Chima Moneke'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.

Chima Moneke

   #1. This week's number one is an international forward Chima Moneke (198-95, college: UC Davis, currently plays in Spain). He led Manresa to a victory over the 16th-ranked Obradoiro (5-11) crushing them 104-84 in the Spanish Liga Endesa in Wednesday night's game. Moneke was MVP of the game. He had a double-double by scoring 32 points and getting 12 rebounds in 24 minutes on the court. BAXI Manresa (2-1) is placed second in the Liga Endesa. Moneke has relatively good stats this year: 14.9ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.2apg, 1.7spg, 2FGP: 64.0%(73-114), 3FGP: 31.3% and FT: 70.5% in 16 games he played so far. He is currently a member of the Nigerian senior national team.

Alade Aminu

   #2. Second place goes to an experienced former international power forward Alade Aminu (207-87, college: Georgia Tech, currently plays in Iran). Aminu was the main contributor in Chemidor's victory against the second-ranked Sirjan (11-6) 63-60 in the Iranian Superleague last Friday. He was the best player in that game. Aminu recorded a double-double by scoring 24 points and getting 15 rebounds. It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams. Chemidor Tehran (15-2) is placed first in Group E. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. There are only three games left until the end of the Second Stage. So now every game will be critical. Aminu has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 18.7ppg, 13.0rpg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 62.5%(25-40) and FT: 75.0%. Aminu played for the Nigerian national team in 2020.

Rasheed Sulaimon

   #3. The Nigerian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international guard Rasheed Sulaimon (193-94, college: Maryland, currently plays in France). He could not help JL Bourg (1-0) in their last game. Despite Sulaimon's very good performance JL Bourg was edged 98-97 on the road by the much lower-ranked (#15) Chalons-Reims. He was the top scorer with 35 points. Sulaimon also added 5 rebounds in 42 minutes. It's Sulaimon's first season with the team. He has very impressive stats this year: 15.3ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.9apg, 2FGP: 51.0%, 3FGP: 36.8% and FT: 77.1% in 16 games. Sulaimon has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American. Despite he played previously for the USA U19 national team, Sulaimon played also for the Nigerian national team in 2020.

Tonye Jekiri

   #4. Center Tonye Jekiri (212-94, agency: Network Sports International, college: Miami, FL, currently plays in VTB United League) contributed to Unics' victory against the seventh-ranked N.Novgorod (5-6) 85-71 in the VTB United League last Sunday. He recorded 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 28 minutes. Unics Kazan (9-2) is placed first in group A. This year Jekiri's overall stats are: 4.5ppg and 5.0rpg in 10 games. He used to play for the Nigerian national team back in 2020.

Precious Achiuwa

   #5. International small forward Precious Achiuwa (206-99, college: Memphis, currently plays in NBA) contributed to a Toronto Raptors' surprising victory against the Milwaukee Bucks (28-19) 103-96 in the NBA in Saturday night's game. Achiuwa had a double-double by scoring 14 points and getting 10 rebounds. He also added 3 blocks in 39 minutes; not bad, considering it's only Achiuwa's second season in pro basketball. The Toronto Raptors have 21-21 record this season. This year Achiuwa has relatively solid stats: 8.0ppg, 7.8rpg and 1.3apg in 33 games. He plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

Zaid Hearst

   #6. Guard Zaid Hearst (194-92, college: Quinnipiac, currently plays in Ukraine) was not able to help Mykolaiv (4-7) in their last game on Friday. Despite Hearst's very good performance Mykolaiv was badly defeated 103-84 in Kamianske by the leading Prometey. He was the top scorer with 37 points. Hearst also added 4 rebounds. His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial. This season Hearst has very high stats. He averages: 18.5ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.8apg and 1.4spg. Hearst is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American. He is a former international player as he played for the Nigerian senior team two years ago.

Chimezie Metu

   #7. International power forward Chimezie Metu (211-97, college: USC, currently plays in NBA) was not able to secure a victory for the Sacramento Kings (18-29) in their last game. Despite Metu's good performance the Sacramento Kings (18-29) lost 112-118 in Houston to the Rockets. He recorded 14 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 26 minutes. Metu has reliable stats this year: 9.1ppg, 6.1rpg and 1.1apg in 31 games. He has both American and Nigerian nationalities. Metu is also Nigerian national team player.

