Giannis is often double-teamed in defense and yet he spins, pivots, or just drives past. The 22-year-old was the last of the players of Nigerian heritage to be selected in the first round of the draft. Landry has referenced the need for accountability. [105], Iguodala appeared as a fictionalized version of himself in the second season of Abbott Elementary (2022).[106]. Ive never been there. Obinna Ukwuani: The Nigerian MIT graduate who turned down 6-figure paycheck in US and returned to Africa. The draft was originally scheduled for 25 June but had been delayed because of the fallout from the coronavirus and was this year held via video calls. Telling the story of African immigrants living in the Americas, Nigerian 'unicorn' Interswitch sells stake to Visa, Nigerian-born Akim Aliu lands book deal on how he confronted racism in hockey. [71] The Warriors returned to the NBA Finals for the fifth straight season, but lost in six games to the Toronto Raptors. Iguodala became a member of the Board of Directors for Jumia Technologies, NYSE: JMIA, after the e-commerce platform successfully listed its billion-dollar IPO in April 2019. And we felt like we fell short without getting a medal. Jordan is also Nigeria's highest scorer in a single match after registering 36 points in a 2019 World Cup qualifier in Lagos. In the final round, he did a behind-the-back dunk and followed with a reverse. I'm just excited to do whatever I can to help our team win.". Almost instantly, he became a hit, making his mark as one of the league's premier players. Iggy is currently playing for Miami Heat. His mother is African American, while his father is Nigerian. BBC Sport Africa has been finding out about all eight of the players set to be the stars of the future. The swingman was an NBA All-Star in 2012 and has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team twice. His arrival in Denver led to some league experts labeling Denver a contender. Andre is a citizen of the USA. He rested on one end of every back-to-back the . He has an older. On August 10, 2012, Iguodala was dealt to the Denver Nuggets in a series of trades also involving the Sixers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Orlando Magic. Its no secret that basketball is a global sport. Iguodala played for Philadelphia until the summer of 2012 when he joined the Denver Nuggets in a four-team trade. Iguodala was enticed by Arkansas's 13 system, which would have allowed Iguodala to run the point occasionally. 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). Last updated on 19 November 202019 November 2020.From the section Sport Africa. [5], As a sophomore in 200304, Iguodala was named team MVP after leading his team in rebounds, assists and steals. He finished the season averaging 17.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.8 apg, and 1.7 spg. For his defensive efforts throughout the season, Iguodala was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team Second Team, though his coaches and teammates lobbied for him to make the First Team. [42][43] The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers in six games, and Iguodala was named the Finals MVP, becoming the first player to win the award without starting a game during the regular season. They were eventually eliminated by the Boston Celtics in a thrilling seven games in the Conference Semifinals. So he was invited to try out for and in this case, try out for means make the Nigerian Olympic squad. It keeps me focused When people see us on the court, we want them to see God's work. Once he picks up momentum it is unstoppable to stop the Greek Freek. He began to step up his game as the season went on, leading Philadelphia to a playoff berth. During the 2011 NBA lockout, Iguodala had a week-long internship with Merrill Lynch.[28]. When Iguodala was in the game, James made only 38.1% of his shots, compared to 44% without Iguodala. Iguodala proved his versatility, as he was the only rookie and 76er to record a triple-double that season, doing it against the defending champion Detroit Pistons. Iguodala was born in Springfield, Illinois on January 28, 1984. Theres the saying, It takes a village to raise a child, and that kind of mindset and mentality, I think with his upbringing, rang very true, Vincent said. [85], Iguodala continued with the Miami Heat in a bench-role for the 202021 season. That season, he averaged 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. "I watched the NBA Finals, and thankful that they're welcoming me to Miami. During the season, the 76ers brought Iguodala's old friend Allen Iverson back in what would be his final season in the NBA before going to play overseas for Beikta. The 21-year-old, 6ft 9, power forward grew up playing football in Port Harcourt, before moving to the USA as a teenager. He returned to the Warriors in 2021 and won his fourth NBA championship the same season. Be the first one to comment on this story. And then as I continued to play better, as we went to Nigeria, we were able to interact with our people and be back home as we would call it, and it was just an eye-opening experience, Vincent said. Founded in Lagos,Nigeria in 2013, Jumia is the African version of Amazon. Andre Tyler Iguodala was born on the 28th of January 1984 to a Nigerian father and an African American mother in Illinois. You learn to balance your portfolio. Iguodala has played in six NBA finals, out of which five were with the Golden State Warriors and one with the Miami Heat. Last season, Iguodala played just 31 games during the regular season. With Iguodala now averaging 40.3 minutes