Nigeria-born rising star, Precious Achiuwa has admitted he was thrilled beyond compare being able to make history alongside seven other players from the West African country in this year’s National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft, megasportsarena.com reports.
Achiuwa is one of eight players of Nigerian descent that were on Wednesday selected in the 2020 NBA Draft and, though the vent held virtually for the first time in history, the youngster admitted he was excited to be part of the record high entry for any African country.
He and Udoka Azubuike, who were both born in Nigeria, were selected in the top 30 bracket, making it the first time that two players from Nigeria were selected in the first round of the same NBA Draft.
The NBA Draft 2020 was presented from ESPN’s studios in Bristol, during which Minnesota Timberwolves made the first pick for the second time in franchise history, selecting Georgia’s Anthony Edwards.
Golden State Warriors then picked second, getting Memphis Grizzles’ James Wiseman, for the first time in the common draft era, while Charlotte Hornets picked LaMelo Ball from Australia’s NBL third overall, but the biggest talking point was on the Nigerian lads, one of who turned out to be the first pick overall.
Achiuwa (20th overall by Miami Heat) and Azubuike (27th overall by Utah Jazz) are among the historic set of eight draftees from or with at least one parent from Nigeria, including Isaac Okoro (5th overall by Cleveland Cavaliers) and Onyeka Okongwu (6th overall by the Atlanta Hawks).
They were joined by Zeke Nnaji (22nd overall by Denver Nuggets), Desmond Bane (30th overall by Boston Celtics), Daniel Oturu (33rd overall by Minnesota Timberwolves) and Jordan Nwora (45th overall by Milwaukee Bucks).
Achiuwa, who was selected 20th overall by Miami Heat, becoming the third Nigerian player to be drafted in the first round since 2000, declared: “First I want to thank God. I want to thank God for putting me in this type of position where I’m playing for a great organization and able to represent not just myself but where I’m from.
“My whole country behind me, my whole city. And to play for an organization like the Heat is going to be amazing. I can’t wait to be able to get out there and compete with the rest of my teammates.”
Azubuike, who was selected 27th overall by Utah Jazz, added: “For me, I’ve just been working hard and keeping my head down. Not listening to the people talking about projections. A lot of people had me in the second round.
“I wasn’t concerned about that. I know what I bring to the table. I know what I can bring to a team. I know whatever team drafted me, I’m going to have to go there and have to prove myself and work hard.”
Okoro, a 6’6 shooting guard/small forward from Auburn, also expressed his delight at being the first Nigerian to be drafted, adding: “It feels great to be the first Nigerian in this draft to be drafted.
“It’s also just a blessing. My mom always tells me to keep that Nigerian pride. Even though I wasn’t born in Nigeria, I still got Nigerian blood. So it’s just having that on my shoulders.”
