Jordan Nwora will be the most popular pick on the list to Nigerians as the 22-year-old is a member of the country's senior men's basketball team, otherwise known as D'Tigers. 'They have no choice now': LeBron James, seldom labeled a pure scorer, eyes the NBA points summit, Warriors' Iguodala set for season debut vs. Magic, The questions that will determine the Warriors' repeat title run, 16 carats?! He rested on one end of every back-to-back the . Almost instantly, he became a hit, making his mark as one of the league's premier players. I feel quick. He was born to Nigerian parents who are pentecostal ministers in Minnesota, with his father Francis a former table tennis player for Nigeria. It was an amazing experience, man. Early into the season, Philadelphia was struggling, which led to the departure of head coach Maurice Cheeks. But I think once guys get in, what they are realizing is this is not a quick space. The inaugural edition of the event began in 2017 where Iguodala and teammate Stephen Curry played hosts. [55] On January 16, 2017, he came off the bench to make all five of his field goal attempts for a season-high 14 points in a 12691 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Im glad he played well, but Im glad we got the win. It is something that you are invested in. Andre Iguodala will return to play his 19th season in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors, the veteran announced on his "Point Forward" podcast Friday morning. He was a member of the United States national team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship and 2012 Summer Olympics, winning the gold medal both times. Unfortunately, Iguodala went on to miss twelve consecutive games. Free shipping for many products! Once he picks up momentum it is unstoppable to stop the Greek Freek. There were like four or five companies total where we made some great success with the investments. One of them was a mobile gaming company that had a lot of success in Zynga. Between Jan. 18 and March 31 of last year, Iguodala played in just two games. [5] After the season, Iguodala signed with agent Rob Pelinka, co-founder of the Landmark Sports Agency, who had represented NBA All-Stars such as Kobe Bryant, Carlos Boozer and Gerald Wallace. He finished the season averaging 17.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.8 apg, and 1.7 spg. He replaced LeBron James in that role. I didn't think I'd be able to play at a level like Louisville," he said before the draft. So it's just having that on my shoulders.". [37] When playing against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 23, 2013, Iguodala strained his left hamstring late in the third quarter. Andre Iguodala - Wikipedia I've really improved my jump shot and shooting the three-pointer well. Iguodala visited the Arkansas campus and was impressed by their large gymnasium and the number of fans at a practice while he visited with his mother and father. Andre Iguodala is born of a Nigerian father and an African-American mother. [57] On March 13, 2017, he was fined $10,000 by the NBA for using racially intemperate language in an interview following the Warriors' loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 10. Andre Iguodala, an NBA star, has returned to the Golden State Warriors and is currently destroying the 2021 season playoffs by doing what he does best. [68][69] After starting nine consecutive games,[70] he missed the deciding Game 4 in the conference finals against Portland with a sore left calf injury from Game 3. The 19-year-old shooting guard is 6ft 9 and was a high school teammate of third pick LaMelo Ball at Chino Hills in California, where he was born. The Sixers eventually fell to the Magic in the playoffs, failing to reach the second round. This year, a country has established its presence during the NBA drafts - Nigeria. Coming into the 201011 NBA season, the 76ers were expected to rebound from their poor season. Daniel Oturu was the third choice in the second round of the draft which made him the 33rd pick overall. Miami Heat may well get a few more fans in Nigeria as Achiuwa will join four others at the team who have Nigerian heritage - Bam Adebayo, Andre Iguodala, Chikezie 'KZ' Okpala and Gabe Vincent. In his freshman year, the Wildcats were defeated in the Elite Eight by Kansas. This is the first time Nigeria qualified for the Olympics, but with Iguodala aboard, who knows if the team would have made it sooner? After Allen Iverson was traded to the Denver Nuggets and Chris Webber was released, Iguodala would have to get accustomed to his new leadership role with the 76ers. Iguodalas