per game, he led the Sixers on a late-season run, finishing the rest of the season 2621 and almost clinching the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, although their late run came more as a result of other teams "tanking" to secure a higher draft pick. Coach Mike Krzyzewski called Iguodala one of the team's best players, and compared his game to that of Scottie Pippen. A four-time NBA Champion with the Golden State Warriors and one of the leaders of the . The 6' 11" center plays in the NBA for the Phoenix Suns. He collected three triple-doubles that season, joining Jason Kidd as the only two players in Pac-10 history to post two or more triple-doubles in a season. He is expected to promote the companys business development and technology in the U.S. Iguodala is not only excited that he is visiting Nigeria for the first time as an adult, he is happy to invest home. Iguodala is a huge figure who wields influence in both on and off the court of Basketball. If you watch that game [vs Grizzlies] and you say hes a negative defender or a poor defender, Id like you to pee in a cup, OK?. It didnt feel right to me. 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. Andre Iguodala: American-based Nigerian NBA star - Vanguard News So I'm excited to learn from him. His father is Nigerian, while his mother is African American. I never gave it any serious thought. Free shipping for many products! Mr. Many colleges regarded Iguodala as a track star turned basketball player but teammate Luke Walton said, "He is going to be one of the best players to ever come out of Arizona by the time he is done here". Andre Iguodala found himself in recent months in discussions with his few N.B.A. In acknowledgment of the players of Nigerian Origin's impact on the NBA, this list is a chronicle of the best such active players. He played a leading role in each of Golden States championship seasons. Andre Iguodala is currently a player for the Miami Heat. Who is Christina Gutierrez, Wife of Andre Iguodala? His Parents, Family Join us in wishing @DeandreAyton of the @Suns a HAPPY 23rd BIRTHDAY! Early into the season, Philadelphia was struggling, which led to the departure of head coach Maurice Cheeks. 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. With Golden State down 21 in the series, Iguodala made his first start of the season, replacing center Andrew Bogut in Game 4. [36] Iguodala finished with 14 points and 9 assists. 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. Africa largest e-commerce platform welcomes Golden State super star Andre Iguodala as a board member. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. [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. Although the rookie had to adapt to a new culture when he moved from Port Harcourt to the United States in the eighth grade, he knows his upbringing played a vital role in who hes become. His high-flying leap and freakishly strong frame put him at second number on this list. So he was invited to try out for - and in this case, "try out for" means "make" - the Nigerian Olympic squad. He's not going to be able to play",[14] Iguodala used this as motivation in what proved to be a very productive rookie season. Read about our approach to external linking. He is a Nigerian who migrated to the capital of the United Stage, Springfield, Illinois. Giannis is a force of nature, an unstoppable force that mows down everything in its path. The annual draft sees NBA teams choose from the world's best young talent. Looking at the HEAT-Nigeria connection, as 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 . Deandre Ayton averaged 15.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and registered a 65.8 field goal percentage. The 76ers played much better basketball under Tony DiLeo. With the second overall pick in the draft, the Sixers made a big splash by drafting Evan Turner. Complete listing of all NBA Players and team rosters. It doesnt even do it justice. 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. [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. "To be honest, I didn't think I'd be in the position I'm in today. Jumia made the announcement stating that the 35-year old Andre will be "charged with promoting business development and technology in Africa.". [76] Golden State was eyeing a replacement for Thompson while he recovered from his injury, and the trade freed salary cap space for them to acquire All-Star guard D'Angelo Russell in a sign-and-trade package with the Brooklyn Nets for Durant, who had announced earlier that he planned to sign with the Nets. [87] He missed 31 games from January to April with back soreness. Aside winning several laurels as an NBA star, Iguodala is also a tech-investor and a leading advocate for athletes in the NBA to invest in the technology industry. His parents were Nigerian immigrants who moved to America. Im really proud of my culture. 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. I feel Im accountable for this business, on and off the court. 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. 