoza (2-1) crushing them 75-54. He scored 7 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 19 minutes. Braimoh has averaged so far 8.7ppg and 5.7rpg in three games. He used to play for the Nigerian national team last year.

Obi Emegano

   #10. Guard Obi Emegano (195-93, college: ORU, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Fuenlabrada (1-2) in their last game on Friday. Despite Emegano's good performance Fuenlabrada was defeated 95-86 in Vitoria by the higher-ranked Baskonia (#8). He scored 11 points and added 4 passes. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Emegano has reliable stats this season: 12.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.0apg and 1.3spg. He is an international player who is currently on the senior Nigerian National Team roster.

   #11. International center Jeleel Akindele (216-83, agency: BeoBasket, college: Chicago St., currently plays in Mexico) contributed to an easy victory against the fourth-ranked Libertadores crushing them 108-74 in the Mexican LNBP (second division) in Thursday night's game. Akindele scored 12 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 21 minutes. It was his first game for Soles this season. Akindele used to play for the Nigerian national team last year.

   #12. International forward TK Edogi (203-94, college: Iona, currently plays in FIBA Europe Cup) couldn't help Parnu in their game against Ironi Nes-Ziona in the KML. Edogi scored 7 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 15 minutes. His team lost 82-86. Edogi has averaged so far 9.0ppg and 3.0rpg in two games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. Edogi is also in the roster of the Nigerian national team.

   #13. Former international forward Melvin Ejim (201-91, also represented by BeoBasket, college: Iowa St., currently plays in ABA League) managed to help KK Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana to win against the tenth-ranked Krka crushing them 88-56 in the ABA League in Saturday night's game. He recorded only 2 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. It was his first game for KK Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana this season. Ejim used to play for the Nigerian national team nine years ago.


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

   #1. Christian Mekowulu (205-F-95, college: Texas A&M, currently plays in Italy) led Sassari to a 2-point victory over the 14th-ranked Pesaro (0-1) 75-73 in the Italian Serie A in Sunday night's game. Mekowulu was MVP of the game. He had a double-double by scoring 21 points and getting 11 rebounds. Mekowulu also added 4 blocks in 34 minutes. It was his first game for Sassari this season; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his third season in pro basketball. His team is placed first in the Serie A. So far Sassari won all four games in the Regular Season. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Worth to mention he played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.

   #2. O.D. Anosike (203-F/C-91, college: Siena, currently plays in Mexico) led Fuerza Regia to an easy victory against the fourth-ranked Lenadores (4-6) 98-81 in the Mexican LNBP (second division) last Friday. He scored 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. in group East. Fuerza Regia Monterrey (6-4) is placed first. Anosike has reliable stats this season: 11.8ppg, 9.0rpg and 1.4apg. He has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American.

   #3. Cameron Oluyitan (201-G/F, college: SUU, currently plays in Sweden) led Umea to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Koping Stars (0-1) 94-77 in the Swedish Basketligan last Tuesday. He scored 13 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Umea BSKT (1-1) is placed fourth in the Basketligan. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Oluyitan has averaged so far 9.0ppg and 3.0rpg. He is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #4. Richmond Aririguzoh (206-C-98, college: Princeton, currently plays in Germany). He could not help Crailsheim Merlins to beat EWE Baskets (1-1). Aririguzoh scored only 4 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 16 minutes. The league leader Crailsheim Merlins was edged 82-79 on the road by the lower-ranked (#6) EWE Baskets. Aririguzoh has averaged so far 2.5ppg and 3.5rpg in two games he played so far.

   #5. Efe Uwadiae-Odigie (203-F/C-89, college: Claflin, currently plays in France) contributed to a SO Maritime Boulogne's victory against the 13th-ranked STB Le Havre (0-2) 74-61 in the French NM1 (third division) on Friday night. He recorded 8 points. It was his first game for SO Maritime Boulogne this season. in Group B. His team is placed fifth. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Uwadiae-Odigie has both American and Nigerian nationalities.

   #6. Rob Ukawuba (191-G-94, college: NJIT, currently plays in Spain) led La Antigua to a victory over the tenth-ranked Leon 71-64 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) in Sunday night's game. He was the top player that evening. Ukawuba scored 23 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 37 minutes. Ukawuba has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 21.5ppg and 5.5rpg in two games. Ukawuba also holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #7. Experienced Samuel Taiwo (205-C-0, currently plays in Hungary) managed to help Szolnoki Olajbanyasz KK to win against the 11th-ranked Atomeromu crushing them 90-67 in the Hungarian A Division last Sunday. He scored only 2 points. Taiwo has averaged so far 2.0ppg and 2.0rpg. He holds both Nigerian and Hungarian passports.

   #8. Danny Agbelese (203-C-90, college: Hampton, currently plays in Spain) was not able to help Real Betis in their game against Murcia in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Agbelese cannot count Friday's game as one of the best ones. He scored only 2 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 15 minutes. His team was crushed by 22 points 88-66. Agbelese has averaged so far 2.3ppg and 3.0rpg in three games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #9. Godwin Omenaka (205-F/C-0, currently plays in Hungary) was not able to secure a victory for Alba in their game against DEAC in the Hungarian A Division. Omenaka scored only 4 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. His team was defeated 88-73. Omenaka has averaged so far 3.3ppg and 4.3rpg. He has dual citizenship: Nigerian and Hungarian.

   #10. Ebuka Izundu (208-C/F-96, college: Miami, FL, currently plays in ABA League) couldn't help FMP in their game against Buducnost in the ABA League. Izundu recorded 6 points in only 13 minutes. It was his first game for FMP this season. His team lost 72-82.