father is Nigerian. The 22-year-old was the last of the players of Nigerian heritage to be selected in the first round of the draft. He has appeared in three playoffs and two NBA All Stars games proving his potential. His older brother, Frank, played for Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois, and Dayton. [102], Iguodala is a tech investor and a leading advocate for athletes in the NBA to invest in the technology industry. I bring a mature, consistent approach, both on and off the floor, and I think that'll be beneficial early on," he said about the prospect of playing in the NBA. In the FIBA World Championships Iguodala displayed his athleticism with an array of fastbreak dunks. Andre Iguodala found himself in recent months in discussions with his few N.B.A. He was also a member of the United States national team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship and 2012 Summer Olympics, winning the gold medal both times.[2]. Andre Iguodala, whose father is Nigerian, turned down Team Nigeria when they repeatedly tried to recruit him for their Olympic squad. Iguodala was also a finalist for the Illinois Mr. Basketball award, which was awarded to Dee Brown. Andre Iguodala: American-based Nigerian NBA star - Vanguard News In their conference finals match-up with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Iguodala helped the Warriors fight back from a 31 deficit in the series to win clinch a 43 victory. I didnt necessarily show well early on in the Training Camp process. After posting career totals of 594 points (9.6 ppg), 409 rebounds (6.6 rpg) and 95 steals (1.53 spg) in 62 games (34 starts) he left to enter the NBA draft. The inaugural edition of the event began in 2017 where Iguodala and teammate Stephen Curry played hosts. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 8 years ago today. "I'm so excited to play alongside Rudy (Gobert)," Azubuike said. Iguodala is a huge figure who wields influence in both on and off the court of Basketball. Iguodala scored a season-high 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting, which included four 3-pointers. [83] The Heat reached the 2020 NBA Finals, where they lost 42 to the Los Angeles Lakers,[84] and Iguodala became the tenth player in NBA history to make it to six straight Finals. In his rookie year, Ayton posted noteworthy numbers by averaging 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds. When you go out there, youre not just representing your country or the NBA, youre representing your beliefs. The Players Technology Summit, sponsored by Bloomberg, was established as a platform to set a discourse and help shape conversations for athletes' financial future through opportunities in the technology industry. The next Basketball Without Borders trip that is in Nigeria, I want to be a part of that one.. The organization has hosted basketball camps and the annual "Thanksgiving with Dre", which has distributed food baskets to families in need. You gotta tip your hat to that, to what they did to us in our home floor. Victor Oladipo grew up in the town of Upper Marlboro, Maryland. And at around the age of 16, Adebayo felt compelled to delve more into his Nigerian roots. The 21-year-old, 6ft 9, power forward grew up playing football in Port Harcourt, before moving to the USA as a teenager. He is the son of Linda Shanklin. He was awarded the Finals MVP in 2015. The 6ft 7 small forward was chosen as the 45th overall pick (or the 15th in the second round) by the Milwaukee Bucks. Iguodala averaged career-highs in rebounds, assists, and blocks, and a career-low in personal fouls. A total of eight players with Nigerian heritage were picked during Wednesday night's NBA draft for the 2020-21 season. Victor began his NBA career in 2013 as a second overall draft pick by the Orlando Magic. Were a lot further than we were three, four years ago. Went to Canada, played there, where I ended up playing against my future teammate Kelly Olynyk, so that was a cool experience when I get here to the HEAT to talk to him about that. Last season, Iguodala played just 31 games during the regular season. Warriors' Andre Iguodala set for season debut vs. Magic - ESPN Ricky Rubio Feels Back to Normal After Comeback Game, Stephen Curry on His Return to Play and Regaining His Rhythm, REPORT: Miami Interested in Buying Out Jae Crowder, Drexel Guard Keishana Washington is One of the Coldest Scorers in the CountryAnd Shes Just Getting Started, How the NBA G League is at the Forefront of Basketball Innovation, from Player Development to Testing New Rules, Frank Jackson on His NBA Journey, Proving