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. "I've added 20 pounds of muscle. We went to the Eastern Conference finals, last year we were out in the first round and this year were a .500 team. That team, which includes Penn grad Koko Archibong, will compete in these Games with nine American-born players on its roster. Learn how your money works in different investment gigs. In the second round, Iguodala helped the Warriors defeat the Portland Trail Blazers in five games to qualify for the Western Conference Finals. Andre Iguodala - Co-Founder, General Partner - LinkedIn The Sixers, however, were a big disappointment, going only 2755 during the regular season and missing the playoffs after two straight playoff berths. Andre Iguodala Plans to End His Career With Golden State In his rookie year, he teamed up with Allen Iverson and would regularly display his leap to convert Iverson Alley Oops into monsterous dunks. He has since performed phenomenally for his team. In Game 7, Iguodala started in place of Harrison Barnes and again marked Kevin Durant. Andre Iguodala - Sportskeeda He still calls this house home now. [102], Iguodala is a tech investor and a leading advocate for athletes in the NBA to invest in the technology industry. In the deciding Game 7 with the score tied at 89 late in the game, Iguodala was going for a potential layup when Cleveland's James recovered for a chase-down block with 1:50 remaining, a play which came to be known as "The Block".[54]. After attending Lanphier High School in Springfield, Illinois, Iguodala enrolled at the University of Arizona. Previously with the 3-time NBA Champions Golden State Warriors, Iguodala was drafted into the NBA in 2004. Antony Ressler: There should be clarity. In the FIBA World Championships Iguodala displayed his athleticism with an array of fastbreak dunks. Im glad he played well, but Im glad we got the win. 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. In Game 6 of the Sixers' first-round playoff series against the Chicago Bulls, he made two free throws with 2.2 seconds left to win the game and help the Sixers upset the Bulls en route to the franchise's first playoff series win since 2003. That should be everyone's goal, to win a championship that everyone wants to win," Okongwu insisted. Thats where I grew up. Bernard Mensah | Meet the Ghanaian-born CEO of Merrill Lynch International, Bank of Americas largest International subsidiary, Barak Jacuzzi: 5 quick facts to know about the Kenyan-American rapper, Ghanaian-born Stephen Osei explains how his life is the American Dream, Tashitaa Tufaa | Meet the Ethiopian who started as a dishwasher but now owns 300 buses in Minneapolis, Adenah Bayoh: The Liberian-born real estate millionaire who is one of the largest employers in Irvinton, New Jersey. He showed his versatility during the season posting up a career-high in triple-doubles. [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. Ive never really had a chance to experience their culture, only from the outside looking in because of my father.'. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Andre Tyler Iguodala (born January 28, 1984) is an American professional basketball swingman for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). 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. [53] The Warriors would again play the Cleveland Cavaliers for the championship. [72] However, Thompson left the game after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee,[73] and Durant was already sidelined after rupturing his right Achilles tendon in Game 5. ", Jazz general manager Justin Zanik said: "We felt at the end of the day that 'Dok was the best defensive player, best player available given his unique production, physical attributes and ability to affect both offensively and defensively on the court,". From protecting his rim to cutting off a drive, he knows how to defend and score points. Golden State Warriors' Andre Iguodala joins Nigeria's Jumia Board of Do you believe significant roster changes might be necessary after this season? As part of the trade, he agreed to a two-year, $30 million extension with Miami, with the last year being a team option. He put up 11 points in an 8475 loss, and received a mixed response from the crowd. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Andre Iguodala. Jordan, who was born to a Nigerian father Alexander and American mother Amy, was part of the Nigerian team that played at the 2019 Men's World Cup. I feel quick. Almost instantly, he became a hit, making his mark as one of the leagues premier players. Your login session has expired. His older brother, Frank, played for Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois, and Dayton. This was also the fifth time in NBA history that an eighth seed defeated a first seed in the opening round of the playoffs. He was named NBA All-Star in 2012. Andre Iguodala to remain away from team as Memphis Grizzlies look for trade The Memphis Grizzlies and veteran forward Andre Iguodala have reached an agreement to let him stay away from the. Iguodala was second behind James for most triple-doubles during the 201011 season. Iguodala averaged career-highs in rebounds, assists, and blocks, and a career-low in personal fouls. Of course, the Basketball Africa League, which was organized by the NBA and FIBA, should foster even more interest in the sport. From there, you start doing your homework. He was named Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year as well as a second-team Parade All-American and Nike All-American. And I wouldnt trade anything for my culture and me being from Nigeria.. [48] The Warriors' NBA-record start ended after 24 wins when they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 10895 on December 12. To be fair, some will read this and say the owner didnt close the door to trading Trae Young. The Warriors' small lineup, which came to be known as the Death Lineup, helped turn the series around. Copyright 2023 SLAM Media Inc. SLAM, SLAMTV, SLAM MEDIA and the SLAM logo are registered Aside winning several laurels as an NBA star, Iguodala is also a tech-investor and a. Denver Nuggets snapped up 19-year-old Zeke Nnaji as the 22nd overall pick. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2b9bbd9d8d80d2 The inaugural edition of the event began in 2017 where Iguodala and teammate Stephen Curry played hosts. In his freshman year, the Wildcats were defeated in the Elite Eight by Kansas. The most noteworthy performance of his career came last season when the Phoenix Suns reached the NBA finals, a first for Ayton. Precious Achiuwa, who is one of two players born and raised in Nigeria, was the 20th overall pick and was picked by Miami Heat. He drives to the ring with great speed and regularly dunks without holding back. Just giving those kids back home an opportunity to be able to showcase their talent in a well-put-together league, I think, is great.. NBA Star, Andre Iguodala Believes In Nigeria's E-Commerce Growth Since entering the NBA, Iguodala had played in 806 games as a starter without entering a game as a reserve, a league high over that span. 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. I didn't think I'd be able to play at a level like Louisville," he said before the draft. Even though I wasn't born in Nigeria, I still got Nigerian blood. You do some research on those companies because you are watching where your money is going and how its growing or how its being lost. peers remaining, the ones who sculpted paralleling journeys, from being teenagers to experiencing parenthood, from . Ive gotten calls from them a few times about participating. In 2004, the first time he was called, Iguodala was preparing for his rookie season with the 76ers. [99][100] Iguodala enjoys playing video games, particularly the NBA 2K series. He was born to Nigerian parents who are pentecostal ministers in Minnesota, with his father Francis a former table tennis player for Nigeria. The 2020-21 NBA Champion and NBA Finals MVP, a player who is now arguably the best player in the league, Giannis Antetokounmpo is without a question number 1 on our list. And once guys realize that, they really get into something that is really healthy for you.. [103] The second edition saw other athletes from the NBA like Kevin Durant and Jaylen Brown make debuts. We want to be a good representation of what we believe in. Andre Iguodala Stats, News, Bio | ESPN The meaning in Igbo is something like " (Igu) Weed/wheat/hay, (o) referring to a person in the like of he/she, (dala) fell/fall". In his sophomore year, Arizona was defeated in the first round by Seton Hall. That's tough, but we didn't deserve to win. Jim, we did it baby! Andre Iguodala: American-based Nigerian NBA star - Vanguard News Iguodala told . He went on to play for the Golden State Warriors and won three rings in 2015, 2017, and 2018. Nerlens Noel is signing a deal with the Brooklyn Nets, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. He scored 17.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. Iguodalas father is Nigerian. The objective of the event is to help startups understand what they need to do to attract investment. [39], Entering the 201415 season, first-year Warriors coach Steve Kerr elected to move Iguodala from the starting rotation to the sixth man reserve position, in favor of forward Harrison Barnes. [5][8][9] As a senior in 2002, Iguodala led Lanphier's basketball team to a runner-up finish at the Illinois High School Association Class AA state tournament. They kept him on their 15-man opening day roster instead of buying out the 35-year-old veteran, who was earning $17 million in the last year of his contract. Andre Iguodala is signing with the Golden State Warriors, according to Jonathan Abrams of the New York Times on Friday. Getty Images. Youll never hear a bad thing said about Russell Westbrook from anyone in this league thats played against him or with him., Faced with the internal revolt, Tony Parker is now backing away from the idea to sell the majority shares in the LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne organization, Ja Morant was allegedly seen showing off a gun in his IG Live this morning. On January 3, 2014, Iguodala hit a game-winning, 3-point buzzer-beater in the Warriors' 101100 win over the Atlanta Hawks. [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. Antony Ressler on Trae Young: 'I don't open the door or close the door to any personnel'. The 76ers finished the season at 4042, winning 22 of their last 29 games and earning a playoff spot with a victory over the Atlanta Hawks on April 4. [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. Iguodala played AAU basketball under Larry Butler and the Illinois Warriors, the team that has featured other professional players such as Dwyane Wade, Quentin Richardson, and Jon Scheyer. Coming in as the 27th overall pick was Udoka Azubuike who will be playing for the Utah Jazz. The organization has hosted basketball camps and the annual "Thanksgiving with Dre", which has distributed food baskets to families in need. For his defensive contributions to the Warriors, Iguodala was named to the 2014 All-NBA Defensive first team. Iguodala entered the 2017 off-season as a free agent and held meetings with numerous competing teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, and Houston Rockets. 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 a 114110 series-ending loss in Game 6, Iguodala had 22 points for his best scoring output of the postseason. Full Name. His mother is African American, while his father is Nigerian. "You know, I feel like I bring a mature approach.
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