Keith Omoerah

   #8. Guard Keith Omoerah (194-92, agency: BIG, college: Manitoba, currently plays in Sweden) couldn't help one of league's weakest teams KFUM Jamtland (16-5) in their last game on Tuesday. Despite his very good performance KFUM Jamtland was edged 102-101 in Norrkoping by the leading Dolphins. Omoerah scored 17 points, grabbed 8 boards, dished 3 assists and stole 3 balls. Omoerah's stats this season are: 12.0ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.0apg and 1.4spg. He plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

Gabe Vincent

   #9. International guard Gabe Vincent (190-96, college: UCSB, currently plays in NBA) helped Miami Heat win their game against the Portland Trail Blazers (18-26) 104-92 in the NBA last Wednesday. Vincent recorded 11 points, 7 assists and 3 steals in 37 minutes. The Miami Heat has a solid 29-16 record this season. Vincent's stats this year are: 8.8ppg, 1.9rpg and 2.9apg in 36 games. 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) faced previously mentioned Rasheed Sulaimon in the French Betclic ELITE ProA last game. Lawal helped Chalons-Reims edge the 12th-ranked JL Bourg (7-9) 98-97. He recorded 19 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 21 minutes. Lawal averaged so far 13.9ppg and 6.8rpg in 16 games. He also holds two passports: Nigerian and American. Lawal is a former international player as nine years ago he still played for the Nigerian senior national team.

   #11. Former international forward Melvin Ejim (201-91, agency: BeoBasket, college: Iowa St., currently plays in EuroCup) couldn't help KK Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (3-6) in their last game. Despite his good performance KK Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana lost 60-75 in Las Palmas to the leading Gran Canaria. Ejim recorded 10 points in 23 minutes. This year Ejim's total stats are: 9.9ppg and 4.7rpg in nine games. He used to play for the Nigerian national team ten years ago.

   #12. International forward Emmanuel Omogbo (203-95, agency: Octagon Europe, college: Colorado St., currently plays in Cyprus) helped Apoel win their game against the closely-ranked Keravnos 67-58 in the Cypriot OPAP Basket League on Tuesday night. Omogbo was the top player that evening. He recorded 15 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. This season Omogbo has very high stats. He averages: 16.1ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.0apg and 1.4spg. Omogbo holds both American and Nigerian passports. He is also in the roster of the Nigerian national team.

   #13. International guard Caleb Agada (196-94, agency: Pensack Sports, college: Ottawa, currently plays in Australia) helped United win their game against the closely-ranked Illawarra Hawks 88-84 in the Australian NBL last Sunday. Agada recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and getting 15 rebounds. This season Agada has very high stats. He averages: 16.6ppg, 7.8rpg, 1.8apg and 1.6spg. Despite Agada played previously for the Canadian university national team, he is currently in the Nigerian national team roster.

   #14. International guard Daniel Utomi (198-97, agency: Slash Sports, college: USC, currently plays in Italy) helped Pistoia win their game against the 11th-ranked Mantova 85-66 in the Italian Serie A2 (second division) on Sunday night. Utomi recorded 12 points and added 4 assists in 32 minutes. Utomi averaged so far 13.4ppg, 3.8rpg and 1.1apg in 13 games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. Utomi plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

   #15. International forward Jordan Nwora (203-98, college: Louisville, currently plays in NBA) helped Milwaukee Bucks win their game against the Golden State Warriors 118-99 in the NBA in Thursday night's game. He recorded 6 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Nwora averaged so far 8.5ppg and 4.0rpg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. Nwora 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. Obinna Oleka (203-PF-93, agency: Slash Sports, college: Arizona St., currently plays in Balkan League) led his Bulgarian team Beroe to a victory over the second-ranked Akademik Plovdiv (5-5) 98-91 in the Balkan League in Friday night's game. He was the top player that evening. Oleka recorded a double-double by scoring 30 points and getting 10 rebounds. He also added 4 assists and 4 steals. BC Beroe Stara Zagora (3-6) is placed sixth in the Balkan League. Oleka's team will play only one more game in the Balkan League Regular Season. And that game will be critical. Oleka has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 18.0ppg, 9.7rpg, 1.6apg and 1.7spg. Oleka has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American.