Himself and Getting to Play for the City He Calls Home, Stephen Curry Believes Andre Iguodala is Absolutely An Hall of Famer, Andre Iguodala Confirms Hell Return to the Warriors for His 19th Season, Warriors Owner Joe Lacob Fined $500,000 For Calling the Luxury Tax Unfair. They were eventually eliminated by the Boston Celtics in a thrilling seven games in the Conference Semifinals. He played like a man possessed while under the paint. He played in a tournament put together at the NBA 2K10 launch party in New York City against other NBA players Nate Robinson, Brook Lopez and Rajon Rondo, and rapper Wale. Everything you need to know about the Warriors' championship rings, Warriors vet Iguodala returning for 19th season, They said it! Iguodala played for Philadelphia until the summer of 2012 when he joined the Denver Nuggets in a four-team trade. At the time of Webber's release, the Sixers were 926 (Iverson only played 15 games before he was traded). In 2017, he partnered with Bloomberg on the creation of The Players Technology Summit which convenes top executives and leaders in the technology, venture capital, and sports communities to exchange ideas and share expertise in an educational and empowering forum. That was just an E-Trade investment. Oguodala is known for his savvy business instincts and has been at the forefront of navigating the worlds of venture capital and technology in the Bay Area. His date of birth is however unknown but he is believed to be in his early 60s considering the age of his son younger Andre (age 38 years). Iguodala was named the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) First Vice President earlier this year. Your money starts growing. : Ja Morant thinks he could take MJ one-on-one and more Quotes of the Week, Steph: You need guys like Kerr and Iguodala to give you confidence, Warriors minus Iguodala (right knee) for Game 2, 2022 NBA playoffs: The best poster dunks from every series, Warriors' Iguodala, Porter, Payton available for G1. Read about our approach to external linking. He drives to the ring with great speed and regularly dunks without holding back. "Myself, I just want to be able to get better, be able to be the best that I can be, continue to work hard, have a great work ethic.". I feel Im accountable for this business, on and off the court. At Lanphier he did well academically and athletically; he won All-Conference academic honors, was on the National Honor Roll, was a State Journal-Register Student-Athlete of the Week several times,[7] and gained three letters in track for the high jump. His first dunk was a simple windmill, but then for his second dunk he received a pass from Allen Iverson off the back side of the backboard, then leapt under the board and put in the reverse on the other side and was awarded a perfect score of 50 points. Your login session has expired. ", "Iguodala sheds light on decision to return to Warriors: 'He started crying', "Basketball Olympian says faith keeps him balanced", "Hooked: Golden State Warriors Star Andre Iguodala Has Become A Golf Fanatic - Golf Digest", "Andre Iguodala puts golf passion to work at PGA Championship", "Wale and Andre Iguodala go Head to Head at NBA2K10 Launch Party", "NBA All-Star Andre Iguodala Named Twice Menswear Style Director", "Silicon Valley Warrior: Andre Iguodala blazing the trail for the NBA in Players Tech Summit | BWB", "Andre Iguodala On Upping His Game From The Basketball Court To The Boardroom", "Andre Iguodala On 'The Sixth Man,' Retirement And The Pressures Faced By The Modern Athlete", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Andre_Iguodala&oldid=1142643864, American sportspeople of Nigerian descent, Arizona Wildcats men's basketball players, Basketball players at the 2012 Summer Olympics, National Basketball Association All-Stars, Olympic gold medalists for the United States in basketball, Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball), United States men's national basketball team players, 21st-century African-American sportspeople, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 3 March 2023, at 16:01. On November 28, 2016, Iguodala had a season-best game with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists in a 105100 win over the Atlanta Hawks, helping the Warriors start the season 162 while recording their 12th straight victorytheir equal third-longest streak in franchise history. . The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Iguodala is a Nigerian name borne by people of Edo in South . Antony Ressler: If youre the final decision maker, which I am, you have to have complete accountability. He