Nigerian men’s basketball national team, D’Tigers’ star, Precious Achiuwa has officially left Miami Heat of America to Toronto Raptors of Canada in an exchange deal, megasportsarena.com reports.
The deal taking Achiuwa to the Toronto-based former champions of USA’s National Basketball Association (NBA) comes as part of the total package that sees Lowry join Miami Heat in a sign-and-trade agreement, while Jimmy Butler and Duncan Robinson inked extensions.
The report out of Uncle Sam’s Country added that the deal for Lowry also sees Goran Dragic head to Toronto with Achiuwa, while Butler and Robinson sign mammoth contract extensions, with P.J. Tucker, Dewayne Dedmon and Max Strus also added on first day of free agency.
Incidentally, Achiuwa’s teammate and captain in D’Tigers’ squad to Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Gabe Vincent penned a new contract with Miami Heat on the same terms as Strus.
The report by Sky Sports added: “Six-time NBA All-Star Kyle Lowry has agreed to join the Miami Heat in a sign-and-trade agreement with the Toronto Raptors.
“Lowry, 35, spent nine seasons in Toronto and won the NBA championship in 2019. He is widely regarded by the team’s supporters as the ‘Greatest Raptor of All-Time’ and leaves on good terms with the franchise.
“Despite ongoing speculation that he would join either the Heat or the Los Angeles Lakers during the regular season to boost their title chances, no trade materialised at the midseason deadline in February.
“ESPN reported the Raptors would likely receive Slovenian guard Goran Dragic, 35, and forward Precious Achiuwa, 21, as part of the trade when deals can become official on August 6.”
Achiuwa, picked 20th overall in 2020, was one of an historic class of nine players of Nigerian origin who were selected in that NBA Draft.
The fast-rising player, who impressed in his rookie season in Florida, added that he is grateful for his time with The Heat and believes he could not have landed in a better place for his rookie season.
Achiuwa, who averaged five points and 3.4 rebounds in 12.1 minutes per game last season, further told ESPN: “I think it was a great place that I got drafted by.
“Not just that I was able to play, I was able to learn a lot, to learn accountability from the first day. They told me from the first day that this opportunity requires accountability.
“I had to be accountable for what I out there and I was able to show what I could do that while also learning how to play the NBA game. I had great vets with me on the team.
“Guys like Andre Iguodala, who also has Nigerian descent, and a lot of others that I listened to all year and I was able to pick up a lot of things and learn and add to my game.”