   #2. Experienced Onyeka Okongwu (206-PF-0, college: USC, currently plays in NBA) contributed to an Atlanta Hawks' victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves (22-23) 134-122 in the NBA on Wednesday night. Okongwu recorded 17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 blocks; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his second season in pro basketball. The Atlanta Hawks have 19-25 record this season. This year Okongwu has relatively solid stats: 9.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.2apg and 1.8bpg. He is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #3. Ike Joseph Udanoh (202-PF-89, college: WSU, currently plays in France) contributed to an easy victory against the seventh-ranked Limoges CSP Elite (9-7) crushing them 97-66 in the French Betclic ELITE ProA on Saturday night. Udanoh recorded 8 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. SIG Strasbourg (1-0) is placed first in the Betclic ELITE ProA. Udanoh's total stats this season are: 5.8ppg, 5.9rpg and 1.6apg. He has both American and Nigerian nationalities.

   #4. Tanksley Efianayi (198-G/F-94, college: UCF, currently plays in Uruguay) could not help Urunday (4-8) in their last game on Friday. Despite his good performance Urunday was badly defeated 77-61 in a derby game by the league outsider Capitol (#14). Efianayi was the second best scorer with 13 points. He also added 7 rebounds and 2 blocks. Efianayi's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial. This season Efianayi has very high stats. He averages: 16.8ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.5apg and 1.2spg. Efianayi also holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

   #5. Al-Wajid Aminu (201-PF-98, college: UNF, currently plays in Basketball Champions League) was not able to help one of league's weakest teams Lavrio in their game against Treviso (4-2) in the Basketball Champions League. Despite his good performance in Tuesday night's game Aminu scored 10 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and made 2 blocks. Aminu has averaged so far 3.6ppg and 3.9rpg. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #6. Maxie Esho (206-F/C-91, college: UMass, currently plays in Saudi Arabia) was the main contributor in an Al Ittihad's victory against the ninth-ranked Al Ahly crushing them 108-87 in a derby game in the Saudi Arabian SBL last Monday. Esho was the top player that evening. He had a double-double by scoring 29 points and getting 14 rebounds. Esho also added 5 assists in 37 minutes. Esho has very impressive stats this year: 21.6ppg, 13.5rpg and 3.8apg in eight games he played so far. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #7. O.D. Anosike (203-F/C-91, college: Siena, currently plays in France) contributed to an easy victory against the league outsider Le Portel 85-69 in the French Betclic ELITE ProA in Friday night's game. Anosike had a double-double by scoring 13 points and getting 12 rebounds. He also added 3 assists in 26 minutes. Anosike has averaged so far 9.8ppg, 7.0rpg and 2.3apg in four games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

   #8. James Nnaji (209-C-4, currently plays in Euroleague) managed to help FC Barcelona Lassa in a victory against the eighth-ranked Efes 82-77 in the Euroleague last Thursday. He scored only 2 points in 5 minutes on the court. This year Nnaji averages just 1.2ppg in five games.

   #9. Christian Mekowulu (205-F-95, college: Texas A&M, currently plays in Italy) contributed to Sassari's victory against the closely-ranked Trento 88-80 in the Italian Serie A on Sunday night. Mekowulu recorded 7 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Mekowulu has averaged so far 9.7ppg and 6.5rpg. Worth to mention he played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.

   #10. Stephen Ugochukwu (201-F-96, college: McNeese St., currently plays in Spain) contributed to Navarra's victory against the 14th-ranked Marbella 77-72 in the Spanish LEB Silver (third division) in Saturday night's game. Ugochukwu was the top player that evening. He scored 21 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) in 20 minutes. Ugochukwu averaged so far 11.8ppg and 6.3rpg in 12 games. He holds both American and Nigerian passports. He attended previously one of camps at Eurobasket Summer League on his way to pro basketball.