was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshmen team for 200203. News: 20 hours agoIguodala (hip) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pelicans. Almost instantly, he became a hit, making his mark as one of the leagues premier players. During the summer of 2000, Iguodala captured the attention of coaches around the nation as he was named the AAU national tournament Most Valuable Player after hitting the game-winning shot at the final buzzer to give his team the 17-and-under national title. And we felt like we fell short without getting a medal. [95][96], Iguodala is a Christian. He can knock down mid-range jumpers, floaters and fadeaways to score in contests making him a lethal scorer. CC:Photo by Steve Jennings/Getty Images for techCrunch "For me, it's really important because I have a lot of roots in Africa with my father being from Nigeria," Iguodala told TechCrunch over the phone this week. In his NBA finals run, Adebayo put up unbelievable numbers in the playoffs for a second-year-player. Africa largest e-commerce platform welcomes Golden State super star Andre Iguodala as a board member. Iguodala was a member of the United States national team in the 2010 FIBA World Championship, winning the gold medal. Coming in as the 27th overall pick was Udoka Azubuike who will be playing for the Utah Jazz. Its no secret that basketball is a global sport. It made me who I am, and its pretty much the foundation of who I am today, Achiuwa said. Top 5 active NBA players with Nigerian origins - Sportskeeda On defense, Oladipo can guard all around his court. [34] On November 14, Iguodala made the game-winning, buzzer-beating shot in the Warriors' 116115 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Previously with the 3-time NBA Champions Golden State Warriors, Iguodala was drafted into the NBA in 2004. He also made the All-Pac-10 First Team and was named Honorable Mention All-America by The Associated Press. Philadelphia also traded veteran big man Samuel Dalembert to the Sacramento Kings for a younger center Spencer Hawes; the 76ers also acquired Andrs Nocioni in the deal. That should be everyone's goal, to win a championship that everyone wants to win," Okongwu insisted. It was a grind, to be honest. My body feels explosive. Performance & security by Cloudflare. He has the ability to drive to the basket and finish with aggressive dunks or crafty layups. This led to the firing of Nuggets coach George Karl, who just won the NBA Coach of the Year Award. National Basketball Association, NBA star, Andre Tyler Iguodala is on his way to Africa. [16][17] He finished fourth in voting for NBA Rookie of the Year.[18]. After attending Lanphier High School in Springfield, Illinois, Iguodala enrolled at the University of Arizona. Along with his star teammate Jimmy Butler, Adebayo has taken the Florida team to three playoffs, reaching the NBA finals against the LA Lakers in the 2019-20 season. Iguodala told . Andre Iguodala: American-based Nigerian NBA star - Vanguard News Iguodala had a poor playoffs series, averaging 13 points per game. Spin: Iguodala hasn't suited up since mid-January and will miss yet another game Friday. The Warriors' small lineup, which came to be known as the Death Lineup, helped turn the series around. He can pivot and spin around defenders for easy floaters or reach out for in-traffic dunks. I think I can add a lot to the table, like add a lot of aggression and grittiness.". The Sixers, however, were a big disappointment, going only 2755 during the regular season and missing the playoffs after two straight playoff berths. And then with other companies, I am doing very well. trademarks of Slam Media Inc. All rights reserved. He reminds me a lot of Kevin Garnett with his package - his athleticism, his skill set," Underwood said. Im proud of where Im from. Antony Ressler on Trae Young: 'I don't open the door or close the door to any personnel'. Your IP: [46] He finished the series averaging 16.3 points, 4 assists, and 5.8 rebounds. The Sixers fired head coach Eddie Jordan and brought in Doug Collins. The 19-year-old, who is 6ft 6, was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Nigerian parents and the small forward was part of the USA's winning team at the 2018 Under-17 Basketball World Cup in Argentina. [80][81][82], On February 6, 2020, Iguodala was traded to the Miami Heat in a three-team trade along with Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill with Memphis and Minnesota. Iguodala hasn't suited up since mid-January and will miss yet another game Friday. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. So he was invited to try out for - and in this case, "try out for" means "make" - the Nigerian Olympic squad. Precious Achiuwa was born in the country, while Bam Adebayo, Andre Iguodala, KZ Okpala, Victor Oladipo and Gabe Vincent have one or both parents from Nigeria originally. 2 seed Detroit. I had a similar role to affect the game defensively. Andre Tyler Iguodala was born on the 28th of January 1984 to a Nigerian father and an African American mother in Illinois. In July 2013, Iguodala declined a five-year deal with Denver and agreed to a four-year for a reported $48 million with the Golden State Warriors. pic.twitter.com/xBfn4VKGBm. Iggy is currently playing for Miami Heat. From there, you start doing your homework. [29] At the end of the 201112 NBA season, Iguodala averaged 12.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 5.5 apg, 1.7 spg in 35.6 mpg. His decision to remain away from the team drew backlash from teammates, notably Dillon Brooks and Ja Morant, who criticized his refusal to play as disrespectful. #NBABDAY #ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/X4xCz3NFvr. [92] He helped Team USA win the gold medal against Spain in a 107100 victory. Andre Tyler Iguodala (born January 28, 1984) is an American professional basketball swingman for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). However, on December 17, 2013, Iguodala returned to action in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. On September 23, 2022, Iguodala re-signed with the Warriors on a one-year, fully guaranteed, 2.9 million dollar contract (the veteran's minimum) and announced his decision to retire after the season. He showed his versatility during the season posting up a career-high in triple-doubles. "I've been working a lot during these quarantine times, and I feel like I've made a lot of improvements," Nnaji explained. [27] The contract had $5 million in bonuses and a player option for the sixth year. It was difficult, so just reading what my name comes from, getting the basics down, like really learning like the heritage and where Im from and what tribe.. [76], The Grizzlies, who were rebuilding, reached an agreement before training camp to allow Iguodala to stay away from the team and train on his own. Leonard Shanklin is a celebrity parent who happens to be the father of popular NBA star, Andre Iguodala. Be the first one to comment on this story. Speaking about the visit, he said: Because of my Nigerian heritage, Jumias use of technology to deliver innovative online services to consumers and improve the quality of everyday life in Africa is very important to me. Andre Tyler Iguodala ( / wdl / ig-w-DAH-l; born January 28, 1984) [1] is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Aug 6, 2021 at 11:20 am ET 1 min read. On his 28th birthday, Iguodala recorded a 10-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double effort in a win over the Pistons. Sadness. He was named Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year as well as a second-team Parade All-American and Nike All-American. [105], Iguodala appeared as a fictionalized version of himself in the second season of Abbott Elementary (2022).[106]. It keeps me focused. Per the Philly Inquirer: "Iguodala's father is. Of course I take responsibility. [58] The Warriors finished the season as the first seed in the West with a 6715 record. This list will consider the players' impact on the NBA league and their current form and past seasons. [94] Iguodala has a daughter and a son. They didnt know I invested. So he was invited to try out for and in this case, try out for means make the Nigerian Olympic squad. They got one. pic.twitter.com/Z8dJNufBYr, Jimmy Butler, Julius Randle, Miami Heat, New York Knicks. Andre Iguodala is an American professional basketball who has a net worth of $50 million. He still calls this house home now. His father was Nigeria's head coach at the World Cup (now the country's assistant coach) and the duo became the first Nigerian son and father to be part of a Nigerian national team side at the same time. It didnt feel right to me. "It feels great to be the first Nigerian in this draft to be drafted," he said after being picked. Giannis is often double-teamed in defense and yet he spins, pivots, or just drives past. His defensive prowess lies in his ability to gather balls off the rim and offensively, he can put the same balls back in for quick buckets. Last updated on 19 November 202019 November 2020.From the section Sport Africa. He had been making those shots all game, man. When Iguodala was in the game, James made only 38.1% of his shots, compared to 44% without Iguodala. He played a leading role in each of Golden States championship seasons. His Lanphier jersey is now retired. We went to the Dominican Republic, played there. "To be honest, I didn't think I'd be in the position I'm in today. [41] The Warriors advanced to the 2015 NBA Finals to face Cleveland, where he was the team's best defender against Cavaliers star James. [5] He later established the Andre Iguodala Youth Foundation, whose stated mission is to use sports as a means to help youths. While in secondary school, he consistently maintained excellent grades . Do you believe significant roster changes might be necessary after this season? In his freshman year he quickly established himself as one of the best all-around players on the team, ranking in the top 5 for his team in just about every major category. Iguodala joined Jumia as an ambassador and a board member. His arrival in Denver led to some league experts labeling Denver a contender. Founded in Lagos,Nigeria in 2013, Jumia is the African version of Amazon. When people see us on the court, we want them to see Gods work. [67] In a sign of respect towards their opponent and with an increased urgency, Kerr opened the conference semifinals against Houston by moving Iguodala from the bench and starting their Hamptons Five lineup for the first time in the season. Other players involved in the deal included All-Stars Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard. Vincent, one of Miamis two-way players, played for the Nigerian National Team in the FIBA World Cup in 2019 with Josh Okogie and Al-Farouq Aminu. Of course, the Basketball Africa League, which was organized by the NBA and FIBA, should foster even more interest in the sport. Gray Matters Capital Selects Two African Start-Ups for its Digital Self-Learning to Earning Accelera ONE OF BIRMINGHAMS BRIGHTEST ENTREPRENEURS, SHEGUN OTULANA, SOLD HIS COMPANY FOR $1.2 BILLION, Dear Black America: You Should Be Paying Attention to Africa, CKay becomes best-selling African singer in USA with Love Nwantiti, Minnesota Africans United lobbies African Summit in support of Minnesotas Expo 2027 Bid, African-American Diaspora Engagement at the Core of U.S.-African Relations in Multipolar World, The struggles of an immigrant student trying to fit in American Culture, Mima Fondong | Meet the daughter of trending Dr Stella Immanuel, Meet the richest African immigrants in America. [99][100] Iguodala enjoys playing video games, particularly the NBA 2K series. [26] He officially signed on August 17, 2008. His scoring average was the lowest of all the 24 All-Stars, but he was rewarded for being the best player on the 76ers, who were leading the Atlantic Division. He has an older. Golden State Warriors' Andre Iguodala joins Nigeria's Jumia Board of 200809 season: Leading the NBA in minutes, 200910 season: Reunion with Allen Iverson, 201011 season: All-Defensive Second Team, 201415 season: First NBA championship and Finals MVP, 201516 season: Sixth Man of the Year runner-up, 201819 season: Fifth NBA Finals appearance, 201920 season: Sixth NBA Finals appearance, 2010 FIBA World Championship Gold medal, List of National Basketball Association career games played leaders, List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders, List of National Basketball Association annual minutes leaders, "Andre Iguodala voted first VP of National Basketball Players Association", "Player Bio: Andre Iguodala University of Arizona Wildcats Official Athletic Site", "Looking into the life of the Sixers' Andre Iguodala", "Operating on the Hardwood- Andre Iguodala to Arkansas", "Inside the free-agency frenzy that almost cost the Warriors a Finals MVP", "Dick Vitale - Some declaring for draft are making a mistake", "Robinson wins dunkfest amid controversy", "Robinson rises above Slam-Dunk competition", "Emeka Okafor Named 2004-05 NBA got milk? The objective of the event is to help startups understand what they need to do to attract investment. Andre Tyler Iguodala (born January 28, 1984) is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Constantly contesting with the help of his exceptional strength and size. Even though I wasn't born in Nigeria, I still got Nigerian blood. His return fill's the team's 14th . [79][80] Memphis was hoping for a quality trade with a playoff contender in exchange for Iguodala and his championship experience. That was the first time that two players born in Nigeria have been picked in the first round of the same draft. Precious Achiuwa, who is one of two players born and raised in Nigeria, was the 20th overall pick and was picked by Miami Heat.